WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Energy, chaired by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), today held a hearing examining the state of America’s infrastructure and what we can do to further modernize our energy infrastructure and improve workforce training and development in the energy sector.
Chairman Walden delivers his opening statement
“This committee has been hard at work on ways to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, but there’s more work to be done," said full committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). “Today’s hearing marks our forty-seventh hearing on infrastructure this Congress alone and twenty-four energy and environment infrastructure bills have passed the House already. I also applaud President Trump for not only recognizing the need to improve all facets of our nation’s infrastructure, but for demonstrating the leadership needed to push forward this major initiative."
John Devine, Senior Vice President, HDR Inc., discussed the importance of hydropower as an integral part of our nation’s future, commenting, “As the Congress works to address our energy and infrastructure needs, including work on a national infrastructure package, policies that support both the preservation of the existing hydropower system and investment in upgrades and new projects must be included. A greater recognition that our hydropower infrastructure is incredibly valuable is needed, and continued investment and re-investment in the system is critical to our energy future and national security."
Speaking to San Jacinto College’s efforts on workforce development in the energy sector, Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor, San Jacinto College, stated, “The College has established programs in nearly every industry sector addressed by the Greater Houston Partnership ‘UpSkill Houston’ initiative. … San Jacinto College has served as the training leader for the petrochemical, energy and technology workforce in the greater Houston area for more than 50 years. … San Jacinto College partnered with maritime businesses, starting with continuing education to offer U.S. Coast Guard-approved certified courses for mariners who were needing to maintain their maritime license or to train to move into the next level in their mariner pathway. … The College is also working with colleagues throughout the nation to address workforce needs by region and to find ways to collaborate with the Federal Government to help meet those needs."
Jim Ross, Director, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Construction and Maintenance Department, discussed the importance of improving the nation’s transmission network, commenting, “A large-scale solar installation in the desert of California. A massive hydropower generation project in eastern Canada. And a wind farm in the Plains. These are major renewable energy development projects the members of the IBEW have been proud to help construct in recent years. But these generation projects of the future are only as good as the transmission network they will rely on. … New investment in the transmission network is a necessary component of these renewable energy projects. … It is also important to support legislation that would streamline permitting and siting processes."
Brian Slocum, Vice President ITC Holdings Corporation, echoed the testimony of Mr. Ross, stating, “At the conclusion of today’s hearing, I hope to leave the Committee with two very clear takeaways: (1) investment in the transmission grid is needed to grow, sustain, and protect our 21st century economy, and (2) with a supportive regulatory approval environment, the private sector stands ready to make these vital investments in our nation’s infrastructure."
#SubEnergy Chairman Upton delivers his opening statement
“Since the start of the 115th Congress, this committee has held dozens of hearings relating to infrastructure, and the House has already passed legislation on interstate pipeline siting, hydropower licensing, and the development of cross-border energy infrastructure," concluded #SubEnergy Chairman Upton. “That being said, this committee’s infrastructure efforts are ongoing as there is no question that more needs to get done and more projects need to be built. If we are to deliver our nation’s abundant energy resources to consumers in a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective manner, new electric transmission lines and natural gas pipelines must be constructed."
The Majority Memorandum, witness testimony, and an archived webcast are available online HERE.
E&C Infrastructure Efforts by the Numbers:
* 24 - the number of #SubEnergy and #SubEnvironment infrastructure bills have passed the House and several more have passed the full committee or have received a legislative hearing.
* 47 - the number of infrastructure-related hearings held by E&C this Congress.
* 25 - the number of #SubCommTech infrastructure bills reviewed during a legislative hearing on 1/30/18.
#SubEnergy and #SubEnvironment Infrastructure Bills:
Pipeline Infrastructure
* H.R. 2910, Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 2883, Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act (PASSED HOUSE)
Hydropower Bills
* H.R. 2872, Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 2880, Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 3043, the Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017 (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 2828, To Extend the Deadline for Commencement of Construction of a Hydroelectric Project (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 2786, To Amend the Federal Power Act with Respect to the Criteria and Process to Qualify as a Qualifying Conduit Hydropower Facility (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 2457, J. Bennet Johnston Waterway Hydropower Extension Act of 2017 (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 2292, To Extend a Project of the Federal Energy Commission Involving the Cannonsville Dam (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 2274, HYPE Act (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 2122, To reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving Jennings Randolph Dam (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 951, To extend the deadline for commencement of a hydroelectric project (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 446, To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 447, To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project (PASSED HOUSE)
Environment Related
* H.R. 3017, Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017 (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 806, Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 (PASSED HOUSE)
Energy Efficiency and Security
* H.R. 587, Fair RATES Act (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 627, Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2017 (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 306, Energy Efficient Government Technology Act (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 3050, Enhancing State and Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 590, Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 1109, To amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act (PASSED HOUSE)
* H.R. 338, To promote a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce (PASSED HOUSE)
* 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 lubricating oil. (PASSED HOUSE)
Drinking Water
* H.R. 3387, the Drinking Water System Improvement Act (PASSED THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE)
Nuclear Waste Storage
* H.R. 3053, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act (PASSED THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE)
#SubCommTech Infrastructure Bills:
* H.Res. 687, To express the sense of the House of Representatives that Federal, State, and local taxes, fees, regulations, and permitting policies should be coordinated and reconciled to maximize the benefits of broadband investment. (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.Res. 689, To express the sense of the House of Representatives that any infrastructure legislation that provides Federal funds to wireless broadband providers to promote wireless broadband deployment should prioritize funds for those in States that have enacted streamlined siting requirements for small cells. (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.Res. 690, To express the sense of the House of Representatives that no Federal funds granted, awarded, or loaned should be used to fund broadband infrastructure projects where another broadband service provider is already offering service or where funds are already being leveraged to build-out services. (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.Res. 691, To express the sense of the House of Representatives that any infrastructure legislation to promote broadband internet access service should treat all broadband and communications facilities in a competitively and technologically neutral manner. (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.Res. 701, To express the sense of the House of Representatives that any NEPA studies conducted for broadband deployment should be limited to the area of impact. (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4795, the Communications Facilities Deployment on Federal Property Act of 2018 (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4798, the Inventory of Assets for Communications Facilities Act of 2018 (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4802, the Streamlining and Expediting Approval for Communications Technologies Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4810, the Making Available Plans to Promote Investment in Next Generation Networks Without Overbuilding and Waste (MAPPING NOW) Act of 2018 (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4813, the Wireless Internet Focus on Innovation in Spectrum Technology for Unlicensed Deployment (WIFI STUDy) Act. (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4817, the Promoting Exchanges for Enhanced Routing of Information so Networks are Great (PEERING) Act of 2018 (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4832, the Restoring Economic Strength and Telecommunications Operations by Releasing Expected Dollars (RESTORED) Act of 2018 (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4842, the Streamlining permitting to Enable Efficient Deployment of Broadband Infrastructure (SPEED) Act of 2018 (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4845, Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4847, the Broadband Deployment Streamlining Act of 2018 (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4881, Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018 (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 2903, Rural Reasonable and Comparable Wireless Access Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 2479, the Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s (LIFT) America Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 3994, the Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand (ACCESS BROADBAND) Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4287, the Broadband Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4814, the Community Broadband Act of 2018 (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4858, the Clearing Local Impediments Makes Broadband Open to New Competition and Enhancements (CLIMB ONCE) Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 1581, Tribal Digital Access Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 1546, Rural Wireless Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
* H.R. 4876, Connecting Broadband Deserts Act (REVIEWED AT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, JANUARY 30, 2018)
