WASHINGTON, DC – The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, chaired by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), today approved fifteen energy bills that advance the committee’s efforts to protect and create jobs, modernize our energy infrastructure, keep energy accessible and affordable, and strengthen our energy security.

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

H.R. 1268, Energy Efficient Government Technology Act, introduced by committee member Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA);

• Would require energy efficient and energy saving technologies in federal data centers, saving the taxpayers and federal government money while improving energy efficiency. 

H.R. 2984, Fair RATES Act, introduced by committee member Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA);

• Would amend the Federal Power Act to provide opportunities for rehearing of orders affecting rates, even in instances where rates become effective by operation of law. 

H.R. 3797, Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act, introduced by Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA).

• Would make limited adjustments to EPA rules to ensure that the coal refuse-to-energy industry continues its vital mission of providing affordable energy and remediating formerly-polluted sites across coal producing states. 

H.R. 4427, a bill to amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act, introduced by Rep. Pompeo (R-KS);

• Amends the Federal Power Act to expressly include a minimum monetary threshold of $10,000,000 for mergers and acquisitions of facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 

H.R. 4411, a bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Gathright Dam, introduced by committee member Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA);

H.R. 4412, a bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Flannagan Dam, also introduced by Rep. Morgan Griffith;

• These bills would extend the licenses for the Gathright and Flannagan Dams, creating jobs and providing affordable and reliable electricity to the communities. 

H.R. 4416, a bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Jennings Randolph Dam, introduced by committee member Rep. David McKinley (R-WV);

• Would extend the license for the Jennings Randolph Dam, creating jobs and providing affordable and reliable electricity to the community.

H.R. 4444, EPS Improvement Act, introduced by committee member Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC);

• H.R. 4444 is a pro-consumer, pro-manufacturing bill that exempts certain lighting and ceiling fan technologies from an outdated and misguided DOE regulation. 

H.R. 4557, Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) Act, introduced by committee member Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH);

• Would protect the brickmaking industry from being required to comply with costly EPA regulations before the completion of judicial review.  

H.R. 4583, to promote a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce; introduced by Energy and Power Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and committee member Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC);

• Would redirect the federal government’s energy job training programs to include more women and minorities that have been historically underrepresented in the energy sector.

For information on the other five bills considered today, an archived webcast, and background memo click here.

Chairman Fred Upton concluded, “The bills we advanced today exemplify the hard work of our members on both sides of the aisle to put forth thoughtful legislative solutions that advance our work on jobs, affordable energy, and make a difference at the local level.”

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