(The Center Square) – At a recent campaign event in Houston, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a Dallas Democrat, said his energy policy doesn’t have to be “an either or’” approach and “promised to protect oil and gas jobs as part of an all-of-the-above approach.”
Allred is challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican from Houston.
“We can protect our environment, combat climate change, lower energy costs and incentivize economic growth simultaneously. We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy that keeps costs low and helps create a more reliable electric grid,” his campaign website states. The website doesn’t mention Texas leading in oil and natural gas production and breaking records every year, including leading in reducing methane emissions. Texas is leading primarily because producers operate on private land and have state regulatory and legislative support, they argue. But they also have called on Congress, turning to Cruz and others, for permitting and other reforms.
On Sunday, Allred’s campaign published an endorsement by the Natural Resources Defense Council, a group committed to banning fracking and “fighting to protect public lands from oil and gas development.” It also supports the Biden-Harris administration’s liquified natural gas export ban and its political action committee has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
President Joe Biden and Harris have vowed to ban fracking for years and also have taken over 200 actions against the U.S. oil and natural gas industry, according to an analysis.
Banning fracking would cost Texas 3.2 million jobs, according to a study published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute, and a loss of $1.5 trillion to its GDP. Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas legislature oppose it and other federal actions, including restrictions on natural gas appliances supported by NRDC.
When posting NRDC’s endorsement on Instagram, Allred said, “I’m proud of the work that I’ve done to ensure we take an all-of-the-above energy approach that addresses the climate crisis,” according to a screenshot of the post, which has since been removed. When asked about the endorsement or removing it, his campaign didn’t respond.
“It’s not surprising at all to know Congressman Allred took down the NRDC endorsement because he’s likely trying to hide that, and other things, from his failing record,” Larry Behrens, communications director for Power the Future, told The Center Square.
“The NRDC is a driving force behind the Biden-Harris energy failures and it’s clear sure some don’t want the public to know they sold out to those radical environmentalists. Congressman Allred had the chance to support the Lower Energy Costs Act and stand up to the Biden-Harris administration on solar panels and instead he voted the way the NRDC wanted. Let’s be clear, Allred may be able to hide his shameful endorsement, but he can’t hide the truth from the people of Texas.”
Kathleen Sgamma, president of Western Energy Alliance, said that “NRDC has a long record of being anti-oil-and-gas, and they endorse Democrats because the party has decided to align itself with the environmental left.”
Allred’s voting record also appears to contradict his campaign claims.
After the Biden-Harris administration implemented its LNG export ban, public outcry ensued and several Texas Democrats, including Allred called on the president to reverse it. U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, then filed a bill to reverse it, which passed by a vote of 224-200. Nine Democrats voted for it, including only three from Texas: Henry Cuellar, Vicente Gonzalez and Marc Veasey. Allred wasn’t among them.
Cuellar also led a bipartisan congressional energy export caucus expressing concerns that Russia and U.S. enemies were benefiting from the ban. Allred didn’t join them.
Allred also voted against a bill to reduce energy costs. Only two Texas Democrats, Cuellar and Gonzalez, voted for it. Allred also voted against another bill to modify the permitting process for energy projects, among other provisions, and against the Restoring American Energy Dominance Act. Only two Texas Democrats supported it: Cuellar and Gonzalez.
Ed Longanecker, president of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, told The Center Square, “While TIPRO does not officially endorse candidates, the lifetime voting record on oil and gas priorities is vastly different between the two, with Senator Cruz voting at 95% and Congressman Allred at 27%,” referring to an Independent Petroleum Association of American ranking. “We encourage all voters to do their due diligence and clearly, voting records are a clear indicator as it relates to oil and natural gas policy.”
Cruz also received a similar A+ ranking from the American Energy Alliance, which endorsed him as “a steadfast champion of American energy independence, standing firm against policies that harm our energy sector and drive up costs for Texas families and businesses alike.” The AEA gave Allred a D grade for his voting record on energy policy.
Earlier this year, Cruz introduced a bill to kill a natural gas tax proposed by the Biden-Harris administration, and has consistently voted and advocated for policies to expand pipeline and port permits, reduce energy costs and expand U.S. energy independence, The Center Square has reported. The nonpartisan Chamber of Commerce also recently endorsed Cruz after twice endorsing Allred telling The Center Square, “Sen. Cruz has a proven track record of support for policies that cut taxes, fight regulatory overreach, boost domestic energy production, modernize infrastructure, and promote trade, while protecting American jobs.”
The Texas oil and natural gas industry continues to break multiple records in production, exports, refining outcomes, crude oil supply, emissions reductions, job growth, and paid a record $26.3 billion in taxes in fiscal 2023, The Center Square reported.