Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, released a discussion draft of the Permitting Our Way to an Energy Resurgence (POWER) Act on July 22. The legislation aims to address what Guthrie described as America’s broken permitting system and seeks to lower energy costs for families by streamlining the approval process for energy infrastructure projects.
Guthrie said, “To win the race to AI dominance, onshore jobs, and deliver reliable and affordable power for families, Americans need a permitting system that works for their communities. The POWER Act cuts the red tape holding back American innovation, protects hard-working families from higher electricity costs, and keeps the lights on for generations to come. This package is the result of months of hard work by Members across the Committee on Energy and Commerce. For too long, burdensome regulations that fail to meet the moment have held back economic growth. I’m proud to introduce commonsense legislation that will make energy more affordable for every American and unleash industrial expansion to support new jobs and growth.”
Congressman Bob Latta, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, said, “The POWER Act is a critical step toward modernizing our nation’s energy permitting process and ensuring we can build the infrastructure needed to power America’s future. This comprehensive discussion draft includes 19 bills from the Energy and Environment Subcommittees that provide commonsense solutions to strengthen America’s energy infrastructure and reliability.” Latta also highlighted provisions such as his Electric Supply Chain Act addressing supply chain challenges in grid repairs.
Congressman Gary Palmer, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, said, “For too long, Washington’s broken permitting process has delayed the infrastructure America needs to produce more affordable, reliable energy and strengthen our national security. The POWER Act delivers commonsense reforms that cut red tape and help ensure the United States can build the energy and industrial projects our economy depends on.” Palmer pointed out his Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act as part of these reforms.
The discussion draft includes measures focused on pipelines, powerlines modernization (such as streamlining reviews at FERC), strengthening electric grid reliability through advanced technology studies at DOE, requiring data centers’ financial responsibility for grid upgrades instead of ratepayers bearing costs directly; planning ahead for reliability; updating air quality standards; improving project review processes; addressing wildfire prevention; providing alternatives for emission offsets in critical mineral processing; among others.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee focuses on legislation concerning energy policy as well as health care issues—its influence extends into environmental protection measures like those addressed in this bill—as well as telecommunications policy since its origins in 1795, according to its official website.