WASHINGTON, DC - The Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), today held a markup and advanced seven bills to the full House of Representatives for consideration. These bills, originated out of the Energy and Environment subcommittees, empower consumers, promote clean, renewable hydropower, and promote small businesses and manufacturers.
Chairman Walden delivers his opening statement
“Throughout this Congress, these subcommittees have been working diligently and in a bipartisan manner to develop legislation that prioritizes the consumer, supports American business, and protects the environment," said Chairman Walden. “These bills expand the nation’s access to domestic energy resources, improve recycling and reuse of materials, and provide small businesses with the regulatory flexibility they need to meet environmental standards while still growing the economy and creating jobs."
The full committee advanced three bills from #SubEnergy :
H.R. 1733, to direct the Secretary of Energy to review and update a report on the energy and environmental benefits of the re-refining of used lubricating oil, authored by committee members Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA), passed the committee by voice vote.
* H.R. 1733 would require the Secretary of Energy to review and update a report and submit to Congress a coordinated federal strategy to increase the beneficial reuse of use lubricating oil.
H.R. 2872, Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act, authored by committee member Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN), passed the committee unanimously by voice vote.
* H.R. 2872 would promote hydropower development at existing non-powered dams by providing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with the discretion to grant exemptions from license requirements for qualifying facilities.
* A bipartisan Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute was adopted during the markup.
H.R. 2880, Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act, authored by committee member Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), passed the committee unanimously by voice vote.
* H.R. 2880 would promote closed-loop pumped storage hydropower development by limiting FERC’s authority to only impose licensing condition that are necessary to protect public safety; or are reasonable, economically feasible, and essential to protect fish and wildlife resources.
* A bipartisan Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute was adopted during the markup.
The full committee advanced four bills from #SubEnvironment :
H.R. 350, Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2017, authored by committee member Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), passed the committee 33-20.
* H.R. 350 would clarify that the anti-tampering provisions applicable to motor vehicles do not apply to vehicles used solely for competition.
H.R. 453, Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act of 2017, authored by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), passed the committee 32-21.
* H.R. 453 would extend the deadlines for the second phase of new source performance standards for new residential wood heaters.
H.R. 1119, Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act, authored by Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA), passed the committee 31-23.
* H.R. 1119 would provide alternative compliance options with the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and Mercury and Air Toxic Standards for coal refuse-to-energy plants.
H.R. 1917, Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) Act of 2017, authored by committee member Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), passed the committee 31-23.
* 1917 would extend the deadlines for the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for brick and structural clay products manufacturing or clay ceramics manufacturing. The extension would last until judicial review of the rules are completed.
