EEI hails Senate passage of Energy Policy Modernization Act

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) recently celebrated U.S. Senate passage of the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, with EEI President Tom Kuhn heralding the improvements that would be made to energy regulations under the bill.

“EEI thanks Chairman (Lisa) Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member (Maria) Cantwell (D-WA) for their leadership in producing a broad, bipartisan energy bill,” Kuhn said. “This legislation will improve the federal permitting process for critical energy infrastructure, including natural gas pipelines, electric transmission facilities and hydro-power projects. It will also repeal a ban on fossil fuel-generated energy at federal buildings created by Section 433 of the 2007 energy bill, replacing that section with widely supported fuel-neutral energy-efficiency policies for new and renovated federal buildings. A skilled workforce is critical to any industry’s success, and this bill will also enhance industry efforts to develop a diverse and qualified workforce for the future.”

The bill mirrors companion legislation in the House, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, which was passed in December 2015 and also focuses on modernizing the country’s energy policy.

“We look forward to working with both the House and the Senate as they reconcile the differences between their two bills," Kuhn said.