News

Energy, Climate, & Grid Security Updates


Mar 22, 2024
On the House Floor

Chair Rodgers on the Floor: America’s Energy Legacy is Under Threat

Vote YES on H.R. 1023 to Repeal the EPA’s Green Slush Fund and the Harmful Natural Gas Tax Washington D.C. —   House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 1023, the Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act . The bill, led by Energy and Commerce Republican Gary Palmer (R-AL), will repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) $27 billion green bank slush fund and stop it from imposing a tax on natural gas. Chair Rodgers prepared remarks: “I rise in support of H.R. 1023, the ‘Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act.’ “I want to thank the bill sponsor, Mr. Gary Palmer of Alabama, and the Members of the Energy and Commerce. “The U.S. has been blessed with tremendous natural resources, which we’ve been able to harness as a result of free market principles and an entrepreneurial spirit that’s uniquely American. “We’ve harnessed the power of nuclear energy, electrified millions of rural American’s homes with clean hydropower, and ushered in the Shale Revolution—which continues to create millions of new jobs, bring manufacturing back to the U.S., and revitalize communities across the country. “As a result, America is more energy secure today than ever before. “This legacy is under threat. Since day one, President Biden has been taking steps to shut down American energy. “On his first day in office he ended the Keystone XL Pipeline. “He’s actively taking steps to ban gas stoves and liquefied natural gas exports, tear down hydropower dams, force electric vehicle mandates on Americans, and impose a tax on natural gas. “His so-called ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ provided the EPA with tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to launder to extreme, liberal special interest allies—who will ultimately make us more reliant on China by forcing Americans to rely on cheap Chinese batteries and solar panels manufactured with slave labor and the worst environmental standards on the planet. “H.R. 1023 is an important step towards ending the President’s radical rush to green agenda. “It repeals the EPA’s $27 billion-dollar Green Bank slush fund, and it’s recently proposed natural gas tax. “The EPA doesn’t want Congress or the American public to know how their taxpayer dollars are spent, so they give it to radical environmentalists to spend in secret. “This legislation will also repeal the EPA’s recent proposed natural gas tax. “This tax drives up costs on everything from our grocery bills to our energy bills. “It will force good-paying American jobs overseas and make us more dependent on foreign energy sources. “I strongly support H.R. 1023, the ‘Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act,’ which promotes American energy leadership and security—something that’s vital to building on our legacy of improving lives, helping to lift people out of poverty, and raising the standard of living across the country and the world. “I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in voting YES on this important bill.”



Mar 21, 2024
Blog

WSJ Editorial Board: Biden’s EV Mandate Blows its Cover

The EPA’s new tailpipe emissions rule is a plan to eliminate gas-powered cars The Biden administration is doubling down on its rush-to-green agenda that forces Americans to drive unaffordable, less reliable electric vehicles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule for its tailpipe emissions standard—which mandates that two-thirds of all new vehicles be electric by 2032—only benefits the Chinese Communist Party. As Chairs Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Buddy Carter (R-GA) said , President Biden should abandon his radical agenda and let Americans choose what vehicle best suits their needs.  Check out these highlights from a new piece by the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board : Biden officials are stressing that the new auto greenhouse gas emissions standards they rolled out on Wednesday aren’t an electric-vehicle mandate. But the liberal press and climate lobby don’t buy it, and neither should Americans. The Environmental Protection Agency somewhat eased CO2 emissions requirements through 2030 from its proposal last spring while maintaining essentially the same end-point for 2032. That means gas-powered cars can make up no more than 30% of auto sales by 2032. Make no mistake: This is a coerced phase-out of gas-powered cars. […] EVs made up less than 8% of new auto sales last year, and more than half were Teslas. They accounted for less than 4% of General Motors and Ford sales. Foreign luxury auto makers such as BMW (12.5%), Mercedes (11.4%) and Porsche (10%) will have an easier time meeting the Biden mandates because their affluent customers can more easily afford EVs. The average price of a new EV is roughly $50,000, and only two cost less than $40,000 as of December: the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf. Some makers have slashed EV prices to boost sales, but they are also losing money. Ford ran an operating loss of $4.7 billion on its EV business in 2023, equivalent to $64,731 per EV sold.  The companies are heavily subsidizing EVs with profits from gas-powered cars. This means middle-class Americans in Fargo are paying more for gas-powered cars so the affluent in Napa Valley can buy cheaper EVs. This cost-shift won’t be financially sustainable as the Biden mandate ramps up, and it may not be politically sustainable either.   […] EPA claims the rule preserves “consumer choice” because hybrids and plug-in hybrids can help meet the standards in the early years. But auto makers will have no choice but to limit gas-powered, and increase EV, production to meet the mandates. The only “choice” Americans will have in the future is electric. CLICK HERE to read the full piece. NOTE: Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading to stop the Biden administration’s radical EV agenda , preserve people’s vehicle choice, and ensure America—not China—is leading. In May 2023, Chair Rodgers and more than 150 House Republicans sent a letter to the administration urging it to abandon its efforts to mandate EVs.   In December 2023, the House of Representatives passed the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act , led by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), to stop President Biden’s agenda to force Americans to drive electric vehicles by a bipartisan vote of 221-197.



Mar 20, 2024
Blog

Eliminating the Slush Fund for Biden’s Radical Rush-to-Green Agenda

Congress Must Pass H.R. 1023 to Repeal EPA’s Green Bank President Biden’s so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” provided the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with $27 billion—nearly three times more than the agency’s entire FY23 appropriated budget—to launder money to a limited number of extreme, liberal non-profits to promote green programs and technology. In reality, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) is a slush fund of taxpayer money that will be used by the Biden administration to fund its special interest friends to advance a radical rush-to-green agenda. The GGRF is ripe for waste, fraud, and abuse. This week, the House is considering H.R. 1023, the  Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act , led by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), which repeals and rescinds the EPA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Here’s why it’s important we take action: 1. China controls the components needed for renewable energy. By mandating technologies that are fully dependent on resources from China, the President is taking taxpayer dollars and using them to line the pockets of one of our greatest adversaries.  China controls the critical minerals supply chain, accounting for roughly 60% of the world’s production of rare earth minerals and materials.  Nearly half of the U.S. solar panel market share is controlled by China. 2. The EPA is not well-equipped to effectively and efficiently hand out $27-billion in taxpayer dollars. Under law, the EPA must obligate the funding by September 2024—an incredibly quick timeline that the EPA Inspector General has cautioned could lead to waste, fraud, and abuse. When asked during an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing if the EPA could guarantee none of the funds from the green bank slush fund would go to China, an EPA official conceded, “it’s a little more complicated” than a yes or no. American taxpayer dollars will be wasted on risky investments through the GGRF. According to the EPA, the program will “leverage public investment with private capital” to finance clean energy projects, despite the agency having no experience administering such a funding vehicle, referring to it as “a first-of-its-kind” program. 3. The Biden administration faces possible conflicts of interest with fund recipients. Some think tanks have raised alarms that the EPA could use this program to subsidize favored special interest organizations. Others have noted that current EPA appointees have ties to potential recipients of these sizeable awards, raising ethical concerns. Bottomline: To reduce the budget deficit, protect against government corruption, and stop China from receiving American taxpayer dollars, Congress must pass H.R. 1023, the Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act . CLICK HERE to learn more about the GGRF. CLICK HERE to read the letter E&C Republicans sent to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in October 2023 sounding the alarm on the GGRF.



Mar 18, 2024
Press Release

Chair Rodgers Announces Full Committee Markup of 28 Bills

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today announced a Full Committee markup. The Committee will consider legislation from the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security; Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials; Health; and Communications and Technology subcommittees.  Chair Rodgers released the following statements:  On the Energy and Environment bills:  “The Energy and Commerce Committee has a rich history of enacting solutions that improve people’s livelihoods and freedom, all while maintaining America’s global energy and environmental leadership. We look forward to building on this legacy with solutions that modernize our pipeline infrastructure, enhance air quality standards and public health, and ensure Americans are free to choose the home appliances that work best for their lives.”  On the Health bills: “Americans are counting on us to deliver on bipartisan solutions that will help improve their health and wellbeing. We’re proud of the hard work that Members both on and off the Energy and Commerce Committee have done to bring forth these proposals to support patients and caregivers across America.”  On the Communications and Technology bills:  “In order to win the future, it is vital that our communications networks are secure. Continuing to rely on technology sourced from foreign adversaries jeopardizes people’s homes, schools, hospitals, our financial system, and the military. That is why Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading on solutions to remove dangerous equipment from our communications infrastructure and help cement America's technological and economic leadership for generations to come.”   WHAT: A Full Committee Markup of 28 bills.  DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 2024   TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building   Legislation to be considered :  H.R. 7655 , Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2024 (Rep. Duncan)  H.R. 7673 , Liberty in Laundry Act (Rep. Ogles)  H.R. 7645 , Clothes Dryers Reliability Act (Rep. Ezell)   H.R. 7637 , Refrigerator Freedom Act (Rep. Miller-Meeks)   H.R. 7626 , Affordable Air Conditioning Act (Rep. Crenshaw)   H.R. 7700 , Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards (SUDS) Act (Rep. Langworthy) H.R. 7650 , Air Quality Standards Implementation Act of 2024 (Rep. Carter) H.R. 619 , NAPA Reauthorization Act (Rep. Tonko) H.R. 620 , Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (Rep. C. Smith)  H.R. 7218 , Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act of 2024 (Rep. Guthrie)  H.R. 4581 , Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024 (Rep. Hinson)    H.R. 2706 , Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act (Rep. Cammack)   H.R. 4646 , SIREN Reauthorization Act (Rep. D. Joyce)  H.R. 6160 , To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a lifespan respite care program (Rep. Molinaro)  H.R. 6960 , Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Rep. Carter)    H.R. 7153 , Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (Rep. Wild)  H.R. 7251 , Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Rep. Chavez-DeRemer)  H.R. 7224 , To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training Program (Rep. Cohen)  H.R. 7208 , Dennis John Beningo Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Rep. Pascrell)   H.R. 6829 , Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, and Research, and AED Training in the Schools (HEARTS) Act of 2024 (Rep. Pallone)    H.R. 7189 , Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Rep. Bilirakis)  H.R. 7406 , DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2024 (Rep. McMorris Rodgers)  H.R. 3916 , SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2024 (Rep. Morelle)    H.R. 5074 , Kidney PATIENT Act (Rep. Carter)  H.R. 2864 , Countering CCP Drones Act (Rep. Stefanik)  H.R. 820 , Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act (Rep. Stefanik)  H.R. 1513 , Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhancing (FUTURE) Networks Act (Rep. Matsui)  H.R. 7589 , Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security (ROUTERS) Act (Rep. Latta)  This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Kaitlyn Peterson with the Committee staff at Kaitlyn.Peterson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov and Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@mail.house.gov



Mar 8, 2024
Press Release

ROUND UP: Chair Rodgers Statements on President Biden’s State of the Union

President Biden spent his State of the Union Address doubling down on his radical, out-of-touch agenda which has caused record inflation, surging energy costs, a crisis at our southern border, and a dangerous reliance on the Chinese Communist Party.  Here’s what Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) said on key issues:  On President Biden’s Economic Agenda and its Consequences for the American People : “Bidenomics has failed the American people. From the gas pump to the grocery store, families are seeing rising costs for routine expenses across the board. This is a direct result of President Biden’s failed economic agenda and radical out-of-control spending. To build confidence and prosperity again, we must ease regulatory burdens, strengthen critical American supply chains, unleash American energy, and reverse the Left’s extreme government spending and socialist agenda.”   On President Biden’s Radical Rush-to-Green Agenda:   “Since his first day in office, President Biden has repeatedly shut down American energy production and jobs. Time and again, he has put the interests of radical environmentalists ahead of the best interests of the American people, demonstrated most recently by his decision to ban American LNG exports. We should be embracing America’s energy leadership and building on it, which is why House Republicans have led on solutions to unleash American energy, lower costs, reduce emissions, create jobs, and strengthen our national security. It’s past time for President Biden to reverse his radical rush-to-green agenda—that is driving up costs across the board—and embrace these commonsense solutions that will improve people’s lives and secure our energy future.”   On Biden Making America More Reliant on China:   “China is America’s greatest adversary and poses significant risk to our national and economic security. President Biden has spent his first three years in the White House emboldening the Chinese Communist Party and undermining American leadership. Through his radical rush-to-green policies, like electric vehicle mandates and heavy-handed regulations that crush American manufacturing, the President has ceded our global, competitive edge to our number one adversary. President Biden must abandon his reckless agenda and join Republicans in our efforts to beat China and win the future.”   On Strengthening Americans’ Data Privacy and Security:   “The American people deserve to know that their personal data is protected. While it is encouraging to see President Biden’s recent announcement to crack down on the sale of Americans’ personal data to foreign adversaries, Republicans and Democrats agree the best way to truly secure people’s data is for Congress to pass comprehensive data privacy and security legislation that enacts one national data privacy standard. President Biden must work with Congress to end the patchwork of state privacy laws, protect kids online, and prevent bad actors and foreign adversaries from surveilling and exploiting Americans’ data.” On Biden’s Border Crisis: “President Biden’s border policy has been nothing short of a catastrophic failure. His open-border agenda is unsustainable, irresponsible, and inhumane. “America is less secure today because of President Biden’s border crisis, which he spent three years denying, only to change his tune and attempt to blame Republicans. The American people will not be fooled by his rhetoric and inaction. “Energy and Commerce Republicans toured the border and walked the paths used by the cartels to smuggle migrants and illegal drugs into the United States. We met with border patrol personnel who shared how frustrated they are with this administration’s policies—which are making their jobs nearly impossible. “The President’s failure to secure the border has made every city in the country a border town. Rather than enforcing the laws on the books or taking action that he has acknowledged he has the authority to do, President Biden has bent to the will of his radical, open-borders political base. “This administration should support and pressure the Senate to pass H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, and H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act, to strengthen our national security and protect Americans from the scourge of deadly drugs pouring across our border. “Every day they do not means another day that communities across the country struggle with the toll of the Biden border crisis. President Biden needs to respond to the concerns of the American people and secure our border immediately.” On Protecting Medicare and Social Security: “President Biden and Congressional Democrats have weakened our safety nets through their radical spending agenda, which has driven up Medicare premiums and forced seniors to spend more in out-of-pocket costs. “Republicans have led on the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which will save seniors and the Medicare program billions of dollars. Rather than play politics, President Biden should join the effort and work with Republicans to strengthen and preserve Medicare and Social Security without cutting benefits to seniors.”   On President Biden’s Radical Abortion Agenda: “President Biden supports taxpayer-funded abortion, on demand, and up until the moment of birth. This unconscionable position bolsters a culture that fails to protect the most innocent among us.   “I firmly believe in protecting the value and dignity of every human life—and that begins with making sure no woman feels like abortion is her only option. Energy and Commerce Republicans have taken action to support women and their babies at every stage of their lives. I’m hopeful for the day we come together as a nation to affirm the sanctity, value, and dignity of every human life.”   On President Biden’s Innovation-Crushing IRA Price-Setting Scheme: “American leads the world in biomedical innovation, producing cutting-edge devices, treatments, and cures for new diseases and conditions every year. Rather than support the research and development of new cures, President Biden and Congressional Democrats forced through a partisan price-setting scheme that is already harming innovation and robbing patients of hope.   “President Biden praises his ‘Moonshot Initiative’ to cure cancer, yet he is responsible for laws and regulations that will delay achieving this goal. Patients battling cancer now can’t afford to wait. The President must work with Congressional Republicans to lower drug costs by undoing the worst parts of the Inflation Reduction Act—it’s how we restore hope for patients, families, and caregivers.”



Chair Rodgers Statement on President Biden Making America More Reliant on China

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s comments on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at his State of the Union Address:  “China is America’s greatest adversary and poses significant risk to our national and economic security. President Biden has spent his first three years in the White House emboldening the Chinese Communist Party and undermining American leadership. Through his radical rush-to-green policies, like electric vehicle mandates and heavy-handed regulations that crush American manufacturing, the President has ceded our global, competitive edge to our number one adversary. President Biden must abandon his reckless agenda and join Republicans in our efforts to beat China and win the future.” BACKGROUND:   President Biden has emboldened the Chinese Communist Party through his radical rush-to-green agenda that has undermined American leadership by: Forcing Americans to buy electric vehicles when the vast majority of critical minerals mining, processing, and manufacturing for EVs is controlled by China  Draining America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve for political purposes, allowing China to build up its own reserves with American-produced energy  Crushing America’s manufacturing sector with burdensome regulations that have forced jobs overseas to China Energy and Commerce Republicans are working on solutions to strengthen American leadership and reduce our reliance on China: H.R. 4468 , the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act H.R. 21 , the Strategic Production Response Act H.R. 22 , the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act Exposing how the CCP is working to manipulate Americans and steal our data



Chair Rodgers Statement on President Biden’s Radical Rush-to-Green Agenda

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s comments on our energy crisis at his State of the Union Address:  “Since his first day in office, President Biden has repeatedly shut down American energy production and jobs. Time and again, he has put the interests of radical environmentalists ahead of the best interests of the American people, demonstrated most recently by his decision to ban American LNG exports. We should be embracing America’s energy leadership and building on it, which is why House Republicans have led on solutions to unleash American energy, lower costs, reduce emissions, create jobs, and strengthen our national security. It’s past time for President Biden to reverse his radical rush-to-green agenda—that is driving up costs across the board—and embrace these commonsense solutions that will improve people’s lives and secure our energy future.”  BACKGROUND:   President Biden has embraced a radical rush-to-green energy agenda that is out of step with the American people by:   Ending the Keystone XL Pipeline  Trying to ban gas stoves  Working to tear down hydropower-supporting dams  Forcing electric vehicle mandates onto Americans  Imposing a tax on natural gas  Banning American LNG exports Energy and Commerce Republicans are continuing to lead on solutions that will lower energy costs, reduce emissions, and secure American energy leadership:  H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act   H.R. 7176, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act   H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act     H.R. 22, the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act   H.R. 1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Act   H.R. 1640, the Save Our Gas Stoves Act   H.R. 4045, the Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act   H.R. 6544, the Atomic Energy Advancement Act   H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act   H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act  



RECAP: Energy and Environment Subcommittee Markups

E&C Republicans Advance Bills Full Committee Washington, D.C. — In two markups today, the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security and the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials advanced solutions to modernize pipeline infrastructure, protect consumer choice, and address President Biden’s burdensome new EPA regulations that will crush American manufacturing and people’s livelihoods.  Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Markup:   Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) :   “To meet growing energy demands, we must modernize and expand our pipeline infrastructure.   “The U.S. has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources right under our feet, which we’ve been able to harness as a result of free market principles and an entrepreneurial spirit that’s uniquely American.   “We should be embracing this and building on it to enhance America’s energy security and competitive edge.   “At the same time, we also need to ensure Americans are free to choose the home appliances that work best for their lives.”   Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) :   “My draft legislation addresses this by strengthening penalties for damaging pipelines and incorporating permitting reform centered on safety, modernization, and expansion.   “It improves pipelines safety by updating PHMSA programs to reflect new technologies.   “It puts an end to 'gas bans' by protecting the American people’s right to choose the energy source that fits their needs.   “Pipelines are essential to the energy security of the United States, and I would like to see all of my colleagues join me in support of this effort.” Legislative Vote Summary: H.R. __ , To prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing or enforcing energy conservation standards for clothes washers that are not cost-effective or technologically feasible, and for other purposes , was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 16 Yeas to 10 Nays.  H.R. __ , To prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing or enforcing energy conservation standards for clothes dryers that are not cost-effective or technologically feasible, and for other purposes , was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 16 Yeas to 10 Nays.  H.R. __ , To prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing or enforcing energy conservation standards for dishwashers that are not cost-effective or technologically feasible, and for other purposes, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 15 Yeas to 10 Nays.  H.R. __ , To prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing or enforcing energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers that are not cost-effective or technologically feasible, and for other purposes, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 15 Yeas to 10 Nays.  H.R. __ , To prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing or enforcing energy conservation standards for room air conditioners that are not cost-effective or technologically feasible, and for other purposes, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 15 Yeas to 10 Nays.  H.R.___ , Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14 Yeas to 10 Nays.  Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Markup:   Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) :   “For decades, America has been the number one place to do business, while maintaining some of the best air quality in the world.   “We have achieved this success in part through laws that enable—not disable— the productive capacity of Americans, their communities, and the industries that support them.   “Unfortunately, that prosperity, that opportunity to work and thrive, is being threatened as the Biden administration advances radical environmental policies that will crush the American economy.”   Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA) :   “Even as standards approach natural background levels, the Clean Air Act’s rigid timelines and outdated assumptions are making it near impossible for states to implement effective plans.   “And while states work on one set of standards, EPA imposes another round, all while ignoring the major sources of air pollution, and the practical experience of state regulators.   “The result is impractical requirements that create permit gridlock, and little prospect for meaningful improvement in air quality.   “Meanwhile America is less competitive. High-paying jobs will leave our shores, only for heavy manufacturing and production of critical goods to be done in foreign locations with weaker environmental and labor standards.” Legislative Vote Summary: H.R.___ , Air Quality Standards Implementation Act of 2024, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 10 Yeas to 9 Nays.



Mar 6, 2024
Markups

Chair Rodgers Opening Remarks at Energy Subcommittee Markup of Six Bills to Modernize Pipeline Infrastructure and Protect Consumer Choice

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Energy Subcommittee markup of six bills to modernize pipeline infrastructure and protect consumer choice.  CEMENTING AMERICAN ENERGY LEADERSHIP “Experts agree that global demand for liquid fuels will continue to grow through at least 2050. “As the world’s number one producer of oil and natural gas, we have an opportunity to cement America’s energy leadership for decades to come. “Today, the U.S. has more than 3.4 million miles of pipelines. “To meet growing energy demands, we must modernize and expand our pipeline infrastructure. “The U.S. has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources right under our feet, which we’ve been able to harness as a result of free market principles and an entrepreneurial spirit that’s uniquely American. “We should be embracing this and building on it to enhance America’s energy security and competitive edge. “At the same time, we also need to ensure Americans are free to choose the home appliances that work best for their lives. “This Subcommittee will continue our important work—through regular order—to achieve these goals. “We will be considering several bills that will update the nation’s pipeline safety laws and stop the Biden administration’s war on American’s home appliances. “This committee’s hearings with PHMSA, DOE, and FERC, have all made clear the need for legislation to modernize our energy infrastructure and expand our pipeline system. “Additionally, Congress must act to reform DOE’s energy efficiency authorities and prevent the Biden administration from mandating standards that are neither cost-effective nor technologically feasible.” PIPELINE SAFETY, MODERNIZATION, AND EXPANSION “The Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act , led by Chairman Duncan, will reduce energy prices for the American people, strengthen pipeline and LNG facility safety, and drive innovation in new technologies. “It will reauthorize PHMSA for five years and increase the budget for State pipeline safety inspectors, who are responsible for the majority of the work. “We believe the states should see a higher share of PHMSA’s budget than they are currently receiving. “Chairman Duncan’s legislation will also strengthen the reliability of our electric grid by encouraging the expansion of the pipeline network in existing rights-of-way and by stopping states and local governments from blocking the flow of natural gas and other fuels from being delivered to homes and power plants.” ENERGY EFFICIENCY “Today’s markup will also consider solutions to strengthen energy efficiency. “This picks up where we left off in December’s full committee markup. “The Department of Energy is waging war on American’s home appliances. “Early last year, the Biden administration’s DOE announced a ban on gas stoves. “The House responded with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote to stop this terribly misguided rule from taking effect. “Regrettably, the Biden administration has since announced new mandates for dozens more home appliances. “If it is not stopped, the administration’s plans will impose burdensome and costly efficiency mandates for virtually every appliance in your home. “Today, the Subcommittee will consider legislation to protect appliances across the board—from washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers, to refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners. “These bills would prohibit the Secretary of Energy from imposing new efficiency mandates or enforcing existing standards unless they pass a simple three-part test. “First, DOE’s efficiency standards must prove they are cost-effective and technologically feasible. “Second, they must save consumers money. “And third, they must save a significant amount of energy. “There is nothing controversial about this approach. “If DOE and House Democrats support efficiency mandates and saving Americans money, then they should join us in advancing these bills to restrict the administration from overstepping its statutory authorities. “House Republicans will continue to put the American people first.    “Our economy, energy security, and the environment will only benefit from continued American energy leadership and people’s ability to have the freedom to choose home appliances that best fit their needs and preferences. “These bills are an important step to expand access to affordable and reliable energy.”