Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today after 10 bills to improve energy efficiency, energy sector jobs and infrastructure security were favorably reported to the full House of Representatives:
“Today our Committee took decisive action to improve energy efficiency and security, all while making our nation’s energy sector workforce more accessible and diverse. These bills tackle the climate crisis head-on by ensuring our homes, schools and buildings emit less carbon pollution, and by investing in our state and local governments’ efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions. Importantly, our work here today also invests in a diverse workforce trained in the areas of wind energy, energy efficiency and grid modernization - the very areas in greatest need of support as we transition to clean energy. I’m proud of the bipartisan manner in which we were able to pass most of these bills today, and I look forward to bringing them to the House Floor."
The Committee favorably reported the following bills:
H.R. 1315, the “Blue Collar to Green Collar Jobs Development Act of 2019," introduced by Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush (D-IL), would establish energy workforce development by creating “a comprehensive nationwide program to improve education and training for jobs in energy-related industries" to encourage underrepresented groups-including religious and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, and returning citizens-to enter the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The bill was passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 2665, the “Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act of 2019," introduced by Reps. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), would establish a smart energy and water efficiency management program at the Department of Energy (DOE) to award grants to eligible entities to demonstrate advanced and innovative technology-based solutions that would increase and improve the energy efficiency of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems, among other things. The bill was passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 2044, the “Smart Building Acceleration Act," introduced by Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), would require DOE to conduct a survey of smart buildings across the country and then select at least one building from an appropriate range of building sizes and types to be evaluated for further assessment, and require the development of a smart building initiative, under the umbrella of the DOE Better Buildings challenge, to demonstrate policies and approaches that facilitate the transition to smart buildings. The bill was passed by voice vote.
H.R. 359, the “Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act," introduced by Reps. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Bob Latta (R-OH), would direct the Secretary of Energy to create and implement a program to enhance the physical and cyber security of electric utilities. The bill was passed by voice vote.
H.R. 360, the “Cyber Sense Act of 2019," introduced by Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA), would require the Secretary of Energy to establish the Cyber Sense Program to identify cyber-secure products that could be used in the bulk-power system. The bill was passed by voice vote.
H.R. 362, the “Energy Emergency Leadership Act," introduced by Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), would create a new DOE Assistant Secretary position with jurisdiction over all energy emergency and security functions related to energy supply, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. The bill was passed by voice vote.
H.R. 370, the “Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act," introduced by Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Fred Upton (R- MI) and Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA), would establish a program at DOE to create policies and procedures to improve the physical and cyber security and resiliency of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines, hazardous liquid pipelines, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. The bill was passed by voice vote.
H.R. 2088, a bill to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reauthorize the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, and for other purposes, introduced by Reps. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) and Marc Veasey (D-TX), would reauthorize the program that provides grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to assist their efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions and conserve energy. The bill was passed by voice vote.
H.R. 2041, the “Weatherization Enhancement and Local Energy Efficiency Investment and Accountability Act," introduced by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush (D-IL), and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), would update the 1976 DOE Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and would reauthorize the program at $350 million per year from Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 through FY 2024. The bill was passed, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 2119, a bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize grants for improving the energy efficiency of public buildings, and for other purposes, introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), would amend Section 125(c) of EPAct05, which established a grant program, implemented by DOE, to provide grants for states to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings and facilities, to authorize $100 million each year from FY 2021-2025. The bill was passed, as amended, by voice vote.
