WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), today held a hearing on the “Quadrennial Energy Review and Related Discussion Drafts." Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz touched on the findings of the administration’s Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), which highlighted the need to modernize our nation’s energy transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure. In addition to testifying on the QER, Secretary Moniz provided testimony on the relevant discussion drafts released by the committee as part of its plan to build the Architecture of Abundance and say ‘#Yes2Energy.’
“First and foremost, America’s energy boom is necessitating an infrastructure boom. We need more pipelines and storage facilities and all the other elements of the infrastructure for oil and natural gas. We also need more electric transmission lines and upgrades to the existing infrastructure to ensure that our electricity supply is sufficient, reliable, and secure against outside attacks," said Whitfield.
The first installment of the quadrennial cycle of energy reviews was released on April 21, 2015. The QER included several recommendations to meet America’s growing energy infrastructure needs - many of which are the focus of the committee’s draft energy bill. Whitfield reiterated this point stating that “This detailed study focused on the infrastructure implications of America’s new energy boom, and many of its recommendations overlap with provisions in our draft energy bill."
Secretary Moniz added, “We need a step change to modernize and transform our energy systems to meet U.S. environmental, energy security, and competitiveness goals for the 21st century."
Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) discussed how the right U.S. energy policy can shape geopolitical outcomes and concluded, “Our energy abundance here at home can be more than just an economic success story; it can be a foreign policy success story as well. Our committee has done extensive work on boosting our LNG exports. The U.S. can, and should, play a greater role in world energy markets. Doing so would benefit our economy, our consumers, and our allies."
Second Witness Panel Applauds the Committee’s Work to Say #Yes2Energy
On the heels of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz’s testimony, members of the subcommittee heard from a second panel of witnesses who praised the committee for its work on the Architecture of Abundance drafts. Members received testimony that highlighted the powerful impact the bills would have on energy markets in the United States and around the globe.
From left to right: Dr. Rudolf Dolzer, Jason Grumet, The Honorable Scott Martin, Gerald Kepes, Alison Cassady, and Emily Hammond
Gerald Kepes, Vice President of IHS, explained how competition in the exploration and production business is critical for national energy sectors, policies, institutional capacity and critical infrastructure. “U.S. competitiveness, properly and appropriately supported by U.S. government legislation and regulation can provide more sustainable options for the national energy sectors of US friends and allies," he testified.
“The era of abundance opens up new opportunities of leadership for the United States. … Title III of the energy bill represents an innovative modern approach, recognizing the new opportunities for the United States. It properly includes provisions for an Energy Forum suitable to promote dialogue and leadership," said Dr. Rudolf Dolzer, Board Member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and Professor of International Law at the University of Bonn.
Commissioner Scott Martin of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, applauded the Architecture of Abundance and emphasized how important America’s energy revolution is to the future of the United States and the world. “While renewables, greater efficiencies, clean coal, next generation nuclear, and a secure and smart grid are vitally important, it is really the virtually unlimited supply of clean, recoverable natural gas from shale that will lead America into the future," he said.
“Our nation has been blessed with a profound opportunity to work with our neighbors and trading partners to build a resilient and sustainable energy system that will enable shared and lasting prosperity. We must capitalize on this opportunity and build an architecture for abundance that grows our economy, enhances our security and confronts domestic and global environmental threats," said Jason Grumet, President of the Bipartisan Policy Center.
