FILE – In this Oct. 29, 2008, file photo, a drilling rig used to extract natural gas from the Marcellus Shale, located on a hill above a pond on John Dunn's farm in the Washington County borough of Houston, Pa. The state of Pennsylvania will work with a major natural gas producer to collect in-depth data on air emissions and water quality at well sites, enhance public disclosure of drilling chemicals and expand buffer zones, officials announced Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, touting the collaboration as the first of its kind. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Two federal lawmakers serving Greater Williamsport, one who co-chaired the president-elect’s statewide campaign, say restoring energy independence and lowering cost are what they are looking for in the administration.

The inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump is Monday, and U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, representing the 9th Congressional District, and his colleague, U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard, representing the 15th District, expressed having interest in seeing Trump’s promise to put “American First” with Pennsylvania leading the way.

“President Trump’s administration will put America first and restore our country’s energy dominance, delivering real benefits to families and small businesses across Pennsylvania,” Meuser said.

Thompson has echoed Meuser’s thoughts on energy policy when he spoke last year to the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and during the last Lincoln Day GOP Dinner in Williamsport.

Pennsylvania’s energy sector supports more than 420,000 jobs and contributes more than $75 billion to the state economy, Thompson told the chamber.

Besides the direct economic impact, Thompson stressed the importance of reliable, low-cost energy for heating homes, powering businesses, and generating tax revenue.

He, too, considered the Biden administration’s energy policies as a major driver of inflation and cited several pieces of legislation he and his colleagues have advanced to reduce costs for American families and advance domestic energy production. Using the Commonwealth’s resources, Thompson said he believes the administration will create jobs and opportunities in communities that are suffering under these anti-energy policies. He also told the chamber he supported ways to reduce bureaucratic hurdles in approving critical energy projects while maintaining key safety and environmental standards.

“During his first term, the U.S. became a net energy exporter for the first time in 70 years, we led the world in oil and natural gas production, and families saved an average of $2,500 annually on energy costs,” Meuser remarked.

Trump’s administration increased liquid natural gas (LNG) exports fivefold, opened federal lands to energy development, and cut burdensome permitting red tape to accelerate energy infrastructure projects.”

“In his second term, President Trump will build on these successes by revoking restrictions on offshore drilling, approving export permits for new LNG projects, and holding lease sales more frequently on federal lands,” Meuser said.

These actions will not only increase production and lower energy costs but also help reduce overall inflation, which surged across the economy in large part due to the previous administration’s anti-American energy policies, he said.

Crude oil prices, meanwhile, have jumped a bit to nearly $74 per barrel, which makes it the highest it has been in several months, according to GasBuddy analysis.

For those using fuel oil, it typically costs an average of $650 for filling a 275 gallon tank with heating oil, which requires regular annual maintenance added to the cost.

Throughout the region, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline at most pumps in Greater Williamsport is slightly more than it was a month ago and less than it was a year ago at this time.

Locally, with the average is at $3.26, and there are places in Lycoming County and surrounding counties that are less, with the price about 10 cents less than it was a year ago, the AAA site shows.

Forecasters are of the belief that Americans will see slight increases at the pump in coming weeks.

This seasonal spike is typically seen in early-mid-February and lasting through March, according to the agency with offices in South Williamsport and Scranton, which can provide gas prices as well as travel analysis.

The average price for a gallon of gas a month ago was $3.26. Prices are far worse in Hawaii, which pays an average of $4.57, and not nearly as good as those in Oklahoma, who pay, on average, $2.57, AAA said.

Meanwhile, Trump guarantees his campaign promise for America’s oil and gas industry.

His campaign slogan, “Drill, Baby, Drill” has become synonymous with his plan to boost fossil fuel production.

He also said he would reverse climate policies and regulations aimed at reducing U.S. carbon emissions.

Trump earlier this year said he “will terminate” the Inflation Reduction Act and issue an executive order to “make sure that offshore wind ends on day one.”

Meuser said he considered it “outrageous” that President Joe Biden issued an executive action to permanently ban future offshore oil and gas development in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to make it difficult for the incoming administration to undo. Biden’s action bans new oil and gas leasing for about 625 million acres of U.S. coastlines.

Meuser said he considered oil and gas drilling as a national security issue as it can lower inflation and create jobs.

“President Trump’s policies will also protect our national security by ensuring we are no longer reliant on foreign adversaries to meet our energy needs,” Meuser said.

“At the same time, American energy production is the cleanest in the world. Expanding domestic energy production, particularly natural gas – which emits half the carbon of other energy sources – will not only meet our energy demands but also reduce global carbon emissions,” he said.

“By repealing harmful energy regulations, increasing supply, and establishing a National Energy Council, America will achieve true energy dominance, lower costs, and renewed economic strength,” Meuser said.