Inhofe Praises Committee Passage of DERA and USE IT Acts

Statement

Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), praised the committee's passage of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2019 and the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act. Inhofe authored the DERA Act and cosponsored the USE IT Act earlier this year.

The DERA Act would reauthorize the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program -- one of the most cost-effective federal clean air programs -- through fiscal year 2024 at its current funding levels. The legislation would also ensure equal funding opportunities between both large, metropolitan centers and less populated, rural areas across the country.

"Oklahoma has successfully used the DERA program as a cost effective way to reduce pollution through public-private partnerships, making it possible for businesses to voluntarily upgrade to new, efficient technology while creating jobs," Inhofe said. "I'm proud this bipartisan legislation has passed the EPW committee and hope it can be moved quickly on the floor."

The USE IT Act would support carbon utilization and direct air capture research. The bill would also support federal, state, and non-governmental collaboration in the construction and development of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) facilities and carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines.

"Today's bipartisan passage of the USE IT Act in the EPW Committee is yet another commitment that America will continue to rely on affordable, reliable fossil fuels while promoting innovative technology," Inhofe said. "The oil and gas industry in my state of Oklahoma keeps energy costs down for all Americans and creates thousands of jobs, fueling the economy. I look forward to its swift consideration on the Senate floor."

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