Washington, D.C. – House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after the House passed three bills to increase hydropower production, strengthen energy infrastructure, and safeguard our nation from outside threats.
“These bills uphold President Trump and his administration’s promise to the American people to rebuild our energy infrastructure and protect it from threats. Thank you to Reps. Hudson, Newhouse, and Upton for your work to update our energy infrastructure.”
Note: H.R. 2786, To amend the Federal Power Act with respect to the criteria and process to qualify as a qualifying conduit hydropower facility, promotes the development of small conduit hydropower facilities. The bill was introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC).
H.R. 2828, To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project, introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), extends the life of the permit as they seek to re-electrify an existing dam.
H.R. 3050, Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2017, would enhance the energy emergency planning requirements of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The bill, introduced by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), strengthens the capability of states to secure the energy infrastructure of the United States against physical and cybersecurity threats and mitigates risk of energy supply disruptions.
At a House Republican Leadership press conference on Tuesday, Chair McMorris Rodgers said, “[…]Our focus is on bringing transparency and predictability to our energy infrastructure construction process by enacting smarter regulations and removing the red tape. That’s the way that we’re going to unleash energy production in America and bring down costs. This is one of the best ways that we can actually have people keep more of their hard earned dollars and put more money back in people’s pockets.” Watch the full remarks here.