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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  Ready for Reuse: Legislative Proposals to Unleash the Potential of America’s Brownfields Sites. Subcommittee Chairman Palmer’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Our country is facing a novel set of challenges, and the global economic and security landscape is shifting. Having to rely on adversaries such as China for critical materials jeopardizes our national security and economy. In order to address these challenges, strengthen our economy, and deliver jobs to communities back home, we need to increase our domestic capacity to manufacture crucial products, produce a reliable supply of energy, and secure our position in the global artificial infrastructure race.    “As we heard at a Subcommittee hearing a year ago, our country is home to thousands of sites known as brownfields, which are underutilized, idled, or abandoned property where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. These sites can be environmental hazards and a nuisance to local communities, but they can also be opportunities.    “While not All Brownfields Sites are appropriate for ALL uses, we should be looking for opportunities to accomplish the compatible goals of siting crucial infrastructure that is a good fit for a particular location, and encouraging remediation and reuse of idle or underutilized properties.    “To that end, we plan to discuss four bills.    “The Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act reauthorizes both the EPA Brownfields Grants Program and the state response program through Fiscal Year 2031. It also builds on a previous discussion draft of reauthorization legislation considered at a hearing last Congress. This draft again includes expanding eligibility for brownfields grants to certain private entities, as well as a program to assist rural communities with developing competitive grant applications. It incorporates requests from brownfields stakeholders, such as increased award amount limits and expanded eligible uses for funding. It also updates the criteria EPA shall consider when ranking applications to support reuse for nationally significant infrastructure projects, such as critical mineral and semiconductor facilities, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and energy generation from all power resources. The existing criteria only supports renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.    “The second bill, the Brownfields Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, creates a new loan program, similar to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act ‘WIFIA’ and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act ‘TIFIA’ programs used to finance water and transportation infrastructure projects.    “The third bill is the Brownfields Inventory and Permitting Efficiency Act, which directs the EPA and states to work together to compile a list of sites suitable for nationally significant infrastructure projects. It also streamlines permitting for projects on certain brownfields sites, and requires EPA to provide guidance to other federal agencies on how to conduct more efficient reviews of these previously disturbed and often previously studied sites. Finally, it directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of impediments to timely and efficient removal of Superfund sites from the National Priorities List.    “Lastly, we have the Brownfields Reauthorization for an Affordable and Revitalized America Act offered by the minority. While this bill increases some grant award limits and directs the EPA to waive cost share requirements in certain circumstances, it also significantly increases the authorization of appropriations for both the Brownfields Grant Program and the state response programs.    “We have four witnesses here today to help us analyze these proposals.    “First, we have Mr. Chris Wells, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, and the current President of the Environmental Council of the States to provide the state perspective.    “We also welcome Mr. Gerald Pouncey, Jr., Senior Counsel at Taft Stettinius & Hollister. Mr. Pouncey has led numerous efforts to permit and finance redevelopment of industrial sites, ports, and former military facilities.    “Also joining us is the Honorable Alan Tomson, Mayor of Davis, West Virginia, and representing the National Brownfields Coalition, who will speak to the impact of the Brownfields Program in local communities.    “Finally, we have Mr. David Robinson, Executive Vice President of Strategic Development, for Aligned Data Centers, whose testimony will address his company’s work on brownfields sites.    “I’d like to reiterate that these bills are all discussion drafts, so I look forward to hearing robust discussion on these proposals, both today and on future occasions.    “Thank you.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  America’s Energy Infrastructure: Authorizing Pipeline Safety . Subcommittee Chairman Latta’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning and welcome to today’s Energy Subcommittee hearing to discuss legislation authorizing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s pipeline safety program.  “I’d like to welcome our witness, the Honorable Paul Roberti, Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, and thank him for appearing before us today. “Your perspective will inform our legislative effort and update us on the Administration’s priorities for maintaining the safety of America’s pipeline infrastructure and enabling the safe expansion of it. “It is good to have a Senate confirmed Administrator leading this vital safety agency after the record long vacancy under the Biden-Harris Administration.  “PHMSA is an agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that develops and enforces federal safety regulations for the nation’s pipeline infrastructure and the transportation of hazardous materials. “PHMSA works closely with industry and pipeline operators to ensure the safe delivery of nation’s most abundant energy resources, from natural gas and crude oil, to propane, jet fuel, gasoline, and other refined petroleum products. “States also play an essential role in carrying out PHMSA’s pipeline safety program, acting as “boots on the ground” to help inspect and oversee the safety of the over 3.3 million miles of both liquid and gas pipelines in PHMSA’s jurisdiction. In fact, States inspect and enforce pipeline safety regulations for over 85 percent of the infrastructure under PHSMA’s safety authority. “Pipelines continue to be the safest and most efficient mode of transport for the energy American families and our economy depend on. “Reliable, affordable natural gas makes up almost half of our country’s resource mix for power generation, and more than half of American families rely on natural gas to heat their homes, cook their food, and power their lives. Pipeline infrastructure in this country is essential to ensure the safe delivery of energy to fuel our country.  “To advance PHMSA’s mission to oversee the safety of our pipeline infrastructure, we will review the discussion draft before us today. “The draft legislation before us focuses on safety, exactly as Congress originally intended with PHMSA’s mission. This discussion draft reauthorizes PHMSA for 5 years, enabling PHMSA to continue modernizing and enhancing its pipeline safety program. “The draft would codify several important provisions to improve the efficiency and safety of the agency. “For example, the bill would: Remove duplicative regulations that do not improve safety, Clarify that PHMSA’s cost-benefit analysis focuses on safety and not anti-energy agendas,  Reduce red tape so special permit programs can efficiently focus on pertinent safety requirements, Strengthen penalties for pipeline safety violations that impair pipeline operations, Establish a voluntary information sharing program to advance good safety practices among pipeline operators, and Ensure state damage prevention programs adopt best practices to reduce the leading cause of pipeline damage incidents. “The United States’ energy system is at a turning point. We’re witnessing unprecedented energy demand not seen in decades, and demand is only expected to increase over the next several years. “Safe, efficient development and oversight of our gas and liquid pipeline system is key to providing reliable energy and power to American families. “For too long, sound pipeline safety policy has been hijacked by the environmental left, intent on stymying pipeline expansion and limiting its massive benefits to the nation. “I look forward to working with PHMSA, pipeline operators, and relevant stakeholders to make sure the pipeline safety program is efficient, predictable and focused on safety priorities that promote confidence and enable the safe expansion of our pipeline system. “I hope to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance legislation that provides for durable and focused safety oversight appropriate to pipeline infrastructure. “Again, thank you for being here and testifying Administrator Roberti. With that, I yield back.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding two Subcommittee Hearings and one Full Committee Markup. Read more below.  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING:  The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy is holding a hearing to discuss legislation to reauthorize the PHMSA pipeline safety program.  DATE:  Wednesday, March 4, 2026   TIME:  10:15 AM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING:  The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment is holding a hearing to examine legislative proposals supporting the remediation and redevelopment of America’s Brownfields Sites.   DATE:  Wednesday, March 4, 2026  TIME:  2:00 PM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP:  The Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a markup of nine bills.   DATE:  Thursday, March 5, 2026  TIME:  10:00 AM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced a Full Committee markup of nine bills. WHAT : Full Committee Markup DATE: Thursday, March 5, 2026 TIME: 10:00 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building Items to be considered: H.R. 7757 , Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (Rep. Guthrie)    H.R. 2657 , Sammy’s Law (Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Carter-GA)  H.R. 6291 , Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (Reps. Walberg and Lee-FL)  H.R. 3149 , App Store Accountability Act (Rep. James)  H.R. 7258 , Energy Emergency Leadership Act (Reps. Lee-FL and Landsman)  H.R. 7266 , Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act (Reps. Miller-Meeks and McClellan)  H.R. 7257 , Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid (SECURE Grid) Act (Reps. Latta and Matsui)  H.R. 7272 , Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (Reps. Weber and Dingell)  H.R. 7305 , Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026 (Reps. Castor and Evans) This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The markup will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at  energycommerce.house.gov .  If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Jessica Donlon with the Committee staff at Jessica.Donlon@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Matt VanHyfte at Matt.VanHyfte@mail.house.gov .

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, announced a hearing titled  Ready for Reuse: Legislative Proposals to Unleash the Potential of America’s Brownfields Sites. “For years, the Brownfields Program has been a vital tool to support the cleanup of contaminated sites, putting many locations back into productive use and creating jobs to revitalize communities across the country. As demand grows to redevelop these sites for advanced manufacturing, and other critical infrastructure, it is essential that the program continues to serve the needs of our communities,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Palmer. “This hearing will provide the opportunity to discuss legislation that would strengthen and modernize the Brownfields Program to cut red tape, protect our environment, and support the innovative use of these sites.”   Subcommittee on Environment hearing titled  Ready for Reuse: Legislative Proposals to Unleash the Potential of America’s Brownfields Sites.   WHAT:  Subcommittee on Environment hearing to examine legislative proposals supporting the remediation and redevelopment of America’s Brownfields Sites.  DATE:  Wednesday, March 4, 2026 TIME:  2:00 PM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building This hearing will focus on the following bills:   H.R. ____ , Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act  H.R. ____ , Brownfields Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act  H.R. ____ , Brownfields Inventory and Permitting Efficiency Act H.R. ____ , Brownfields Reauthorization for an Affordable and Revitalized America Act  This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Seth Ricketts with the Committee staff at  Seth.Ricketts@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Ben Mullany at Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, announced a hearing titled  America’s Energy Infrastructure: Authorizing Pipeline Safety . “America’s pipelines are the safest and most cost-effective mode of transportation for the oil, natural gas, and numerous other energy products our communities and manufacturers need,”   said Chairmen Guthrie and Latta .  “This hearing will provide the opportunity to examine legislation to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) pipeline safety program. Ensuring these pipelines remain operational, safe, and dependable is vital to meeting our nation’s energy demand, securing our grid, and lowering costs for hardworking American families.” Subcommittee on Energy hearing titled  America’s Energy Infrastructure: Authorizing Pipeline Safety. WHAT:  Subcommittee on Energy hearing to discuss legislation to reauthorize the PHMSA pipeline safety program. DATE:  Wednesday, March 4, 2026     TIME:  10:15 AM ET LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  This hearing will focus on the following bill:  H.R. ____ , Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at  energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Seth Ricketts with the Committee staff at  Seth.Ricketts@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Ben Mullany at  Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, celebrated the House passage of two bills that lower prices for hard-working families, protect consumer choice, and cut burdensome regulations.  The House passed H.R. 4626, the  Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act , and H.R. 4758, the  Homeowner Energy Freedom Act , legislation that modernizes outdated energy efficiency regulations, restores consumer choice in home appliances and commercial equipment, and repeals costly green energy programs that drive up prices for homeowners. Chairman Guthrie, along with Reps. Allen (GA-12) and Goldman (TX-12), issued the following statements on the passage of the two pieces of legislation.  “For too long, burdensome regulations established by the Biden-Harris Administration have driven up costs for home buyers, forcing them to pay more for appliances that fail to offer reasonable energy savings,” said Chairman Guthrie. “The Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act cuts red tape and ensures that regulations aren’t being weaponized as part of a radical, left-wing agenda. Likewise, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act puts an end to expensive building code mandates that push homeownership out of reach for millions of hardworking families. Thank you to Congressman Allen and Congressman Goldman for their work on lowering prices in communities across the country.”   “The American people do not need the federal government to tell them which household appliances will best meet the needs of their families. In issuing egregious regulations on home appliances and attempting to tilt the scales on what consumers purchase, the Biden-Harris Department of Energy significantly drove up costs and reduced availability for American families,”  said Rep. Allen.  “My legislation, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act, is a commonsense measure to prevent future administrations from repeating the same harmful mistakes. House passage of H.R. 4626 is a win for consumer choice. I thank Chairmen Guthrie and Latta, as well as House Republican Leadership for their continued support of this legislation.”   “The Biden-Harris Administration implemented costly green energy regulations that made life unaffordable for many Americans,”   said Rep. Goldman.   “Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Guthrie and support from my fellow Republican Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues, my Homeowner Energy Freedom Act has passed out of the House. This bill repeals costly red tape and will help improve housing affordability for Americans.”   BACKGROUND:   H.R. 4626, the  Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act— Rep. Allen (GA-12) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) by reducing regulatory burdens on home appliances to increase consumer choice and prevent the weaponization of energy efficiency standards, while ensuring standards are cost-effective and can demonstrably lower energy prices for hardworking households. Since 1975, EPCA has regulated more than 60 products representing about 90 percent of household energy use. The Biden-Harris Administration used this authority to push far-left electrification policies that ignored costs and technological feasibility, reducing consumer choice and raising prices for families. H.R. 4626 establishes guardrails against unrealistic, unaffordable standards and restores consumer choice while lowering energy costs for American homeowners and businesses. H.R. 4758, the  Homeowner Energy Freedom Act— Rep. Goldman (TX-12)   Repeals three sections of the Inflation Reduction Act that subsidized the Biden-Harris Administration’s suffocating regulatory agenda and mandated expensive building codes, pushing homeownership out of reach for millions of hardworking families. This legislation repeals these programs to protect finite taxpayer resources and protect consumer choice for home energy needs. Currently, the Inflation Reduction Act’s energy efficiency and building code programs raise home energy bills and exacerbate the housing affordability crisis while doing nothing to address the root cause of higher costs facing hardworking families.  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  From Source to Tap: A Hearing to Examine Challenges and Opportunities for Safe, Reliable, and Affordable Drinking Water. Subcommittee Chairman Palmer’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning and welcome to Ranking Members Pallone and Tonko, my colleagues, and to our witnesses for this hearing of the Subcommittee on the Environment. “Today’s hearing provides a timely and important opportunity to examine the safety, reliability and affordability of our nation’s drinking water system. “For those you have been following the news in recent weeks, a sewer line in suburban Maryland ruptured in January and released more than 200 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Potomac River, which separates Maryland and D.C. from Virginia and is the main source of drinking water for millions of Americans and visitors to the national capital region. “The D.C. government just last week declared a state of emergency as a result of the sewage spill, and President Trump has directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to take a lead role in coordinating the cleanup and response to this unfortunate incident.  “Given the significance of the spill and its potential impact on public health, interstate commerce, and drinking water and the environment in the nation’s capital region, this Committee has begun an investigation into what was known about the risks of this rupture and if it could have been avoided. “Local authorities say the drinking water supply has not been affected, and that the intakes at Great Falls are located upriver from the sewage spill and that the intakes at Little Falls have been closed. “DC Water was contacted but declined to testify at today’s hearing. “Congress first enacted the Safe Drinking Water Act more than 50 years ago and amended it several times since. One of the goals of this hearing is to hear how the law is working and what if anything needs to be modernized to address current challenges. “Many Americans receive their drinking water from publicly owned water utilities who have to navigate the law’s complicated regulatory requirements, manage both aging infrastructure and an aging workforce, and provide safe and affordable water to their customers.  “We will hear from two of these utilities today: Eric Hill, General Manager of the Russellville, Alabama Water & Sewer Board and Lindsey Rechtin, President & CEO of the Northern Kentucky Water District. “In recent years, Congress has appropriated EPA more than $1 billion annually for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, an important source of infrastructure funding for states and local utilities. “However, as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, EPA received a supplemental appropriation of more than $50 billion for water infrastructure. I look forward to hearing from “EPA’s Deputy Inspector General about how EPA has been using that money and whether taxpayers have gotten what they paid for, or if these precious taxpayer funds are at risk. “We will also hear from a witness from the Natural Resources Defense Council with a background on water issues. “I thank the witnesses for their input and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Committee to identify commonsense solutions to protecting and modernizing our drinking water system . ”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, led a hearing titled  From Source to Tap: A Hearing to Examine Challenges and Opportunities for Safe, Reliable, and Affordable Drinking Water. “Congress first enacted the Safe Drinking Water Act more than 50 years ago and amended it several times since,”  said Chairman Palmer.  “Many Americans receive their drinking water from publicly owned water utilities who have to navigate the law’s complicated regulatory requirements, manage both aging infrastructure and an aging workforce, and provide safe and affordable water to their customers.” Watch the full hearing  here .    Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05):   “Mr. Hill, I go around my district all the time. I mean, a lot of my water treatment plants. The number one issue we're hearing out there today is what happens when our operators are retiring and we don't have that certification. And I know you said you had a situation where you had somebody be able to step in, but a lot of places they're getting concerned because they don't have these people. […] It also comes down to we can't force people to do a job. We have to make sure we get these people out there and trained because as they retire, we can't just say, you know, these people are going to do this.” Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13):   “Often, rural communities rely on small teams with limited resources to run both the sewer and the clean water facilities. A disruption in either can put a strain on both systems, and place extreme burdens on operators and the communities that they serve. For these communities, federal support like what is provided by the state revolving funds represents a much-needed lifeline, allowing rural Americans to receive uninterrupted drinking and wastewater services in under-resourced areas.” Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11):  “Are small and rural water systems facing unique challenges in accessing federal infrastructure funds? And if so, can you kind of go into detail about that?”  Ms. Murley:  “Yes, I would point you to a series of work that we have done on, state capacity to handle the influx of IIJA funds, both drinking water and clean water. We've looked at the state of New Mexico, we looked at South Carolina, and we looked at the U.S. Virgin Islands. I would say that each state has different demographics and different challenges, either human capacity, technical capacity, or organizational challenges to receive those funds. And we've done work and made recommendations to the agency for improving those areas.”