House Energy Committee advances infrastructure, consumer-oriented bills

The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced 15 bills late last week that aim to modernize energy infrastructure, create and protect jobs, and ensure energy affordability and security.

"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 and affordable energy, and make a difference at the local level," U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, chairman of the committee, said.

U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act, which would require that federal data centers use energy-efficient systems.

U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA) introduced the Fair RATES Act, which would amend the Federal Power Act to make for a more accessible appeals process on rate decisions.

U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA) introduced the Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act, which would tweak EPA rules to ensure the survival of the coal refuse-to-energy industry.

U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) introduced a bill to amend Section 203 of the Federal Power Act to ensure a minimum threshold of $10 million in mergers and acquisitions under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) introduced two bills to extend the deadline to begin hydroelectric construction projects involving the Gathright Dam and Flannagan Dam. U.S. Rep. David McKinley introduced a similar bill involving the Jennings Randolph Dam

U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) introduced the EPS Improvement Act, which would exempt certain home lighting and ceiling-fan products from Energy Department regulations.

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) introduced the Blockng Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) Act, which aims to delay EPA mandates, which are under appeal, on the brickmaking industry tied to the construction of kilns. The EPA alleges the bricks used to make kilns release toxic chemicals when the kilns are in use. 

U.S. Reps. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Richard Hudson (R-NC) co-introduced a bill to revamp federal energy job-training programs to include more women and minorities.