Energy

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement in response to a letter from Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) announcing his resignation of the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Health.  "It’s been a pleasure working alongside Health Subcommittee Chairman Buddy Carter, who has been a long-time champion of increasing Americans’ access to care,” said Chairman Guthrie . “We thank you for your leadership on the Subcommittee on Health and your continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of Americans. I wish you well in your future endeavors and look forward to your continued work on the Health Subcommittee . ” As a result of this vacancy, Chairman Guthrie announced new Subcommittee leadership and changes to Subcommittee memberships.   The following changes to Subcommittee leadership and rosters will be enacted:   Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) will leave the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Health to focus on other priorities.  Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health.  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment.  Rep. John Joyce (PA-13) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) has been appointed to Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) has been appointed to Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Health.  The new Subcommittee Rosters are as follows:   Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, & Trade:   Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Vice Chairman  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:   Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)   Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Energy:   Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)   Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Environment:   Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)    Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Health:   Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Vice Chair  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)    Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations:   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Chairman  Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)  Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  The Fiscal Year 2026 Department Of Energy Budget. Subcommittee Chairman Latta's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Welcome to today’s hearing on the Department of Energy’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget and welcome Secretary Chris Wright to your first hearing before the Energy and Commerce Committee.  “Secretary Wright, in your confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, you stated three goals:  1.   Unleash American energy dominance,  2.   Lead the world in innovation and technological breakthroughs, and  3.   Once again allow entrepreneurs to build in this country.  “ This sentiment could not come at a more critical juncture.  “Around the world, adversarial nations like Communist China, are exploiting energy markets and critical minerals to advance their national interests at the expense of the security of the United States.  “Our own nation faces an electric reliability crisis that could threaten the everyday lives of hardworking Americans.  “Infrastructure development has been left at a virtual standstill after the regulatory onslaught of the previous administration. “All the while, we are in the midst of a critical race to lead the world in AI development.  “The stakes could not be higher, which is why the ambitious goals laid out under your leadership are so critical to the interests of our country.  “After five months on the job, your department has remained steadfastly committed to these efforts.   “Your department reversed course on the disastrous LNG export ban and once again ensured our abundant natural resources can be utilized as a diplomatic tool for our allies abroad. “To reduce unnecessary federal overreach, your department rescinded dozens of burdensome and unworkable efficiency regulations and standards that the previous administration designed to advance a one-size-fits-all approach to energy efficiency.  “Over the last few weeks, the department issued necessary 202(c) emergency waivers to continue the operation of baseload power plants to protect grid reliability in regions across the country during the upcoming summer months.  “And just two weeks ago, the White House released the Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base Executive Order, which will empower DOE to expedite and promote the use of nuclear energy in the United States. “Importantly, these efforts will leverage the bipartisan work of our ADVANCE Act to fuel a domestic nuclear renaissance and power next generation industries.  “As you have documented, you are continuing your ongoing tour of all 17 national labs, our crown jewels, which will be critical in leading the world in technological breakthroughs. “This includes the recent announcement of a new supercomputer at the Lawrence Berkely National Lab that will be vital to the continued development of AI and fusion energy.  “I am encouraged that your department has been rightly focused on the energy needs of our growing AI industry and why it is so important for our nation, and the world, for the United States to win. “Your department has also remained committed to President Trump’s agenda to be stewards of finite taxpayer resources by aligning federal resources with high priority projects and eliminating wasteful spending.  “As we discuss cost-cutting measures at your department, it is important to remember that the previous administration received over $100 billion in new funding and $400 billion in loan authority from the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  “The previous administration seemingly issued financial assistance awards in a haphazard manner that lacked accountability.  “In fact, in the 76 days between election day and President Trump’s inauguration, the department issued almost $100 billion in new loans, compared to $43 billion in loans issued over the loan office’s 20-year lifespan. “This level of government subsidies was irresponsible and unsustainable, focused on misguided priorities, and was often done to the detriment of free markets and private enterprises.  “The fiscal year 2026 budget request reflects these priorities and will refocus the Department of Energy on its core mission as you continue reorganization efforts, as is customary for incoming Administrations. “We look forward to our continued work together to achieve common goals to unleash American energy dominance, lead the world in next generation industries, and fuel economic prosperity throughout the country.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, led a hearing titled  The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Energy Budget.   “Alongside Secretary Wright, the Committee on Energy and Commerce is working to unleash American energy dominance,”  said Chairman Latta.  “We need more energy, not less, and today’s hearing reinforced the importance of supporting baseload power sources including oil, natural gas, nuclear power, coal, and hydropower that can secure our grid and help us to meet the energy demands of AI.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14):  “Under President Biden, Mr. Secretary, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve—60 percent of it in my district—has been unbelievably drawn down. It has reached its lowest level since 1983. When President Biden took office, the SPR contained 638 million barrels of oil. Today it contains 375 million barrels, roughly 50 percent less. In his 2025 inaugural address, President Trump made a commitment to refill the SPR. In this Committee's reconciliation title, we authorized $2 billion to conduct repairs to the SPR and buy back 7 million barrels from mandated sales. So do you think the department's plan to refill the SPR will work with what we've done in the reconciliation package?” Secretary Wright:   “It's a start, absolutely. The immediate things we need to do is finish the repairs on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It was drawn down so quickly, and that causes some damage to the infrastructure itself. So those, those repairs are ongoing and it costs a non-trivial amount of money to repair the SPR. Then we also have to spend some money to offset planned additional sales of oil that were also entered into to reverse those, so we don't shrink the deposits. And then the additional funds will be used to fill it. So yes, I thank you for that funding.” Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12):  “U.S. LNG exports have been a game changer for natural gas producers in Ohio, uh, the state where I represent, as well as our allies around the world. Opponents of LNG exports often push the narrative that exports raise domestic natural gas prices. However, the vast majority of studies showed the opposite, boosting exports increases domestic production, which lowers the price for American consumers. Mr. Secretary, can you talk about the potential of US LNG exports not only for our allies, but how boosting LNG can keep natural gas prices low for the consumers here at home?”  Secretary Wright:  “Thank you, Representative, I agree very much with your premise. 17 years ago, the United States was the largest importer of natural gas in the world, and we had over 1000 rigs drilling specifically to produce natural gas. Today, that over 1000 rigs is only 100 rigs drilling in the United States for natural gas, and as you pointed out, we've become the largest net exporter of natural gas in the world. This is technology, this is efficiency, and this is infrastructure that gets built to move natural gas at scale, all of those ultimately lower the cost to produce natural gas.” , Congressman John James (MI-10):   “In 2024, NERC’s long-term reliability assessments, they stated that the greatest threat to our power grid is our shift to intermittent resources and premature retirements of thermal generation. NERC’s 2024 long-term reliability assessment also projected that the Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator (MISO), which covers my district in Michigan, which will experience a 4.7-gigawatt shortfall by 2028 if current expected generator retirements occur. In your discussions with MISO have they discussed how any current state net-zero policies have contributed to current cost increases to consumers? And expected power shortfalls in the future?”   Secretary Wright: “Many people at DOE have been in dialogues with NERC and with MISO about these issues, but I think you hit the nail on the head. We want to reshore manufacturing to Michigan. We want to bring data centers to Michigan. We need to grow the supply of affordable, reliable electricity in Michigan and closing plants, the coal plant, for example, with 15 years less in its average lifetime, closed for political reasons, closed to show virtue signaling that we're going to move away from coal. That's not in the best interest of Michigan ratepayers and Michigan citizens. Yes, utilities get bullied and influenced by state politicians and national politicians that have political agendas around energy that are often not aligned with ratepayers and citizens in those districts.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Yesterday, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, penned a letter to Secretary Jennifer Granholm questioning the Department of Energy’s involvement in the Biden-Harris Administration’s decision to prevent new offshore oil and gas production, leading to higher prices for consumers and harming U.S. energy security. KEY LETTER EXCERPT: “Closing off swaths of U.S. offshore areas to energy production, as the Biden-Harris Administration reportedly intends to do, will lead to higher energy prices for American families, the loss of American jobs, and greatly diminish our country’s energy security. As the Secretary of Energy, you have an obligation to weigh in on this matter and insist on a full review of the energy security and economic impacts before any decisions are finalized. “The United States stands at an energy crossroads, facing mounting global security threats and soaring demand for power. Instead of leading the world in energy production, we’ve allowed misguided “green” policies to hamstring our potential. It’s time to unleash American energy dominance again—the federal government must become an ally, not an obstacle, to our nation’s energy security. We look forward to your prompt response to this request, no later than January 10, 2025.” Read the story  here . BACKGROUND: This morning, the Biden Administration announced that more than 625 million square miles of coastline would be off-limits for energy production. Republican Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce have continuously called on the Biden-Harris Administration to end its attack on American energy production before leaving office on January 20th. The letter requests an explanation of the DOE’s involvement in the decision and whether the White House or the Department of Interior consulted with the DOE about the plans to close off access to offshore resources. Any decision to shut down access to significant American energy resources impacts U.S. energy policy and should be reviewed by the DOE. The Biden Administration’s energy policies have continued to create major harm to America’s energy production and workforce. A unilateral ban on energy production in large swaths of the U.S. coastline will have lasting impacts on American energy production and security.

“DOE is threatening domestic jobs and economic development, weakening the energy security of European allies, and strengthening our adversaries” Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm demanding the agency stop rushing to prematurely release its anti-liquefied natural gas (LNG) study, which aims to hamstring the incoming Presidential administration. The letter also calls for DOE to lift the pause on LNG exports, which was a politically motivated decision by the Biden administration to appease radical environmental activists at the expense of American energy security and the security of our allies. KEY LETTER EXCERPTS: “Despite DOE’s prior findings and published reviews in favor of U.S. LNG exports, and contrary to DOE’s limited statutory authority under the NGA, the Biden administration’s DOE announced that it would expand its environmental review as part of a ‘managed transition’ to reduce use of fossil fuels. Recent press reports indicate that DOE is racing to complete a study on the climate impacts of LNG exports to hamper the incoming Republican administration and provide opportunities to challenge future project approvals in court.” [...] “ The results of the 2024 presidential election are clear, and DOE leadership will soon change. As a traditional part of the peaceful transfer of power, DOE should immediately stop work on any plans to expand the scope of review or add new conditions to LNG export licenses. DOE should immediately lift the ban on LNG export approvals in compliance with the NGA and the District Court order.” BACKGROUND: January 26, 2024 : The Biden administration announces indefinite “pause” on LNG export permits. Chair Rodgers immediately rebukes the decision, calling it a “gift to Putin.” February 5, 2024 : More than 150 House Republicans demand President Biden ends his de facto ban on American LNG exports. February 15, 2024 : E&C Republicans lead bipartisan passage of H.R. 7176 to reverse President Biden’s LNG export ban. April 8, 2024 : The Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security holds a field hearing in Port Arthur, Texas, with local leaders and energy workers to highlight the economic and public benefits of American energy production, including job creation. November 7, 2024 : Bloomberg Law reports that the “Biden administration is racing to complete a study that could complicate President-Elect Donald Trump’s plan to immediately approve new liquefied natural gas export terminals.” CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today sent letters to five independent federal agencies urging the Biden-Harris administration appointees to abandon partisan efforts and instead focus remaining efforts on bipartisan, consensus items.   The letters state, “The results of the 2024 presidential election are now apparent and leadership of the [agency] will soon change. As a traditional part of the peaceful transfer of power, the [agency] should immediately stop work on any partisan or controversial item under consideration, consistent with applicable law and regulation.”    Click below to read each agency’s letter:   Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Federal Communications Commission (FCC)   Federal Trade Commission (FTC)   Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)   Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Note: In the letter, Chair Rodgers urges NRC to continue timely implementation of the ADVANCE Act.