Bill Overview
Title: FREE American Energy Act
Description: This bill generally expedites the review of energy projects, limits executive power over certain energy projects, delegates certain energy permitting authority to states, provides statutory authority for specified environmental rules, and terminates tax credits for certain vehicles.
Sponsors: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by changes in energy and environmental policies
Estimated Size: 335000000
- The bill aims to expedite the review and execution of energy projects in the United States, affecting those involved in or reliant on the energy sector.
- Limiting executive power over energy projects and delegating authority to states could lead to varying impacts on residents depending on state decisions.
- Revoking tax credits for certain vehicles may affect consumers who are planning to purchase these vehicles, potentially reducing affordability.
- Changes to statutory authority for environmental rules may impact industries required to comply with these regulations and environmental activism groups.
Reasoning
- The target population includes workers in the energy sector, consumers planning to purchase certain vehicles, state government officials, and environmental activists.
- The policy will have varying impacts across different states due to differences in energy project authority allocation.
- Revocation of vehicle tax credits is likely to impact consumers financially, with potential negative effects on their wellbeing.
- The expedited review process for energy projects may lead to job creation, impacting employment and economic conditions positively in some regions.
- Environmental concerns and statutory rule changes may lead to differing opinions and wellbeing impacts among activists and environmentally sensitive regions.
Simulated Interviews
Oil and gas engineer (Texas)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy will streamline processes, which is generally positive for my work.
- The delegation of permitting authority to states could be a concern if Texas enacts unexpected regulations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Environmental lawyer (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy prioritizes energy projects over environmental protection, which is concerning.
- California might have stricter state regulations, but this could limit federal intervention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
State government official (Colorado)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our state could benefit from increased state control over energy projects.
- Reduced federal oversight might allow more flexibility, but also more responsibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Automobile sales manager (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Revoking the vehicle tax credits will make it harder to sell certain cars.
- Customers will reconsider purchases, hitting sales and commissions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Wind turbine technician (Alaska)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems to sideline renewable projects like mine in favor of fossil fuels.
- Could impact job security if fossil fuel projects overshadow renewables.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Retiree (Florida)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without the tax credit, my vehicle's cost would have been unmanageable.
- I hope states can maintain fair energy prices and keep bills low.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Pipeline maintenance worker (North Dakota)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Speedier project approvals will help keep my job secure.
- Shifts in state policy could bring unexpected changes though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
College student (Nevada)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry this bill makes environmental jobs harder to come by.
- State authorities could focus more on energy project jobs than environmental roles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Customer service representative (Ohio)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I chose an electric vehicle due to tax credits, without it, I couldn't afford it.
- Energy policies should focus on lowering costs and encouraging renewables.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Solar panel installer (Washington)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned that fossil fuel projects will take priority over renewables.
- Washington's state policies might counterbalance federal changes though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $700000000)
Year 2: $550000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $750000000)
Year 3: $600000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $800000000)
Year 5: $700000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $900000000)
Year 10: $900000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 100: $2000000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2500000000)
Key Considerations
- Administrative costs for expedited reviews and state-delegated authority.
- Economic benefits through increased energy sector activity and investment.
- Complexities in the transition from federal to state-level permit approvals.
- Impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and environmental quality due to regulatory changes.