WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced its schedule for the week of July 23, 2012. The committee will continue its commitment to sound energy policy with a hearing to examine policies and procedures at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and a markup of legislation to protect taxpayers from risky bets like Solyndra.
On Tuesday, July 24, the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy and the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a joint hearing on “NRC Policy and Governance Oversight." Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Allison Macfarlane will testify along with Commissioners Kristine Svinicki, William Magwood, and William Ostendorff. This will be the first congressional hearing with new NRC Chairman Allison Macfarlane. Members will question the incoming chairman and her fellow commissioners about NRC procedures and policy decisions impacting America’s nuclear safety. A background memo and the NRC Inspector General June 2012 investigative report, “Possible Violations of the Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1980 and NRC’s Internal Commission Procedures by NRC Chairman" are posted here. Witness testimony will be posted at the same link as soon as it becomes available.
Also on Tuesday, July 24, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will reconvene the markup of the “No More Solyndras Act." The subcommittee will meet on Tuesday for opening statements only, and will reconvene on Wednesday, July 25, to consider the draft legislation. The “No More Solyndras Act" is a product of the committee’s investigation into the $535 million loan guarantee to the California solar panel manufacturer that ultimately went bankrupt, costing jobs and leaving taxpayers on the hook for half a billion dollars. It will phase out DOE’s loan guarantee program under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and provide taxpayers strong new protections for any pending participants in the program. The bill provides greater loan guarantee transparency by requiring DOE to report to Congress on the decision-making process and details of each loan guarantee. The bill also prohibits DOE from restructuring the terms of any loan guarantee without Treasury consultation and forbids the subordination of U.S. taxpayers’ dollars to any other investors. A background memo and legislative text are posted here. Amendments and votes will be posted at the same link as soon as they become available.
Hearing and Vote Details:
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
10:00 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy and Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on “NRC Policy and Governance Oversight"
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
4:00 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Markup of the “No More Solyndras Act" (Opening Statements Only)
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
10:00 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Reconvening Markup of the “No More Solyndras Act"
