Cramer: House Votes to Modernize America's Energy Infrastructure

Statement

Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act. The bill updates and modernizes outdated energy policies to reflect the era of energy abundance America now enjoys. In addition, the bill increases the resiliency of the country's energy infrastructure.

"North Dakota has been at the epicenter of America's energy renaissance and our nation's laws and energy priorities need to change to reflect this changed environment," said Cramer" "As a former Public Service Commissioner, I saw firsthand the importance of modernizing government regulations to keep pace with the rapidly changing energy sector to capitalize on the opportunities provided by our newfound role as the world's largest producer of energy."

The bill includes an amendment sponsored by Cramer which gives utilities the option under the approval of the Secretary of the Interior or Secretary of Agriculture to selectively manage vegetation within 150 feet of their right-of-way near power poles. This will reduce direct impacts to electric infrastructure and the amount of fuel for possible forest fires.

"A reliable supply of electricity is important to public safety and economic vitality of a community," said Cramer. " One of the most significant reasons for outages involves trees hitting power lines. My amendment ensures utilities are able to conduct the necessary right-of-way maintenance to ensure the reliability of electricity to homes and business."

Included in the legislation is language to repeal the nation's current ban on the export of crude oil. The ban was put in place as a response to the oil embargo resulting from the Yom Kippur War in 1973. In the wake of the embargo, which resulted in dramatic increases in oil prices and massive gasoline shortages in the U.S., the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) was enacted to address shortages.

"It is very important to remember the national security impact the crude oil export ban has had on our nation," said Cramer. "For too long the world's energy markets have been controlled by despots and dictators. It is time to use the peaceful tools of energy development to replace the weapons of war in Europe and the Middle East."

In October, Cramer gave an extended speech on the House floor during Special Orders on the importance of repealing the current crude oil export ban.

Source