House passes three energy-industry modernization bills

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The U.S. House recently passed three bipartisan energy bills that came out of the Energy and Commerce Committee as part of its ongoing efforts to upgrade and update U.S. energy laws.

H.R. 4238 would revise the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to remove offensive and outdated references to minorities.

H.R. 4444, the EPS Improvement Act, introduced by Renee Ellmers (R-NC), would exempt certain ceiling fan and lighting products from Energy Department regulations.

Committee Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced HR 4583, which aims for the inclusion of more minorities and women in federal energy job training programs.

“These three bipartisan bills are good for jobs, good for the economy and good for consumers," Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) said. "I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work in advancing these common-sense bills.”

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) agreed.

“Each of these thoughtful bills will make a difference to advance our efforts to update our nation’s energy laws for the 21st century," Upton said. "They are a testament to the hard-working members of the committee and further advance our proud bipartisan record of success.”




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