WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Energy Subcommittee Republican Leader Fred Upton (R-MI) released the following statement after passage of nine energy bills during an Energy Subcommittee markup today.
“We are moving forward today with bipartisan bills that will improve energy delivery, improve efficiency of our federal buildings, help our tribes meet their energy needs, promote hydropower development, and strengthen energy infrastructure in America. These measures represent this Committee’s commitment to making our energy systems more efficient, cleaner, and supportive of a prosperous economy. We have strong concerns, however, that several proposals advanced today were developed outside of regular order, unfairly pick winners and losers among energy technologies, and would have adverse effects on American consumers. We also must ensure that we are taking needed action to streamline environmental permitting processes, secure our grid from cyber-attacks, and prevent wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. We are hopeful that we can continue to work with our colleagues across the aisle to address these concerns before the full Committee markup so we can truly modernize our energy infrastructure," Walden and Upton said.
The Energy Subcommittee advanced the following bills:
H.R. 3079, the “Energy Savings through Public-Private Partnerships Act," introduced by Energy and Commerce Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Peter Welch (D-VT): encourages the increased use of energy savings performance contracting in federal facilities.
H.R. 5527, the “21st Century Power Grid Act," introduced by Energy and Commerce Reps. John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA): requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide financial assistance for projects relating to the modernization of the electric grid.
H.R. 1426, the “Timely Review of Infrastructure Act," introduced by Energy and Commerce Reps. Pete Olson (R-TX) and Mike Doyle (D-PA): authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address insufficient compensation of its personnel without regard to civil service laws.
H.R. 5542, introduced by Energy and Commerce Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE): requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for states to provide incentives to natural gas distribution systems.
H.R. 2906, the “Clean Commute for Kids Act," introduced by Energy and Commerce Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA): reauthorizes through FY2025 the Clean School Bus Program, including to authorize the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for up to 60% of the replacement costs of acquiring clean school buses and charging and fueling infrastructure.
H.R. 3361, the “Reliable Investment in Vital Energy Reauthorization Act," introduced by Energy and Commerce Reps. David McKinley (R-WV) and Paul Tonko (D-NY): reauthorizes hydroelectric production incentives and hydroelectric efficiency improvement incentives.
H.R. 5518, introduced by Energy and Commerce Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-VA): requires the Secretary of Energy to carry out a clean cities coalition program.
H.R. 5541, the “Tribal Power Act," introduced by Energy and Commerce Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ): reauthorize programs to assist consenting Indian Tribes in meeting energy education, planning, and management needs.
H.R. 5545, the “New Opportunities to Expand Healthy Air Using Sustainable Transportation Act," introduced by Energy and Commerce Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL): promotes the domestic manufacture and use of advanced, fuel efficient vehicles and zero emission vehicles, encourage electrification of the transportation sector, create jobs, and improve air quality.
