Promoting American Energy

As a representative of a leading coal and gas production state, Congresswoman Carol Miller wants to promote the use of American energy around the world.

Miller is part of the bipartisan Congressional Energy Export Caucus. The caucus formed in 2020 with the goal of promoting realistic, responsible, sustainable and cost-effective solutions and legislation to reestablish the U.S. as a leader of energy exportation with a pro-energy trade agenda that creates jobs, rebuilds the economy, modernizes American energy infrastructure, strengthens U.S. security and maintains global trade competitiveness.

“America has abundant natural resources and advanced energy producers and technologies that are capable of building and powering the world,” Miller says. “It is imperative we export them efficiently.”

In addition to Miller, Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas, Republican Representative Jodey Arrington of Texas and Democratic Representative Lou Correa of California are also part of the caucus. The caucus not only joins together representatives from energy-producing states, it joins leaders from across the aisle in a common effort.

“This caucus being bipartisan shows that American energy exportation is an important issue that has support from both sides of the aisle,” Miller says. “As representatives from top energy-producing states, we share a common goal to export American energy and have more power to achieve those goals when we work together in a bipartisan way.”

To Miller and the caucus, energy exports should be an all of the above solution.

“Developing countries need resilient, affordable sources of energy to help their people reach the energy goals to reduce poverty and increase prosperity,” Miller says. “Developed countries need those solutions to harness things like nuclear,
wind and solar along with substantial investments in carbon capture. The U.S. has an energy solution for every single country and every single situation, and no two are the same. We can help every country meet their energy needs as long as we don’t take anything off the table.”

The caucus engages fellow Congress members, thought leaders and key stakeholders with the common goal of positioning and executing a comprehensive U.S. pro-energy trade agenda. Among the victories of the caucus, Miller counts introducing the Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act in July 2020. The legislation would increase energy security for all NATO allies, help NATO allies strengthen their own national security and expedite approval of U.S. energy exports.

The caucus also sent a bipartisan letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel advocating for increased energy cooperation between the U.S., Germany and all European allies.

More than 45% of the European Union’s natural gas is currently imported from Russia. The letter aimed to point out the risks associated with relying on Russian energy, including the continued construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would give Russia even greater leverage over the security of America’s European allies.

“With our world-renowned energy resources, such as coal and natural gas, the U.S. stands ready to help power our European allies,” Miller said when announcing the letter. “Energy security is national security, and I call on Germany and all of our friends across the Atlantic to ensure their own energy security by choosing America—not Russia—to power their communities. I am proud to stand alongside my fellow Congressional Energy Export Caucus co-chairs and my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to make sure Russia’s authoritarian regime has no place in international energy exports.”

Caucus members have also been featured on industry and academic panels to advance the conversation surrounding American energy and highlight the importance of U.S. exports for the economy, climate goals and emerging technologies. They’ve met with numerous ambassadors to let nations know that America stands willing and ready to provide energy to the world.

“These pro-American energy victories help the U.S. maintain its energy independence,” Miller says. “Now more than ever, it has become clear we must strengthen our energy industry here at home to protect our national security and power the world.”

According to Miller, American energy is the most affordable and reliable in the world.

“America stands ready to provide her allies what Russia can’t: safe and reliable energy without any strings attached,” she says.

The caucus’s ultimate goal is to use the U.S.’ abundant natural resources and innovative energy technology to help allies power their grids and to help developing nations create modern, responsible energy projects, increase capacity, decrease poverty and meet their carbon goals.

“The caucus will continue to strive to reestablish U.S. leadership with a pro-energy trade agenda that creates jobs, rebuilds the economy, modernizes American energy infrastructure, strengthens U.S. security and maintains global trade competitiveness,” Miller says.