Subcommittees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following op-ed by Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman John James (MI-10), and Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23), appeared in the Washington Examiner this week.  “In the final days of his presidency, former President Joe Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency made a decision that would effectively implement a nationwide electric vehicle mandate as soon as 2035. Before Biden left office, the EPA approved waivers sought by the state of California to impose stricter state emissions standards on automobiles than the existing federal limitations, resulting in a de facto EV mandate that would prevent the sale of gas-powered cars, heavy-duty trucks, diesel engines, and SUVs.   “In 1968, the Clean Air Act granted California a carveout to implement stricter emissions standards to address Los Angeles smog. In December, after more than 50 years of liberal policies expanding the use of this carveout, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom authorized a ban on the sale of gas-powered vehicles in California by 2035.  “To rectify this misinterpretation of congressional intent, the House of Representatives will soon vote on resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act that claw back the Biden EPA’s decision to approve the waivers submitted by California and preserve the availability of gas-powered vehicles and trucks for families and businesses.   “We believe that people should be empowered to decide for themselves which vehicles are best for their families and not have the government decide for them. Our constituents tell us that EVs often cannot fulfill their needs. They frequently can’t drive the distances needed, maintain their charge at extreme temperatures, or recharge fast enough to keep hardworking people on the move.  “Let’s be clear: Outlawing the sale of gas-powered vehicles is a blatant power grab by California Democrats to dictate policy across the country. More than a dozen states have adopted California’s emissions standards, meaning that more than 40% of the vehicle market will be affected by the Biden EPA’s decision. American auto manufacturers cannot afford to make separate vehicles for different states.    “For decades, emissions have been reduced through investments and innovations, not government mandates. With such a short time span between enactment and implementation, our infrastructure is not prepared to meet the demand that a massive EV fleet would put on our electric grid.   “Individual families, gas stations, and highway rest stops are not in a position to install expensive EV chargers at the speed this mandate would require. An EV mandate is also an abandonment of the free-market principles that have enabled Americans to have the most mobility of any nation in the world. This policy will harm working- and middle-class families by making cars more expensive and less capable.    “Only by taking the government’s thumb off the scale and letting the free market decide will the public get the efficient and affordable transportation it needs.    “The EPA’s decision to grant California’s waivers has produced shocking downstream consequences, confirming once again that the Biden-Harris administration prioritized implementing far-left policies over serving the people in its final days.  “There are a number of downstream consequences associated with the implementation of these rules. For instance, electric heavy-duty trucks come with an increased weight and diminished towing power that will require more trucks on the road now and in the future.    “Further, the critical materials necessary for the production of EV batteries are nearly universally mined and produced under the control of the Chinese Communist Party. A complete transition to EVs in the next decade would make our nation deeply reliant on the CCP, which currently produces more than 70% of the world’s rare earth minerals.    “The mining that occurs in China is also among the most environmentally damaging in the world. When regulations exist at all to produce EV batteries, they are often not enforced, leading to toxic chemicals entering the soil, water, and air. The pollution created in the Chinese mining process, which is estimated to be twice as emissions-intensive as mining in the United States, effectively cancels out any perceived gains of an EV compared to a gas-powered car or truck manufactured here at home.    “Passing these resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act is not an attempt to ban the sale of EVs. Anyone who wants to buy an EV should be able to do so. But no person should be forced to buy a car that isn’t right for them.    “Now, with President Donald Trump in the White House and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s commitment to undoing harmful regulations, we have the opportunity to prevent this disastrous rule from going into effect, putting a stop to California’s onerous EV mandate.”  Background:    H.J.Res. 88, led by Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), vice chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, will repeal California’s Advanced Clean Cars II waiver, allowing the state to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.   H.J.Res. 87, led by Rep. John James (R-MI), will repeal California’s Advanced Clean Trucks waiver, which currently would allow the state to mandate the sale of zero-emission trucks.  H.J.Res. 89, led by Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA), will put an end to California’s implementation of its most recent nitrogen oxide engine emission standards, which create burdensome and unworkable standards for heavy-duty on-road engines.  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, led a hearing titled Assuring Abundant, Reliable American Energy to Power Innovation :   “The prosperity and security of our nation has always been linked to abundant, reliable, and affordable energy,” said Chairman Latta. “Today’s challenges are no different – we need reliable and affordable energy to fuel developments in artificial intelligence, reshore domestic manufacturing facilities, support the agricultural industry, and lower costs for hardworking Americans.”    Watch the full hearing here .    Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing:   Congresswoman Miller-Meeks (IA-01):   “Most importantly, we have to pass thoughtful legislation that prioritizes affordability, abundance, reliability, and security. Dr. Goff, the Securing America's critical mineral Supply Act builds on the Department of Energy’s current efforts. Could you elaborate on the landscape critical minerals for the committee, which resources are most critical to energy supply and who supplies them and what actions the DOE is taking to secure these supply chains?”   Dr. Goff:   “Well, first, I think the present bill we’re looking at, the supply chain for critical minerals is a good step. It's doing an assessment, looking at vulnerabilities and looking at how we need to move forward.”   Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12):   “In your testimony, you discuss the work you're doing to strengthen American supply chain, increase the production of domestic resources and approved permits for energy projects. As you're working to expand our energy systems, do you think it makes sense that we're also focusing on the reliability of the electric grid to ensure constituents have access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to keep the lights on?”  Dr. Goff: “ Yes, it's critical that we maintain the grid to be able to get that power to the different communities, to the people, to the businesses as well. And a lot of those businesses, especially as we talked more and more about AI are requiring it to be very firm, reliable power delivered 24/7.”   Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL):  “ We do want to make sure that the American people do have affordable, reliable and secure electricity. But alongside the American people, AI is critical for our economy as well as for our national security. We want to make sure that we have those capabilities on shore in the US. They're all very critical, and that's why we do have a major focus on addition as opposed to subtraction. We've got to make sure that we move forward on all energy technologies to make sure that we can try to meet all of those different goals.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led a hearing titled Global Networks at Risk: Securing the Future of Telecommunications Infrastructure .  “Today, we rely on communications infrastructure in nearly every sector of our economy,” said Chairman Hudson. “As Americans become more connected, it is increasingly important the equipment we buy and the networks we rely on are secure, resilient, and protected from malicious actors.” Watch the full hearing here .  Below are key excerpts from yesterday’s hearing: Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07): “The systems that connect us, our networks, our satellites, cables, towers, and data centers form the invisible architecture of 21st century life. Safeguarding that infrastructure, as you've all talked about, is not just a matter of technology, it's a matter of strategy, security, and sovereignty.” Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01): “I represent the great state of Idaho and there is a lot of rural space there. A lot of the ISPs don't have a tremendous number of cybersecurity resources, but they will oftentimes be integrated with major infrastructure components. Whether it be a power plant or a grid or flood control or some of those major things that oftentimes can have an impact, without necessarily the infrastructure or the cybersecurity expertise to fend off some of these new threats that are on the way. I'd like to get any suggestions or comments on how CISA might be a resource for that or other sources of a counsel through your role at NTIA?” Mr. Stehlin: “Thank you for that. Idaho is a tremendous opportunity to take advantage of the monies put forth with rip and replace, for example. You know, these rural operators have a hard time making money running a business when you're so spread out. So, removing things like untrusted gear like Huawei or ZTE gear, critically important.” Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02): “Mr. Stroup, you mentioned in your testimony access to sufficient spectrum resources is necessary to secure infrastructure. Can you briefly elaborate on this and share what kind of spectrum authorities you think would make the most sense right now for the space industry?” Mr. Stroup: “ Our industry is growing substantially. As an example, approximately 10 years ago we had a thousand satellites operational. Today, that number is over twelve thousand. That's just to give you a sense of the growth in the industry.” ###