NW Kentucky News

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer, alongside Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Chairman Eric Burlison, is scrutinizing the application of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) under the Biden Administration. The inquiry focuses on how the Act's enforcement may have influenced energy costs.

In correspondence with Acting Assistant Administrator Emily Menashes of the National Marine Fisheries Service, the lawmakers requested insights into the agency's adherence to President Trump's National Energy Emergency declaration. This effort is part of a broader investigation into the Biden Administration’s energy policies.

“The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires NOAA Fisheries to consult the Secretary of Commerce on whether a species should be listed as endangered or otherwise. Environmentalist groups abused the ESA and regulations promulgated under its authority by filing a litany of lawsuits to create regulatory delays on infrastructure projects they oppose and to influence NOAA Fisheries’ decisions,” they stated. The lawmakers expressed that, under the current administration, NOAA Fisheries allegedly conformed ESA policies to align with certain environmental groups' demands.

The Biden Administration has reportedly increased the criteria for removing species from the endangered list, expanded designations for critical habitats, and impacted energy, agriculture, and ranching sectors. President Trump's declaration requires a review of policies impacting domestic energy infrastructure and seeks community input on federal actions through the ESA Committee.

“President Trump’s National Energy Emergency declaration mandates the ESA Committee convene and identify ‘obstacles to domestic energy infrastructure specifically when deriving from implementation of the ESA’ or other relevant laws. ESA Committee members will propose regulatory reforms, consider species listings, and improve the interagency consultation process,” the letter continued. Calls for a briefing on NOAA Fisheries’ compliance with Trump's declaration were also made. The lawmakers seek clarity on the agency's methods to address energy cost concerns.

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