- May 1, 2025
Lankford, Hudson Unveil Bill to End Biden-Era ‘Social Cost’ Climate Models, Supercharge Trump’s American Energy Agenda
WASHINGTON, DC — Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act alongside Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC), legislation that will eliminate the use of “social cost” metrics in federal rulemaking and reinforce President Donald Trump’s Unleashing American Energy executive order.
“Under President Trump, American energy dominance is back, and states like Oklahoma are fueling the charge,” said Lankford. “This bill pushes back on the Biden Administration’s war on American energy producers by ensuring federal rulemaking is grounded in facts—not flawed models or political agendas. It’s a necessary step to restore transparency, rein in government overreach, and keep American energy competitive.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration used every tool at their disposal to advance their radical green agenda,” said Hudson. “My bill ensures that going forward, no Administration can use inaccurate, unreliable standards to pass dangerous regulations.”
Background
The social cost of greenhouse gas metrics are theoretical measurements that try to put a price or economic impact on emissions. Measurement theories have been used by the federal government to determine the economic impact of potential federal regulations, even though they are unscientific and can result in more burdensome regulations.
Lankford’s bill would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Interior Department, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Health and Human Services from using the social cost of carbon, the social cost of methane, and social cost of nitrous oxide as rationales for their regulations.
The Washington Reporter published an exclusive on the legislation, which you can read HERE.
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