Washington, D.C. — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement after reintroducing H.R. 8954, the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act (PLREDA) of 2024,legislation which increases production of wind, solar, and geothermal energy on public lands:

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s unprecedented war on American energy has been catastrophic.  Since taking office, Biden has deliberately made it much more difficult, if not impossible, to produce energy here in America.  The result is that Americans are paying record high gasoline prices while our enemies have been empowered.

Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal are an integral part of the United States’ all-of-the-above energy strategy.  Our nation’s public lands can play a critical role in fight backing against Biden’s war on American energy and can help restore American energy dominance.

To help drive investment towards the highest quality renewable sources, my legislation streamlines land use and promotes more renewable energy on federal lands.  H.R. 8954 uses upfront planning and careful siting to identify appropriate areas for wind, solar and geothermal energy.

In addition, PLREDA incentivizes development in these lower-conflict priority areas while ensuring impacts to wildlife, habitat and cultural resources are avoided and minimized. The bill also directs agencies to provide staffing resources to ensure project permitting moves forward as efficiently as possible.

Importantly, PLREDA is set for a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on July 23 at 10:30 a.m.,” said Rep. Gosar.

“Increased clean energy deployment on federal lands can play a critical role in meeting our nation’s growing electricity demand,” added JC Sandberg, Chief Advocacy Officer, American Clean Power (ACP). “American Clean Power applauds Representative Gosar for introducing the Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, which will encourage development of new projects on federal lands while ensuring revenue from their development goes to the states, counties, conservation programs, and taxpayers where these projects are located. It’s a win-win for communities and our nation as a whole. ACP supports this important bill and looks forward to working with Congress to advance it through the legislative process.”