Senator Ted Cruz Introduces Bill to Repeal Democratic Legislation on Natural Gas Tax

A bill introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, aims to eliminate the “natural gas tax” proposal included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Under Cruz’s bill, the IRA provisions allowing the Environmental Protection Agency to impose fines on energy companies for exceeding government-mandated methane emission limits would be repealed, as reported by the Daily Caller.

“Joe Biden and Biden officials prioritizing their radical climate agenda over the needs of the American people have consistently driven up inflation and put American jobs and energy security at risk,” Cruz stated.

Cruz added, “The methane emissions fee in the Inflation Reduction Act would exacerbate these issues, particularly harming producers in Texas, including those in the Permian Basin and across the state.”

Support for Cruz’s plan comes from organizations like the Independent Petroleum Producers of America, the American Exploration and Production Council, the U.S. Oil and Gas Association, and the American Petroleum Institute.

House Republicans previously approved a similar bill to repeal the natural gas tax in the IRA back in March.

“President Biden’s tax on natural gas production only serves to complicate the production of American-made energy and increase costs,” said Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, author of the House bill. “Congress must act to repeal this impending regulatory disaster.”

Pfluger added, “My legislation to repeal the tax has already passed in the House, and I am pleased to collaborate with Sen. Cruz to move it forward to the president’s desk. Energy security is national security.”

Additionally, the Senate recently passed a resolution authored by Cruz disapproving of a Department of Energy rule on gas furnace efficiency standards, which would effectively ban non-condensing gas furnace models and significantly increase costs for American families.