News

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announced final methane regulations that would hurt American families and weaken America’s energy independence.  “I’m deeply concerned these latest steps to enact additional burdensome regulations for methane would dramatically expand the agency’s regulatory reach in a manner that will stifle innovation, increase operational costs, and increase the price of energy. These burdens will fall directly on American families and businesses, potentially jeopardizing thousands of American jobs and billions of dollars in local economic development. The EPA must be accountable to the American people about how their rush-to-green is encroaching on people’s way of life and the futures they want to build for themselves.”  CLICK HERE to read the letter Chair Rodgers and Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) sent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan in November requesting additional information regarding how new methane regulations will hurt American families and further weaken America’s energy independence. This letter followed up on a previous letter sent to the EPA on June 9, 2023.  

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s hearing titled “America Leads the Way: Our History as the Global Leader at Reducing Emissions.” CELEBRATING U.S. LEGACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP   “I am excited for this opportunity to highlight America’s global leadership and success in both emission reductions and energy production.  “I also look forward to discussing how we can build off this success to expand our leadership around the world.   “The United States is the country it is today not because of heavy handed regulatory policies that have driven industries out of business and manufacturing overseas, but because of the nation’s long-standing entrepreneurial culture that has provided the freedom and flexibility for businesses to deploy innovative technologies across our energy and industrial economy.   “As our economy continues to grow and our energy demand and use increases, our environmental stewardship continues to improve.   “In fact, the EPA has air quality data showing that, as of 2022, the total emissions of the six major air pollutants have dropped by 73 percent since 1980.  “During this same period, gross domestic product increased 196 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased 108 percent, energy consumption increased 29 percent, and U.S. population grew by 47 percent.   “Why is this important? It shows that becoming more prosperous and secure as a nation is possible, while also decreasing emissions. We’ve done it!   “We don’t have to throw the baby out with the bathwater. In fact, during this time, America has flexed its muscles as a global energy production superpower.”  AMERICAN INNOVATION & PROSPERITY   “The American Shale revolution is a prime example of this entrepreneurial spirit.  “Pro-growth energy policies have taken US energy dominance to new levels. Innovation in the energy sector has increased the standard of living for many Americans by boosting productivity, reducing energy prices, and cutting emissions.    “It is estimated that the shale revolution saved U.S. consumers $203 billion annually, breaking down to $2,500 per family of four. It also lowered energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by 527 metric tons per year.  “I saw the benefits of the shale revolution firsthand. My district sits on top of the Utica and Marcellus shale. Eastern and Southeastern Ohio have helped the United States become the world’s leading producer of oil and natural gas.   “The Shale Revolution not only made America energy dominant, but it also provided America with geopolitical advantages and the ability to export clean energy to our allies across the globe—what we could call, ‘the U.S. LNG revolution.’”   BUILDING ON AMERICA’S ENERGY LEADERSHIP   “H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act , has passed twice on the House floor now, because it recognizes the successes of the past and further built on those successes to unleash American energy. My bill, which was included as part of H.R. 1 lifted all restrictions on the import and export of natural gas.   “It is a proven fact that American LNG exports reduce carbon emissions by replacing huge quantities of dirtier fuels harvested overseas. Despite this fact, the Biden administration and the environmental left aren’t interested.   “Why? Because increasing LNG exports, which we can do easily with our vast quantities of natural gas, would NOT, and I repeat would NOT require a radical re-ordering of American society and a reduced standard of living. Because that’s the true goal of this radical climate agenda.   “It’s a missed opportunity not to exploit America’s vast reserves of cleaner energy resources.   “The Biden administration’s 'whole-of-government' climate agenda, forcing rapid vehicle electrification and renewable energy, will only serve to move our energy industry, and other American industries, overseas strengthening adversaries, like Russia, China and Iran.  “To conclude, I want to address quickly the upcoming COP28 climate meeting in Dubai. A number of us here on Energy & Commerce will be attending, and I hope that this conversation today will present an informative starting point.  “Now, to be clear, and I will make it clear at COP 28 as well, that John Kerry, and the Biden administration’s radical negotiators at this conference do not, and I repeat, do not speak for the American people, nor do they speak for all American policymakers.    “The message that I and my Republican colleagues will carry is that more American energy production means a cleaner, safer, and more secure world.    “Friends, we should not apologize for America’s prosperity. Instead, let’s recognize the progress we as a nation have made in both environmental stewardship and energy leadership.”

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee hearing titled “America Leads the Way: Our History as the Global Leader at Reducing Emissions.” “Today’s hearing is an opportunity to celebrate American energy and environmental leadership. “We are going to explore our legacy as technological innovators to solve tough problems around energy and environmental protection, without sacrificing our economic development or national security. “This is the message that Energy and Commerce plans to celebrate on the world stage at COP28.” AMERICA’S ENERGY AND CLIMATE LEADERSHIP  “For decades, America has led the way. “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. “America is more energy secure today than ever before thanks to this legacy, which was built on the foundation of free markets, entrepreneurship, and giving people the opportunity to choose which energy sources best suit their needs. “Today, we are the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world. “We’ve become a top exporter, which is helping to shift markets and bolster our security against countries like Russia and Iran. “This Shale Revolution and the affordable and reliable natural gas that American workers are now producing has also enabled America to reduce emissions more than any other nation, and we have the capacity to continue helping countries reduce their emissions even further.”  CHINA IS THE WORLD’S BIGGEST POLLUTER “American energy leadership is critical to ensuring we are not reliant on China, a country that maintains some the worst environmental and labor standards in the world. “It is clear by their actions that China does not share our concerns about the climate nor our value of environmental stewardship. “For instance, China’s energy-related emissions of CO2 increased by almost 80 percent between 2005 and 2021. “They are responsible for 28 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions—making them the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases by far. “This is more than the GHG emissions of the entire developed world combined. “In the U.S., on the other hand, CO2 emissions from the energy sector have declined by 14.5 percent since 2007. “Since 2005, U.S. CO2 emissions from the electric sector alone have declined by more than 28 percent. “Between 1970 and 2020, the U.S. reduced emissions for criteria air pollutants by 78 percent. “And since 2000, fine particulate matter—or PM2.5—air quality has improved 44 percent. “All told, U.S. air quality is the best in the world, and it’s getting cleaner. “Furthermore, China’s supply chains—which rely upon slave labor—control the vast majority of critical minerals processing, and refining for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels. “Moving to 100 percent wind, solar, and battery powered energy—as some have proposed—will cede our energy future to China and could have the perverse effect of increasing emissions.” EMBRACING AMERICAN VALUES TO WIN THE FUTURE “We should instead be working to build on our remarkable legacy, which has transformed the human condition, helped lift people out of poverty, and raised the standard of living. “The best way to do that is with a strong energy mix that takes advantage of the resources we have here at home, lowers costs for Americans, and prevents us from becoming reliant on China for our energy needs. “Intermittent renewable sources, like wind and solar, have a place in this mix, but they need dispatchable energy — like clean natural gas, nuclear, and hydropower — to back them up. “By standing up for American values of free market competition, innovation, and environmental stewardship, we can continue building on this legacy, which will drive down emissions, while making energy affordable and reliable. “These are achievable, bipartisan goals that will help us beat China and our foreign adversaries. “This is the best path, rather than the market distorting subsidies and grants for ‘green’ technologies, which some have suggested, or the punitive environmental restrictions that forces mining and manufacturing out of the U.S. while banning people from using gas-powered cars and natural gas appliances. “This forced transition will leave our economy dangerously dependent on supply chains from China, and make energy less affordable and less reliable for Americans. “With the right policies in place, however, America can lead the way to an energy expansion and transform our energy mix. “Our economy, our national security, the stability of global markets, and the environment will only benefit from continued American leadership.”

Washington, D.C. — In the lead up to COP28 , House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) today announced the following hearings to celebrate America’s energy and environmental leadership and discuss how we must build on this legacy:  November 29, 2023— Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee hearing titled “America Leads the Way: Our History as the Global Leader Reducing Emissions”    December 5, 2023— Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing titled “America’s Future: Leading a New Era of Energy Dominance, Security, and Environmental Stewardship”  The Chairs released the following statement:  “America has led the world in reducing emissions without sacrificing innovation, economic development, or our national security. We’ve done more than any other country in the world to promote freedom, raise the standard of living, and fight poverty, while also maintaining some of the best environmental and labor standards in the world. This is a legacy worth preserving and building upon. The best way to achieve this is by ensuring a strong energy mix that lowers energy costs for people, creates jobs, encourages innovation, and secures our supply chains. As the committee prepares to lead a bipartisan delegation to COP28 next month, we look forward to celebrating America’s energy and environmental record and discussing how the U.S.—not China—continues to lead on unleashing clean energy across the board.”  WHAT: Subcommittee hearings ahead of COP28 to discuss the importance of American energy and environmental leadership.   DATES: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 and Tuesday, December 5, 2023  TIME: 10:00 A.M.  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  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 at Kaitlyn.Peterson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov . CLICK HERE to read more about the hearings, as first reported exclusively by the Washington Examiner:  “Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced two new hearings focused on energy security and emissions reduction efforts as they prepare to fine-tune their messaging and preview their bipartisan trip to the U.N. climate summit in Dubai.   “The hearings, shared exclusively with the Washington Examiner, will be held Nov. 29 and Dec. 5 and will highlight U.S. leadership in clean energy and efforts to build on that role and help allies reduce dependence on Russia and China for energy production.”   […]   “The bipartisan delegation was announced last week and comes as some Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee look to present an alternative to the Biden administration’s ambitious clean energy targets.   “Rather, they plan to argue that building a strong energy mix is the best way to create jobs, embracing an ‘all-of-the-above' approach to reduce emissions, strengthen energy security, and secure U.S. supply chains, ‘without sacrificing our innovation, economic development, or our national security,’ according to a spokesperson for the committee.”  

Washington D.C.— House Energy and Commerce Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s hearing titled “Clean Power Plan 2.0: EPA's Effort to Jeopardize Reliable and Affordable Energy for States.” DANGERS OF THE RUSH-TO-GREEN AGENDA   “Today we will continue the Subcommittee’s review of EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas standards for fossil power plants—what we refer to as the ‘Clean Power Plan 2.0.’  “The Biden administration and its allies at agencies like the EPA continue to endanger our energy and national security in their ‘rush to green’ policies and proposals. These proposals, including several other EPA rulemakings, pose a very real threat to the affordability and reliability of our electric grid.   “We continue to hear from states, utilities, and grid operators that the grid is facing reliability issues. The experts at NERC tell us that reliability crises are looming because of premature retirement of dispatchable resources.   “In fact, here’s a headline from just last week. ‘Two-thirds of North America could face power shortages this winter—NERC.’ This comes from their annual Winter Outlook report.   “The Clean Power Plan 2.0 proposal looks only to make things worse. It directly targets the dispatchable coal and natural gas resources that produce 60 percent of our nation’s electricity.”  UNFEASIBLE EPA PROPOSAL   “These are the resources that reliability experts say that the grid needs more, not less of. Yet 'less of' appears to be the likely outcome of EPA’s proposals.  “In early June, we took testimony from stakeholders representing the fossil energy power sector. The witnesses raised troubling questions about feasibility, costs, and impacts of this proposal.   “They pointed to the sheer technical and practical infeasibility of these proposed performance standards.   “This was especially problematic for the existing fleet of coal and gas generators—given the time frames required.    “The commercial viability of compliance technologies, such as CCS or hydrogen co-firing, is optimistic at best.   “While these nascent technologies could be part of our energy future, none of them has yet been adequately demonstrated in sustained large, commercial power plant operations.   “Yet the proposal would direct states to require new and existing power plants to implement carbon capture and sequestration, gas and hydrogen co-firing, or even the replacement of natural gas with hydrogen.  “There is also not enough pipeline infrastructure in place today that can transport CO2 at the scale envisioned in this proposal. Proposed pipelines continue to have permits rejected by states and have been delayed and canceled as a result.   “Very little commercial hydrogen generation exists today; none has been adequately demonstrated in commercial operation or in co-firing at the levels EPA seeks, nor do we have an extensive hydrogen pipeline network.   “What is particularly troubling is that EPA just assumes this expensive, infeasible infrastructure will be built on their timeline!”  SHUTTING DOWN AMERICAN ENERGY   “Power plants and states will have to comply within 10 years or less or shut down fossil generation. It does make me wonder if that may be the feature, not a bug, within this proposal.   “Today we will hear important state perspectives on this. And I thank our witnesses, some of which traveled a great distance to be here with us.   “We will hear from a witness who has been working at ground zero for installing carbon capture and from an expert on the implementation of Clean Air Act rules, as well as on the impacts on electricity reliability and rates.  “We will hear about the feasibility of the standards, about state authorities and responsibilities under the Clean Air Act, about what happens if the standards can’t be met, about the costs and potential impacts to the reliability of our energy systems.”  STATES ARE FEARFUL OF THE POWER GOING OUT   “Again, thank you to our panel for making the trip. Your perspectives will help us better understand the implications of this proposal.   “So far, evidence has been mounting that EPA proposed something that it knew or should have known was not able to be implemented and would lead to the shutdown of baseload, dispatchable fossil generation.   “It’s as if EPA seeks unworkable standards for coal and gas just as a pretense for the real goal—which is to shift the nation’s energy mix to administration’s favored wind and solar technologies.   “Not only does this violate what Congress directed of EPA in the Clean Air Act, it undermines the states’ own authorities for their electricity resources and rates, as recognized under the Federal Power Act. “Its even being reported in the news now as I mentioned. The American people are fearful of the power going out. And rightfully so! If this proposed rule moves forward in anything like its current form, it will take us another step closer to that reality. “Today we will advance the record on the potential impacts to state energy systems if this Clean Power Plan 2.0 proposal goes forward.”

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee hearing titled “Clean Power Plan 2.0: EPA's Effort to Jeopardize Reliable and Affordable Energy for States.” AMERICAN ENERGY LEADERSHIP   “Energy is foundational to everything we do.   “It powers our economy and our security. It’s why America is leading in lifting people out of poverty and raising the standard of living.  “America’s ability to harness energy through innovation and deploy it through entrepreneurship has transformed the human condition.   “We’ve achieved this while being a leader in emissions reductions and maintaining some of the highest environmental and labor standards in the world, and we’ve done this while delivering reliable and affordable energy across every state and community.     “We should be celebrating our accomplishments with solutions that expand on this country’s remarkable legacy of innovation.”  THREAT OF BLACKOUTS   “We’ve been blessed with an abundance of natural resources that people and businesses rely on every day.   “Rather than enacting policies that will undermine our essential energy systems and shut down these key resources, we should be taking steps to build on America’s energy leadership and legacy.   “The reality is more and more Americans today face threats of blackouts as a result of rush to green policies destabilizing our grid.     “In California, baseload and firm generation sources were driven out or shuttered by the state in exchange for less reliable weather dependent electricity.   “As a result, California has had to import a significant amount of hydroelectric power from Washington state to support its grid when sources like wind and solar can’t produce enough energy to meet demand.   “In Texas, an overreliance on weather-dependent resources has limited the state’s capacity to endure severe weather.    “Last winter, several Southern state utilities were unable to get the power resources they needed from neighboring states during a severe cold event, forcing blackouts during the holidays.    “NERC continues to warn that more than half the nation is at elevated risk of forced blackouts.   “At a recent Energy and Commerce hearing, grid operators confirmed this, warning that accelerated retirements of baseload generation, without adequate replacements, will only increase the threat of these life-threatening blackouts.”   RUSH TO DISMANTLE RELIABLE GENERATION    “Rushing to dismantle our nation’s electricity generation will harm people’s lives and well-being.    “The EPA’s recent proposals, like the Clean Power Plan 2.0, will force states to change fundamentally how they generate electricity and will raise costs across the board.     “This will cause lasting damage to energy reliability and accessibility.    “This is a continuation of the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan, which sought to use obscure provisions in the Clean Air Act to restructure the American power sector by shutting down coal-fired power plants and shifting electricity generation to other less reliable sources.     “Furthermore, these policies go well beyond the EPA’s congressionally mandated authority, and potentially violate the recent Supreme Court decision in West Virginia v. EPA, where the Court ruled that EPA’s efforts to circumvent Congress and restructure the U.S. power sector through the Clean Air Act were unconstitutional.    “The Supreme Court’s ruling made clear that the EPA’s actions would transform the nation’s electricity system on a scale that only Congress had the authority to direct.  “Yet this ruling has not stopped the EPA’s assault on our grid, and I am concerned about additional abuses of power by the administration in an attempt to exceed the authority delegated to the EPA by Congress.   “We have a lot of questions about how the EPA’s Clean Power Plan 2.0 proposal could harm our way of life.   “In June, we heard from the electric sector. Today, we will hear from states, who would have to implement these rules, limiting their ability to get reliable, affordable energy to ensure families, communities, and businesses can thrive.     “What they say about the practicality of these rules, for their communities and their own authorities over their electric systems and electric generation, matters.    “In order to ensure the American people have access to affordable, reliable energy to keep them safe, fed, and warm, it’s vital that we, the Committee of jurisdiction, understand and take actions to address the EPA’s proposals and what they mean for the nation’s electricity systems as well as America’s energy leadership.   “That is our goal today.” 

President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with China’s President Xi Jinping this week. China does not share America's values of celebrating life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. This serves as a reminder that we MUST secure our competitive edge against China to win the future. Here’s how Energy and Commerce and the People’s House is leading to bolster American leadership, promote freedom, and beat China:  Enhancing Our Security: H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act , unleashes American energy production, reduces emissions, strengthens our national security, and secures our supply chains. Affordable, reliable, clean energy is key to America’s security. (Passed the People’s House with bipartisan support) H.R. 22, the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act , prevents President Biden from further jeopardizing our national and energy security by selling off our Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) to the Chinese Communist Party. (Passed the People’s House with bipartisan support) H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act , prevents President Biden from abusing the SPR through politically motivated, “non-emergency” sales. (Passed the People’s House with bipartisan support) H.R 3565, the Spectrum Auction Reauthorization Act of 2023 , extends spectrum auction authority and improves our national security by providing more than $3 billion to remove Huawei and ZTE from our networks. ( Passed out of Committee with bipartisan support) Promoting Freedom: E&C is leading on solutions to combat China’s growing influence in the global economy and reduce America's reliance on Chinese supply chains that use slave labor. We passed bills out of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee to support American manufacturing, secure our critical supply chains, and cement our leadership in deploying emerging technologies. E&C is investigating how data brokers surveil the American people and sell their data and sensitive information to anyone, including the Chinese Communist Party.  At our hearing with TikTok CEO Shou Chew , E&C exposed why Tik Tok must be banned to protect our national and personal security. Americans deserve to know how TikTok jeopardizes their privacy and manipulates what they see to benefit the Chinese Communist Party.  H.R. 750, the CAUTION Act , provides greater transparency over what mobile applications, like TikTok, have been banned for use on federal government devices. (Passed out of Committee)  H.R. 784, the Internet Application I.D. Act , and H.R. 742, the TELL Act , provide Americans with greater transparency over what information of theirs is accessible by the Chinese Communist Party. ( Passed out of Committee)  H.R. 3557, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 , helps close the digital divide, encourages faster deployment of 5G technology, and strengthens American communications leadership by streamlining broadband permitting and expediting deployment. (Passed out of Committee)  Putting American Jobs and Innovation First:   E&C is leading to protect people’s data privacy and security, and ensure America leads in developing the standards and deploying artificial intelligence with our values—not China’s—built in. Our latest hearing series explores the role of AI across every sector of the economy, including healthcare, telecommunications, emerging technologies, and energy.   H.R. 813, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2023 , helps identify barriers that prevent investment from our allies into American companies and secures American leadership for emerging technologies. (Passed the People’s House with bipartisan support)  H.R. 1338, the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act , promotes American innovation in the satellite communications marketplace. The bill will streamline the regulatory process for satellite communications networks to provide new and better communications service to Americans and improve American competitiveness. (Passed out of Committee)  H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act , stops President Biden from dictating the vehicles Americas can drive. Forcing Americans to switch to electric vehicles plays right into China’s scheme to control our automotive future. (Passed the People’s House) 

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 Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chair and Commissioners regarding the risks posed to the country’s electric grid by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan 2.0 proposal and other power plant regulatory actions.   This letter—which was sent on behalf of both the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee and the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Republicans—comes ahead of FERC’s 2023 Annual Reliability Technical Conference on Thursday, November 9, 2023. A significant focus of this conference will be on the EPA’s Clean Power Plan 2.0 proposal that could have a severe negative effect on electric reliability in the U.S.  KEY EXCERPT:   "The voices expressing concern to the Committee about the reliability of the nation’s electric grid continue to grow in number and in volume, from States to grid operators to utilities. Many of those concerns stem from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) suite of regulations on the power sector, self-branded the 'EGU Strategy' by the EPA […] If we continue to retire and force the closure of dispatchable electric generation – like coal, natural gas, and nuclear – and fail to replace it with comparable dispatchable generation, the instability and precariousness of the U.S. electric grid will increase.    "Given the looming threats to reliability from EPA regulations, the importance of this year’s Annual Reliability Technical Conference cannot be overstated. A major focus of this technical conference is proposed regulations that have a severe negative effect on electric reliability. It is appropriate and necessary that Federal Energy Regulatory Commission step up and evaluate the impact of EPA proposals." BACKGROUND:   Under the Clean Power Plan 2.0, the EPA has introduced policy proposals to set strict, costly, and untested standards on both new and existing natural gas and remaining coal generators.   These changes will have a chilling effect on American natural gas and coal—which account for about 60 percent of U.S. electricity generation—making life unaffordable for Americans and increasing risks for blackouts.    Energy and Commerce Committee members heard from seven Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators (RTOs/ISOs) at a hearing in September, who overwhelmingly agreed that these proposed regulations from the EPA threaten to force retirement of a substantial share of their power generation sources.  Further, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), who will be participating in the reliability conference, has also noted in recent studies that large swaths of the U.S. are under threat of blackout risks in the coming months and years.  The letter reinforces a growing number of concerns expressed to the committee that the EPA failed to perform adequate and thorough analysis of the impacts of its policy proposals on electric reliability and strongly encourages FERC to take action to ensure these misguided policies do not further undermine reliability.  The Chairs asked the FERC Chair and Commissioners to respond to the following questions:  In light of the importance of FERC’s upcoming technical conference on reliability, including the Clean Power Plan 2.0 proposal, and the information the Commission will gather at the conference, will FERC commit to requesting that the EPA open up a supplemental comment period for the proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0?   Given the electric grid reliability obligations of FERC and NERC, will FERC ensure that the information from its upcoming technical conference be added to the docket in the EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0?  FERC’s November 9, 2023, technical conference does not include comparable and sufficient time allotments for all stakeholders, including States, Public Utility Commissions, and utilities. Will FERC commit to hosting an additional technical conference on the Clean Power Plan 2.0 proposal, providing more time for the Commissioners to hear from the various stakeholders?  Will FERC commit to having a technical conference(s) on the other rules (proposed and final) or actions in the EPA’s EGU Strategy, in order to examine their impacts on our electric grid?   Please describe any communications you have had with the EPA on the Clean Power Plan 2.0 proposal, as well as any of the proposed or final rules or actions in the EPA’s EGU Strategy.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter. 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) today announced a hearing titled "Clean Power Plan 2.0: EPA's Effort to Jeopardize Reliable and Affordable Energy for States.” The Chairs released the following statement: “Electricity is vital for hospitals, military bases, homes, and businesses across America. Recent proposals, like the Clean Power Plan 2.0 from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA), will force states to fundamentally change how they generate electricity and will raise costs across the board. These new proposed rules will result in lasting damage to energy reliability and accessibility. In addition, they go well beyond the EPA’s congressionally mandated authority and potentially violate the recent Supreme Court decision in West Virginia v. EPA . In this subcommittee hearing, we will hear from state officials about how the EPA’s efforts affect the various states’ abilities to provide affordable, reliable energy to power local economies, keep people safe, and preserve their livelihoods.” Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee hearing titled "Clean Power Plan 2.0: EPA's Effort to Jeopardize Reliable and Affordable Energy for States.” WHAT: An Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee hearing to discuss EPA regulations that threaten American energy reliability and compromise states’ rights. DATE: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 TIME: 10:30 A.M. LOCATION: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building 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 at Kaitlyn.Peterson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov .