WASHINGTON, DC -The House of Representatives today advanced ten Energy and Commerce Committee bills aimed at boosting our nation’s energy infrastructure and improving energy efficiency. House passage of these ten bills comes on the heels of last week’s press conference in which Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) highlighted Congressional productivity this Congress.
“As a Congress, we should capitalize on opportunities that would lower costs for ratepayers, reduce emissions, and allow for more domestic energy production. That’s what these bills aim to do and we’re thankful they passed with such overwhelming bipartisan support," said full committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Energy Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “This legislation represents common sense solutions to help create jobs, break down barriers to innovation, and improve affordable, reliable electricity for consumers across the country."
The House today approved the following #SubEnergy bills:
1) H.R. 338 - To promote a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce
* Authored by Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-IL) and committee member Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), H.R. 338 would improve education and training for energy and manufacturing-related jobs, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for women, veterans, and minorities. H.R. 338 passed the House by voice vote.
2) H.R. 446 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project
* Authored by committee member Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), H.R. 446 would extend the license for the Flannagan hydroelectric project, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community. H.R. 446 passed the House by voice vote.
3) H.R. 447 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project
* Also authored by Rep. Griffith, H.R. 447 would extend the licenses for the Gathright hydroelectric project, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community. H.R 447 passed the House by voice vote.
4) H.R. 627 - Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2017
* Would make it easier for schools to take advantage of federal programs to help them cut down on energy use. H.R. 627 passed the House by voice vote.
5) H.R. 951 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project
* Would extend the license for the W. Kerr Scott hydroelectric project, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community. H.R. 951 passed the House by voice vote.
6) H.R. 1109 - To amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act
* Authored by committee member Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), H.R. 1109 would amend the Federal Power Act to expressly include a minimum monetary threshold of $10,000,000 for mergers and acquisitions of facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). H.R. 1109 passed the House by voice vote.
7) H.R. 2122 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving Jennings Randolph Dam
* Authored by #SubEnvironment Vice Chairman David McKinley (R-WV), H.R. 2122 would authorize FERC to extend the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of the Jennings Randolph hydroelectric project. Construction of the project would create jobs and provide affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community. H.R. 2122 passed the House by voice vote.
8) H.R. 2274 - Hydropower Permit Extension (HYpe) Act
* Authored by committee member Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), H.R. 2274 would allow FERC to extend permits for construction of hydroelectric projects. H.R. 2274 passed the House by voice vote.
9) H.R. 2292 - To extend a project of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission involving the Cannonsville Dam
* Would extend the license of the Cannonsville hydroelectric project, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community. H.R. 2292 passed the House by a vote of 400-1.
10) H.R. 2457 - J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Hydropower Extension Act of 2017
* Would authorize FERC to extend the licenses for the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway projects, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community. H.R. 2457 passed the House by a vote of 402-1.
This Congress, the committee has been hard at work examining ways to modernize our energy and electricity delivery systems, expand hydropower generation, and modernize our pipeline and hydropower infrastructure. The committee has also looked at Brownfields reauthorization, modernizing drinking water infrastructure, nuclear waste management, and opportunities to modernize our environmental laws.
