Energy and Commerce Clears Eleven Energy Infrastructure and Efficiency Bills
Press Release
The Energy and Commerce Committee today passed eleven #SubEnergy bills aimed at advancing the nation's energy infrastructure and improving energy efficiency. The bills now move to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
"When Congress can take steps that allow for more domestic energy output, lower costs for ratepayers, reduced emissions, and more jobs, it should not hesitate to do so," said full committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). "These bills all lead us towards the common goal of smarter energy use. They are also job creators and can be done at little or no cost to the taxpayers. I'm thankful for the committee's dedication to enact solutions that put consumers first."
The committee passed the following bills by unanimous consent:
H.R. 338, to promote a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce;
Authored by Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-IL) and committee member Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), would improve education and training for energy and manufacturing-related jobs, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for women, veterans, and minorities.
H.R. 446, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project and H.R. 447, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydro electric project;
Authored by committee member Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), H.R. 446 and 447 would extend the licenses for the Gathright and Flannagan Dams, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to their respective communities.
H.R. 627, Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2017;
Would make it easier for schools to take advantage of federal programs to help them cut down on energy use.
H.R. 723, Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2017;
Authored by committee members Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), H.R. 723 would facilitate the use of energy savings contracts to encourage private sector investment to upgrade the energy and water efficiency of federal facilities.
H.R. 951, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project;
Would extend the license for the W. Kerr Scott Dam, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community.
H.R. 1109, to amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act;
Authored by committee member Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) would amend the Federal Power Act to expressly include a minimum monetary threshold of $10,000,000 for mergers and acquisitions of facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
H.R. 2122, to reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Jennings Randolph Dam;
Authored by #SubEnvironment Vice Chairman David McKinley (R-WV), H.R. 2122 would authorize FERC to extend the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of the Jennings Randolph hydroelectric project. Construction of the project would create jobs and provide affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community.
H.R. 2274, HYdropower Permit Extension (HYPE) Act;
Authored by committee member Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), H.R. 2274 would allow FERC to extend permits for construction of hydroelectric projects.
H.R. 2292, to extend a project of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission involving the Cannonsville Dam;
Would extend the license of the Cannonsville hydroelectric project, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community.
H.R. 2457, J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Hydropower Extension Act of 2017;
Would authorize FERC to extend the licenses for the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway projects, creating jobs and providing affordable, reliable electricity to the respective community.
This Congress, the committee has been hard at work examining ways to modernize our energy and electricity delivery systems, expand hydropower generation, and modernize our pipeline and hydropower infrastructure. The committee has also looked at Brownfields reauthorization, modernizing drinking water infrastructure, nuclear waste management, and opportunities to modernize our environmental laws
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