OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed legislation to strengthen the energy sector and promote energy independence.

“On this day in 1862, the first petroleum shipment from the U.S. to Europe arrived in England,” Dahm said. “Unfortunately, the radical left has so crippled our country with their ridiculous climate policies, that we are no longer exporting oil but are forced to import it. Their demonization of oil, natural gas, and nuclear has left our country dependent on others. These bills attempt to keep Oklahoma’s energy industry strong and independent.”

Senate Bill 202 would create a protection for internal combustion engines and SB204 would require companies receiving bailouts from the winter storm to implement certain grid-hardening measures.

“The state of California banned the production of internal combustion engines after the year 2035 in an effort to force a switch to electric cars or ‘cleaner’ transportation options,” Dahm said. “A week later, fully unaware of the irony, they asked citizens to refrain from charging their electric cars to lessen the strain on the grid. SB202 and SB204 are an effort to keep our state as dissimilar to California as possible and avoid their rolling blackouts.”

SB 206 would approve the construction of a micro-nuclear plant in the state of Oklahoma.

“Nuclear energy is safe, effective, and clean,” Dahm said. “We should be pursuing diverse but effective energy options in our state, not subsidizing ineffective energy like wind and solar.”

SB205 would create a state petroleum reserve, and SB210 would incentivize the creation of new oil refineries.

“Rather than running our state into the ground and relying on other states for assistance, these bills will help prepare our state for economic downturns and also be as energy independent as possible.”