Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing titled “Green Building Policies: Jeopardizing the American Dream of Homeownership.” 

“Thank you, Chairman Duncan, and our witnesses for appearing before the Subcommittee today. We look forward to your testimony.

“This committee plays a critical role in ensuring America continues to lead the world in innovation, entrepreneurship, reducing emissions, and improving people’s way of life.

“President Biden’s radical rush-to-green building policies will destroy this legacy and make it more difficult for people to realize the American dream.”

RUSH-TO-GREEN

“Under the Republican Majority this Congress, the Energy and Commerce Committee has led the way to expose how the Biden administration’s agenda is wreaking havoc on our economy, our energy security, and our national security.

“President Biden’s war on American energy has pervaded every aspect of our lives.

“Inflation, energy prices, and grocery bills have all reached historic levels.

“People are struggling to afford basic necessities, like gas, groceries, and prescription medications.

“In spite of all this, President Biden and some Democratic-led States are making life even more unaffordable by doubling down on expensive mandates for solar panels, electric cars, and electric appliances.

“They want to control every aspect of our lives and force us all to make do with less.”

GREEN BUILDING MANDATES

“The cost of buying a home, in particular, has reached an all-time high in recent years, with a record average price of over $380,000 and aggressive, green building regulations have been a major contributing factor in these price increases.

“Today, we are going to explore how the Democrat’s rush-to-green agenda is increasing the cost of home ownership.

“We are going to hear from people with first-hand experience making construction materials, building homes, and delivering utility services, in order to better understand how green building policies are impacting homeownership.

“We are going to uncover how the process to establish state and local regulations for building energy codes has been hijacked by radical environmental activists at the expense of the American people.”

BUILDING POLICIES

“This is an opportunity for Members to judge for themselves whether the administration’s bans on fossil fuels and natural gas are good for our economy and energy security or whether Americans should be required to have things like rooftop solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and all-electric appliances make sense in the Congressional districts that we represent, and whether forcing people to pay more for less is a practical solution to deal with high energy bills and an unstable electric grid.

“Policies like natural gas bans and electrification mandates are becoming increasingly widespread, especially in more coastal, blue states.

“At least 70 local governments in California, as well as dozens more in seven states and Washington D.C., have enacted some type of a gas ban. New York has a state-wide gas ban.

“Just recently, Biden administration finalized new regulations to enforce a fossil fuel ban on all federal buildings, including military installations and residential housing.

“The Biden administration also finalized new green building regulations for federally backed mortgages, which will substantially limit the availability of affordable housing.

“It’s a government-wide effort to go after homes and buildings. Dozens of agencies are drafting rules and regulations on buildings and homes to force this so-called 'green transition.’”

PATH FORWARD

“These policies are impacting everyday Americans the hardest.

“For decades, America has been able to strike a healthy balance between affordable energy and a strong economy, while also continuing to be a leader in emissions reduction.

“It is vital for Americans and their quality of life that we continue building on this legacy and striking that balance.

“I look forward to working with Chair Duncan and Members of this Committee to keep the Biden administration and States and local governments accountable to the American people.”