House panel advances several bills tied to energy, EPA to full committee

The House Energy and Power Subcommittee advanced 12 bills to the full Energy and Commerce Committee late last week.

Among the highlights:

The Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), would protect businesses that use kilns from regulatory costs while awaiting legal rulings on the EPA's new Brick MACT rule, which aims to regulate kilns. The EPA alleges kilns can release toxic substances that can cause cancer and other ailments.

Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA) introduced the Fair RATES Act, which would amend the Federal Power Act to allow more opportunities to appeal electricity rate hikes.

Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) introduced a bill that aims to amend Section 203 of the Federal Power Act to require a minimum price threshold of $10 million for acquisitions of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission facilities.

Pompeo also introduced the AIR Survey Act of 2015, which would amend the Natural Gas Act to clarify that data collected via aerial survey can be accepted for federal reviews of natural gas pipelines. 

Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) introduced a bill to push back the deadline to begin building a hydroelectric project tied to the Jennings Randolph Dam.

The EPS Improvement Act, introduced by Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC), would exempt certain lighting products from the External Power Supplies (EPS) category under the Energy Department's EPS efficiency standards.

“Each of these bills may be considered small standing alone, but together, they represent an important step in the direction of a more sensible energy policy and a brighter economic future for this nation.” subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) said.