WASHINGTON, DC - The Energy and Power Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), today approved two bipartisan bills, H.R. 4775, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016 and H.R. 4979, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016.
H.R. 4775, authored by Energy and Power Subcommittee Vice Chairman Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), would;
* Provide states the flexibility and time needed to implement new ozone standards and would address other practical implementation challenges under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards program. (A fact sheet can be found online, here.)
“States have worked hard over the last few decades to reduce ozone levels and improve air quality," Rep. Olson said. “The trend has been positive in lowering emissions and providing cleaner air. We must keep this trend in the right direction, while balancing the goal with available technology and states’ ability to meet new levels. My bill provides needed flexibility so that states and localities can adequately achieve new, lower standards with time for compliance. I want to thank Chairman Upton for moving this important bill forward."
H.R. 4979, authored by committee member Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), would;
* Require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to develop the regulatory framework for safe, advanced nuclear energy technologies. H.R. 4979 would also direct the Department of Energy and NRC to collaborate where appropriate to provide certainty for the development of advanced nuclear technology.
“It is time for Congress to ensure that NRC provides a regulatory framework that allows innovators and investors to prepare to apply for licensing advanced reactor technologies. Advancing H.R. 4979 to the full committee is an important step to ensure that the United States remains a leader in the nuclear industry, which is vital for both our electricity mix, and our national security," said Rep. Latta.
“It’s timely that we now begin the markup of two bills that would help boost employment and economic growth. The Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016 provides a sensible path forward for continuing to reduce ozone levels while avoiding unnecessary economic damage that EPA’s complicated regulations would inflict," said Chairman Whitfield. “The Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016 would help open up the marketplace to the innovative nuclear technologies for which America is a world leader."
Full committee chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) concluded, “These two bipartisan bills ensure continued protection of the environment and public health, but in a manner that is reasonable and that also protects jobs and economic growth. I’m thankful the subcommittee cleared both of these balanced and commonsense bills." Related Items
* Energy and Power Subcommittee Vote on H.R. 4775 and H.R. 4979
* MARKUP: #SubEnergyPower to Vote on Bipartisan Bills to Address Ozone and Spur Advanced Nuclear Technology
* #SubEnergyPower Examines Two Bills to Improve our Nuclear Power Landscape
* #SubEnergyPower Examines Bipartisan Ozone Bill
See Also
* E&C Advances Two Bipartisan Bills to Address Ozone and Spur Advanced Nuclear Technology
* NEXT WEEK: Full Committee to Vote On Commonsense Bills to Address Ozone and Spur Advanced Nuclear Technology
