Anti-Energy Dems Leave Americans Out in the Cold

Last week, a “polar vortex” froze Americans with record low temperatures. Nationwide demand for natural gas reached historic highs as homeowners and power generators burned it to fend off the bone-chilling cold. Faced with high demand for a limited supply, natural gas prices in the New York region skyrocketed for the week. Spot power prices in Texas surged 19,000 percent within hours. Forthcoming utility bills could shock many Americans.

The cold weather lasted a few days, but the life-sustaining warmth generated from coal, natural gas, and oil should remain on Americans’ minds. Without these fossil fuels, Americans would be left out in the cold.

Fossil fuels keep Americans warm

Out in the cold is exactly where the Democrats’ war on fossil fuels leaves the American people. Democrats’ policy choices focus on eliminating coal, oil, and natural gas from our nation’s energy mix. At every turn, their agenda shapes the U.S. marketplace to favor “green” energy over conventional fuels, while dismissing Republican proposals that would advance both. Their policies contribute to higher home heating costs and reduced electric reliability for American energy consumers.

This winter’s natural gas prices had been expected to remain below the average of the previous five winters. This was primarily thanks to booming shale gas production on private lands -- and in spite of Democrat policies that restrict natural gas production on federal lands. But natural gas prices are projected to jump 54 percent by 2040. The cost of electricity, distillate fuel oil, and propane are also expected to rise.

Predicted energy prices will likely increase even faster as forecasters account for regulations not yet imposed by President Obama and rubberstamped by Democrats. So far, Democrats have focused on eliminating coal, but soon they will direct more effort at oil and natural gas. In the end, Democrats would rather promote climate change ideology than reduce energy poverty. If the policies being pushed by Washington Democrats continue, supply will fall further behind demand, and Americans’ utility bills will become more unaffordable – especially during future cold snaps.