An NFIB member recently testified in a hearing about energy production
Energy prices are an increasing cost that small businesses seek to manage, while also dealing with inflation and supply chain disruptions. NFIB member and owner of Go Wireline LLC Lucas Gjovig recently testified in a U.S. House Small Business Committee hearing to discuss energy production. NFIB supports H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act and announced it will be a Key Vote for the 118th Congress. The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives on March 30, 2023, and is now waiting to be taken up by the U.S. Senate.
“Small businesses continue to face various economic headwinds, including increased energy costs,” said Kevin Kuhlman, NFIB Vice President of Federal Government Relations. “This legislation will help small businesses nationwide by increasing energy production and streamlining the permitting process for energy-related projects. We applaud the U.S. House for passing this legislation, which would provide small businesses with much-needed relief on energy costs.”
According to an NFIB survey, over three-quarters (79%) of small employers reported that rising “fuel (gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, etc.)” prices are a substantial contributor to higher costs. In March, the U.S. House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains held a hearing titled “Highlighting the Role of Small Businesses in Domestic Energy Production.” This hearing outlined the impact high energy and regulatory costs are having on America’s small businesses.
Lucas is the President of Go Wireline LLC, a domestic energy production business that has around 200 employees working out of western North Dakota and Colorado. He discussed the importance of the energy sector with the increased global demand for energy.
“Small businesses like Go Wireline play an invaluable role in domestic oil and gas production and are vital to job creation and growing the economy,” Lucas explained. “Small businesses like ours are also the heart and soul of the communities in which we work. Our customers are mostly domestic energy companies both large and small. They have felt the impacts of the increased global demand for energy as the world has emerged from the pandemic. But energy production is not as simple as turning on the spigot.”
In an NFIB member ballot, more than 88% of small business owners support streamlining regulations to facilitate the production and transport of oil, natural gas, and other energy sources in the United States.
Take Action: Urge your Senators to pass the Lower Energy Costs Act to reduce energy costs for small businesses.
