Not everyone gets to make a living doing what they love, but I’m one of the lucky ones.
For more than 60 years, my family has been in the engine business, starting with my father Don’s work on high-performance race engines. Today, at Bolland Machine in Chippewa Township, Pa., we’ve expanded that legacy to serve industries that rely on internal combustion engines to power the economy—including natural gas compression, transportation and agriculture.
Our shop tackles everything from rebuilding Caterpillar and Waukesha engines to fabricating custom air filtration systems that improve performance and reduce emissions. We even design solutions like Closed-Loop Crankcase Vent Systems, which eliminate oily aerosol emissions to protect the environment. Whether it’s a racing engine or a compressor that keeps gas moving through the pipelines, we’ve built our reputation on solving the toughest challenges for businesses that keep America running.
Growing up in New Brighton, Pa., I’ve spent my life around the precision, power, and potential of engines. I’ve worked on them, owned them, and raced them—from motocross bikes to V8 race cars and more.
To me, being a gearhead isn’t just a passion; it’s a way of life.
But today, gearheads like me and millions of others who depend on internal combustion engines are at risk of losing our livelihoods because of Washington policies that push electric vehicles on consumers. These policies, while aiming to promote sustainability, fail to account for the businesses and communities whose livelihoods are tied to traditional vehicles and the energy sources that power them.
To be clear, I’m not opposed to electric vehicles. I respect the choices of those who want them. However, I believe policymakers should respect my freedom—and that of others—to choose vehicles that fit our businesses and lifestyles. Where I live and in my line of work, that freedom is critical.
Consumer choice is at the heart of sound energy policy. That point was featured during the American Petroleum Institute’s 2025 State of American Energy in Washington, D.C., last month, which I attended as a special guest. The event offered a clear connection between consumer freedom and the strength of our nation’s economy, as detailed in API’s Five-Point Policy Roadmap.
Our natural gas and oil producers provide the fuel millions of Americans rely on for their daily transportation. Without the option to choose proven, reliable vehicles, we could all be forced into options that don’t fit our needs.
Unfortunately, agencies like the EPA and NHTSA have pushed policies that would effectively phase out new hybrid and liquid-fuel vehicles through restrictive tailpipe and fuel economy standards. Tailpipe emissions have even dropped thanks to advances in clean fuels and vehicle technology. New cars, trucks, SUVs and buses run about 99 percent cleaner than models produced in 1970. For businesses like mine, overly restrictive policies could threaten our racing future and reduce demand for internal combustion engines, jeopardizing the livelihoods of workers and others who depend on this technology.
But consumer choice is just one part of the equation.
To ensure businesses like mine and others in energy-dependent industries can thrive, we need smart policies that fully leverage America’s natural resources. This includes streamlining the permitting process, implementing sensible tax policies, and strengthening our geopolitical standing with liquefied natural gas and other fuels to help allies. Combined, these steps will solidify America’s leadership for generations, boosting our economy and supporting nearly 11 million jobs—including the ones at Bolland Machine.
The 2024 election made clear that voters support pro-energy policies. Now, it’s time for federal and state elected officials to act. They’ve talked the talk – it’s time to walk the walk. Rolling back harmful regulations like the EPA’s tailpipe rule and reinstating policies that foster energy growth will help us reach our full potential.
My business and others like it depend on affordable, reliable energy, which natural gas and oil provide. We need to produce more of both – for a stable, successful economy that supports businesses like mine and communities across the country.
