WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives today passed four Energy and Commerce Committee bills aimed at boosting America’s hydropower infrastructure, energy security, and providing states and local communities flexibility when it comes to implementing EPA’s onerous ozone standards.
The House today passed the following bills:
H.R. 806, Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017, introduced by #SubEnergy Vice Chairman Pete Olson (R-TX), with Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX), and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), among others, would;
* Provide states the flexibility needed to implement the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone on an efficient and realistic timeline.
* Ensure the nation’s infrastructure and manufacturing permitting continue while making improvements to air quality.
* H.R. 806 passed the House by a vote of 229-199.
In his remarks on the floor, Rep. Olson commented, “This bill is about listening to our regulators back home. It is about giving our local officials the tools they need to make air rules work. It’s about making sure that communities aren’t penalized for pollution they can’t control. It’s about making sure that when EPA sets a standard, they have to put out the rules communities need to meet that standard."
H.R. 2786, to amend the Federal Power Act with respect to the criteria and process to qualify as a qualifying conduit hydropower facility, authored by committee member Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), would;
* Promote the development of small conduit hydropower facilities, an emerging new source of renewable energy that can be added to existing infrastructure.
* H.R. 2786 passed the House by a vote of 420-2.
“Hydropower remains one of the most efficient and affordable sources of electricity, as well as one of the largest sources of renewable electricity in America. In North Carolina alone, it generates enough electricity to power 350,000 homes each year," said Rep. Hudson. “What we’re working on is to streamline the federal review process for non-controversial conduit hydropower projects. This legislation would expand the development of conduit hydropower projects, create clean energy jobs, increase production of affordable, renewable power, reduce consumer electricity costs and improve energy diversity."
H.R. 2828, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project, authored by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), would;
* Extend the license for construction for the Enloe hydroelectric project, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community.
* H.R. 2828 passed the House by voice vote.
H.R. 3050, Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2017, authored by #SubEnergy Chairman Fred Upton and #SubEnergy Ranking Member Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), would;
* Enhance the energy emergency planning requirements of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to strengthen the capability of states to secure the energy infrastructure of the United States against physical and cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities; and mitigate risk of energy supply disruptions.
* H.R. 3050 passed the House by voice vote.
In his floor remarks, Chairman Upton stated, “H.R. 3050 builds upon the Energy and Commerce Committee’s impressive record of hearings and legislation focused on energy security, emergency preparedness, job creation, and infrastructure protection and resilience. Prioritizing and elevating energy security planning and emergency preparedness is an important step in the face of increased threats, vulnerabilities, and interdependencies of energy infrastructure and end-use systems. I look forward to seeing this important bill reach the finish line."
