▶ 0:07:53So, let's get started so we can get the opening statements moving. So, thank you, Chairman Lada and the members of the committee for your legislative work to unleash American energy and make our electric grid more reliable and affordable. Today, the full committee has taken up 13 bills that will lead to the production of more American energy, remove regulatory burdens to electric generation, and help us win the race to power AI for the good of the country.
▶ 0:08:18We have had multiple hearings this Congress already during which we have heard that the US must be able to power our technology future. For the US to win the AI race, we must produce significantly more 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week power to run AI and data centers.
▶ 0:08:38We heard from witnesses that not all electrons are one forone substitute and that we should not be taking base low power plants offline without sufficient and comparable replacements. I remind my colleagues, if AI data centers running the world's most advanced models could run only on wind and solar power, they would be doing so.
▶ 0:08:59To fuel American energy abundance, lower prices for American households, and to make the US more energy secure, the bills before us today addresses obstacles to an efficient and cost-effective infrastructure development. This important legislation also identifies opportunities to expand our reining capacity to improve our hydropower permitting process, secur chains, increase LNG exports, and streamline the permitting of natural gas pipelines.
▶ 0:09:27In addition, the bills before us today will ensure timely interconnection of dispatchable resources and rightly place the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner FK as a federal authority on reliability to prevent a future clean power plan 3.0. And I am sincerely disappointed that more of these bills are not bipartisan because I know that all of us agree that winning the AR race and guaranteeing we have sufficient amounts of the right kind of power.
▶ 0:09:56I know that we all agree on that and it shouldn't be a partisan issue. I agree that wind and solar should be part of our overall strategy, but I but I disagree with the idea that wind and solar storage is going to provide the type of power needed run AI data centers. Most energy experts and the technology companies themselves have not supported that approach either because wind and solar with storage do not provide the necessary reliability.
▶ 0:10:25Time is of the essence and I hope my Democratic colleagues will recognize the critical importance of this issue. I know you do and I will know we will work together and I will put my sincere effort to everyone on the committee that we will work together because I know we all together want to put our country first and beat China in the race to AI dominance. Thank you and I yield back. I recognize the ranking members, Congressman Palone from New Jersey for five minutes for his opening statement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 0:10:53Today, the committee is marking up a series of energy bills. All but one of these bills will make our electric grid more expensive, less reliable, and frankly dirtier. Last month, when we worked when we marked up the Republicans big, ugly bill, there were four provisions that created pay-to-play schemes. One of the provisions allowed big oil and gas to simply buy whatever permit they want.
▶ 0:11:15Another provision allowed natural gas producers to ship American LNG abroad, including to adversaries like China, so long as the company paid a million dollars for the pleasure. And as of this week, there are zero paytoplay provisions in the bill after the Senate parliamentarian ny the final one earlier this week. So now Republicans are trying to move these bills to regular order to achieve those same schemes. It's time for Republicans to get serious and realize that real permitting reform must include transmission and clean energy and must be bipartisan.
▶ 0:11:46But today, we aren't seeing much bipartisanship at all. Instead of figuring out how out of get more power of all types on the grid, Republicans just want to prioritize new natural gas plants. They want Americans to pay even higher energy bills just to keep old, expensive coal plants online forever. And they want to use the increase in power demand, in my opinion, as an excuse to kill every EPA regulation that impacts power plants.
▶ 0:12:10And to top it all off, they want to increase home energy prices just to allow oil and gas companies to send unlimited amounts of American energy resources overseas. And these Republican actions prioritize polluters over people. But before we get into the details of the bills, I just want to draw attention to how they fit into a broader trend of Republican energy policy, which I think is reckless.
▶ 0:12:32Republicans aren't interested in addressing climate events like dangerous heat waves or even in equipping their constituents with the tools and appliances to better cool and protect their homes. They're not interested in lowering energy costs or beating out China with new technologies. All they want to do is undermine clean energy, make energy more expensive, and allow big oil and gas to build whatever they want whenever they want. and regardless of the consequences. And this is the same party that is repealing incentives that help get more energy on the grid faster even though demand is rapidly growing.
▶ 0:13:02And it's the same party that is proposing zeroing out energy assistance even though it's over 100° outside and Americans are struggling to cool their homes. So the reality is just when we need more homegrown American energy than most, Republicans are p pursuing an energy policy that will make it harder for most Americans to get access to the energy that they desperately need. And Republicans themselves are worried about the actual impacts of their own energy policy.
▶ 0:13:28And that's why you saw pres the president desperately tweeting at the Department of Energy on Monday begging for DOE to drill baby drill. Now, DOE doesn't regulate oil and gas drilling, but I wouldn't expect the president would necessarily know that. It just underscores that Republicans are afraid of Americans actually experiencing the results of Republicans catastrophic energy policies. The truth is that I don't believe the Republicans have ever been for an all of the- above approach to energy.
▶ 0:13:56In fact, energy secretary Wright made that abundantly clear when he was in front of this committee two weeks ago. At that hearing, Democrats pressed the Secretary of Leila Musk's gutting of DOE and the loss of valuable expertise. But rather than help us get to the bottom of the AY's capacity to take on new work when thousands have been fired, Republicans want to simply pretend this problem doesn't exist. And they're clearly content to give the agency more work without any understanding as to how it will complete its work with significantly reduced staff.
▶ 0:14:26So today we're going to hear from Republicans that these bills are necessary to meet the growing energy demand from artificial intelligence. And I can't be clearer about this. Uh I'm just want to say to my colleagues on the other side, if you want to strengthen the grid to enable new technologies, these bills are the exact opposite of what you should be doing.
▶ 0:14:46If you really wanted to meet growing demand, then work with us on legislation that truly supports all energy projects, all of the above, especially those that can be built quickly and that produce energy Americans can actually afford. But that's not what we're seeing. And with that, I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. The gentleman yields back and the chair reminds members that pursuant to the committee rules, all members opening statements will be made part of the record. Are there further opening statements?
▶ 0:15:13The gentleman from Ohio is recognized for three minutes for an opening statement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. During the 119th Congress, ENC has received extensive testimony regarding systemic problems that are undermining our energy system in the grave national and economic security implications for failed US leadership. Over the next 10 years, 115 gawatts of dispatchable generation have been announced being retired while demand is estimated to increase by upwards of 151 gigawatts.
▶ 0:15:44The free world is watching the bills before us today take us one step closer to reaffirming American energy dominance. This includes the reliable power act to empower firk as a reliability comp on the beat for the federal government and the grid power act to prioritize resources in the queue that are necessary for maintaining reliability and stability of the bulk power system.
▶ 0:16:07While it is necessary to prevent a future clean power plan 3.0, several states have taken upon themselves to continue driving premature retirements of base load generation. That is why the state energy accountability act and the state planning for reli re real re reliability and affordability act will bring additional transparency and accountability to state actions and access to reliable energy to provide fur with an additional tool to address reliability
▶ 0:16:38challenges. The power plan reliability act provides an enhanced pathway to securing the electric grid in the event of pre of a premature closure. We are also considering the improving inter agency coordination for review of natural gas pipelines act unlocking our domestic LG potential act of 2025 my refiner act and promoting crossber energy infrastructure act.
▶ 0:17:02Together these bills will unleash our abundant natural resources and establish more efficient processes for the delivery of energy supplies needed to power next generation industries. One bill that is not on our markup is the expediting generator interconnection procedure act introduced by my colleague from Florida's 14th district, a ranking member of the energy subcommittee.
▶ 0:17:25While our still staffs continue having conversations about the legislation, the bill in its current form mandates aggressive reforms to the interconnection process for FK has even fully implemented order 2023 which already included important Q reforms. I'm also concerned that many of the provisions we are already were already considered and set aside in the development of order 2023 because of opposition from grid operators, rural co-ops and affected stakeholders.
▶ 0:17:55I commit to continue working across the aisle to improve our understanding of needed interconnection Q reforms. Altogether, the bill is under consideration today, taking an important step toward reaffirming American energy dominance for years to come and addressing the ongoing reliability crisis facing our nation. And Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. The gentleman yields back and the chair will recognize the gentle lady from Florida, Miss Caster, for three minutes for an opening statement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 0:18:22Colleagues, this package of GOP bills fails to meet the moment. it fails to meet the affordability and energy challenges for our families and businesses back home. These are backward-looking policies and combined with the anti-energy provisions of the big ugly bill will raise electricity bills, constrain energy supply, cost jobs, hurt our competitive edge, and turn a blind eye to the cost and impacts of the heating climate.
▶ 0:18:51You know, America was enjoying an energy manufacturing boom after Congress passed a historic clean energy and climate resilience law in 2022. 400,000 new jobs in nuclear, geothermal, batteries, solar, wind, and EVs. We were making progress on reshoring critical supply chains and developing industries that China hoped that we'd ignore.
▶ 0:19:18But in just the past six months, President Trump and congressional Republicans have managed to sabotage our progress. To date, the GOP is responsible for the demise of over 794 clean electricity projects, 1.6 million lost jobs, and a sidelining of over 500 billion in private investment. And the and Trump's arbitrary tariffs are making it worse.
▶ 0:19:46Companies are responding to this uncertainty by cancelling projects all across the country. Over 500 billion dollars worth of clean energy projects were cancelled in the first five months of this year alone. Meanwhile, US electricity demand is forecast to increase by 128 gawatt in the next four years. So what do Republicans propose? policies that will decrease new electricity capacity additions by 302 gigawatts by 2035.
▶ 0:20:18That's enough to power 227 million homes. Wholesale wholesale electricity prices uh are poised to spike by 50%. So if Republicans have their way, we will not build the energy we need to power uh US leadership in artificial intelligence or advance manufacturing. That's a gift to China.
▶ 0:20:41This week, the United the eastern United States is facing a recordbreaking extreme heat wave driven by climate change change. It's straining our electric grid and making thermal power plants like gas less efficient. The Republicans big ugly bill will make it harder for working families to deal with this heat, increasing average household energy costs by up to $400 per year. I regret that Republicans continue to bury their heads in the sand and ignore these challenges.
▶ 0:21:11And unfortunately, today's package of bills is going to make things worse. And the GOP will own the energy price shocks in the higher cost in the months and years ahead. The heating climate isn't just about the weather. It's about our wallets. And it's also about our moral obligation to our kids and future generations to be able to handle the costs and the impacts of the heating climate. Nothing in today's package of bills sufficiently meets the urgency of this moment.
▶ 0:21:41This committee should lead on common sense policies like upgrading our electric grid or modernizing our interconnection process to deliver more affordable energy to our neighbors back home. And when our re Republican colleagues uh get serious, Democrats remain ready to work with them on all of these issues. I yield back the balance of my Thank you. The gentle lady yields back. Are there any further opening statements?
▶ 0:22:08The gentle lady from California, Miss Matsu, is recognized for three minutes for an opening statement. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Unfortunately, I have to say that this markup is a complete sham. Republicans have spent five hearings this year raising the alarm about rising energy demands from artificial intelligence. I'm eager to work together on meaningful bipartisan solutions to strengthen our electric grid and lower costs for customers.
▶ 0:22:32But here we are six months into the year and Republicans have shown zero interest in working across the aisle on serious bipartisan legislation. Instead, all Republicans have to offer are these old stale ideas they've been kicking around for years. With the exception of Congresswoman Shrier's hydropower bill, many of the bills we've considering today are the same bills this committee marked up two years ago. And there's a reason they've been kicking around for years. These bills are bad ideas and they're going nowhere.
▶ 0:23:02So, what are the Republicans actually doing? President Trump is actively hollowing out the very federal agencies that are responsible for powering our country. Trump has forced out thousands of workers at the Department of Energy, shuttering programs, and illegally withholding funding for energy projects. Trump is even refusing to allow new federal permits wind window farms despite wind energy providing more than 10% of US electricity with just a wave of his hand.
▶ 0:23:33Trump is trying to wipe out an entire American industry is just the Republican plan for energy abundance. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans big bill boondoggle slashes hundreds of billions of dollars in federal incentives for new energy projects. Already because of Republicans attacks on our federal energy programs, more than $1 billion in new energy projects have been cancelled every single month in 2025. And this is just the beginning.
▶ 0:24:00If Republicans tax bill passes, thousands of hardworking Americans will lose their jobs and families across the country will see their energy bills go up by nearly $300 a year. Once again, I asked, is this really the Republicans plan for energy abundance? If my Republican colleagues are serious about fixing our electric grid, reducing energy costs, and meeting the energy demands of AI, then they need to work with Democrats on real solutions.
▶ 0:24:29We need forward-looking bipartisan legislation, not the same old slate of special interest giveaways. I yield back the balance of my time. Gentle lady yields back. Are there any further opening statements? A gentleman from New York. You're recognized for three minutes for an opening statement. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Now, I sincerely believe you want to figure out how Congress can support a modernized, reliable, and affordable electric system during this time of growing demand.
▶ 0:24:54According to ICF, demand could grow some 25% by 2030 and residential prices could rise 15 to 40% over the next 5 years. This is a monumental task which will become even more difficult if Republicans reconciliation bill successfully repeals energy tax credits that incentivize deploying new cost competitive generation. Bring more electrons onto the grid as quickly as possible. Now, Mr. Mr.
▶ 0:25:22Chair, I also believe you think US AI leadership is a national security and economic imperative, and a lot of members on this side of the aisle agree with you on both accounts. But the approach that has been taken by the committee thus far, in my opinion, is all wrong. At the subcommittee's markup of these bills, multiple Democratic members, myself included, expressed an interest and willingness to sit down and try to work together on bipartisan solutions that will actually respond to the challenges facing our electricity system.
▶ 0:25:53Instead, the majority is continuing to push partisan bills that will likely go nowhere in the Senate. Now, I understand that this is easier than doing the hard work of bipartisan legislating, but it will not lead to durable policies that rapidly put on electrons on the grid while protecting rateayers. And in fact, reaching consensus on potential bipartisan solutions would become harder if we see a continued commitment to partisan policies with the primary goal of keeping uncompetitive favored generators running.
▶ 0:26:22Again, I want to urge the majority to reconsider its strategy and state my openness to working together on legislation that will support expanding the grid, especially our transmission infrastructure in ways that have been called for by many experts testimony before this committee. With that, I yield back and thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. The gentleman, Mr. Tuck, yields back. Is there any further opening statements?
▶ 0:26:46Seeing none, before we get into the to the markup, I think the last time we were in full committee markup, we were talking about disparaging each other and using names. We can call each other like Mr. Tonko. I just called my friend Mr. Taco or Mr. Palone or Miss Caster. Uh the point for that is to quum is not use someone's name to call them out in a way that's negative so we can because last time if you remember I had to say the gentleman from Texas are recognized. We had two Texans start speaking and one's enough. So I'm hitting with doing that.
▶ 0:27:15So, I'm going to call people by name, right, Mr. And so, uh, and and then the other one is I think the the word lie. Um, I just suggest we don't use it at all, but you can a class of people, the Republicans are lying to you about this, the Democrats are lying. What you can say is the gentleman from New Jersey or the gentleman from Kentucky and and direct that at any person or the president's included in the rules as well. So, uh, we can use each other's last names as we recognize each other um in a in a positive way.
▶ 0:27:44So I just want to make sure that we work that way together. So I will move to the markup and the chair calls up the committee print HR 3616 and ask the clerk to committee print HR 3616 a bill to require the federal without objection the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill we open for any amendment at any point so ordered. Does anyone seek to be recognized on the bill?
▶ 0:28:13The gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Balderson, is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the last word and speak in support. Is recognized to speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you again, Chairman Guthrie, for holding this important markup today and moving forward with this bill.
▶ 0:28:30The reliable power act would ensure proper coordination between the federal energy regulatory commission or fk and federal agencies issuing regulations impacting the bulk power system such as the department of energy and EPA. This bill builds off the grid act which was introduced by my friend and former colleague chairman Jeff Duncan and passed the full committee last Congress.
▶ 0:28:54The Reliable Power Act provides federal accountability for reliability and ensures regulations that involve power generation, protect the reliability of the electric grid, and ultimately protecting our constituents. First, the bill would require NERK, the Electric Reliability Organization, to conduct annual long-term reliability assessments of the bulk power system.
▶ 0:29:15If NERK finds the bulk power system is at risk of not having adequate generation to supply sufficient energy to maintain an adequate level of reliability, it must notify FK that the system is in a state of generation inadequacy.
▶ 0:29:31The bill would require then the bill would then direct FK to notify the Department of Energy, the EPA, and any agency it determines appropriate of the state of generation Upon such notice, the notified agency is required to send rules under development and impact generation resources to FIRK for review and comment and recommendations to prevent significant impacts on the ability of the grid to supply sufficient energy to maintain an adequate level of reliability.
▶ 0:29:59Under the reliable power act, no rule that affects generation resources can be finalized if FK determines the rule would have a significant negative impact on the ability of the grid to supply sufficient energy to maintain an adequable adequate level of reliability. This committee has heard from many voices over the years, including FK, the Department of Energy, power providers, and the actual grid operators about the very real reliability crisis our grid is facing.
▶ 0:30:27It's critical that we maintain reliability and efficient generation. Unfortunately, the previous administration issued a number of rules targeting our most reliable power plants, including the Clean Power Plan 2.0, without proper input or feedback from our grid experts. The Reliable Power Act sets clear accountability and coordination standards to ensure the federal regulation supports rather than threaten the strength and dep and dependability of our power system.
▶ 0:30:55I am proud this bill has the support of the American Public Power Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. These organizations represent the nation's 2,000 notfor-profit community-owned electric utilities and 900 local electric cooperatives. Together, they serve nearly 100 million people across the country.
▶ 0:31:16I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill to ensure further administrations and rogue federal bureaucrats can't finalize rules that jeopardize the reliability of the electric grid and the safety of our constituents. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the bill? See no further discussion on the bill. Is there are there any amendments? Oh, a gentleman from Georgia is recognized for five minutes.
▶ 0:31:45to discuss the bill to speak on the bill. Mr. Chairman, I move the strike last word. You're recognized to speak on the bill. Mr. Chairman, I'm proud to co-sponsor HR 3616, the Reliable Power Act. And I thank my friend, Representative Balderson, for introducing this bill.
▶ 0:32:00This bill amends the Federal Power Act to require coordination between FK and any federal agency looking to finalize a regulation that could affect electric generation essential to grid It would also prevent any covered federal rule from being finalized if FK determines it would cause the substantial negative impact on grid reliability.
▶ 0:32:22In a time where AI is on the rise and electricity demand is forecast to skyrocket across the country, we must look carefully at any rule that may impact reliable power. Our grid is the engine that keeps the lights on in homes and keeps factories producing goods here in America. We cannot afford to jeopardize it. HR 3616 ensures that American citizens and businesses can be confident that the federal government will not implement policies that jeopardize their access to power. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 0:32:53Chairman, and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the bill on the Democrat side? On Dr. Joyce, you're now recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I seek recognition, as you said, to speak in support of the bill. The Reliable Power Act is a strong piece of legislation necessary to maintain resource adequacy in our power system and I want to thank Representative Balderson and the committee for working to advance this important legislation.
▶ 0:33:22Federal policy from the Biden administration disincentivized the development of new generation and has led to severe reliability concerns in Pennsylvania, raising energy costs and putting my constituents at risk of mass outages, especially when facing the severe weather that we have seen just this week. This legislation will allow FIK to step in if proposed federal regulations would have a negative effect on the reliability of our power system, preventing such regulations from being finalized.
▶ 0:33:53And I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation. Thank you and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the Seeing none, are there any bipartisan amendments to the bill? Seeing none, are there any amendments on the bill? The gentle lady from Colorado. What purpose you seek recognition? Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk labeled FC_HR3616_38.
▶ 0:34:23The clerk will report the amendment. You have the amendment. The clerk will Amendment to the committee print for HR offered by Mr. Gette. Well, without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady from Colorado is recognized for five minutes in support of the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For those of you who weren't on the energy subcommittee last year, we received testimony from a FIRK official on a prior version of this bill two years ago when I was ranking member.
▶ 0:34:54He was unequivocal. FK at the time did not have the staff capacity to execute the bill as written. Frankly, this is still a concern. When FK came in April to offer testimony on the bill, their acting general counsel stated, quote, "FK does not have the depth of extent of computing resources to do the full scope of analysis required as to some of those other agencies actions that might be subject." End quote.
▶ 0:35:21At the energy subcommittee markup, I offered an amendment to assuage those concerns, preventing the bill from going into effect until FK certified that it had sufficient capacity to carry out the amendment. Unfortunately, this amendment was not adopted. The gentleman from Ohio, the sponsor of the bill, indicated he thought the safeguards in the first part of the bill, namely that NERK must declare there's a risk the grid won't be reliable and get can get data from the RTO's was sufficient.
▶ 0:35:51But unfortunately, in just the last few weeks, we've seen that that's not the case. As was explained at FK's technical conference a few weeks ago, either NERK got bad data from MISO or NERK interpreted the misinterpreted the data from MISO. It declared MISO at a high risk of a reliability problem over the next five years when in fact it was not a high risk. Um, and so, Mr. Chairman, I I have an article about this which I ask unanimous consent to insert into the record.
▶ 0:36:21Without objection, order. I want to be clear. I'm not I'm not intending this as attack an attack on NERK or on our grid operators. They're doing an extremely important job and they're doing it with extremely limited resources. That's exactly the reason why we shouldn't burden this already overburdened agency the ability to grant FK the power to kill EPA regulations.
▶ 0:36:46If a single miscommunication can trigger a misstatement of risk and in turn these new powers, that would be a real concern, especially if, as the gentleman from Ohio indicated, the bill's authors relied on solid data and interpretation from NERK and the grid operators to make up for FK's lack of staffing or computing capabilities. So, my amendment does two things.
▶ 0:37:10First, it says Nerk's tri triggering of new powers for FIRK should only happen if NERK founds there's a high risk of reliability outages, a higher threshold that should be harder to reach by accident. Second, it turns off NERK's triggering authority for a year if Nerk has interp incorporated inaccurate or mismatched data into its reliability forecast.
▶ 0:37:34If we're going to give NERK this power, we've got to ensure that it has good data going into its models, not faulty or misleading data. I think this this should be a kind of a no-brainer for this committee to adopt because if NER computing and an analysis is foundational to the bill's success, we need to make sure that both are ironclad. So, I urge support for my amendment and I yield back. Gentle lady yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment?
▶ 0:38:03Gentleman from Ohio is recognized in discussion of the amendment to speak on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to strike the last word to speak in opposition to this. Gentleman's recognized to speak on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. HR 3616, the reliable power act established as federal accountability at FIRK for the reliability of our electric grid.
▶ 0:38:23It requires the ERRO or the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, NERK, to conduct annual long assessments to determine whether more power generation is needed to maintain an adequate level of reliability. NERK has been doing assessments for decades and conducts a robust independent peer-reviewed process. It is the gold standard for reliability assessments across North America.
▶ 0:38:50This amendment says that if there is data heir found in the previous year's assessment, NERK may not notify FIRK about generation inadequacy that triggers FIRK review of the rules. There was recently a mismatch data identified in NERK's annual long-term assessment provided by a transmission organizer. That error was corrected immediately.
▶ 0:39:12The process worked and even in that case the corrected assessment still shows the region at elevated risk of shortfalls in power in the next few years and still at high risk of power shortfalls depending on state of generation in the out years. This a this amendment would deprive the public of the benefits of the rural review when the nation faces generation inadequacy.
▶ 0:39:36The reliable power act places accountability for reliability with fk and incentivizes improved agency regulations on generating facilities important to the electric grid. I urge a no vote on this amendment and a yes vote on the reliable power act. I yield back. Mr. Chair gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion of the amendment? Gentleman from New Jersey. My purpose seek recognition. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Gentleman's recognized. Speak on the amendment. Thank you, Chairman.
▶ 0:40:03I want to strongly support Representative Deette's amendment and note that Democrats are working in good faith to try and improve this bizarre bill that Republicans have created only to have Republicans decline the help. This is part of a multi-year crusade by Republicans to try and slash and burn every environmental regulation they can get their hands on and somehow make FK the supreme arbiter of all regulations that could possibly impact the power sector.
▶ 0:40:30Never mind that other agencies have other considerations as Congress requires them to. They don't want to do the hard work of balancing tradeoffs and statutory goals. Never mind that FK and NERK and grid operators and utilities and just about everyone in the power sector already has the ability to make the EPA or any other regulator respond to their concerns via the typical rule comment process. This isn't about hearing out concerns.
▶ 0:40:55It's about giving a green light to ignoring environmental rules whenever it's convenient for polluters. Burke testified before the energy subcommittee twice in the last two years that it lacked the resources to implement this bill, but Republicans insist on plowing ahead with the bill anyway. Just last week, Nerk revealed that there was an issue with their long-term reliability assessment and the data it got from the Midwest Grid operator.
▶ 0:41:21the same reliability assessment that Republicans want to trigger massive new powers for FK under this bill. But rather than confront the potential issues there, they insist on continuing down the path they set out, no matter the facts or the reality. Representative Deette's amendment is easy. It says that as long as there are questions about the data quality going into Nerk assessments, then you shouldn't allow them to grant massive new authority to FK based on those assessments. This should be a no-brainer.
▶ 0:41:50If we're going to grant FK new powers, we want to make sure we're doing it for the right reasons and with the right data. If Republicans reject this amendment, I can only assume it means that like the rest of the bills on today's markup, they're not actually interested in working towards bipartisan solutions, only regurgitating old ideas time after time again while the nation's problems mount. Thank you. And I yield back. Gentlemen yields back. Is there further discussion on amendments?
▶ 0:42:19Seeing none, if there's no further discussion on the amendment, the vote curs on the amendment. All those in favor shall signify by saying I. Roll call. All those phase nay. That sounds like the nay has it. Uh but the roll call has been requested and uh the gentleman who requested a roll call vote and the clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada. Mr. La votes no. Mr. Mr. Griffith, no.
▶ 0:42:50Mr. Griffith, votes no. Mr. Billis, no. Mr. Billis, votes no. Mr. Hudson, Mr. Carter, no. Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Palmer, no. Mr. Palmer votes no. Mr. Dunn, no. Mr. Dunn votes no. Mr. Krenshaw, Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Mr. Joyce, no.
▶ 0:43:20Mr. Joyce, votes no. Mr. Weber, no. Mr. Weber votes no. Mr. Allen, no. Mr. Allen, votes no. Mr. Balderson, no. Mr. Balderson votes no. Mr. Fulture, Fulture, no. Mr. Fulture votes no. Mr. Fluger. Mr. Fluger votes no. Mrs. Harshburgger. Mrs. Harshburgger votes no. Mrs. Miller Meeks. Mrs. Miller Meeks votes no. Mrs.
▶ 0:43:51Mr. Obernulty Mr. Obernulty votes no Mr. James no Mr. James votes no Mr. Bence Mr. Bence votes no Mrs. Hchin Mrs. Howchin votes no Mr. Fry no Mr. Fry votes no Miss Lee Mr. Langworthy no Mr. Mr. Langworthy votes no. Mr. Kaine, Mr.
▶ 0:44:22Roelly, no. Mr. Roelly votes no. Mr. Evans, no. Mr. Evans votes no. Mr. Goldman Mr. Goldman votes no. Mrs. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes I. Mr. Digette. Mr. Deette votes I. Miss Miss Shakowski votes I. Miss Matsui I. Miss Matsui votes I. Miss Caster.
▶ 0:44:52Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko I. Mr. Tonko votes I. Miss Clark I. Miss Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes I. Mr. Vzy. Mr. Vzy votes I. Miss Kelly I. Miss Kelly votes I. Miss Bedagon Miss Bedagon votes I. Mr. Sodto. Mr.
▶ 0:45:22Sodto votes I. Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Trean. Miss Trean votes I. Miss Fletcher. I. Miss Fletcher votes I. Miss Aassio Cortez. Mr. Aenclaus. Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter of Louisiana. Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. Mendez. Mr. Mendez votes I. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Lansman. Mr.
▶ 0:45:52Lansman votes I. Miss Mlen. Miss Mlen votes I. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes no. Are there other members wishing to record their vote? gentle lady from Florida. Mrs. Kamik votes no.
▶ 0:46:21The gentleman from North Carolina, how is he recorded? No. Mr. Hudson votes no. The clerk call the role. Uh, chairman LA on that vote there were 23 eyes and 27 nos.
▶ 0:46:50The amendment is not agreed to. Are there any further Hearing none. The question now occurs on approving the committee print of HR 3616. All those in favor will signify by saying I I those opposed no. And roll call has be been requested. The clerk will call the role. Mr.
▶ 0:47:19Lada I. Mr. Lada votes I. Mr. Griffith. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Billis. Mr. Billis votes I. Mr. Hudson I. Mr. Hudson votes I. Mr. Carter I. Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. Palmer, Mr. Dunn I. Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Mr. Joyce. I. Mr. Joyce votes I.
▶ 0:47:50Mr. Weber. Yep. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. I. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson. I. Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture. I. Mr. Fulture votes I. Mr. Fluger Mr. Fluger votes I. Mrs. Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Miller Meeks Mrs. Miller Meeks votes I. Mrs. Mr. Obernulty.
▶ 0:48:21Mr. Obernulty votes I. Mr. James I. Mr. James votes I. Mr. Bence. Mr. Bence votes I. Mrs. Hchin. Mrs. Touchin votes I. Mr. Fry. I Mr. Fry votes I. Miss Lee. Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Langworthy votes I. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Roelly. I. Mr.
▶ 0:48:51Roelly votes I. Mr. Evans. I. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman. Votes I. Mr. Palone. No. Mr. Palone votes no. Mr. Get Mr. Get votes no. Miss Shicowski. No. Miss Shakowski votes no. Miss Matsui. Miss Matsulei votes no. Miss Caster.
▶ 0:49:20Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko no. Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss. Clark. No. Miss. Clark votes no. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Rise votes no. Mr. Peters Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr. Vzy Mr. Vzy votes no.
▶ 0:49:48Miss Kelly Miss Kelly votes no. Miss Bedagon Miss Betagon votes no. Mr. Sodto Mr. Mr. Stoodto votes no. Miss Shrier, Miss Shrier votes no. Miss Trean. Miss Trean votes no. Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher votes no. Mr. Mr. Oenclaus. Mr. Aenclaus votes no. Mr.
▶ 0:50:17Carter of Louisiana. Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Mendez. Mr. Mendez votes no. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr. Lansman. Mr. Lansman votes no. Miss Mlullen. Miss Mclen votes no. Chairman Yes. Chairman Guthrie votes I. Mr. Palmer is not recorded. Yes. Mr. Palmer votes I. Are there any other members?
▶ 0:50:49Gentle from Florida. Miss gentleman from Texas. How is how is he recorded? Mr. Krenshaw is not Mr. Kenshaw votes I.Allad from Northakota. And the gentle lady from North Dakota. Yes. Miss Fedorek votes I. Are there any other members wishing to be recorded? Mrs.
▶ 0:51:19Kamik is not recorded. Mrs. Kamik votes I. The clerk will shake her roll Mr. Lada, on that vote there were 28 eyes and 23 nos. The eyes have it and the bill is adopted. Chair calls up HR1047 and asks the clerk to report.
▶ 0:51:52HR 1047, a bill to require the federal energy regulator. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point so ordered. Does anyone seek to be recognized on the bill? The gentleman from Ohio's 12th district is recognized for what purpose? Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word and speak. Is recognized for five minutes. Speak on the bill. Thank you, my fellow colleague from Ohio. Mr.
▶ 0:52:18Chairman, um, this bill is critical to ensure our nation has the base load, dispatchable power needed to meet historic demand growth and guarantee the lights turn on for our constituents when they hit the switch. PJM, the largest grid operator in the nation, recently announced they expect to lose about 40 gawatts of generation by 2030. That's 21% of PJM's total capacity.
▶ 0:52:45According to PJM, new power resources are not coming online quickly enough to offset the risk posed by retiring In fact, between 2022 and 2023, PJM saw over 11,000 megawatts of generation deactivated and only 4,000 megawatts of new generation added to the grid. It doesn't take an electricity expert to know. It's a major problem when retiring power plants are outpacing new generation.
▶ 0:53:14All while our nation is seeing historic demand growth from electrification, data centers, and AI. Just this week, PJM issued the following warning, and I quote, "At the current pace, we are projecting a shortfall of energy." And just yesterday, A Ohio issued an emergency request for consumers to limit to limit energy usage to prevent rolling blackouts.
▶ 0:53:40We must do more to ensure that we can fuel the AI revolution and ensure our constituents have access to reliable and affordable energy starting with fixing the broken interconnection process. inter interconnection cues are list maintained by electric transmission system operators such as independent system operators, regional transmission organizations or transmission providers that track all pending requests for new power generation facilities to connect to the electric grid.
▶ 0:54:10Right now, our nation's interconnection cues are buckling under their own weight. The growing backlog of projects is adding years to an already time-consuming process and preventing shovel ready projects from getting connected. In fact, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, almost 26,000 gigawatts of generation projects were sitting in the interconnection cues across the country. That's more than double the amount of the existing generation currently on the grid.
▶ 0:54:40As a result of that backlog, the median wait time for projects to to move through the interconnection queue has increased to five years. Given the demand growth and power plant retirements we're seeing in my home state of Ohio and across the country, we can't afford to wait five or more years. And we can't afford to keep delaying critical projects from being built and connected to the grid.
▶ 0:55:01The Grid Power Act would give grid operators the authority to identify and expedite the consideration of essential projects that will protect our grid's reliability and provide the power needed to meet America's growing demand. This bill requires FIK to develop rules that authorize grid operators to fasttrack critical generation that ensures grid reliability and meet growing power demands by allowing them to bypass the yearslong weight in their interconnection queue.
▶ 0:55:26The Grid Power Act promotes transparency by requiring the grid operators provide a process for public comment and stakeholder engagement before submitting proposals to FUR. Additionally, the bill requires operators to provide regular reporting on the state of the grid reliability, including actions taken under the bill to FUR.
▶ 0:55:46Lastly, the bill requires FK to review and if necessary update regulations issued under the bill to ensure they remain effective and relevant to evolving challenges to grid reliability and resiliency. And I'd like to address a concern my friends on the other side of the aisle have raised that this bill somehow favors fossil fuels at the expense of renewable and inter intermittent energy. I'd just like to refer to the text of the bill. Not once does the bill mention fossil fuels or renewable energy.
▶ 0:56:16The bill is fuel neutral. There is no mention of natural gas, solar, coal, wind, hydropower, or nuclear energy. It defines dispatchable power as, and I quote, an electric generation resource capable of providing known and forecastable electric supply and time intervals necessary to our to ensure our grid reliability. We've heard from countless witnesses before this committee who have said we need more reliable dispatchable power connecting to the grid.
▶ 0:56:45And it seems that the other side now conceds what we've always known, that certain weather dependent resources alone do not meet this definition, and they are unable to provide the dependable power our grid demands to keep the lights on for American families. I ask that all of my colleagues support this common sense bill that gives our grid operators the tools they need to get new generation online and connected to the grid at a time of historic demand growth. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back. Thank you. The gentleman yields back.
▶ 0:57:14Is there any further discussion on the bill? The gentleman from California wishes to be recognized. For what purpose? Move to strike the last word, Mr. Chair. Gentleman's recognized strike the last word for five minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chair, I want to begin by acknowledging that I agree with the motivation behind HR 1047. Our interconnection process is indeed not working. Energy projects are waiting years to get connected to the grid, and that's bad for our economy, bad for reliability, and bad for consumers.
▶ 0:57:44But while the motivation is right, the approach in this bill falls short. HR1047 will pick winners and losers, allowing fossil fuel projects to cut the line. That's a mistake, particularly when natural gas projects are facing supply chain delays and higher input costs. We shouldn't be deprioritizing ready to go projects just because they are clean energy. And let's be honest about what's missing from this markup.
▶ 0:58:09Ranking member Casters's bill, the expediting generator interconnection procedures act would speed up interconnection through reforms like requiring realistic modeling and sharing of best practices. Leaving the ranking members bill out was a missed opportunity. We should instead be looking for ways to speed up interconnection overall, not merely picking favorites. For example, a recent letter from FK Commissioner Rosner noted that AI and automation can reduce the time it takes to conduct interconnection studies.
▶ 0:58:38A study that took over two years to complete was replicated in just 10 days by AI. As a committee, we should be examining ways to support the deployment of these technologies to reduce backlogs. I hope the committee will provide additional opportunities to work on this on a bipartisan basis in the future and I yield back. The gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the bill? Are there any seeing none are there anybody? Oh, I'm sorry.
▶ 0:59:07The gentle lady wish to speak on the bill. The gentle lady has the the uh gentle lady uh from Florida, the ranking member of the energy and energy subcommittee is recognized. Uh you speak on her amendment. Does she have the amendment? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment is The clerk will report the amendment.
▶ 0:59:38Amendment to HR 1047 offered by Miss Caster. H5 line H. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady is recognized for five minutes in support of her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman and colleagues. This is an important amendment for uh for boosting our energy supply and for consumer savings.
▶ 0:59:59It would apply to any rulemakings that prioritize certain projects in the interconnection queue and mandate that those projects actually come online within four years. Um, Republicans have repeatedly claimed that new gas fired power plants are needed to urgency urgently meet reliability concerns.
▶ 1:00:19But they undermine their own argument by refusing to apply the same consideration to cleaner, cheaper power that is waiting right now and has been to come onto the grid. renewables, storage, distributed energy resources, demand response, grid enhancing technologies, and other solutions because if they're genuinely concerned about meaning demand growth in the next four years, they really should have no problem with my uh common sense amendment.
▶ 1:00:50Members, this is a real problem today. In February, FK allowed PJM, that's the regional transmission operator for 13 states, including DC, to prioritize adding resources like gas power plants to the grid while keeping renewable energy projects in its long interconnection queue. Uh commissioners made it clear that this is only a one-time emergency measure, not a substitute for a well functioning interconnection process.
▶ 1:01:18However, in that ruling, uh, FK commissioners Phillips and Rosner warned that it may not bring new power supplies online in time to meet the shortfalls. And FK Commissioner Chang dissented because GA projects expedited u were unlikely to come online by 2030.
▶ 1:01:41Uh clearly FK already has the authority to expedite projects in the interconnection queue so long as it justifies its approval with evidence that's uh such an approach is both just and reasonable and not unduly If we're going to expand that authority as this bill does, we should also ensure that the projects actually come online.
▶ 1:02:06If we don't, we're just letting FK approve discriminatory and costly practices. After all, there's no point in expedit expediting projects if they're not actually going to come online faster than other projects. Uh and this is not an imaginary concern.
▶ 1:02:25If the reality is that new gas projects would be expedited under this bill, then we need to make sure that those projects actually provide power to the grid Otherwise, they'll just make it more expensive and more time consuming for all of the other projects uh that actually could have helped.
▶ 1:02:46And and I'm really concerned that the current shortage of gas turbines where if you haven't ordered your gas turbine already, you're not getting it this That is a testimony we've heard over and over again in the energy subcommittee and that's what all of the experts are advising policymakers. Uh it means that there would be a real material risk that expedited projects wouldn't provide any power to the grid at all.
▶ 1:03:16And ultimately who will bear the cost of that? consumers because you're in essence blocking the cleaner, cheaper sources, the energy efficiency, the griden enhancing technologies, the other solutions that would help to keep prices low. One of FK's core responsibilities is to keep prices affordable. A mission that is made possible by strong competition among energy generators.
▶ 1:03:41This resourcene neutral a access makes it possible for any project with real investment and real progress towards construction to move forward. But this bill hamstrings that neutrality which will stifle American innovation and entrepreneurship. this bill.
▶ 1:03:59And frankly, this entire markup offers a twisted logic, a twisted conception of reliability because reliability isn't a description of a of an individual generator, but rather it's an attribute that applies to the entire electric system. It's not a given that additional dispatchable resources aid reliability.
▶ 1:04:23You have to rely on a mix of generation of different fuels and wires to make sure everyone can get the power they need all the time. And it's crazy that I have to say that this week of all weeks when grid operators up and down the East Coast are relying on every single megawatt of generation and wire they can get to to provide the power that people need to stay cool and safe.
▶ 1:04:45uh Uh let me just since I'm out of time say that uh instead the majority now is showing it really doesn't care about all of the above. They just care about picking winners or losers. It doesn't have to be this. It doesn't have to be this way. With increasing demand for power, we'll need every megawatt we can get. Republicans just don't like the megawatts that utility utilities and power developers are choosing in a free market. So I urge my colleagues to uh approve this bill.
▶ 1:05:15I yield back my time. The gentle lady's time has expired. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from Ohio's 12th district for what purpose? Uh thank you Mr. Chairman uh to speak on the amendment. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to speak on the amendment. I strongly oppose this amendment as it is unnecessary to existing fur requirements and it is a distraction to the underlying policy at hand.
▶ 1:05:38This amendment would would require the commission deny any proposal that will not be completed within four years of being assigned a higher position in the queue. This amendment represent misrepresents the intent of the legisl legislation. In order 2023, FK had already shifted the interconnection queue process from a first come first- serve basis to a first ready first serve model to ensure that shovel ready projects get consideration.
▶ 1:06:06The Grid Power Act provides an additional tool for grid operators to bring dispatchable energy resources to the queue if there is it's a demonstrated need for reliability and stability of the bulk power system.
▶ 1:06:19Projects that would be considered under this tool would already receive thorough reviews from the grid operator that would ensure its We know that current backlogs and the interconnection queue are bogged down because of excessive subsidies and regulations that favor intermittent resources at the expense of base load projects.
▶ 1:06:40Time and time again, this committee has heard from grid operators, engineers and experts in the energy industry regarding the need for reliable and dispatchable energy to maintain stability of the bulk power system. That is the exact problem this legislation seeks to That is the exact problem this legislation seeks to address. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and I yield back. Mr. the gentleman yields back the balance of time. Are there others wishing to speak on the amendment?
▶ 1:07:13Hearing none, the vote comes on the amendment and a roll call has been requested. The clerk will take the role, please. Mr. Lada, no. Mr. La votes no. Mr. Griffith, no. Mr. Griffith votes no. Mr. Billis, no. Mr. Billis votes no. Mr. Mr. Carter, no. Mr. Carter votes no.
▶ 1:07:43Mr. Mr. Dunn. No. Mr. Dunn votes no. Mr. Mr. Joyce Mr. Weber uh Mr. Weber votes no Mr. Allen no Mr. Allen votes no Mr. Balderson Mr. Balderson votes no Mr. Fulture no Mr. Fulture votes no Mr. Mrs.
▶ 1:08:13Harshburgger Mrs. Harshburgger votes no Mrs. Miller Meeks Mrs. Miller Meeks votes no. Mrs. Kamik. Mrs. Kamik votes no. Mr. Obernalty. Mr. Obernalty votes no. Mr. James. Mr. Bence. Mr. Bence votes no. Mrs. Hchin. Mrs. Howchin votes no. Mr. Fry. No. Mr. Fry votes no. Miss Lee. Mr. Langworthy.
▶ 1:08:48Mr. Kaine, Mr. Roelly. Mr. Roelly votes no. Mr. Evans. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes no. Mrs. Mrs. Fedorek votes no. Mr. Palone I. Mr.
▶ 1:09:18Palone votes I. Missette I. Missette votes I. Miss Shakowski I. Miss Shakowski votes I. Miss Matsule I. Miss Matsui votes I. Miss Caster I. Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko. Hi I. Mr. Tonko votes I. Miss. Clark. Miss. Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. M. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Stingle Mr.
▶ 1:09:46Vzy Miss Kelly Miss Kelly votes I. Miss Bedagon. Miss Bedagon votes I. Mr. Sodto Mr. Sodto votes I. Miss Shrier Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Treyan. Miss Trean votes I. Miss Fletcher. Miss Aassio Cortez. Mr. Oenclaus. Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter. Mr. Menendez.
▶ 1:10:17Mr. Mendez votes I. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Lansman. Mr. Lansman votes I. Miss Mlen. Miss. Mlen votes I. Chairman Guthrie? No. Chairman Guthrie votes no. Are there other members wishing to record their vote? How is the gentleman from Alabama recorded? Mr. Palmer is not recorded. How's the gentleman from? Mr. Palmer votes no. And how's the gentleman from New York recorded? Mr. Langworthy is not recorded.
▶ 1:10:46The gentleman Langworthy votes no. The gentleman from North from North Carolina, Mr. Hudson is not recorded. Hudson votes no. Mr. Hudson votes no. Gentleman from Texas, how how is he recorded? Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Gentleman from Pennsylvania. Mot. Mr. Joyce votes no. Gentleman from Michigan. Mr. James votes no. The gentleman from Texas, Mr.
▶ 1:11:12Vzy is not Mr. Vzy votes I. The gentle lady from Miss Dingle is not recorded. I. Miss Stingle votes I. Gentle lady from Texas. Miss Fletcher is not recorded. Votes I. Miss Fletcher votes I. Are there any other members wishing to record their votes? Gentleman from Mr. Carter is not recorded. Mr. Carter votes I.
▶ 1:11:43The clerk will take the role and report, please. Mr. La, on that vote there were 23 eyes and 26 nos. Thank you very much. The amendment is not agreed to. Are there further amendments on the bill?
▶ 1:12:08The question now occurs on approving HR 1047 and a roll call has been requested. The clerk will take the role. Mr. Lada I. Mr. Lada votes I. Mr. Griffith. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Barakus Mr. Bellarakus votes I. Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson votes I. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Palmer votes I. Mr. Dunn. I. Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Krenshaw.
▶ 1:12:39I. Mr. Krenshaw votes I. Mr. Joyce. I. Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber. Yep. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. I. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson. I. Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture. Fulture. I. Mr. Fulture votes I. Mr. Fluger. I. Mr. Fluger votes I. Mrs. Harshburgger. Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Miller Meeks. I. Mrs. Miller Meeks votes I. Mrs. Kamik. I. Mrs. Kamik votes I. Mr. Mr. Oblon, Mr. votes I. Mr. James, I Mr.
▶ 1:13:09James votes I. Mr. Bence, Mr. Ben votes I. Mrs. Hchin, Mrs. Houchin. Mrs. Hchin votes I. Mr. Fry. Mr. Fry votes I. Miss Lee. Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Langworthy votes I. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Ruley. I. Mr. Vuy votes I. Mr. Evans. I. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Forech. Mr. Forech votes I. Mr.
▶ 1:13:39Palone. No. Mr. Palone votes no. Miss Dette. Mr. Get votes no. Mishakowski. Miss Matsui. No. Miss Matsui votes no. Miss Caster no. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko no. Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss Clark no. Miss Clark votes no. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes no. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle, Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr. Vzy. Miss Kelly.
▶ 1:14:10Miss Kelly votes no. Miss Bedagon. Miss Bedagon votes no. Mr. Sodto. Mr. Sodto votes no. Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes no. Miss Trean. Miss. Fletcher. Miss. Fletcher votes no. Miss Aassio Cortez. Mr. Aenclaus. Mr. Aenclaus votes no. Mr. Carter Mr. Carter votes no Mr. Mendez Mr. Menendez votes no Mr. Mullen Mr. Mullen votes no Mr.
▶ 1:14:39Lansman Mr. Miss Mlullen. Miss Mlullen votes no. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes I. Are there any other members wishing to be recorded? How's the gentle lady from Massachusetts recorded? Miss Treyan is not recorded. Miss Treyan votes no. The gentle lady from Illinois. Miss Shicowski is not recorded. No. Miss Shakowski votes no. Gentleman from Texas. Mr. Vzy is not recorded. Mr. Vzy votes no.
▶ 1:15:10Any other members? Oh, I'm sorry. The gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Lansman is not recorded. Mr. Lansman votes no. Okay. The uh the uh clerk will take the role, please, and report. Mr. L, on that vote, there were 28 eyes and 23 nos. The eyes haven't. The bill is adopted.
▶ 1:15:41The chair calls up 3632 and ask the clerk to report HR 3632. A bill to amend the federal power act to adjust the requirements. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point. So and what for what purpose does the gentleman from Virginia seek recognition? Speaking on the measure. The gentleman is recognized to speak for five minutes on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:16:11I am proud to have introduced HR 3632, the Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025, and I'm happy to see this committee mark it up today. This bill would update section 207 of the Federal Power Act, which deals with ensuring that utilities provide adequate service.
▶ 1:16:30As far as we can find in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and its forerunners records, only a handful of complaints citing this section have been filed and only one order issued in 2006 which firmly cited to section 207. That is why we need to update this section of the act to allow affected parties to contest the retirement of generation resources. Over the next 10 years, 115 gigawatts of dispatchable generation has been announced to be retired across the United States.
▶ 1:17:01While demand is estimated to increase upwards of 151 gawatt, these numbers do not match up. I would note some have even suggested that with AI we may need as much as an additional terowatt of power. My bill would enhance existing authorities under the federal power act to ensure premature retirements are not necessarily jeopardizing the reliability of our electric grill grid.
▶ 1:17:27Under my bill, FK would be able to issue orders for up to 5 years in length and allocate costs for potential new transmission costs that may alleviate a plant going offline. These orders can no longer can be no longer than 5 years, but can be tailored by FK to be shorter. The availability of these orders will hopefully assist states and regional transmission organizations in planning projects so that whenever a plant is to retire, there is another source or multiple sources that will produce the same amount of power.
▶ 1:17:57As part of these section 207 orders issued pursuant to this legislation, FK will wave excessive environmental regulations mirroring language in section 202C of the Federal Power Act to provide needed flexibility for plant owners to continue operating the facility in a cost-effective manner. In addition, this bill would require plants to provide a 5-year advanced notice of their plans to retire. This helps states and regional transmission organizations improve resources adequacy, resource adequacy, and transmission planning.
▶ 1:18:27By requiring this notice, we can ensure that states and grid operators can responsibly manage their respective systems. This provision is is more to ensure we have a transparent and longerterm watch list showing how much power is likely going off the grid. While the list is public, no affected party is ever required to file a complaint. and the specific power plant can only announce its retirement, not file a complaint to keep their own facility open.
▶ 1:18:56Any affected party, not just the initial complainant, can request an additional 5-year extension of the adequate service order. Importantly, this bill allows for flexibility of the 5-year advanced notice of retirements in the event of an emergency, disaster, or other similar event that leaves the plant inoperable. The energy sub subcommittee has held several hearings in the 119th and the 118th Congress to understand our ongoing reliability crisis.
▶ 1:19:24We continue to hear time and again from grid operators, engineers and utilities of all kinds about the impact that premature retirements can have on the grid. Unfortunately, many times it is the policy decisions of the government, both state and federal, that are forcing the closure of base load power plant retirements and seeking to replace generation with less reliable sources.
▶ 1:19:46While renewable energy sources have a role to play, base load and dispatchable energy from natural gas, coal, nuclear, and hydro power have tangible benefits based on their constant power production. Technologies like wind and solar have created an unstable grid in some portions of the country. With this bill, we will provide FK the opportunity to referee plant shutdowns and look at the more regional as opposed to local impacts. Mr.
▶ 1:20:12Chairman, I have several letters of support and I ask unanimous consent of these letters to be entered into the record and the committee already has them in a digital format. Without objection, so order. Thank you so much. And and it's my understanding that as well, National Mining Association has also mentioned their support for my bill in a letter that was already submitted for the record. I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill and yield back the balance of my time. The gentleman yields back. Is there discussion on the bill?
▶ 1:20:43Is there the gentleman from Georgia is recognized uh for what purpose? Move this strike and last word. Gentleman's recognized strike last word. Five minutes. Mr. Chairman, I'm proud to co-sponsor HR 3632, the Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025, and I thank my good friend, Representative Griffith, for introducing this bill.
▶ 1:21:07HR 3632 will help keep base load power plants running for up to 5 years while allowing FK the time to address state concerns about the impacts of shutting down certain power plants. The bill also requires power plant operators to notify federal authorities if they plan to close a This bill will allow us to plan for the future when thinking about our energy resources.
▶ 1:21:32It is an essential tool for maintaining a reliable and efficient grid that works for all Americans. Thank you to Congressman Griffith for introducing this critical piece of legislation. I urge my urge my colleagues to vote for this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back. Thank you very much. Gentlemen yields back. Is there any further discussion on the bill? Seeing none, are there any bipartisan amendments? Are there any amendments? The gentleman from California's 50th district is recognized. For what purpose? Mr.
▶ 1:22:01Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk labeled The clerk will report the amendment. Amendment to HR3632 offered by Mr. Peters. Page three, line eight. Without objection, the reading, the amendment is dispensed with and the gentleman is recognized for five minutes in support of the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 1:22:25Every single witness before this committee has been clear that we need more of everything, whether it be transmission, pipelines, solar, wind, or natural gas. We need to build faster and more affordably. That means reforming our sighting and permitting process. Instead of doing bipartisan permitting reform, which I do hope we'll get to, or developing a long-term energy strategy for the whole country, we're passing this commit in this committee shortsighted bills that will increase costs for rateayers and steamroll the rights of states to set their own own energy policy while hurting reliability and costs
▶ 1:22:55in the long run. The Power Plant Reliability Act would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the power to force expensive old coal plants to stay open far beyond their their long planned retirement date, overruling decisions of all local, state, and federal officials. Secretary Wright recently used a similar authority under existing law to unilaterally keep a Michigan coal plant from the 1960s operating way past its retirement date. This is unfortunate for Michigan rateayers who are now on the hook to pay the bill.
▶ 1:23:26Make no mistake, these plants are closing because the market has dictated that they should close. Michigan's attorney general told FK that the planned retirement of that plant would save rateayers $150 million and would actually result in more new generation being put on the system because of planned new investments. Now, all of those savings and new investments are in jeopardy.
▶ 1:23:48My colleagues on the other side uh blame our reliability challenges on the retirement of old, expensive, and outdated coal generation rather than our inability to build the new infrastructure we need when and where we need it, which is the real problem. In fact, this bill could make that problem worse as keeping these plants online past the date anyone wants them could completely chill investment in the new generation we need. Unfortunately, this comes on the heels of the big beautiful bill, which is not so beautiful in terms of energy supply.
▶ 1:24:18Um, as Miss Caster pointed out, this will decrease the the big beautiful bill will decrease electricity capacity additions by 302 gawatt by 2035 when we need 128 gawatts in the next four years. This is really sending us in the wrong direction. If there are any reliability issues caused by the retirement of these plants, we should address that by building cheaper, more efficient generation and by building a better grid to transfer power from where it's abundant to where it's needed.
▶ 1:24:47This legislation should not take effect until we know that would not lead to less generation on the grid. The Secretary of Energy in consultation with the relevant regional reliability entity should certify when making these decisions that the extension of a due to be retired plant will not result in less generation being put on the grid. And my amendment would do just that. It is not fair to ask our constituents to pay for old coal plants to stay online when the market, state regulators, engineers, and investors have dictated that we don't need it to.
▶ 1:25:17Why should we use rateayer dollars to kick the can down the road versus investing in new generation and new grid buildout driven by new American jobs and new American manufacturing? We can all agree that more energy is good and less energy is bad. My amendment simply says that if you can't extend the retirement date of these plants, if you cannot extend the retirement pl date of these plants, if doing so results in less energy on the grid, I think that's something we should all support.
▶ 1:25:43We should be having hearing on bipartisan bills that that approve planning and help us build more transmission and generation and expand the tools in our tool belt to meet this challenge. Um, we're not doing that today, unfortunately. One bill I do believe is worth our time is my speed and reliability act with Representative Garberino. That bill is bipartisan, costs no money, creates no new programs, it streams streamlines the sighting and permitting process for national interest transmission lines, which everyone agrees we need, by five years. I'd love to get a hearing on that bill. I think that would be really constructive.
▶ 1:26:14Uh but but today here I urge support of my amendment and I yield back. Thank you. The gentleman yields back. And for what purpose does the bill sponsor, the gentleman or from Virginia's 9th district seek recognition. Mr. Chairman, I wish to speak on the amendment. Gentleman's recognized for five minutes. Speak on the amendment. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Um, the purpose of the legislation is to provide solutions to reliability while more long-term solutions are developed.
▶ 1:26:44I appreciate uh my colleagues concern, but I think that it is um ill-founded. And the reason is is that all the projections are particularly with AI and more and more data data centers being built, we're going to need more and more power. His concerns that he stated were that we want to make sure that we're not reducing overall input by giving an order that would allow as up to not always going to be that, but gives FK the power to keep the power plant open for up to 5 years.
▶ 1:27:14But that's not just something that's made in a vacuum. There has to be a complaint and and we have to move forward with that. Further, with the demand being so great for additional resources, it is highly unlikely uh that anybody would stop moving forward with a power plant they were planning on having or looking at doing uh that is going to be built within the next 5 years simply because a temporary order was placed that said this plant may remain open.
▶ 1:27:43And remember remember that the bill says that somebody has to complain and that means some other uh utility or state uh or uh regulator like uh has to come into FK and say under 207 we need to keep this open or else we're going to have a grid reliability problem and the maximum is five years.
▶ 1:28:09So, I think that uh that the amendment uh while I know it's it's well intended, uh I think the concerns are illfounded and I would urge my colleagues to vote no. And I'm happy to give you a history on the one time it was done if the committee so desires. Seeing none, the gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion? The gentleman from Florida is recognized for what purpose? Uh to strike the last word.
▶ 1:28:37Gentleman is recogniz on the Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. Five minutes. It has been a sweltering two days in Washington, reaching over 100° and 98 degrees today. We know the climate is changing. Extreme heat, hurricanes are getting more intense, sea levels are rising, and some would say our Republican colleagues are doing nothing about it.
▶ 1:29:04I wish it's much They want to keep dirty coal plants online and maybe bring more online as well. The dirtiest fuel American could possibly use. They release more carbon emissions, supercharging climate change. It generates millions of tons of toxic coal that has to be buried in our communities, poison our waters, causing cancer.
▶ 1:29:32I've heard from constituents in East Orlando and proud to work with the Orlando Utility Commission to retire the last local coal plant by 2027. They have natural gas, solar, and plan to expand to purchasing nuclear power from other plants. Other areas have hydro and wind. This is the right course for our nation and we should be working together on it.
▶ 1:29:55You know, when you look at solar, for instance, California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina have boosted solar by massive amounts. My own state third with 18.6 gawatt now this year, up 20% from last year. Texas second with 41.4 gawatts of solar power and California first, 51.9 gawatts. They each had 10 to 20% increases over the last just from last year.
▶ 1:30:23And the reason is the inflation reduction act which incentivizes these things. We're even working on green hydrogen where you use solar uh to run through electricity through water to create uh natural gas uh through hydrogen that then has no emissions other than water. The US Department of Energy also has a goal to triple nuclear power by 2050 including the advanced nuclear act power act that we put through just a few years ago in this committee.
▶ 1:30:53Georgia, New York, Wyoming, and Texas all have potential nuclear power to go online over the next few years. Then wind energy, it's doubled over the last 10 years to 150 gawatts nationally. Uh with Texas leading the way, three times more wind energy than any other state and Iowa, 60% of wind energy makes up their total makeup. You look at things like the blackout that happened in Texas. Five times more natural gas went out than wind.
▶ 1:31:23So, it's hugely ironic to blame uh new renewable energies when it was extreme weather caused by climate change that knocked out natural gas, not wind. We've talked to countless utilities executives. They're already moving in this direction to solar, to wind, to nuclear, to hydro. They want to keep the inflation reduction act. Yet the one big ugly bill wants to get rid of it.
▶ 1:31:51They know nuclear power, solar, wind, hydro is the future. Natural gas is a bridge fuel for the foreseeable future. And that the d dirt dirty coal agenda takes us backwards. And so that's why when you look at Mr. Peter's amendment.
▶ 1:32:07It's talking about shutting down the dirtiest coal plants if it's no longer going to be helpful to make room for a lot of these new technologies that are already coming online despite every effort by the Trump administration and this Congress to stop it. We're going to continue to progress forward and that's why I think these types of amendments are absolutely critical to make sure that we're moving forward in a direction that makes sense for our nation. With that, I yield back. Gentlemen yields back.
▶ 1:32:34Is there further discussion on the Seeing no further discussion on the The roll call vote has been requested. Uh the general gentleman requests a roll call vote and the clerk will call the Mr. Lada, no. Mr. Lada votes no. Mr. Griffith, no. Mr. Griffith votes no. Mr. Billis, Mr. Billis votes no. Mr. Hudson, Mr. Mr.
▶ 1:33:03Hudson votes no. Mr. Carter, Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn votes no. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Mr. Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes no. Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen votes no. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Balderson votes no. Mr. Fulture. Mr.
▶ 1:33:33Fulture votes no. Mr. Fluger. Mr. Fluger votes no. Mrs. Mrs. Harshburgger votes no. Mrs. Miller Mrs. Kamock. Mrs. Kamik votes no. Mr. Obalty. Mr. Oelenote votes no. Mr. James. Mr.
▶ 1:34:02James votes no. Mr. Bence Mr. Bence votes no. Miss Houchin votes no. Mr. Fry Mr. Fry votes no. Miss Lee Mr. Langworthy Mr. Langworthy votes no. Mr. Kane whatever they vote on Saturday. Mr. Mr. Evans we have to agree on Mr. Evans votes no. Mr.
▶ 1:34:32Goldman, I talked to the Mrs. Fedorek, Mrs. Fedorek votes no. Mr. Palone, Mr. Palone votes I. Mr. Get Mr. Get votes I. Miss Shakowski I. Miss Shakowski votes I. Miss Matsui I. Miss Matsui votes I. Miss Caster. Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko I. Mr. Tonko votes I. Miss Clark. Miss Clark votes I.
▶ 1:35:02Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Stingle. Mrs. Stingle votes I. Mr. Bezy. Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly votes I. Miss Bagon. Miss Bagon votes I. Mr. Sodto. Mr. Sodto votes I. Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Trean. Miss Trean votes I. Miss Fletcher.
▶ 1:35:32Miss Fletcher votes I. Mr. Aassio Cortez. Mr. Aenclaus. Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. Menendez. Mr. Menendez votes I. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Lansman. Miss. Mlen. Miss. Mlen votes I. Chairman Guthrie.
▶ 1:35:59Is anyone seeking recogn Gentleman from Mr. Palmer Palmer votes no. Dr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce votes no. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes no. Anyone else seeking recognition purpose? Mr. Lansman. Mr. Land Lansman votes I. Any other seeking recognition? Seeing none, the clerk will report.
▶ 1:36:45Chairman Guthrie, on that vote, there were 22 eyes and 26 nos. The amendment is not agreed to. Are there further amendments? Gentle lady from Illinois, Miss Miss Kelly. What purpose? You seek recognition. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk labeled The clerk will report the amendment. Amendment to HR 3632 offered by Miss Kelly.
▶ 1:37:12Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady is recognized for five minutes in support of her amendment. Thank you. This bill will provide a statutory pathway for the administration to keep old, expensive, and polluting coal plants online and force American families to pay for Republicans seemingly obsession with coal. I have a lot of problems with the bill, but the fundamental idea at the center of it just doesn't make any sense.
▶ 1:37:37And we're already seeing this at the Department of Energy, which last month decided to exceed its statutory authority and issued two emergency orders mandating that two coal plants, one in Pennsylvania and one in Michigan, be kept online, even though literally nobody asked for the plants to be kept online. Not their owners, not the local utility, not the reli reliability regulator, and not the grid operator. Nobody.
▶ 1:38:05To add insult to injury, one of the coal plants is now actively at FK trying to make other people pay for their plant to stay online. And I want to say that again because it's so unbelievable. A coal plant in Michigan that nobody wanted to stay online is asking FK's permission to charge customers everywhere from Illinois to Minnesota to Iowa to Missouri so it can stay online even though those places get zero benefit from it. zero benefit from it.
▶ 1:38:35Nobody gets any benefit from it. The secretary's emergency order was premised on a faulty prediction that the Midwest grid was at high risk. A prediction caused by bad data, as Congresswoman Deette pointed out earlier. This isn't hypothetical for my constituents, the ones in central Illinois served by Amarind could see their bills go up to pay for the Michigan plant.
▶ 1:38:58If certain parties at PJM, the grid operator for Northern Illinois and the Mid-Atlantic, get their way, my constituents served by Comm Eed will have to pay for the Pennsylvania plant to stay online. An even more egregious miscarriage of justice. This is where my amendment comes in. It's simple. It requires FK to ensure that any charges for a plant staying online are just and reasonable, something the bill as written does not require.
▶ 1:39:28Furthermore, it requires that FK adhere to what's called the cost causation principle. Put in layman's terms. If you break it, you buy it. If people actually need a plant to stay online under this bill, they should pay for it. If you don't receive any benefits from a plant staying online, like the families in my district that won't receive any benefits from the Pennsylvania or Michigan plans, then you shouldn't have to pay for it. It should be a simple, uncontroversial amendment.
▶ 1:39:58I can't believe that anyone on this committee would be in favor of making families pay for power plants they get no benefit from. So I urge bipartisan support for my amendment and Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Gentle lady yields back. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Gentleman from Virginia is recognized. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um the arguments on this amendment are very interesting. Let's go with the first half of the arguments.
▶ 1:40:24It says that they're they're com concerned because a plant in Pennsylvania and and a plant in Michigan are being required to be stay open and that there's that this is from the secretary of energy and that there's no plan and that there's no cost allocation. However, the bill actually sets up a process where a complaint has to be filed. I heard that comment made. No complaint was filed. Nobody was saying the plant should stay open.
▶ 1:40:53In my bill, a complaint has to be filed and it can't be by the plant operator. It has to be from somebody else, another utility, somebody in the area who's actually going to use the power. Um, and so the first half of the argument would argue that the gentle lady ought to be supporting the measure.
▶ 1:41:10Now the second part of the argument I would oppose uh the amendment for because it is redundant to the existing requirements at FIRK and seeks to misrepresent the intention of the legislation. As we know FK must already adhere to cost causation principles as a part of cost allocation deterine and determinations and ensure that all rates are just and reasonable.
▶ 1:41:35Under the legislation, FIK would be empowered to both determine the compensation for plant owners as well as cost allocation for rate recovery. Uh these determinations must already meet the requirements of cost causation principles and be just and reasonable. Again, that's if we're using the 207 process, which I'm trying to put into a position to be more preeminent when we're looking at these power shortages within the grid situation.
▶ 1:42:04It's our hope the legislation would only be used rarely and that our nation has sufficient resources to meet our electricity needs. Unfortunately, because of a lot of confusion, maybe even some obuscation by some states and electricity market participants, we're in a situation where it is frankly very confusing as to who looks out for grid reliability. This bill will help to clarify the situation and the amendment only makes it more confusing.
▶ 1:42:32We are seeing dangerous a dangerous rate of premature premature retirements of base load power. Just this week in this heat wave we are seeing utilities asking customers to say to save electricity.
▶ 1:42:46TVA, for example, and they serve part of my district through some of the uh companies that are uh affiliated with has asked that everybody reduce their power usage today because they're concerned about potential rolling brownouts or even blackouts. But I would note, and I know that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle really dislike coal.
▶ 1:43:14And as we shift and and I think coal still has a place. I think we can do it cleanly, but we'll disagree about that. But as we're shifting, we need to make sure we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. So in 2013, the Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA, announced plans to close eight coal fired power units, citing a flat demand for power. They've closed five of them. Now they find themselves in a growing demand for power and and a heat wave. Mr.
▶ 1:43:42chairman that is requiring them to notify their customers to to not use all of their power because if everybody uses their power as they would normally do, they may have a rolling brown out or even blackouts and then human lives are put into jeopardy. What this does is it says, "All right, we're going to have FK take a look at it." And people have to notify FK five years in advance, that's what the bill says, of closing down any power plant.
▶ 1:44:12And if somebody complains and says, "Wait a minute, we don't have generation coming on board, Mr. Chairman, in time to sufficiently cover the needs of our area. And we're using that power. We need to use that power to wheel it into another location as was done done at the PTOIC power plant where the only time the 207's been used effectively to power Washington DC so Congress could keep operating in the heat.
▶ 1:44:40It says we'll allow that and it can be up to five years but it doesn't have to be five years. If it's determined that enough power is coming on board in two years then so be it. It's a two-year order, but it gives FK that responsibility, not the Secretary of Energy, and not as the late gentle lady said, and I don't know the circumstances of those two plants, but she indicated that it just happened with nobody asking for it.
▶ 1:44:59In this case, somebody has to step into the record, the public record, and say, "I need this plant to stay open in order to power uh electricity in Virginia or in Michigan or in Pennsylvania." And when that happens, this bill will do it. This amendment only confiscates it. Makes it harder to determine. And I would ask everyone to vote no and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion? Gentle lady from well gentle lady from Florida is recognized. Thank you.
▶ 1:45:27M caster lady and I want to compliment uh the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Griffith. He is a strong advocate for his constituents back in coal country. But I I want to correct the record for the gentleman's comments. Uh FK's existing principles that uh rates must be just do not apply to sections 202 C or 207. So this amendment is necessary.
▶ 1:45:54Um you know members, coal has been on the decline as a power source in America uh for many years now. We we do owe a debt to the coal miners and workers that have helped power America over the past decades. Uh but coal accounted for about 20% of US electricity generated in 2024. That's down from 50% in 2000. Uh and the main reason for that decline is simple.
▶ 1:46:25Coal is more expensive than other options that we have today. And burning coal is a major contributor to the rising cost and impacts of the heating climate. It also has significant health impacts, asthma, cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.
▶ 1:46:43I I point you to the heartbreaking front page story about uh the impact on coal miners bodies and health that was in the New York Times over the past weekend. But according to to a recent report, in almost every case today, it's actually cheaper to build new renewables and to keep existing coal plants running in the United States. And coal is only getting more expensive.
▶ 1:47:09Threearters of coal plants saw costs rising faster than inflation between 2021 and 2024. Uh, and I have to say none of my neighbors in Florida want more expensive power. We're already grappling with electric bills that are out of sight. and Republicans should stop forcing it upon the American people by making vague halfbaked claims about reliability and and data centers.
▶ 1:47:35Uh we know that solar and wind is is flexible power. Uh it does have some gaps, but you know what? We have solutions for that. It's called batteries. uh battery storage uh is coming to the rescue to alleviate stress on our grid. Between May 2024 and April 2025, US battery storage increased by about 40%.
▶ 1:48:03Plus, uh we decided that we're going to counter China and we can we're going to build the battery technology. We're going to advance innovation in the United States of America. We're not going to run second to the Chinese Communist Party. We're going to build these systems to help power our lives and our future. Energy storage added two gigawatts just in the first quarter of this year. That is a record and it's poised to grow if Republicans antiquated energy policies do not get in the way.
▶ 1:48:34And despite what Republicans say, we're not closing energy plants. Over the past five years, the number of utility scale electric power plants actually increased by over 2,000. In 2024, the United States produced more energy than ever before, including a broad mix of renewables, gas, crude oil, bofuels, and But this amendment um Miss Kelly's good amendment will ensure that costs
▶ 1:49:04keep uh the cost of keeping specific coal plants online can only be assigned to the people uh who are using that more expensive power source. If you're not using that costly, dirty coal plant, you shouldn't have to pay for it. It's easy really. And if my Republican colleagues think that there are data centers or other customers that really want this expensive polluting power, let them pay for it. Not the people I represent back home.
▶ 1:49:33Don't force working families to subsidize big tech's power. Of course, many of those big tech companies, they don't want that dirty power anyway. They're much more interested in cheaper, more advanced solutions like gridenhancing technologies. They want us to build more transmission to enable more generation of all kinds and get more out of our existing grid infrastructure. But guess who is throwing a wrench into that process as well? In the big ugly bill, Republicans took a hatchet to the grid modernization money. Yes.
▶ 1:50:03To update our grid and make it stronger and more reliable. Look, the the 1970s have called they want their energy policy back. That's what you all are saying. We want to look forward. We want to go forward to the cleaner, cheaper sources, the battery storage systems fueling American innovation. But this power plant reliability act, it keeps us stuck in the past. It allows polluting plants to ignore uh federal, state, and local environmental laws.
▶ 1:50:31And it passes cost on to working families through higher utility bills. your family shouldn't have to pay a higher power bill just because Donald Trump wants to subsidize old polluting power plants and that everyone else wanted to retire years ago. So I urge my colleagues to support Miss Kelly's good amendment and I yield back my time. Thank you. The gentle lady yields back. Is there further discussion? Gentle lady from North Dakota is recognized on the speak on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:50:59I also urge my colleagues to uh oppose this amendment and support this bill. Um this is not a coal bill. This is a reliability bill. We are retiring. It's just a simple fact. We're retiring things faster than they're being replaced. And it is a real problem. And we're seeing it today. We're seeing it in America today.
▶ 1:51:23If you look at the Mso market, the central part of the country where my customers live, they're also experiencing hot weather. Of the 111 gawatts of power needed to meet the demand today, only less than three gigawatts of it are coming from wind, despite having almost 15% of the name plate capacity in that region served by wind. That isn't a knock on wind.
▶ 1:51:52That's just a reality. It's not windy right now. It's hot and it's not windy. So, you can't generate power from wind when you don't have wind blowing. That's the problem we're in. It's not a permanent problem. It's a temporary problem as technologies evolve. Batteries are a great solution. They aren't available at commercial scale yet. They haven't been deployed. They don't exist today to solve the problem. This is not a political statement. It should not be a political statement.
▶ 1:52:21It's not um it should not be partisan to say that Americans are calling. Yeah. They want their power. They want their air conditioning. They need it now, not five years from now when all the technologies have evolved, the new technologies to meet the demand today.
▶ 1:52:38So suggesting that we don't like wind or solar because we recognize that they aren't dispatchable, they can't meet the reliability needs entirely today is like suggesting that I don't like my boys because they can't have children. Like wind cannot provide dispatchable solutions today. It just doesn't. Neither does solar. It it they serve a purpose but it cannot meet 100% of the demand today.
▶ 1:53:07So really, I think I really encourage my Democrat colleagues to work with us on some of this stuff so we can have a very smooth transition uh to the new resources that are coming but are just not available at grids scale today. Thank you. I yield back. Further discussion. Gentleman from Massachusetts is recognized for five minutes to speak on the amendment. Thank you. I move to strike the last word.
▶ 1:53:32I I have no doubt of the sincerity of the of the comments uh from the gentleoman from from North Dakota about and and I respect her expertise in the matter um about a a sort of fuel agnostic all of the above clean energy strategy. Just just we have to recognize though that from our side of the aisle, it just simply isn't what we are seeing from the regulation and legislation that's coming forward.
▶ 1:53:58What we're seeing is a loan program office that's being gutted, which disproportionately is going to impact nuclear. We're seeing the investment in production tax credits being gutted in this one big beautiful bill that's going to impact solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear.
▶ 1:54:14And then in my home state of Massachusetts, which was on track to power up to a million homes with offshore wind over the next decade, we're seeing unbelievable arbitrary and capricious regulatory action that is preventing steel from going in the water. And I get that there are a lot of people who don't think that offshore wind is going to work. And that's fine. That's fine to have that opinion. But state regulators, investors, and utilities and developers should be making that decision based on what's right for the state.
▶ 1:54:43In Massachusetts, we happen to have a lot of offshore wind. Maybe it makes sense for us. If other states don't want to do it, fine. We're the side that's actually promoting an all of the above energy strategy that is truly tech and fuel agnostic. And so when when we're hearing these claims that somehow uh this is really just about reliability and affordability, what we are seeing is in fact a concerted action between the administration and congressional Republicans to just have oil and gas jump the queue.
▶ 1:55:12And we are not saying that oil and gas have no place in our energy strategy as a country. What we are saying is we want to actually give all different energy strategies a chance to succeed as makes sense for individual utilities and states. My constituents might benefit from offshore wind. Your constituents might benefit from different energy sources. Let them work on it. I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? Seeing none.
▶ 1:55:41If there's no further discussion, a roll call vote has been requested. Uh, the clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada, no. Mr. Lada votes no. Mr. Griffith, no. Mr. Griffith votes no. Mr. Mr. Billis votes no. Mr. Hudson. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Palmer.
▶ 1:56:13Mr. Done. Mr. Krenshaw Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Mr. Joyce Mr. Joyce votes no. Mr. Weber Mr. Weber votes no. Mr. Allen Mr. Allen votes no. Mr. Balderson Mr. Balderson votes no. Mr. Fulture Mr. Fulture votes no. Mr. Fluger. Mr.
▶ 1:56:43Fluger votes no. Mrs. Harshburgger. Mrs. Harshburgger votes no. Mrs. Miller Mrs. Miller Meeks votes no. Mrs. Kamik. Mr. Oonulty. Mr. Oonulty votes no. Mr. James Mr. James votes no. Mr. Bence Mr. Bence votes no. Mrs. Touchin Mr.
▶ 1:57:12Fry Mr. Fry votes no Miss Lee Mr. Langworthy Mr. Langworthy votes no Mr. Kaine Mr. Roelly Mr. Evans Mr. Evans votes no Mr. Goldman Mr. Goldman votes no. Mrs. Fedorch. Mrs.
▶ 1:57:41Fedorch votes no. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes I. Mr. Get I. Mr. Dette votes I. M. Shakowski. I. Mr. Shakowski votes I. Miss Matsule. I. Miss Matsule votes I. Miss Caster I. Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko. I. Mr. Tonko votes I. Miss. Clark. Miss. Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters, Mrs.
▶ 1:58:10Dingle, Mr. Vzy, Mr. Vzy votes I. Miss Kelly, Miss Kelly votes I. Miss Bedagon, Miss Bedagon votes I. Mr. Sodto, Mr. Sodto votes I. Miss Shrier, Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Trean. Miss Trean votes I. Miss Fletcher. I. Miss Fletcher votes I. Mr. Okasio Cortez. Mr. Mr. Okenclaus Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter, Mr.
▶ 1:58:41Carter votes I. Miss Mendez, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Menendez votes I. Mr. Mullen, Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Lansman, Mr. Lansman votes I. Miss Mlen, Miss Mlen votes I. Chairman Guthrie, no. Chairman Guthrie votes no. How is gentleman from Alabama? Mr. Palmer is not recorded. Mr. Palmer votes no. Dr. Dunn. Mr. Mr. Dunn votes. Miss Hkins. Miss Houchin votes no.
▶ 1:59:13Anyone on the Anyone that Mr. Peters? Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes I. Anyone else seeking recognition for purpose of the roll call?
▶ 1:59:27Seeing none, the clerk will Chairman Guthrie on that vote there were 23
▶ 1:59:57eyes and 25 nos. The amendment is not agreed to. Are there further amendments? Seeing none. Okay. The question now occurs on approving HR 3632. A roll call has been requested and the clerk will call the row. Mr. Lada. I. Mr. La votes I. Mr. Griffith. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Billis. Mr. Billis votes I. Mr. Hudson.
▶ 2:00:28Mr. Carter. I. Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Palmer votes I. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Krenshaw votes I. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fulture votes I. Mr. Mr. Fluger.
▶ 2:01:03Mr. Fluger votes I. Mrs. Harshburgger. Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Miller Meeks Mrs. Miller Meeks votes I. Mrs. Mr. Obonauti Mr. Obonauti votes I. Mr. James Mr. James votes I. Mr. Ben Mr. Ben votes I. Mrs. Hchin Mrs. Howchin votes I. Mr. Fry. Mr. Fry votes I. Miss Lee. Mr. Langworthy.
▶ 2:01:33Mr. Langworthy votes I. Mr. Kain Mr. Roelly Mr. Evans Mr. Evans votes I Mr. Goldman Mr. Goldman votes I Mrs. Fchek Mrs. Forech votes I Mr. Palone Mr. Palone votes no Mr. Gette Mr. Get votes no. Miss Shakowski, no. Miss Shakowski votes no. Miss Matsulei.
▶ 2:02:04Miss Caster. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Miss Clark. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr. Vzy Mr. Vzy votes no. Miss Kelly Miss Kelly votes no. Miss Bedagon Miss Bedagon votes no. Mr.
▶ 2:02:34Sodto Mr. Sodto votes no. Miss Shrier Miss Shrier votes no. Miss Tran Miss Tran votes no. Miss Fletcher Miss Fletcher votes no. Mr. Kasio Mr. Aenclaus. Mr. Aenclaus votes no. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Menendez. Mr. Menendez votes no. Mr. Mullen Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr. Lansman Mr. Lansman votes no.
▶ 2:03:02Miss Mcclullen Miss Mlullen votes no. Chairman Guthrie I. Chairman Guthrie votes I. Anyone seeking recognition for purpose of answering the roll call? Mr. Mr. Dr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz is not recorded. Mr. Ruiz votes no. Mr. Tonko Mr. Tonko is not recorded. Mr. Tonko votes no. See any on the Republican side? Seeing none, the clerk will report.
▶ 2:03:43Chairman Guthrie, on that vote, there were 25 eyes and 21 nos. The eyes have it and the bill is adopted. The chair calls up HR 3638 and asks the clerk to report. HR 3638, a bill to direct the Secretary of Energy to prepare periodic assessments and submit reports. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point. So ordered.
▶ 2:04:12Does anyone seek to be recognized on the bill? Mr. Chairman, gentleman from Ohio seeks recognition. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Strike the last word. Gentlemen, you're recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to speak on my legislation, HR 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act.
▶ 2:04:30This legislation would direct the Department of Energy to conduct ongoing assessments of matters affecting the supply chain for the power The electric supply chain act will seek to uncover risk, vulnerabilities, and security considerations and the of manufactured grid components that are necessary to expand our electric As part of the direction in this legislation, the secretary would maintain
▶ 2:05:00discretion to choose the appropriate office with the expertise necessary to complete the assessment. In addition, this bill will leverage the expertise of our power sector industry to improve the department's understanding and strengthen supply chains that are critical to the timely deployment and development of electric generation and transmission In recent years, we've seen how supply chain constraints and bottlenecks for key grid components
▶ 2:05:31such as distribution transformers and natural gas turbines can stifle infrastructure development by establishing periodic assessments under this legislation. The department will remain in a proactive posture to identify and address matters affecting our power sector supply chain as they arise.
▶ 2:05:51By all reports and projections, our nation is on the edge of dramatic increases in electricity demand, primarily driven by energy intensive users such as data centers and domestic The timing of projected demands is as historic, excuse me, as historic levels of base load power are leaving the system due due to state and federal actions that attack
▶ 2:06:21fossil fuels and subsidize preferred sources of intermittent generation. In fact, an estimated 52 gawatts of base load power is expected to retire over the next four years. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency estimates US electricity demand to increase over the next three years by the equivalent supply of the entire state of California.
▶ 2:06:47These job creating industries remain vital to economic prosperity and our national security. We cannot sit idly by while adversar adversaries seek to gain competitive advantage to control the next generation economy. This bill takes an important step to prepare our federal agencies against supply chain constraints that could occur as our nation seeks to increase electric generation to meet demands of the next generation.
▶ 2:07:15Importantly, during our recent hearing with Secretary Wright, he confirmed his department's ability to complete the requirements that are laid out by this I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and yield back the balance of my time. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? Excuse me. On the bill, I'm sorry. Any further discussion on the bill? Seeing none, are there any amendments? Gentle lady from Virginia. What purpose you seek recognition?
▶ 2:07:45Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have an amendment at the desk labeled AMD_HR3638_1_XML. Clerk will report. Amendment to HR 3638 offered by Miss Mc. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady is recognized for five minutes in support of the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 2:08:10This amendment would prevent the bill from taking effect until the Secretary of Energy can certify two things. First, the Department of Energy has sufficient staff in place to support the timely progress of ongoing prog programs and projects authorized and funded by Congress in addition to the new responsibilities like the assessments required in this bill.
▶ 2:08:32uh having the secretary uh certif say in a committee hearing that he has the resources to do this bill but not to go further to say he has the resources to do all of the responsibilities Congress has placed on the Department of Energy is nonsensical. And when Secretary Wright was here a couple of weeks ago, a number of uh Democrats on this committee asked about the Department of Energy's staffing issues.
▶ 2:08:58Secretary Wright did not give us a straightforward answer or visibility into those numbers or how the department intends to continue with ongoing and future projects givingven the cuts that they have faced. He also hasn't responded to inquiries from this committee about department staffing issues and as I mentioned during that budget hearing, my own office has experienced this lack of response and visibility from the department.
▶ 2:09:23However, Secretary Wright did stress the importance of the Department of Energy, its national labs, and various programs like the Loans Program Office. So, everyone should recognize the value of the Department of Energy's work. But no one seems willing to answer important questions about who's left to complete the work that Congress has already put on them in addition to these new bills that we seek to pass today.
▶ 2:09:47As this committee continu considers the electric supply chain act, we have to look at the bigger picture and the reality of the reckless workforce reductions and funding cuts that have already uh happened or are in process right now. Doge has already forced out over 3,500 key department of energy staff.
▶ 2:10:08Key offices responsible for implementing this bill have lost a significant portion of their staff and Secretary Wright hasn't given us any assurances that there won't be further mass layoffs in our districts. Businesses and community partners are already waiting to hear from the department about critical contracts and access to funding. Congressional offices inquiring on their behalf still haven't received answers.
▶ 2:10:32My office has heard that in some cases, the department can't even determine who is responsible for certain projects because too many qualified staff have been fired or pushed out. And with the department already struggling to meet its current workload, how can we pretend it's business as usual and justify adding additional work? These harmful workforce cuts that have occurred must end. And before we add new responsibilities, Congress must have a clear updated information on DOE staffing levels.
▶ 2:11:01office capabilities and operating plans. You know, one of the things I miss about being a state legislator is whenever we passed a bill that would add new responsibilities on a state agency, we had to have a fiscal impact statement that included how many full-time equivalent employees would be needed to carry out that work.
▶ 2:11:21It wasn't just a financial um requirement because states can't print money and have to have a balanced budget, but it gave us the ability to see do our agencies have the workload needed to do their their lawfully mandated work. That is simply what we are asking for now.
▶ 2:11:40It's common sense and it helps us take a holistic view at does the department have the resources it needs to do its current job is in addition to the ones this bill would add on it and with that I yield back. Gentle lady yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? Gentle from Ohio is recognized to speak on the amendment. Oh thank you very much Mr. Chairman and Mr. Chairman I strongly oppose this amendment as it is distraction to the underlying policy.
▶ 2:12:05This amendment would require the Secretary of Energy to certify the department has sufficient staff to complete the report and certify there are no plan reductions in force. During our recent hearing with Secretary Wright, he confirmed his department's ability to complete the requirements laid out by this legislation. This legislation also provides discretion to the department to choose the appropriate office with the expertise to complete the assessments.
▶ 2:12:32In addition, it is important to remember that the Department of Energy underwent reorganization efforts under both presidents Obama and Biden. Consistent with that precedent, the Trump administration is taking a similar approach. We should not lose sight of the reality that the department today operates with about 35,000 more contractors and employees than it did 5 years ago. Most of that increases from the past four years.
▶ 2:13:00Both sides of the aisle agree that we must ensure that our supply chains disruptions do not inhibit our ability to meet demands of the next generation industries. This legislation will place DOE in a proactive posture to address any potential disruptions and identify vulnerabilities that may pose a threat to reliability. Urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. I yield back. Balance of my time. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion? Gentle lady from Washington, Dr. Shrier, is recognized to speak on the amendment.
▶ 2:13:31Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Lady's recognized. Thank you, Mr. I strike the last word to strongly support Representative Mlullen's very timely and pragmatic amendment because this consideration of DOE staffing just makes common sense, especially right now.
▶ 2:13:52Uh we both agree that a study on supply chain issues for critical grid equipment is a great and smart thing and we've all heard from utilities in our districts about dangerously low transformer inventories in particular. The vulnerabilities in our supply chain have significantly increased lead times in the past few years.
▶ 2:14:16And what troubles me is the crickets that I hear from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle when the administration does things like cut in half the staff at the Department of Energy charged with manufacturing and supply chains or double down on the chaotic tariff roll out on steel, the same steel that critical grid components are made of. All of this ultimately leads to higher costs and less reliable electricity and that is our focus.
▶ 2:14:46So, I would say to my Republican colleagues, here's your chance. This amendment is your opportunity to show that you are pragmatic and you mean business. All this amendments asking for is a thumbs up from the SEC from Secretary Wright that he's got the workforce and the resources necessary to carry out the Department of Energy's mission and safeguard the country's energy security, including electrical supply chains. I strongly support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 2:15:16Gentle lady yields back. Is there further discussion? Seeing none, there no further discussion, the vote curs amendment. A roll call vote has been requested. Uh the clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada. Mr. Lada votes no. Mr. Griffith. Mr.
▶ 2:15:43Veracus, Mr. Hudson, thank you for Mr. Carter. Mr. Palmer, Mr. Palmer votes no. Like a Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn votes no. Mr. Mr. Krenshaw.
▶ 2:16:14Mr. Joyce Mr. Joyce votes no. Mr. Weber Mr. Weber votes no. Mr. Allen Mr. Allen votes no. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fulture votes no. Mr. Fluger Mrs. Harshburgger Mrs. Harshburgger votes no Mrs.
▶ 2:16:45Miller Meeks Mrs. Miller Meeks votes no Mrs. Kamik Mrs Kamik votes no Mr. Oenaltulty Mr. James Mr. James votes no Mr. Bence Mr. Bence votes no Mrs. Houchin Mrs. Houchin votes no Mr. Fry. Mr. Fry votes no. Miss Lee Mr. Langworthy. Mr.
▶ 2:17:14Langworthy votes no. Mr. Kain Mr. Kane votes no. Mr. Roelly. Mr. Roelly votes no. Mr. Evans. No. Mr. Evans votes no. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes no. Mrs. Mrs. Fedorch votes no. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes I. Mr. Dette. Mr. Dette votes I. Mr. Shakowski. M. Shakowski votes I. Miss Matsulei.
▶ 2:17:45Miss Caster. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko. Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss Clark. I. Miss. Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. I. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Stingle Mrs. Stingle votes I. Mr. Vzy Mr. Vzy votes I. Mr. Ke Miss Kelly Miss Kelly votes I.
▶ 2:18:15Miss Bedagon Miss Bedagon votes I. Mr. Sodto Mr. Sodto votes I. Miss Shrier Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Trean. Miss Trean votes I. Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher votes I. Mr. Cassio Cortez. Mr. Aenclaus. Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. Menendez. Mr. Menendez votes I. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Lansman.
▶ 2:18:46Miss Mlullen. Miss Mlullen votes I. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes no. Mr. Chairman, you has Miss Caster recorded? Miss Caster is recorded as no. Miss Caster is off. No. And on I. Mr. Tonko Mr. Tonko is recorded as no. Mr. Tonko is off no and on I. Mr. Mr.
▶ 2:19:16Lansman votes I. Mr. Griffith Mr. Griffith is not recorded. Mr. Griffith votes no. Mr. Mr. Mr. Billisus votes no. Mr. Carter Mr. Carter is not recorded. Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Mr. Balderson Mr. Balderson is not recorded. Mr. Balderson votes no.
▶ 2:19:40Anyone seeking recognition to vote or change their Seeing none, the clerk will report. Chairman Guthrie on that vote there were 22 eyes's and 26 nos. The amendment is not agreed to. Is there are there further amendments on the bill?
▶ 2:20:10Seeing none, there's no further discussion. The vote occurs on the bill. The question now occurs on approving HR 3638. A roll call has been requested and the clerk will call the row. Mr. Lada. I. Mr. Lada votes I. Mr. Griffith. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Billis, Mr. Billis votes I. Mr. Hudson, Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. Palmer. Mr.
▶ 2:20:40Palmer votes I. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Krenshaw votes I. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. I. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Mr. Fluger, Mrs. Harshburgger, Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Miller Meeks.
▶ 2:21:10Mrs. Miller Meeks votes I. Mrs. Kamik. Mrs. Kamik votes I. Mr. Oldenalty. Mr. Burnalty votes I. Mr. James. Mr. James votes I. Mr. Bence. Mr. Ben votes I. Mrs. Houchin. Mrs. Hchin votes I. Mr. Fry. Mr. Fry. votes I. Miss Mr. Langworthy Mr. Langworthy votes I. Mr. Kane. Mr. Kane votes I. Mr. Roelly. Mr. Roelly votes I.
▶ 2:21:40Mr. Evans I. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Fedorch. I. Mrs. Fedorch votes I. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes no. Mr. Gette no. Mr. Get votes no. Mishakowski no. Mr. Shakowski votes no. Miss Matsulei. Miss Caster, no. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko, no. Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss Clark. Mr. Ruiz.
▶ 2:22:15No. Mr. Ruiz votes no. Mr. Peters. Mrs. Dingle. No. Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr. Mr. Vzy. Mr. Vzy votes no. Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly votes no. Miss Bagon. Miss Butteragon votes no. Mr. Sodto. Mr. Sodto votes I. Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Trean. No.
▶ 2:22:45Miss Trean votes no. Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher votes no. Mr. Kaziocortez, Mr. Aenclaus Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter, Mr. Carter, Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Mendez, Mr. Menendez votes no. Mr. Mullen, Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr.
▶ 2:23:14Lansman, Mr. Lansman votes I. Miss Mlen Miss Mlen votes no. Chairman Guthrie Chairman Guthrie votes I. Are there any say Mr. Fulture? Mr. Fulture is not recorded. Mr. Fulture votes I. Mr. Miss Clark. Sorry. Mr. Peters votes I. No. Miss. Clark votes no.
▶ 2:23:45Miss Trean. Miss Trey Han is off no and on I. Are there any other people wishing to vote or change their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will report.
▶ 2:24:32Chairman Guthrie, on that vote, there were 33 eyes and 16 nos. The eyes have it and the bill is adopted. The chair calls up HR 3157 and ask the clerk to report. HR 3157 a bill to amend the bill. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point. So order. Does anyone seek to be recognized on the bill? Mr. Chairman, for what purpose? A gentleman from New York seek recognition.
▶ 2:25:03Thank you very I'd like to to speak on my legislation. You are recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today we are considering my bill HR 3157, the State Energy Accountability Act. legislation that ensures state energy policies are transparent and that the public fully understands how these decisions may affect the reliability and affordability of their energy supply.
▶ 2:25:27Specifically, my bill would amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act or PEPA to add a new standard requiring state utility regulators to conduct and publish evaluations of the impact of their intermittent energy mandates. These evaluations must assess long-term resource adequacy, the ability to meet demand during extreme weather or peak load, rateayer impacts, and whether retiring base load plans can realistically be replaced by resources that the state is requiring.
▶ 2:25:58And and critically, these evaluations must be made public. Transparency is not a luxury. It's the minimum obligation policymakers and regulators owe to the people who will bear the cost and who depend on a reliable power grid. It's telling how many of our colleagues today have expressed concerns about the transparency of this legislation or other measures we're considering today would bring to state energy policies.
▶ 2:26:23It's almost seems as though they'd prefer to keep the public in the dark about real world consequences that come with radical rush to green mandates. Too often, policies and mandates in New York, California, and elsewhere are pushed forward in pursuit of ambitious climate goals without a thorough assessment of what their downstream impacts, particularly on the bulk power system, would be. The American people, no matter where they live, they deserve the unvarnished truth about these consequences.
▶ 2:26:54In my home state of New York, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or the CLCPA, is a case study in what happens when ambition and radical ideology ignore reality and practicality. It sets some of the most aggressive climate goals in the country, 100% zero emission electricity by 2024 and net zero emissions economywide by 2050. But here's the problem.
▶ 2:27:19There's no clear credible roadmap to get there without compromising grid reliability and affordability for millions of New Yorkers. Report after report from New York's ISO make it clear. Phase out of reliable base load resources like natural gas is outstripping the buildout of any viable replacement. On its current trajectory, New York is heading straight for a serious capacity shortfall, especially during winter peaks or extreme weather. This is life-threatening.
▶ 2:27:49And then there's the cost. New York's own climate action council has acknowledged implementation could run into the hundreds of billions of dollars. This is an economic burden that is already landing on the backs of families, small businesses, farmers, and seniors in my state. Americans deserve a clear understanding of how their energy policy decisions will impact their daily lives, their monthly bills, and their long-term quality of life.
▶ 2:28:17My bill, the State Energy Accountability Act, is so important that it doesn't ban renewable energy. It simply says if you're going to mandate it, you owe constituents the truth. So, I urge my colleagues to support this measure. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Gentlemen yields back. Is there further discussion on the Seeing none, roll call. Okay.
▶ 2:28:43Seeing none, there's no further A vote occurs on the bill on approving HR 3157. All those in favor say I. Excuse me. The roll call has been requested and the clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada. Mr. Griffith. Mr.
▶ 2:29:13Griffith votes I. Mr. Billis Mr. Billis votes I. Mr. Hudson, Mr. Carter, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Mr. Krenshaw votes I. Mr.
▶ 2:29:43Joyce Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen I. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fulture votes I. Mr. Fluger. Mrs. Harshburgger. Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Mrs. Miller Meeks. Mrs.
▶ 2:30:12Miller Meeks votes I. Mrs. Kamik Mrs. Kamik votes I. Mr. Oronult. Mr. Oronote votes I. Mr. James. Mr. James votes I. Mr. Bence. Mr. Bence votes I. Mrs. Houchin. Mrs. Howchin votes I. Mr. Fry. Mr. Fry votes I. Miss Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Mr. Langworthy votes I.
▶ 2:30:42Mr. Kane. Mr. Kane votes I. Mr. Roelly I. Mr. Roelly votes I. Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Forech. Mrs. Forech votes I. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes no. Mr. Gette. Mr. Dette votes no. No. Miss Shakowski votes no.
▶ 2:31:11Miss Miss Caster, no. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko, no. Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss Mr. Arise. Mr. Arise votes no. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr.
▶ 2:31:41Vzy, Mr. Vzy votes no. Miss Kelly, Miss Bagon, Miss Bagon votes no. Mr. Sodto, Mr. Sodto votes no. Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes no. Miss Treyan. Miss Trean votes no. Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher votes no. Miss Accaziocortez. Mr. Aenclaus. Mr. Mr. Rockenclaus votes no. Mr.
▶ 2:32:10Carter Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Mendez. Mr. Mendez votes no. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr. Lansman. Mr. Lansman votes no. Miss Mlullen. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes I. Is Mr. Carter recorded? Mr. Carter is not recorded. I. Mr. Lada. Mr. Ch Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. L. Mr. L is not recorded.
▶ 2:32:41Mr. L votes I. Miss Mlullen. Miss Mlullen is not recorded. Miss Mlullen votes no. Anyone here else seeking to answer the roll call? Seeing none, the clerk will Oh. Uh, before the clerk reports, Miss Clark. Miss Clark is not recorded. No. Miss Clark votes no. But seeing none others, the clerk will report.
▶ 2:33:26Chairman Guthrie, on that vote, there are 27 eyes and 20 nos. The eyes have it and the bill is adopted. The chair calls up HR 3628 and ask the clerk to report. HR 3628, a bill to amend public utility regulatory policies act. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point. So ordered does anyone seek to be recognized on the bill for a person and gentleman from Colorado seek recognition. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Move to strike last.
▶ 2:33:56You are recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Again, thank you Mr. Chairman and ranking member. It's an honor to once again be before my colleagues today and urge support for my bill, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act.
▶ 2:34:09This is a common sense measure that will help incentivize better energy policy in Colorado and across the nation and help states lower the financial burden that constituents like mine are facing by encouraging states to consider implementing policy that focuses on long-term energy reliability, which of course encourages uh affordability for working-class families. Countless folks in my district are working tirelessly tirelessly to put food on the table and achieve the American dream.
▶ 2:34:37But one of the biggest hurdles that my constituents are facing right now is skyrocketing utility costs. As I mentioned earlier this month when the bill was reported out of the subcommittee, Coloradoatans are paying 24% more in electricity costs now than they were just four years ago. This spike in electricity costs didn't materialize out of thin air or in a vacuum. It's the result of deliberate policy decisions made by my governor, the legislature, and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. But don't take my word for it.
▶ 2:35:07The Nonpartisan Common Sense Institute in Colorado released a report in January of this year on the future of electricity costs in Colorado. One of the big findings in this report reads, and I quote, "Driven by state policy mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electricity prices are projected to grow at more than three times the rate of inflation and nearly 13 times the growth rate from 2010 to 2020." The report goes on to project that by 2030, the average household will be spending $390
▶ 2:35:38to $504 more annually due to rates outpacing inflation and historic trends. All households combined will spend between 970 million and 1.25 billion more in electricity costs. And the average electric rate will grow by 56% from 12 cents a kilowatt hour to 18.4 cents a kilowatt hour. That's not partisan conjecture. Those are the cold hard facts that my constituents have to face.
▶ 2:36:06And these policies aren't just a threat to affordability for countless families across the country. They also jeopardized long-term reliability. In fact, as recently as two years ago, a major service provider in my district forecast a capacity shortage of more than 125 megawatts of power due to the premature retirement of base load dispatchable power. That's more than 25,000 homes worth of power.
▶ 2:36:30Just last month, I met with a company in my district that's doing cutting edge work to advance quantum computing technology and was recently recognized as a leader in that field. But they're told they told me they're being forced to move into a different building and pay substantially more in rent to be connected to an electrical substation directly because they literally could not keep the lights on in their current location due to frequent power outages. How can we beat China in areas like AI and quantum computing if we can't meet basic energy demand?
▶ 2:36:59And that's why my state planning for reliability and affordability act is so important. It takes a light touch and a regulatory approach to incentivizing utilities uh like the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to consider long-term reliability requirements that help bolster and support American innovation, keep the lights on rain and shine, and reduce utility bills for working families.
▶ 2:37:22That way, when weighing policies that impact energy reliability, these entities have to take thoughtful stakeholder feedback into account before making their decision. And this bill doesn't just support traditional fuels. It supports all sources of reliable power from natural gas to nuclear generation to battery storage. I'm proud that my district continues to remain at the forefront of American energy dominance with continued investments in all types of safe, affordable, and reliable electricity generation.
▶ 2:37:51Generation that's critical to meeting the demands of future and which Congress is uh encouraging states to prioritize long-term reliability. That's what my bill does and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this common sense bill and yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there discussion on the bill? Do gentle lady from Colorado is recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Just just like in the subcommittee, I feel like I have to really correct the record on on a lot of things my colleague uh to the north has said.
▶ 2:38:21This bill defines reliable energy as operating on a continuous basis for at least 30 days with an adequate fuel or continuously available energy source on site. Defining reliable energy in these terms implies that renewable energy is less reliable and more expensive, neither of which are true. Just because a source is defined as intermittent does not mean that a system with a lot of those resources is not reliable. That's just not correct.
▶ 2:38:49The nonpartisan think state think tank from Colorado RMI published a report saying that grid reliability is not defined by the energy source itself but rather how the grid functions collectively. Reliability is achieved through a multi-pronged approach of diversifying the energy sources on the grid which includes wind, solar and other renewables.
▶ 2:39:14two, adding more inter regional transmission to reinforce the grid, and three, reinforcing energy efficiency. In other words, a grid that has more generation from a diverse array of sources and is more interconnected to neighboring grids ensures that there's enough power to meet demand and to be nimble enough to dispatch power where it is most needed during peak times or outages. My colleague talks about this company in his district that had to move buildings.
▶ 2:39:44That's not a problem with source. That's a problem with inadequate interconnection and that's something we need to work on. If we bring more renewable energy under the grid, that will only help increase reliability. And and I want to remind you what I said when we marked up the bill in subcommittee.
▶ 2:40:04The Texas power outages during the winter storms in 2021 were not caused by renewables, but inadequately weatherized power plants and natural gas plants. The pipes froze. That's what happened. And in fact, in Texas during that time, renewables outperformed grid operator forecasts during 90% of the blackout. We've established this bill's claim that clean energy being unreliable is false. So, let's let's turn to the claim that it's more um expensive.
▶ 2:40:35During the subcommittee markup and again today, my colleague cited that in our home state, Colorado's electricity costs rose by 24% in four years. So, I want to set the record straight and this is really important. That statistic includes natural gas. It includes natural gas.
▶ 2:40:56In fact, the independent think tank energy innovation concluded that the volatility of fossil fuels is the contributing factor to the rising prices in that period. Nationally, the states most reliant on fossil fuels, as well as states that were vulnerable to wildfire during this period, as Colorado was, saw the highest spikes in utility prices between 2021 and 2024.
▶ 2:41:23So, utility bill increases are a crisis, but they're not a crisis caused by renewable energy. As recently as earlier as this year, Excel Energy, the largest utility in our state, announced that utility bills would increase in March due to the increasing cost of natural gas.
▶ 2:41:43If the goal is to achieve reliability and affordability, then my friends across the aisle shouldn't fight to defund clean energy projects and get the clean energy tax credits in the IRA and IIGJ. Repealing existing energy tax credits is only going to increase cumulative household energy costs.
▶ 2:42:03Just in our home state, for example, all Coloradoans would see a cumulative energy cumulative increase in household energy costs of $1.6 billion through 2035. The state planning for reliability and afford affordability act creates a definition that achieves neither reliable nor affordable energy.
▶ 2:42:25And and so therefore, I really suggest that we spend our time trying to work on the grid, trying to work on on um on renewables and trying to work on a diverse energy portfolio that focuses on reliability and affordability for consumers. With that, I yield back. Gentle lady yields back. Is there further discussion? Dr. Ruiz is recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:42:54Uh we can get to energy reliability and affordability through renewable energy and protect public health, creating good paying jobs and strengthening our national security. Uh in my district, including the Coachella and Imperial Valley's, fossil fuel pollution is a daily reality. We have some of the worst air quality in the nation and our children suffer from high asthma rates. The American Lung Association has given Riverside County an F for air pollution.
▶ 2:43:21Our energy future should not rely only on fossil fuels to meet demand. This bill uh HR 362A, the state planning for reliability and affordability act, however, requires states to consider traditional fossil fuel generation in their integrated resource planning by including a definition of quote reliable generation facility that virtually excludes clean energy. This bill drags us backwards.
▶ 2:43:46It's another way to uh put more barriers ahead of renewable energy. And renewable energy with battery energy storage uh can get us to that full 247 reliability. Solar, wind, and geothermal paired with modern transmission and grids scale battery storage supported by lithium from places like Lithium Valley in my district can provide consistent power 247.
▶ 2:44:14In fact, there's a recent report uh released June this month of 2025 from Lassard level cost of energy analysis that showed that solar and wind energy are cheaper than electricity from fossil fuel plants in the United States. So, they reduce emissions, they reduce our energy bills, they create jobs and lessen our dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets.
▶ 2:44:43Still, some want to cut funding for programs that make this clean energy future possible. They seek to undo investments from the inflation reduction act. Investments that advance battery innovation, clean energy, and public health protections. We cannot afford to roll back progress. These investments must be preserved and expanded to modernize our grid and protect high-risisk communities, not hampered by funding cuts. This conversation is about more than electricity as well.
▶ 2:45:11It's about health, opportunity, energy, and dependence. We know that with the volatile situation in Iran, uh we are dependent oftent times with non-friendly countries for our fossil fuel and oil. So, we can have energy reliability and protect the public's health. We don't need to sacrifice people's health.
▶ 2:45:36We have the technology and federal resources to power our country with clean renewable energy, not just today, but for generations to come. What we need is the courage and the political will to do the right thing and invest in it. So I oppose this bill and I urge a no vote. I yield back. Gentleman yells back. Is there further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, are there any amendments?
▶ 2:46:02Seeing none of the question now occurs on approving HR 3628. All a roll call has been requested and the clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada. Mr. Lada votes I. Mr. Griffith I. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr.
▶ 2:46:32Billis, Mr. Billis votes I. Mr. Hudson, Mr. Carter, I Mr. Carter Boats I Mr. Palmer. Mr.
▶ 2:47:02Dunn, Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Krenshaw votes I. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber Mr. Weber votes I Mr. Allen.
▶ 2:47:33Mr. Balderson Mr. Balderson votes I Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fulture votes I. Mr. Fluger. Mrs. Harshburgger. Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs.
▶ 2:48:03Miller Meeks. Mrs. Miller Meeks votes I. Mrs. Kamik Mr. Obernalty Mr. Obernalty votes I Mr. James. Mr.
▶ 2:48:32James votes I. Mr. Bence Mr. Vence votes I. Mrs. Hchin Mrs. Howchin votes I. Mr. Fry Mr. Fry votes I. Miss Lee.
▶ 2:49:05Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Mr. Langworthy votes I. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Kain votes I. Mr. Roelly I. Mr. Roelly votes I. Mr. Evans I. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes I.
▶ 2:49:37Mrs. Mrs. Fedorek. Mrs. Fedorek votes I. Mr. Palone no. Mr. Palone votes no. Missette Mr. Get votes no. Micowski no. Miss Shakowski votes no. Miss Matsulei. Miss Caster. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko no. Mr. Tonko votes no.
▶ 2:50:05Miss Clark Miss Clark votes no. Mr. Ruiz Mr. Ruiz votes no. Mr. Peters Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr. Vzy Mr. Vzy votes no. Miss Kelly no. Miss Kelly votes no. Miss Bagon. Miss Bagon votes no. Mr. Sodto Mr. Sodto votes no. Miss Shrier Miss Shrier votes no.
▶ 2:50:32Miss Trean Miss Treyan votes no. Miss Fletcher Miss Fletcher votes no. Mr. Kaziocortez Mr. Aenclaus Mr. Aenclaus votes no. Mr. Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Mendez. Mr. Mendez votes no. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr. Lansman. Mr.
▶ 2:51:01Lansman Mr. Lansman votes no. Miss Mlullen Miss Mcclullen votes no. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes I. Mr. Hudson is not recorded. Mr. Hudson votes I. Did Mr. La vote? Mr. L is recorded as I. How was Miss Matsui recorded? Miss Matsui is not recorded.
▶ 2:51:31Miss Matsui votes no. The clerk will report. Mr. Joyce, on that vote, there are 25 eyes and 23 nos. The eyes have it.
▶ 2:52:10The chair calls up HR 3657 and asks the clerk to report HR 3657, a bill to amend the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to annually. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point. So ordered. Does anyone seek recognition? Uh the gentle lady from Washington, Dr. Shrier is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 2:52:38Uh I have an amend amendment in Ames at the desk titled Status Report_01. The clerk will report Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 3657 offered by Miss Shrier. Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following.
▶ 2:53:09Section one, short title. This act may be cited as the hydro power licensing transparency act. Section two, annual licensing. Without objection, the reading amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady is recognized for five minutes in support of her amendment. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 2:53:27Chairman, uh, as a member of this committee from the Pacific Northwest, where hydro power makes up the majority of our energy mix, I am very proud to lead this effort to enhance transparency and help streamline the non-federal hydropower licensing process with my colleague from Idaho, Representative Fulture.
▶ 2:53:47This bill will support the proper permitting of clean, abundant, affordable energy by allowing Congress, tribes, resource agencies, and rateayers to better track the status of the licensing process for new and existing hydropower license Uh, every 30 to 50 years, hydropower dams must rellicens their dams with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or FK in order to continue operating a facility.
▶ 2:54:18And hydropower dams in my district are critical to keeping the lights on and the power flowing. And several, including the Rock Island Dam at Chalan County PUB, are due for relicicensing at the end of 2028. Now, this relicensing process is typically very lengthy, in part for good reason. The public comment period needs to be robust for all parties to weigh in.
▶ 2:54:42Without that input, we risk potentially devastating environmental consequences on regional ecosystems. Now, with rellicensing activity set to double in the coming decade, and the process typically taking 7 to 10 years to complete, there are crucial reforms needed to cut red tape without compromising this careful consideration. Otherwise, we could risk not having affordable accessible power when we need it.
▶ 2:55:11So, this amendment that I'm introducing adds new licenses to the annual reporting, which are the most sensitive to licensing costs and delays. Existing projects have a revenue stream to pull from that allows the lency to fund these processes, but new projects are completely sourced by developers. So, this common sense bipartisan bill takes the first step by enhancing transparency and tracking progress on any given relicensing process for all parties involved.
▶ 2:55:42I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on comprehensive bipartisan relicensing reform. and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back. The gentle lady yields. Is there any additional discussion on the amendment? Mr. Chairman, uh, gentleman is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of the ANSHR 3657 by my colleague, Representative Shrier of Washington.
▶ 2:56:10The state of this bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission report annually on a progress it is making on getting hydro power facilities licensed and relicensed. Despite increased demands for a reliable and clean energy like hydro, FK has not demonstrated an ability to license and relic its facilities in a timely manner. For that reason, more congressional oversight is needed.
▶ 2:56:37This bill will help us address potential obstacles to the licensing process while streamlining that process. Mr. Chairman and members, I urge and support passage. Yield back. Gentleman yields. Is anyone additionally? The gentle lady from Florida is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk labeled The clerk will report the amendment to the amendment.
▶ 2:57:08the gentle lady please repeat that? Amendment to the amendment and the nature of a substitute to HR 3657 offered by Miss Caster.
▶ 2:57:38page line page one line 12 insert and four each subsequent license without objection the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady is recognized for five minutes in support of the amendment to the amendment and the substitute. Thank you Mr. Chairman. First of all I want to commend Congresswoman Shrier and Congressman Holter for their bipartisan work on this bill which can hopefully help inform conversations about hydropower licensing.
▶ 2:58:04I also want to thank Chairman Guthri's uh professional staff who've been able to work together with us in a bipartisan way on this bill. I just wish we were able to work together on more things uh in a bipartisan fashion uh as we move forward.
▶ 2:58:19My amendment simply makes technical and conforming changes to Representative Shrier's amendment based on technical assistance from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to make sure that the report required by the bill would catch smaller hydropower dams undergoing the relicensing process and dams operated by tribal nations. I urge support of this amendment and hope uh we can voice vote it unanimously. I yield back the balance of my time.
▶ 2:58:48Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the vote occurs on the amendment. All those in favor shall signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay. The eyes have it. the the the vote will now occur on the uh amendment in the substitute.
▶ 2:59:28All those in favor of the amendment in the sub nature of the substitute will respond by saying I. All those opposed, nay. The eyes have it and the amendment is uh agreed upon. The question now occurs on approving HR 3657 as amended. All those in favor say I. Call. A roll. A roll call has been requested. The clerk will call the role.
▶ 3:00:03Mr. Lada. Mr. La votes I. Mr. Griffith Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Billis Mr. Hudson Mr. Carter Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Dunn.
▶ 3:00:34Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Joyce Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fulture votes I.
▶ 3:01:05Mr. Fluger Mrs. Harshburgger Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Miller Mrs. Kamik. Mrs. Kamik votes I. Mr. Orenalty. Mr. Orenalty votes I. Mr. James I. Mr. James votes I. Mr. events.
▶ 3:01:38Mrs. Houchen Mrs. Houchin votes I. Mr. Fry. Mr. Fry votes I. Miss Lee. Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Langworthy votes I. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Kane votes I. Mr. Roelly. Mr. Rouley votes I. Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans votes I.
▶ 3:02:09Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Fedorich. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes I. Mr. Get Mr. Get votes I. Micowski. Micowski votes I. Miss Matsui. I. Miss Matsule votes I. Miss Caster. Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko I. Mr.
▶ 3:02:38Tonko votes I. Miss. Clark I. Miss. Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes I. Mr. Vzy. Mr. Vzy votes I. Miss. Kelly. Miss. Kelly votes I. Miss Bagon. Miss Bedagon votes I. Mr. Sodto. Mr. Sodto votes I. Miss Shrier.
▶ 3:03:08Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Trey. Miss. Trayanne votes I. Miss. Fletcher. Miss. Fletcher votes I. Mr. Kaziocortez. Mr. Alenclass. Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Mr. Carter votes I. Mr. Mendez. Mr. Mendez votes I. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Lansman Mr. Lansman votes I. Miss Mlullen. Miss Mlullen votes I.
▶ 3:03:38Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes I. How's Mr. Hudson recorded? Mr. Hudson is not recorded. Mr. Hudson votes I. How's Miss Fedorch? Recorded. Miss Fedorch is not recorded. Miss Fedorch votes I. How's Mr. Krenshaw recorded? Mr. Mr. Crunchaw is not recorded. Mr. Grshaw votes I. Does anyone else wish to be recorded?
▶ 3:04:10The clerk will report. She thought she was
▶ 3:04:54Mr. Joyce, on that vote, there are 47 eyes and zero nos. The eyes have it and the bill is adopted. The chair calls up HR 3015 and ask the clerk to report. HR 3015, a bill to reestablish the National Coal Council and the Department of Energy to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on matters related to coal and the coal industry.
▶ 3:05:24Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point so ordered. Does anyone seek to be recognized on the bill? Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Gentleman is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I sit here in support of HR301. This is a bill that's going to save the coal industry and it's going to help protect the American grid. Coal is crucial for US energy security. Previous administrations have stood by coal.
▶ 3:05:54The previous administration, however, waged a war against coal, harming our grid and putting us at at jeopardy, putting thousands of jobs at stake, raising energy costs for millions of Americans. We saw this in Ohio 6 with the closure of the Samis plant. We had 600 people go out of work. The grid was in jeopardy. Coal plants are affected by this administration, last administration's move.
▶ 3:06:18The Biden administration went so far as reworking the National Coal Council to fit radical Green New Deal agendas before killing it completely. President Trump and the Department of Energy have called for the reestablishment of the National Coal Council to help unleash American energy. The DOE officially reestablished the National Coal Council on June 16th, but HR 3015 is needed to ensure that the National Coal Council is set into law.
▶ 3:06:47The National Coal Council will cement American energy dominance, increase domestic production, improve conditions for workers, strengthen industrial base, support thousands of jobs. when all we have to do is when we look at the opposition party and we see a philos philosophical change where we're actually going to support countries like Russia and Germany and China and Indian India where they are building brand new coal plants every single month and these coal plants are not to the
▶ 3:07:17EPA standards that we are used to in the United States of America. So for the love of God let's protect the coal industry. Let's move forward. It was only three Christmases ago that we were within two hours of the entire American grid melting down. We saw this and we have to protect coal. We have to make sure that when the grid needs more and they call up these power plants to give it everything they got that the coal industry is still online. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 3:07:51Are there any amendments to be Mr. Palone is recognized. I have an amendment, Mr. Chairman, at the desk labeled FC_HR3015_28. The clerk will report the amendment. Amendment to HR3015 offered by Mr. Palone. At the end, insert the following C. Limitation. This act shall not take effect if the Secretary of Energy has published notes.
▶ 3:08:19Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentleman is recognized for five minutes in support of his amendment. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I appreciate the sponsor's enthusiasm that I just heard, but I mean, the bottom line is that um exactly one week ago, the Department of Energy noticed in the Federal Register that it was bringing back the National Coal Council. Um I don't know if we just, you know, you guys just missed the notice, Mr.
▶ 3:08:47chairman, but DOE wrote a letter to Chairman Guthrie. I've got it right here. I'd ask unanimous consent that it be introduced into the record. And it makes Oops. Is that okay? Okay. I mean, the letter makes clear that the DOE has reestablished the National Coal Council and has issued it a new charter. Well, I I mean, you'd think that would be it. We We don't need to do this bill because it's already happened.
▶ 3:09:14But just in case um the Republicans aren't willing to do that and want to move on with this bill, which is totally unnecessary, uh my amendment would make clear uh because that uh why we don't need to keep talking about it. But if you want to, the amendment would ensure that the bill doesn't go into effect if DOE has published a notice that it's reestablishing the call council in the last year, which it has.
▶ 3:09:40So I don't know why we're doing this other than from I guess a message point of view. Now if somebody's going to say that uh this bill is necessary so that a future president can can't shut down the coal council in the future. I mean the bill doesn't do that but let's say they do. Uh all advisory councils are subject to a 2-year lifespan. That's the law.
▶ 3:10:03So if you really wanted to make it beyond the two years, you would have to change the law to say that, you know, these advisory councils are permanent. But right now, the bill accomplishes nothing because the council's back in. It's in for the rest of the two-year term, and the gentleman's bill doesn't make it permanent. Uh so I don't know why we're even doing the bill. But in any case, let me get to the larger point.
▶ 3:10:27um that uh I think it's kind of crazy that we're here talking about the National Coal Council during a week when grid operators up and down the East Coast are desperate for any source of electricity they can find. Marginal power prices reached well over $1,000 per megawatt hour multiple times yesterday in PJM, the power market that we're sitting in right now. And coincidentally, PGM has extraordinarily little solar energy on its grid. A vanishing small amount.
▶ 3:10:57Every power plant of any sort that could have been built would have been tremendously useful this week. But Republicans don't want to talk about how to connect more power plants to the grid. If they did, they would have marked up ranking member Casters bill to speed the interconnection process. They just want to talk about expensive natural gas and coal plants. You know what else would have been useful? offshore wind would have been very useful, but Republicans are dead set on banning it for reasons that even the Secretary of Energy struggled to defend when he was here two weeks ago.
▶ 3:11:27So, our committee is in charge of energy policy, but Republicans are sitting here debating how to add more fossil fuels to the grid while our constituents and communities are overheating and struggling to cool their homes. And we should be talking about what we can do to bring any sort of relief for reliability and for affordability for our constituents. But instead, we're talking about bringing back the National Coal Council, which has already been brought back. I I I think it's absurd, and I hope everyone notices, you know, what Republicans are prioritizing.
▶ 3:11:58And so, I urge members to support my amendment, and I yield back. Mr. Chairman, is there any additional discussion on the amendment? Mr. Mr. Chairman, gentleman from Ohio is recognized. Mr. Chairman, I seek to be recognized to strike the last word in opposition to this amendment. Gentleman is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh let's start off. Let's refer to uh my good friends at Greenpeace who adamantly are opposed to offshore wind mills because they kill the whales.
▶ 3:12:26And also the first day of President Biden's administration, he shut down one of the most crucial pipelines in the country. So there is a reason why we have to have things permanent into law. This amendment would essentially nullify the underlying legislation by stating it cannot take by stating it cannot go into effect if the DOE has reestablished the coal council within a year prior to the date of enactment which the Trump DOE has done.
▶ 3:12:52My legislation makes the coal council permanent by removing a requirement that council recharters every two years. It rightfully codifies the council to provide long-term certainty and expertise to all administrations that come in the future. The National Coal Council should be permanent and not subject to any political whims of any executive branches in the future. I urge all my colleagues for a no vote on this amendment and I yield back. Gentleman yields.
▶ 3:13:21The gentle lady from California is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the last word and speak in support of the amendment. The gentle lady is recognized. Uh, let's be honest. This whole markup is a love affair or love letter to fossil fuels. My Republican colleagues like to dress up their intentions and face phrases like energy security and reliability. But this is all cover for a backward obsession with dirty fossil fuels and an irrational hatred of clean energy.
▶ 3:13:50My colleagues like to site NERK's summer reliability assessment to claim we are facing a reliability crisis driven by renewables. But the truth is that's not what the 2025 summer reliability assessment says. California leads the country in clean energy development. But NERK gives California high marks for having sufficient energy reserves. Rather, it's Texas, the Midwest, and the plain states that are unprepared to meet the summer energy demand.
▶ 3:14:19In fact, Nerk says batteries are saving Texas grid. I quote, "Lower risk is attributed to a near doubling of battery energy storage capacity and improve energy availability from new battery storage and operational rules. In fact, across the country, NERK expects new solar and battery resources additions to provide over 35 gawatt in peak capacity this summer. Let that sink in.
▶ 3:14:49Solar and batteries are driving an increase in peak capacity of the grid. Batteries have reduced the likelihood of a grid emergency in Texas by 12% since last year. Renewables are helping improve reliability. Renewables are meeting rising energy demand. So, let's be honest. This isn't about reliability. It's about favoring fossil fuels over renewables.
▶ 3:15:13It's the same old politics, the same old climate denialism, the same old irrational hatred of clean energy. It's time to leave that in the past and build cleaner, cheaper, reliable energy. And with that, I yield back. Will the gentleoman yield? Will you yield? Yes, I yield to the Um, thank you. I I thought I heard my colleague site to Greenpeace. Can I ask if if you if that was accurate? Was it Greenpeace?
▶ 3:15:42Yeah, Green Peace actually sent the buds out on Cape Cod. I have the videos. We could meet after that. Thank you. I just wanted I just wanted to confirm Green Peace because I heard Green Peace. Green Peace. Just I want to I want to just for the record save the whales. I just I just want to for the record and in fairness to Greenpeace tell you all what Greenpeace thinks about coal. Okay. They don't support coal. So they wouldn't support this.
▶ 3:16:06And so to use Greenpeace to say, "Oh, well Greenpeace doesn't support this." The subject of this amendment is coal, which is one of the dirtiest sources of energy we have. And we know that it impacts uh low-income communities and communities of color pay the price for coal pollution. They have done that for decades. Okay. With higher rates of asthma, heart disease, and early death.
▶ 3:16:28So, if you're going to site to Greenpeace, uh why don't we fairly sight to their position on the underlying bill, which is coal, which they don't support, and know that it pollutes the air. The other thing that was raised was cost. Cost and consumers. Yet, this is the same party that's about to pass a reconciliation bill that's going to raise costs for consumers and households um because they're taking away all these clean energy tax credits.
▶ 3:16:58So, um I support the amendment. I think it's duplicative. Um and I think that the citation to Green Peace was was not in fairness. they also would I think support the elimination of coal and moving away from that. Um but in this with this amendment rather with this um council it's already been done. There is really no need. It's completely duplicative and it ignores Cole's harmful public health impacts. With that I yel back to the gentleoman.
▶ 3:17:28I yield back. The gentle lady yields. Is there any additional discussion on the Seeing none, for a roll call, a roll call has been requested and the clerk will uh call the role. Mr. La, no. Mr. La votes no. Mr. Griffith, no. Mr. Griffith votes no. Mr. Bill Rockis. Mr. Hudson.
▶ 3:17:58Mr. Hudson votes no. Mr. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mr. Carter of Georgia votes no. Mr. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce votes no. Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes no. Mr. Allen.
▶ 3:18:34Mr. Allen votes no. Mr. Balderson Mr. Balderson votes no. Mr. Fulier. Mr. Fluger. Mr. Fluger votes no. Mrs. Mrs. Harshburgger votes no. Mrs. Miller Mrs. Kamik. Mrs. Kamik votes no. Mr. Obernulti Mr. Oberoni votes no. Mr. James no.
▶ 3:19:05Mr. James votes no. Mr. Bence Mrs. Houchin Mrs. Houchin votes no. Mr. Mr. Fry votes no. Miss Lee Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Langworthy votes no. Mr. Kain. Mr. Kane votes no. Mr. Roelly Mr. Roelly votes no. Mr.
▶ 3:19:33Evans Mr. Goldman Mr. Goldman votes no. Mrs. Fedorch Mrs. Fedorch votes no. Mr. Mr. Palone votes I. Mr. Gette. Mr. Gette votes I. Miss Shakowski I. Miss Shakowski votes I. Miss Matsui Miss Matsui votes I.
▶ 3:20:03Miss Caster I. Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko I. Mr. Tonko votes I. Miss Clark I. Miss Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Dingle. Mr. Mr. Vzy Mr. Vzy votes I.
▶ 3:20:31Miss Kelly Miss Kelly votes I. Miss Bagon Miss Bagon votes I. Mr. Sodto Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Treyan. Miss Treanne votes I. Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher votes I. Miss. Okasiocortez. Mr. Oenclaus, Mr.
▶ 3:21:00Oenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter of Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes I. Mr. Mr. Menendez votes I. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Lansman. Mr. Lansman votes I. M. Mcclullen. M. Mcclullen votes I. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes no.
▶ 3:21:31Mrs. Miller Meeks is not recorded. How is Mr. Dunn? Mrs. Miller Meeks votes no. How is Mr. Dunn reported? Mr. Dunn is not recorded. How is Mr. Dunn votes no. How is Mr. Bellarakus reported? Mr. Biller Rockus is not recorded. Mr. Biller Rockus votes no. How is Mr. Fulture reported? Mr.
▶ 3:21:51Fulture is not Does anyone else wish to be recognized? Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter of Georgia is recorded as no. The clerk will report the result.
▶ 3:22:30Mr. Chairman, on that vote there are 21 eyes and 25 nos. The amendment is not agreed to. Are there any further amendments? Seeing none, the question now occurs on approving HR3015. Um, a roll call vote has been requested. The clerk will call the role. Mr. La, Mr. La votes I. Mr. Griffith, Mr.
▶ 3:23:01Griffith votes I. Mr. Bill Rockus. Mr. Bill Rockus votes I. Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson votes I. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Hi. Mr. Carter of Georgia votes I. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Dunn. I Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Mr. Krenshaw votes I. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce votes I.
▶ 3:23:31Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. I. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Mr. Balderson Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture Mr. Fluger Mr. Fluger votes I. Mrs. Harshburgger Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Miller Meeks Mrs. Miller Meeks votes I. Mrs. Mrs.
▶ 3:24:01Kamik votes I. Mr. Obernulti Mr. Obernolulti votes I. Mr. James Mr. James votes I. Mr. Benz Mrs. Houchin Mrs. Houchin votes I. Mr. Fry Mr. Fry votes I. Miss Lee. Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Langworthy votes I. Mr. Kaine.
▶ 3:24:32Mr. Roelly. Mr. Roelly votes I. Mr. Evans, Mr. Goldman, Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Mrs. Fedor votes I. Mr. Palone, Mr. Palone votes no. Mr. Get Mr. Get votes no. Miss Shakowski, no. Miss Shakowski votes no. Miss Matsui, no.
▶ 3:25:01Miss Matsui votes no. Miss Caster. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko, no. Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss. Clark. Miss. Clark votes no. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes no. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle. Mr. Vzy.
▶ 3:25:32Miss. Kelly. Miss Bagon. Miss Kelly votes no. Miss Bagon. Mr. Sodto. Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes no. Miss Trean. Miss Trean votes no. Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher votes no.
▶ 3:26:02Miss Mr. OkenClaus, Mr. Oenclaus votes no. Mr. Carter of Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes no. Mr. Mr. Mendez votes no. Mr. Mullen, Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr. Lansman, Mr. Lansman votes no. Miss McClen, Miss McClen votes no.
▶ 3:26:30Chairman Guthrie Chairman Guthrie votes I. Mr. Kaine is not recorded. Mr. Kane votes I Mr. VZ is not recorded. Mr. Vzy votes no. Does anyone else wish to be recorded? The clerk.
▶ 3:27:12Mr. Chairman, on that vote, there are 25 eyes and 20 nos. The amendment is adopted. The the chair calls up HR 3617 and asks the clerk to report. I'm The bill is adopted. The chair now calls up HR 3617 and asks the clerk to report. HR 3617, a bill to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply.
▶ 3:27:43Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point. So ordered. The chair has an amendment. the nature of a substitute at the desk. The clerk will report the amendment amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 3617 offered by Mr. Joyce.
▶ 3:28:11Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following. Without objection, the reading the amendment is dispensed with. Does anyone seek to be recognized on the amendment of the AIS? Mr. James is Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk amendment nature substitute.
▶ 3:28:37Today we have an opportunity to advance a bold transformative vision for our nation's energy future through my securing America's critical mineral supply act. This bill is a bold step toward ensuring the United States leads energy innovation, security, and independence. The Securing America's Critical Mineral Supply Act redefineses critical energy resource to empower the Department of Energy with a clear mandate to secure the supply of minerals essential to our energy sector.
▶ 3:29:08This is an important first step to ensure that the Department of Energy is clearly focused on our country's critical energy resources. This bill truly could not come at a more crucial time for our for our country. Adversaries such as China currently control over 80% of global rare earth refining capacity and Russia has about 44% of the world's uranium enrichment capacity supplying some 35% of the US imports for nuclear fuel.
▶ 3:29:34According to the Department of Energy, if we are serious about having an all- above energy approach, we must find a way to produce these critical energy minerals domestically. My bill puts us one step closer to doing that. My legislation directs the DOE to conduct ongoing assessments of supply chain vulnerabilities, develop strategies to strengthen domestic production, and invest in innovative technologies.
▶ 3:29:57It equips our nation to counter anti-competitive tactics and human rights abuses in global markets, ensuring America's energy systems are resilient, self-reliant, and humane. This is about unleashing American energy, powering our factories, fueling innovation, and securing our future. The securing America's critical mineral supply act is a cornerstone for reshoring manufacturing, reducing dependence on foreign dictators and desperates, and building an energyindependent America.
▶ 3:30:27I urge my colleagues to support this bill and unleash the full potential of American energy. That yield, Mr. Chairman. Gentleman yields. The gentleman from California is recognized. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I want to emphasize a very simple truth. If we are serious about securing America's energy future, and we must be serious about securing our critical mineral supply These minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are the building blocks of our modern economy.
▶ 3:30:57They power the batteries in our electric vehicles, stabilize our grid through energy storage, and support everything from cell phones to national defense systems. In my district in Southern California, we sit on top of one of the largest untapped lithium reserves in North America, right in the heart of Imperial County's lithium valley.
▶ 3:31:15This is an opportunity not just to meet global demand, but to do it the right way, creating good paying jobs, boosting local economies, and investing in clean energy innovation right here at home. But here's the bottom line. Mineral extraction alone is not enough. If we want to lead the future, we must build, we must refine, we must manufacture right here in the United States.
▶ 3:31:42And that means making full use of the historic investments Congress already passed, like those in the inflation reduction act and the bipartisan infrastructure law. These laws are about security. They are about competitiveness. The IRA contains billions of dollars to support battery innovation, domestic processing, and the creation of entire supply chains from extraction to production to recycling.
▶ 3:32:09Yet, instead of building on this progress, Republicans are rolling back these very investments. They're trying to repeal our or gut key IRA funding that supports domestic battery innovation, clean energy tax credits, and American manufacturing. These cuts would sabotage our momentum, leave us dependent on adversaries like China, and delay the benefits that communities like mine are starting to see.
▶ 3:32:39We cannot afford to play politics with our energy future. So instead of pushing bills like HR 3617, which don't actually invest in critical minerals, and that in fact confuse and dilute DOE's ongoing efforts related to critical mineral supply chains, the majority should instead focus on increasing funding for the very programs they are seeking to shut down.
▶ 3:33:03HR 3617 doesn't actually strengthen critical mineral supply chains and it leaves a door open for fossil fuels like coal to benefit from efforts to strengthen critical mineral supply chains. Another backdoor entry for fossil fuel. If we are serious about strengthening the American supply chain, we need to defend and expand the tools that actually make it possible. Let's invest in our future, not retreat from it.
▶ 3:33:30I oppose uh the amendment and the bill. I urge a no vote. Thank you and I yield back. The gentleman yields. The question now occurs on approving the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? No. The eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of the substitute is adopted. The question now occurs on approving HR 3617. Uh a roll call vote has been requested. The clerk will call the role.
▶ 3:34:00Mr. Lada. I Mr. La votes I. Mr. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Billis. Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson votes I. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mr. Carter of Georgia votes I. Mr. Palmer. I. Mr. Palmer votes I. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Krenshaw.
▶ 3:34:33Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. I. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fluger. Mr. Fluger votes I. Mrs. Mrs. Harshburgger Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs.
▶ 3:35:01Miller Mrs. Kamik Mrs. Kamik votes I. Mr. Obernulti Mr. Obernoli votes I. Mr. James. Mr. James votes I. Mr. Benz Mrs. Hchen Mr. Fry. Mr. Fry votes I. Miss Lee.
▶ 3:35:32Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Roelly. Mr. Roelly votes I. Mr. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Fedorek. Mrs. Fedorch votes I. Mr. Palone Mr. Palone votes no. Mr. Dette Mr.
▶ 3:36:02Get votes no. Miss Shakowski. Miss Shakowski votes no. Miss Matsui no. Miss Matsui votes no. Miss Caster. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko. No. Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss. Clark. Miss. Clark votes no. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes no. Mr. Peters.
▶ 3:36:33Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle. Mr. Vzy. Mr. Vzy votes no. Miss. Kelly. Miss. Kelly votes no. Miss Bagon. Miss Bagon votes no. Mr. Sodto, Miss Shrier, Miss Shrier votes no. Miss Trey, Miss Trean votes no.
▶ 3:37:03Miss Fletcher, Miss Fletcher votes no. Miss Mr. Oenclaus, no. Mr. Oenclaus votes no. Mr. Carter of Louisiana. Mr. Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes no. Mr. Mendez Mr. Menendez votes no. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr. Lansman Mr. Lansman votes no.
▶ 3:37:34M. Mlen. M. Mcclullen votes no. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes I. How's the gentle lady from Indiana Mrs. Hin votes I. How's the gentleman from New Jersey reported? Gentleman is not recorded. Does anyone else wish to be recorded?
▶ 3:38:07The clerk will report. Mr. Chairman, on that vote, there were 23 eyes and 21 nos. The eyes have it. The bill is adopted.
▶ 3:38:37Chair calls up HR 30. The Chair calls up HR 3109 and ask the clerk to report HR 3109 bill to require the Secretary of Energy. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point so ordered. Does anyone seek to be recognized on The gentleman for what purpose does the gentleman seek recognition?
▶ 3:39:07Strike the last word in support. Five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I uh like to speak in support of my legislation HR 3109, the refiner act. Over the last several years, the United States refining capacity has contracted. Well, some of this capa capacity loss has been due to external factors, state and sometimes federal policy that made it more and more difficult to operate within certain This is not a new problem.
▶ 3:39:37Our nation's last major US refiner was built in 1977, almost 50 years ago. And at this time, we need more refining capacity, not less. Not only has incre only has this increased the price at the pump during peak demand seasons, but has also increased fuel dependency on non US sources for areas like the West Coast that are supply constrained.
▶ 3:40:03This increasing dependence runs counter to the policy goals of this administration and needs of our nation. My legislation researching efficient federal improvements for necessary energy refining or refiner act will help increase energy refining capacity in the United States. This very simple legislation requires the collection of critical information including identifying factors leading to low refining capacity.
▶ 3:40:31With that information, the National Petroleum Council will submit a report to the Secretary of Energy and Congress presenting recommendations to expand refining capacity, ensure an abundance of afford affordable and reliable energy in the United States. I'm disappointed that none of my Democratic colleagues join me in introducing this legislation or supporting it through subcommittee markup.
▶ 3:40:55is important to note that this bill has been historically support been supported and passed through this committee on a bipartisan basis. Simply put, again, we need more refining capacity in this country, not less. And my legislation helps that effort. I urge my colleagues support the legislation and Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. The gentleman yields. Is there any additional discussion on the legislation? Seeing none, a roll call vote has been requested.
▶ 3:41:24The clerk will call the role. Mr. La. Mr. La votes I. Mr. Griffith. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Billis. Mr. Hudson. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mr. Carter of Georgia votes I. Mr. Mr. Palmer votes I. Mr.
▶ 3:41:55Dunn. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Joyce. I. Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. I. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture Mr.
▶ 3:42:24Fluger Mr. Fluger votes I. Mrs. Harshburgger Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Miller Mrs. Kamik Mrs. Kamik votes I. Mr. Oenolulti Mr. Oenoli votes I. Mr. James Mr. James votes I. Mr. Vince, Mrs.
▶ 3:42:53Houchin, Mr. Fry, Miss Lee, Mr. Langworthy, Mr. Kain. Mr. Kane votes I. Mr. Roelly, Mr. Mr. Roelly votes I. Mr. Evans I. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. Goldman.
▶ 3:43:23Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Fedorch. Mrs. Fedor votes I. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes no. Mr. Deat. Mr. Gat votes no. Miss Shakowski no. Miss Shakowski votes no. Miss Masoule no. Miss Matsui votes no. Miss Caster, no. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko, no. Mr.
▶ 3:43:53Tonko votes no. Miss Clark Miss Clark votes no. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr. Vzy. Mr. VZY votes I. Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly votes no. Miss Bagon.
▶ 3:44:23Miss Bagon votes no. Mr. Sodto Mr. Sodto votes no. Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes no. Miss Trean. Miss Trean votes no. Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher votes no. Miss. Mr. Oenclaus, Mr. Okenclaus votes no. Mr.
▶ 3:44:52Carter of Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes no. Mr. Mr. Mendez votes no. Mr. Mullen. Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr. Lansman Mr. Lansman votes I. Miss McClullen Ms. Mcclullen votes no. Chairman Chairman Guthrie votes I.
▶ 3:45:26How is Mr. Bence recorded? Mr. Bence is not recorded. Mr. Bence votes I. How is Miss Hchin reported? Mrs. Houchin is not recorded. How is Dr. Votes reported? Mr. Dunn votes I. How is Mr. Langworthy reported? Mr. Langworthy is not How's Mr. Langworthy votes I. How is Mr. Hudson reported? Mr. Hudson is not recorded. Mr.
▶ 3:45:55Hudson votes I. How is Dr. Ruiz recorded. Dr. Ruiz is not recorded. Dr. Ruiz votes no. How is Miss Fletcher reported? Miss Fletcher is recorded as no. Miss Fletcher is off. No.
▶ 3:46:23And on I was Mr. Krenshaw reported. Mr. Krenshaw is not recorded. Mr. Krenshaw votes I. The clerk will report.
▶ 3:47:04Mr. Chairman, on that vote there are 28 eyes and 20 nos. The eyes have it. The bill is adopted. The chair calls up committee print of HR 3062 and asks the clerk to report. Committee print of HR 362, a bill to establish a more uniform, transparent. Without objection, the first reading the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point so ordered.
▶ 3:47:30Does does anyone seek to be recognized on the The gentle lady from North Dakota is Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm proud to speak in support of this bill, the promoting crossber energy infrastructure act, which is included in today's package.
▶ 3:47:49For far too long, energy developers have faced an outdated and unpredictable permitting process that has delayed and even canceled critical infrastructure projects, costing taxpayers millions of dollars and weakening American energy security.
▶ 3:48:05Right now, if you want to build a pipeline or a transmission line between the US and Canada or the US and Mexico, you're stuck navigating a patchwork of executive orders, undefined agency processes, and shifting political winds. That's no way to build long-term energy infrastructure, and increase revenue. We need a crossborder permitting process that increases revenue, provides certainty, and can't be undone with the stroke of a pen.
▶ 3:48:35We all remember the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have carried 83 830,000 barrels of muchneeded oil daily from Alberta to refineries in the Midwest and Texas. That would have meant real opportunity for my state of North Dakota, my communities, more jobs, more tax revenue, and more energy produced right here at home.
▶ 3:48:59After a decade of holdup by protests and endless litigation, the project permit approved by President Trump in 2017 was reversed on day one of the Biden administration to appease environmental activists. With that single decision, thousands of goodaying jobs were lost, many in my state of North Dakota.
▶ 3:49:22Make no mistake about it, the same thing could and will happen to crossber electric power lines. This legislation will help fix this problem. It requires congressional approval to reverse a crossber project.
▶ 3:49:40No more unilateral decisions based on Instead of relying on pres presidential permits, this bill establishes a certificate of crossing, a clear statutory process overseen by FK for oil and gas and by DOE for electricity.
▶ 3:50:00It puts experts in charge of reviewing these projects, clearly defines border crossing facility, sets firm timelines, and provides the regulatory certainty developers need to invest, hire, and build. We're trying to modernize an outdated system that doesn't reflect the complexity of importance of today's energy networks. This legislation strengthens America's role as a global energy leader.
▶ 3:50:27It supports job creation, economic growth, and the reliable, affordable energy that families, farmers, and businesses across this country depend on. I urge my colleagues to support this provision and stand with American energy and American workers. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back the rest of my time. The gentle lady yields. The gentleman from New Jersey is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 3:50:51I have to say this bill looks all too familiar to me, and that's not just because Republicans tried to include a pay-to-play permitting scheme based on this bill in their reconciliation package. And in this case, it didn't even make it past the House Rules Committee.
▶ 3:51:07It's not in the I'm also, you know, I just also remember because they included this in HR1 last Congress, the the Polluters over people act, but it's actually the bill is actually over a decade old and it's the fourth or fifth time it's made its way through this committee. We debated it way back in 2015 when Republicans are putting together an energy package to argue against President Obama's policies related to the Keystone pipeline.
▶ 3:51:38And this is what the bill is all about. It's it's about Keystone, not any current energy challenge or problems facing people today or this decade, but the Keystone pipeline that was abandoned four years ago. But for whatever reason, Republicans are obsessed with relitigating the past. Instead of focusing on the future or challenges about how to make the grid cleaner or more reliable or more affordable, they just want to argue Keystone some more. So, Mr.
▶ 3:52:08Chairman, I I really am begging Republicans to focus on the importance of supporting all energy sources, not just fossil fuels. Not to make people pay more to keep coal plants online or to send all our natural gas overseas or to ignore state clean water rules for pipelines or to get rid of tax credits that make energy affordable. But the problem seems to be that, you know, on the other side, the Republicans are out of ideas.
▶ 3:52:34This bill is basically the tired politics that we just can't seem to find our way out of. And I hope that moving forward Republicans can actually talk about some new ideas to address our current energy challenges because there are a lot um and uh you know part of those challenges or a big part of it is trying to make it easier for Americans to afford their energy. But I just don't see that happening today and certainly not with this bill. I yield back, Mr. Chairman. The gentleman yields. The gentleman from Texas is recognized.
▶ 3:53:04Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I want to associate myself with a a wordsman gentle lady from North Dakota. Most people may or may not be aware of that, but the this but the Keystone pipeline would have come into my district. They're on the Gulf Coast of Texas. We're set up to handle heavy crude, all kinds of crude. Those of you who don't know, the Keystone pipeline carries 830,000 barrels of product a day. That's a day. Now, you want to keep from polluting.
▶ 3:53:33They like the rhetoric of uh polluters over people. Well, the it's about time that their rhetoric was more reasonable than unreasonable because that's just not the case. This means good energy for Texas. It means good energy for the United States. It means jobs. It means the price of oil would be relatively stable.
▶ 3:53:55For those of you who don't know, the average 18-wheeler carries about 7,000 gallons of product each tank load. So if you do the math and you consider with 42 gallon barrels of oil, that equals about 167 barrels in one tanker per day.
▶ 3:54:20So, when you've got 18 wheelers on the highway carrying 158 barrels per trip, that's 5,000 18-wheelers on the highway every day. You want to talk about putting polluters over people, this is a great way to do it. The pipeline is the most efficient way to move this product. Again, it means American energy. It means American jobs.
▶ 3:54:47It means stability in the This Keystone pipeline is a must. It is a good project. It is a good bill. I congrat the lady from North Dakota and just simply say, Mr. Speaker, I mean, Mr. Chairman, that this is something that we should have done way back when and we ought to be set to do it now. Otherwise, we would have a lot of 18-wheers on the highway.
▶ 3:55:14Not just to mention putting out diesel exhaust, sometimes causing wrecks, sometimes not. Sometimes people just get in their way. But the point of the matter is that was a good project. It was reasonable. It was cost effective and it was much needed. And yet the left killed it with their rhetoric over reasonleness. I yield back. Gentleman yields back. The chairman asks, Mr. Peters from California. Mr. Recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. move to strike last word.
▶ 3:55:45I really appreciate Rep. uh Representative Fedorch for sponsoring this bill and introducing it and for the energy and reliability experience she brings to the committee. We had a chance to chat uh person to person uh recently and um I'm grateful for her offering a bill that mentions trans uh transmission and grid infrastructure.
▶ 3:56:03The promoting cross crossber energy infrastructure act takes some steps to depoliticize the permitting process for crossber infrastructure of all kinds whether it's transmission or pipelines and provides specific deadlines for agencies to meet when issuing permits which is the kind of thing I think we should all support. Um and while much of this is something that I could I could see as part of a bipartisan energy and permitting package, I'm not going to support it on its own today.
▶ 3:56:29Um, and I just want to say, I say this to the chairman, I just haven't seen the committee show a willingness yet to actually engage in a bipartisan way on actual solutions to the energy issues we're facing when it comes to transmission in the grid. We had a lot of bills here. I think only one was a Democratic bill. I'm in the minority. I'm not expecting twothirds of them or half of them, but maybe a third of them could be some of our ideas we could get some discussion on. But more important, um, you know, we're facing this this undeniable increase in demand.
▶ 3:57:00Um, we got to figure out what the toolbox is, and we just need to do this together. And Mr. Chairman, I again, I'd like you to call us together to talk about actually solving this problem in a comprehensive way. I think that would be useful. I think you're you have a bunch of willing partners here. Um, and in our hearing with Secretary Wright, you indicated interest in doing bipartisan packages. I'm just we just we're just not seeing that yet. Uh I know we're we're still early in the term and I hope we can get there.
▶ 3:57:25Um and I hope to work with Representative Fedorch again uh a great addition to the committee, ranking me, member Palone, Miss Caster, Mr. Guthrie, and Chair La on a bipartisan path forward on these issues. We're just not there yet. I hope we get there and I yield back. Well, gentlemen, yield. Uh gentlemen, yield. Thank Thanks. And and I we there were some efforts to to work together. I I'll say uh but however, what I'll say that is I I know your offer to work together is sincere.
▶ 3:57:52Mine is sincere that we have to have bipartisan policy going forward. Uh to build the energy they have to build, it takes enormous amount of investment and when the rules seem to change. I know one Congress can bind and combine the next, but when we do it together, sometimes it's more stability. We need to find that pathway to stability. And I appreciate your offer to do that. And I will make sure that we figure out a way that we if we can, we will work together. And again, I think it's in all of our interest to do that because you do need 60 votes in the Senate.
▶ 3:58:22I think we've we've reconfirmed that uh again this week. Uh so you're going to need some Democrats. I'm happy to help you get them. But let's work together to see if we can't meet these energy demands in a way that makes sense for everybody. And again, appreciate the appreciate this effort and I yield back. I appreciate it. Thank you. I the gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the bill? Seeing none, does the gentleman request a roll call vote? If there's no further discussion, the vote occurs. Excuse me.
▶ 3:58:53The question now occurs on approving the committee print of HR3062. Uh, roll call has been requested. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada. I. Mr. Mr. Lada votes I. Mr. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Billis Mr. Hudson. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mr.
▶ 3:59:23Carter of Georgia votes I. Mr. Mr. Palmer votes I. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Mr. Krenshaw votes I. Mr. Joyce, Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson.
▶ 3:59:55Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fulture votes I. Mr. Fluger. Mr. Fluger votes I. Mrs. Harshburgger Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Miller Mrs. Kamik Mr. Oberonulti Mr. Oenoli votes I. Mr. James Mr.
▶ 4:00:25James votes I. Mr. Bence Mr. Bence votes I. Mrs. Hchin Mrs. Howchin votes I. Mr. Fry. Mr. Fry votes I. Miss Lee. Mr. Langworthy. Hi. Mr. Langworthy votes I. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Kane votes I. Mr. Roelly. Hi. Mr. Roelly votes I. Mr.
▶ 4:00:55Evans. I. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. Goldman. I. Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Fedorek. I Mrs. Fedorch votes I Mr. Palone Mr.
▶ 4:01:11Palone votes no Miss Digette Missette votes no Miss Shakowski no Miss Shakowski votes no Miss Matsui no Miss Matsui votes no Miss Caster Miss Caster votes no Mr. Tonko no Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss Clark. Miss Clark votes no. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes no.
▶ 4:01:42Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr. Vzy. Mr. Vzy votes no. Miss. Kelly. Miss. Kelly votes no. Miss Bagon. Mr. Sodto, Mr. Sodto votes no. Miss Bagon, Miss Bagon votes no.
▶ 4:02:13Miss Shrier, Miss Shrier votes no. Miss Tran Trean votes no. Miss Fletcher, Miss Fletcher votes no. Miss Okasio Mr. Mr. Oenclaus Mr. Aenclaus votes no Mr. Carter of Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes no Mr. Mr. Mendez votes no Mr.
▶ 4:02:44Mullen Mr. Mullen votes no Mr. Lansman Mr. Mr. Lansman votes no. Miss Mlullen. M. Mlen votes no. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes I. Anyone take a Dr. Dunn Mr. Dunn is not recorded. Mr. Hudson Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Hudson Mr. Hudson is Mr. Hudson votes I. Dr. Miller Meeks Dr. Miller Meeks is not recorded.
▶ 4:03:14Dr. Miller Meeks votes I. Anyone on the Democrat side? Miss Kamik. Mrs. Kamik is not recorded. Mrs. Kamik. Mrs. Kamik votes I. Good job running. Any uh others presenting for entering the roll call? Seeing none, the clerk will report.
▶ 4:03:53Mr. Chairman, on that vote there were 28 eyes and 23 nos. The eyes have it and the bill is adopted. The chair calls up HR1 1949 and asks the clerk to report. HR1 1949, a bill to repeal restrictions. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will open for a amendment at any point. So order. Does anyone seek to be recognized on the bill? What purpose? A gentleman from Texas seek recognition? To speak in favor of legislation.
▶ 4:04:22Gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, section three of the Natural Gas Act requires that natural gas exports to countries that have free trade agreement with the US be approved without delay. For countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the US, the energy secretary is required to approve export requests unless they find such exports will not be consistent with the public interest. But this is where we've gotten into trouble.
▶ 4:04:47Therefore, the Natural Gas Act includes a reser rebuttable presumption in favor of authorizing US LG exports, knowing that there are just a handful of free trade agreement countries. In early 2024, after succumbing to political pressure from environmental activists, the Biden Harris administration announced an indefinite ban on issuing export permits to non-free trade agreement countries while it reviewed the climate impacts of US LNG.
▶ 4:05:17During this ban, Russia overtook the US as the lead gas supplier to Europe and long-term American contracts were jeopardized. Global buyers were forced to look towards less clean and less reliable sources from adversarial nations. Thankfully, the Trump administration quickly reversed this ban and just last month, the OE issued its first LG export approval. My legislation, the unlocking our domestic LG potential act, would ensure that a ban is never again placed on uh LG exports.
▶ 4:05:48By removing DOE from the process, export restrictions would be repealed and LG exports would have equal treatment with other commodities already in place um in and other uh issues that we have already faced. LG exports unequivocally benefit our economy and domestic prices and Congress must act to remove the politics from energy exports just as this committee did in 2015 when it lifted the crude oil export ban.
▶ 4:06:17The IEA expects global gas demand to reach record highs in the coming years, underscoring the need for new LG supply, and it must be the United States, not Iran, not Russia, nor any other adversarial country that that meets that demand and supplies affordable, clean, and abundant LG to the world. Iran is just one example uh and one of four countries with substantial, proven natural gas reserves.
▶ 4:06:43in the conflict that we have currently seen there instigated by Iran's terrorist notions and actions over the last few years reminds us of the geopolitical risk posed when adversarial regimes control energy supplies. At a time when Iran continues to seek leverage and using its resources for strategic influence and direct opposition to US and Western interest, American LG must fill the gap in the global market.
▶ 4:07:10Our allies and trading partners should not be dependent on nefarious actors that use energy revenues to fund terrorism. US LNG offers not only energy security, but also geopolitic geopolitical stability, reliability, and cleaner alternatives for buyers around the world. I wish that we were not here in this situation, but it is the facts of the previous administration, and that is all we can go on, that demonstrated a willingness to kill this industry.
▶ 4:07:38and I urge all of my colleagues to support HR1 1949 and yield back. Gentleman yields back. Anyone seeking discussion on the bill? The gentle lady from Florida is recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, under current law, gas company is required to receive approval from the Department of Energy uh to export to make sure that that export to a nonfree trade agreement country is in the public interest.
▶ 4:08:07uh when we marked up this bill in subcommittee, there was a bit of confusion though on all parts uh about the scope of the bill and how it might apply to certain countries. So I want to make sure we we have that on the record here at the full committee uh and shed some light on it. So I have a few questions for council uh council right now FK handles the sighting and permitting for LG facilities themselves. Is that correct? Yes.
▶ 4:08:34And the Department of Energy handles the approvals for facilities to export LG not to LG to non-free trade agreement nations. A public interest test. Is that correct? Yes. And this bill as written would u remove wouldn't wouldn't move that public interest test to FK. It would eliminate it entirely. Is that correct? It requires FK to deem all exports in the public interest. Right.
▶ 4:09:04So, it's it's another it's a free pass, a get out of a jail free card. And I know my my good friend from Texas characterizes this as trouble. This is politics. That's not what the public interest is. Uh the public interest review means we get to examine the the impact on energy prices for American consumers and businesses.
▶ 4:09:29In fact, I'll offer for the record a letter from the Industrial Energy Consumers of America who oppose HR1949 uh and say and raise concerns that if we're exporting our gas, it's going to increase uh the their the prices that they pay for industrial manufacturing and production in America. The same goes for consumers.
▶ 4:09:56This would mean you would have no public interest review for national security concerns. You would have no public interest uh review for environmental or climate concerns. What a gift. What a giveaway uh for gas companies to not have to have any examination of whether or not that export to a non-free trade agreement country is in the public interest. It's truly outrageous. This it's deeply deeply concerning.
▶ 4:10:26And uh just because the gentleman from Texas flagged this issue last time, page three of the bill maintains the applicability of sanctions. Council, if there are no sanctions on an importing nation or final destination or purpose, then under the bill, there's no regulation to stop LG from going to wherever the buyer wants it to go. Is that right? Can you repeat the question?
▶ 4:10:49If there are no sanctions on an importing nation or final destination or person, then under this bill, there's no there's nothing stopping LG from going to wherever the buyer wants it to go. If the president invokes the authority listed on page three, um it can restrict the flow, but otherwise it is a free open. I am so glad you mentioned that because here's the new wrinkle, friends.
▶ 4:11:14Um, I know the president says and does a lot of things these days, arbitrary, costly tariffs, uh, threats to Canada, Greenland, things like that. But it's important for this committee and the public to know what he said yesterday. He actually said and and posted on social media that uh he's encouraging the Chinese Communist Party to buy Iranian crude oil, which is a violation of our sanctions.
▶ 4:11:44In fact, it's completely inconsistent with the sanctions he announced himself in a that the end of April and in February to put maximum pressure on Iran to stop their exports to China. uh because the the money that Iran makes from the Chinese Communist Party is fueling their terrorist aims, their their financing of terrorist proxies.
▶ 4:12:07So I understand the I frankly don't understand where where where this administration is going when it comes to policy. It's important to have a public interest test, especially with with a a president who is acting so arbitrarily and is taking a 180 degree turn from what he just announced a couple of months ago.
▶ 4:12:35So colleagues, it's more important than ever to keep this public interest test. make sure that we put the public at the center of what we're doing here in Congress rather than gas companies who really don't have a care or concern for where that gas ends up whether it's China or our adversaries or anywhere else. Thanks and I yield back my time. Gentle lady yields back. The gentleman I will recognize myself for five minutes to speak on the bill and I will yield to the gentleman from Texas. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 4:13:04Um and my colleague from Florida is right. We did litigate this ad nauseium in the subcommittee. Um, and I want to push back on uh something that was just said which is entirely false. It's not just sanctions that have to be in place for the president to limit the export of natural gas.
▶ 4:13:24It also includes the International Emergency Economics Power Act, the National Emergencies Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, and any other provision of law that imposes sanctions on foreign government that the president could deem is not in the public interest. But the Natural Gas Act has deemed that it is in the public interest to export LG. And what the previous administration did is they took that down for political reasons.
▶ 4:13:55They used political reasons to stop and pause knowing full well that by doing that contracts would be cancelled, the production would cease and that they would put energy companies in this country in a dire situation to not be able to produce which also affects our supplies right here. So, it is so tiresome to hear these non-factual arguments and then to hear that the president isn't listening to America.
▶ 4:14:24Oh, he listened on November 5th. He listened loud and clear because energy was on the ballot because the previous administration took every opportunity to kill fossil fuels. And I will remind my colleagues that in September of 2019 when then candidate Biden was running and I quote, "I will kill the fossil fuel industry." End quote. Candidate Biden.
▶ 4:14:52And he used every tool, every weapon, and an arsenal that we have never seen before, including regulatory action to do just that. Thank goodness districts like mine, districts like my colleague Mr. Weber districts like those in North Dakota and the Marcellis and Pennsylvania and Ohio were resilient enough to withstand those attacks. This is common sense. This bill is common sense.
▶ 4:15:19It absolutely retains a public interest commitment because it it agrees with statute. What it reduces and what it removes and what it deletes is the politization that we saw for four straight years. We saw it on gas stoves. We saw it with refrigerants. We saw it with EV mandates. We saw it with everything this committee has debated. This is an easy This smooths it out.
▶ 4:15:45If a country is nefarious, the president has every opportunity, not just with sanctions, to limit exports. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Gentleman yields back to me and I yield back. Is any any further discussion on the bill? Gentleman from New Jersey is recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you, Chairman. I just have to respond to what the gentleman from Texas just said about the prior administration and political reasons and killing fossil fuel and all the contracts that were impacted by it.
▶ 4:16:14But then how could you all be silent about what this administration's doing when they're when they're looking to kill the offshore wind industry, for example, where there were contracts where you're not going to see development, where you're not going to see good paying jobs in places like Massachusetts and New Jersey, clearly for political I'll yield to you. Clearly for political reasons. So if you don't like what the prior administration did, whether you agree with the policy or not, but you you attribute it to a political decision, then how can you watch this administration make similar decisions about energy production in this country which are fueled by political ideology?
▶ 4:16:44I'll yield to you. Yeah, thank you. Um earlier in the in the debate on a previous bill, it was said that if something doesn't positively affect a constituency, then they shouldn't have to pay for it. Nobody's saying that you can't use certain types of energy, okay? We're just saying we don't want to pay for it and subsidize it. That's that's the bottom line is that Americans don't want to subsidize it. They don't want to pay for it. So that's what the president is saying and I think he's made it pretty clear. And by the way, if these energy sources are good enough, they will compete. They will rise up.
▶ 4:17:14You know, they will compete. They will provide the electrons. And we we've had a lot of hearings. Thank you for yielding the time. Yeah. And I and I appreciate I also want to to touch on some of the testimony that we've heard from uh folks throughout the course of this committee's work, this Congress. We've had a secretary of energy who does not acknowledge even the term renewable energy. We've had folks from the administration who literally could not acknowledge that renewable energy helps with our energy production in this country.
▶ 4:17:42That is a political determination that is not based in fact because we've seen it in Texas, right? One of the largest producers of renewable energy through wind and solar. We know that that's driven down the cost for for users and consumers in Texas, right? But this administration and they've sat here right can't even say the words that is a political decision that is not based in data or what is good for this country.
▶ 4:18:04So I have to reassert my point that this administration is making political decisions trying to give one last ditch effort to to old energy production legacy sources and penalizing those that the previous administration had tried to uplift. I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there further Gentleman from Texas, Mr. Krenshaw is recognized. I want two Texans talking. So, gentleman from Texas, Mr. Krenshaw. Thank you. Move to strike the last word.
▶ 4:18:34I just want to make some general comments about about this bill and and and the theme of all of these bills on this bill in particular. It's hard for me to understand and frankly all of these bills how these are so controversial and partisan. We're talking about exporting more LNG. If we wonder what we think about how America has reduced its carbon emissions back to around 1990 levels, well, it's because fracking and LNG displaced coal.
▶ 4:19:02I've heard a lot of talk about how much everyone hates coal. Well, the the market itself, the oil and gas market, is what displaced it. And there's 50% less emissions when you're burning LG versus coal. So, imagine exporting more of that. You know, if you care about global emissions, it is a global problem. And the most likely scenario when you export LNG to developing countries is that it displaces the dirty coal that they're burning.
▶ 4:19:25I I don't understand why that's a controversial The basic theme of most of these bills is grid reliability. We all agree, I hope, on the future problem that America and the entire world has, which is a massive increase in energy demand, bigger than what we thought before. because now we have to include the advent of AI and the data centers that are required to power those things. Yeah, we need all of it.
▶ 4:19:54And these bills, the themes we're seeing here is grid reliability. It was said that there's nothing if you cared about this stuff, then you would have something about transmission lines in here. There's at least two bills in here that directly address that. Why is this controversial? Do we have different voters at home? Do do you all have districts where voters only maybe want eight hours of energy per day in the future? I really doubt that.
▶ 4:20:22I think we all have the same voters with the same interests who want reliable, affordable energy. And we're not attacking renewables in these bills either. By the way, renewables have not exactly had it bad. Let's not make them the victim here. They were the recipient of what? Hundreds of billions of dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act in grant money. We don't even know where that went. The EPA and Inspector General came in here and told us they don't even know where it went.
▶ 4:20:48They've been recipients of tax credits for decades and they have the audacity to say that it's cheaper. And if it's so much cheaper, then why do they need tax credits and and bill and hundreds of billions of dollars worth of grants? It's it's a it's a bit of a paradox. So, look, I don't know why this stuff is controversial. We're not we're not going too far here. We want grid reliability. Your voters want grid reliability. Our voters want grid reliability.
▶ 4:21:16They want energy that works and turns on. That's the basic theme of these bills and I think we should all support them. I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the bill? Gentle lady from is recognized for five minutes. I'll just say very briefly, Mr. Chairman, I don't think people should our concerns with this bill because I support LG exports, but that's not what this bill says.
▶ 4:21:44What this bill does is it removes all safeguards to prevent American LG from going to foreign entities of concern. And I I know my colleague, Miss Caster, and others are going to have amendments to narrow it, but that's all we're saying is if you're going to export LG, make sure it's in the public interest. So don't don't what we think about natural gas or about LG or anything else because that's not what we're talking about here. I yield back.
▶ 4:22:14Gentle lady yields back. Is there further discussion? Further discussion. Gentle lady from Texas recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you uh very much, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to respond briefly. I wasn't quick enough to ask Mr. Mr. Menendez to yield uh some of his time to me, but I did want to respond just to one thing um that he said in the exchange with Mr. Fluger because uh as Mr. Fluger knows and as many of you all know here, Mr. Weber, my friends from Texas, Mr. Goldman, um I'm a huge fan of LG exports.
▶ 4:22:42I disagreed with the Biden administration policy with the pause on LG. I disagreed uh as Mr. Weber and I were just discussing um with the revoking the Keystone uh permit, the Keystone pipeline permit. So there are um a lot of issues where we have a lot a lot of agreement. But I do just want to follow up on what Mr.
▶ 4:23:03Mendez said because I think it is very dangerous for all of us and we should all agree that while we are pursuing policy objectives that this penalizing of industries, penalizing of red states or blue states isn't something any of us should support. We're all here uh to do what's right for all of the people in this country. And um I think Mr. Dr. Fluger mentioned that one of the issues was not wanting to have to subsidize uh some of these technologies, some of these industries.
▶ 4:23:33Um and so I just wanted to point out that it isn't just uh subsidies um that we're talking about, but on his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order removing all of the uh outer continental shelf areas from offshore wind leasing. So it is affecting New Jersey. Now, one has gone through for New York and that was kind of a deal. Um that was a deal.
▶ 4:23:55But basically for these states that want to do it, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, um and others, certainly we had wind um lease uh in we had a lease sale in in the Gulf uh in the last administration that was unsuccessful. Um but this executive order is the same kind of thing that, you know, we're hearing we don't like and and I think we I didn't like either of them. So, I feel at least I've been consistent there. Um, I don't think we should be doing these things.
▶ 4:24:25And so, it isn't simply a question of subsidies and and tax policy. It's a question that here on his very first day in office, um, President Trump did something very similar to what you're complaining about. And so I think it's important that we all try to rise above that and as as you said Chairman Guthrie earlier um really try to create durable smart policy that will withstand any administration. It is not good for any of us. It's not good for the people we represent.
▶ 4:24:54It's not good for all these industries that we're talking about whether it is you know traditional fossil fuels, renewable energy. It's not good for any of them to be in such an unpredictable environment, a regulatory environment where they can't predict what's going to happen. They can't make long-term investments. That's not good. And so what we need is Congress to come in and make rules that will last from administration to administration.
▶ 4:25:20And the place where we absolutely need to start and the thing that we need to do in a bipartisan way in this Congress is do permitting reform and get it across the finish line. I know I sound like a broken record. I know Mr. Peters brings it up at every opportunity. It's a great opportunity for us to do something that's really going to last. So again, um I just wanted to add that to what Mr.
▶ 4:25:41Menendez said because I do think many of us on this side of the aisle see a very troubling pattern and I'm going to talk about this a little bit more later um of a consolidation of power in the executive branch that we don't like and that I'm hearing from you you didn't like in the last administration. So, it's an opportunity for us to do our job and prevent those things from happening by getting it done over here. Thank you. And I yield back. Gentle lady from Colorado's time. You yield back. Oh, she had Oh, she took her own time. I thought she took you. All right.
▶ 4:26:10So, gentle lady yells back. Oh, you did have your Yeah, it was your own time. Miss C. So, the gentle lady from Virginia on the Republican side. Gentle lady from Virginia, you're recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you. U Mr. Chair, will the gentleman from Texas yield for a question? Mr. Fluger, Mr. Sorry, there are lots of members from text. Will uh Mr. Fluger yield for a question? Sure. Thank you. So, I heard you say time.
▶ 4:26:41Yeah. So, I heard you say that you did uh not necessarily oppose clean energy, but you did oppose subsidies for it. Um, and I know in our 26-hour markup, a lot happened, so I could have missed something. And then I know the rules committee changed the bill uh at the literal 11th hour before it came to the floor. Um, can you identify any of the subsidies or tax breaks for fossil fuels uh that were included in the um recision bill?
▶ 4:27:11Any that are dissimilar from every other manufacturing uh segment of our country? No. Okay. None that are none that are special in any characteristic not a single characteristic that look or resemble anything that other manufacturing in our country because it is manufacturing does not get No, I cannot. Okay. And is it the gentleman's um is it the gentleman's position that the manufacturing of clean energy is different from any other manufacturing?
▶ 4:27:39Uh it's my opinion that energy regardless of how it is produced should stand on its own. That it should be uh a marketplace and based on the ability to provide primary sources of energy which we know there are reliable and non-reliable sources and we've heard that testimony.
▶ 4:28:00So um my position is that we should treat uh these types of energy for what they are and look at the math and the science and the physics of how effective and energy density would be the single metric that I would use to uh have that conversation which probably exceeds a a fiveminute conversation but thank you probably so and I thank the gentleman for that. I just wanted to make sure I understood your position.
▶ 4:28:24Um but it seems to me that Congress overtakes the market all the time when it wants to um invest in different types of energy generation uh to pick winners and losers that the market would not support all the time.
▶ 4:28:45Um, we we do that with energy, we do that with communications, and I I just think it's inconsistent to say that we're going to uh repeal some subsidies but not others. Um, and then say we don't have a problem with this particular type of energy. We just don't want it to be subsidized by the government when all energy sources are subsidized by the government. Will the gentle lady yield? I yield.
▶ 4:29:11I'm I'm a true conservative, limited government, low taxes. Um, and I wish all subsidies would go away. Um, well, I would say if all subsidies went away, there would probably be no energy generation at all. At the end of the day, in most state constitutions, they allow electric utilities to recover the costs.
▶ 4:29:34And if there were no subsidies at all for generation, the cost likely would be too high for any customer to pay. And so I think that part of what we are trying to do is ensure that we can meet our energy demands in a way that is not going to overburden customers at the end of the day and they have energy bills they can't pay. And and Congress has done that for a long time. The states have done that for a long time on both energy and communications policy, on broadband policy.
▶ 4:30:06And I would just like to see a little intellectual consistency to say if we're going to subsidize one type of energy, then we should we should subsidize another. Will the gentle lady I yield. Okay. Since you asked me a question on on the front end, uh don't believe me.
▶ 4:30:25I mean, I think the the seven independent uh service providers, operators that came in and testified in front of this committee pointed to one one one source and one source only uh as the most efficient, reliable, and lowcost source, and that was LG besides nuclear, which we agree on.
▶ 4:30:44But I I'd love to place a friendly wager and invite you to come to my district and see the math and the science behind it because I think that actually it that natural gas without any subsidy whatsoever, not a single dollar penny or any subsidy would 100% above and beyond any other source um provide that lowcost reliable affordable solution. Not to say that we can't use the other ones because I think we can but they have been propped up for a long time.
▶ 4:31:14But we also heard all of these witnesses say, "We need an all of the- above energy approach." And we need an all of the- above energy approach that also recognizes that there are clean energy sources like solar that are currently the cheapest, cleanest, and most reliable under certain circumstances.
▶ 4:31:34And again, my point only is that the you all seem to be picking and choosing um which subsidies you like and which ones you don't based on which energy sources you prefer. And my only point is that if we're going to have a true all of the above approach, then we need to look at um I'm over time, so I'll yield it back, but I think you get my point. Thank you. Thank you. The gentle lady yields back. Is there further discussion on the bill?
▶ 4:32:04The gent Okay, I thought I heard Dr. Ruiz, you're recognized for five minutes to speak on the bill. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to insert for the record this Lassard levelized cost of energy analysis June 2025.
▶ 4:32:20uh and these articles from Reuters that state that the current state of affairs shows that in an unsubsidized um renewable energy, solar and wind remains the most cost competitive form of generation and as such renewable energy will continue to play a key role in the buildout of new power generation in the US.
▶ 4:32:48This is particularly true in the current high power demand environment where renewables stand out as both the lowest cost, the lowest cost and quickest to deploy generation resource. So I know we've been talking about the cost of producing energy.
▶ 4:33:06This report clearly demonstrates that in an unsubsidized toeto toe mono or mano that sun and wind energy at a lower cost and therefore will lower energy cost. In fact, it's saying that natural gas production is at a 10-year high energy costs for multiple factors and explains it in this report.
▶ 4:33:35So I'd like to submit this for the record. No. Seeing no objection. So Yields back. Gentlemen yields back. Is there any further discussion on the bill? Gentle lady from North Dakota seeks recognition. You have five minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you. Um Mr. Fluger for bringing this forward. uh we definitely do do need more LG, more natural gas uh to solve the energy needs not only in our country but with our allies across the globe.
▶ 4:34:06And I will say to the point of the um playing field and levelizing the playing field, if whatever resource is the cheapest and has attributes that the power grid needs, those will come forward. And so if it is true that wind and solar um are the lowest cost without subsidies and we've removed the subsidies, it should be no problem.
▶ 4:34:31We should have tons more wind and solar if it compete compete um on a level playing field. Uh there's been 32 years of subsidies for those resources. They're they're you know swamping our grid with and the uh interconnection queue.
▶ 4:34:50And so potentially blocking other resources out uh that the grid operators need to balance things uh and make sure that we have the reliable affordable power for for our citizens. And and so without the subsidies, we will see if we get the one big beautiful bill passed and there's um a curtailing of the subsidies for wind and solar after 32 years.
▶ 4:35:15then we shall see if they truly are competitive on a per megawatt basis and we should have you know plenty of them moving forward to that end. So thank you I yield back. Gentle lady yields back there further discussion on the bill. Seeing no further discussion on the bill. Are there any bipartisan amendments on the bill? Seeing none are there any amendments on the bill? Okay. So, what purpose does the general lady seek recognition?
▶ 4:35:45I have an amendment at the desk number FC_HR1949_9. The clerk will report. Amendment to HR1 1949 offered by Miss Caster. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady from Florida is recognized for five minutes in support of her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh let's really get down to it of who is going to put their votes behind their their rhetoric.
▶ 4:36:13Uh this amendment would restore the public interest test for exports of liqufied natural gas from the United States of America to China. Over the past several months, the energy subcommittee has spent hours debating how we fortify our energy system uh to lower the cost of energy for our neighbors back home to help uh maintain our competitive advantage when it comes to AI and manufacturing and electrification across the country.
▶ 4:36:42Um we we are in this global competition with the Chinese Communist Party and we have to do everything to to win it. Not a single witness who's appeared there, nor at the select committee uh to counter the Chinese Communist Party, has said we should be helping China power their AI ambitions.
▶ 4:37:01So, if my Republican colleagues are serious about that competition, they would agree we shouldn't be shipping American energy overseas to China to power their AI data centers and manufacturing. Uh but here's here's kind of a dirty little secret that that many folks are not a aware of and the gas companies certainly don't want you to know. China has been a significant importer of US LG.
▶ 4:37:28Uh, and then this headscratcher announcement yesterday from the president that um, which is I know he said oil, but it just it just runs counter to everything that we've been trying to do in a bipartisan way to counter China and to to oppose uh, Iran as well where he said China can now continue to purchase oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will be purchasing plenty from the US also. It was my great honor to make this happen.
▶ 4:37:55I mean, what a it's just I can't understate what a a 180 degree turn uh this is. China has um they've really tried to secure many long-term LNG contracts with US projects. Um if all of these projects come online, US LG would represent, get this, up to a quarter of all of China's contracted LG, up from about 3% last year.
▶ 4:38:25Um, through this bill, House Republicans now want to make it easier for China to import US energy to power their industrial sector. They also want to seed the next generation of energy technologies to China is evidenced by the gutting of uh the clean energy tax credits in their big ugly bill they passed in the dark of night. So again, colleagues, your rhetoric, your re record should match your rhetoric when it comes to China.
▶ 4:38:55You complain as we as rightfully so to Chinese forced labor, massive subsidies, their intellectual property theft. And then on the other hand, you want to allow amounts of US resources to power Chinese factories. I mean, it it just doesn't make sense. Uh, if this stands, then those products will now be made. Uh, excuse me. If it it just runs counter to to everything that we've been working for.
▶ 4:39:24Um, don't just take it from me. However, I I mentioned this earlier, but I want to read a little bit. The Industrial Energy Consumers of America, America's manufacturers, they oppose this. They say as manufacturers who compete with China and are price sensitive, Chinese company LG contracts represent 36.8% of US LG operating capacity.
▶ 4:39:50We believe that US consumers should be a priority over LG customers. But LG contracts flip the priority. They are asking Congress to protect US consumers and economy, not prioritize the profits of the LG companies. Some things are more important than America in America than the profit, the bottom line for the gas companies and their lobbyists.
▶ 4:40:17That's why we fight for a public interest test to make sure the public interest comes before the polluters interest. uh they are asking that we oppose this bill and urge UEE to implement a policy to insulate US consumers from the impacts of LG so here's what we what we need to do. We need to adopt this amendment. We need to defeat this bill to make sure that the public interest comes first.
▶ 4:40:48public interest test is necessary. If we if we don't adopt this amendment and this bill is signed into law, they'll be completely gone. All of these considerations again a gift to China at a time where the president has taken a chainsaw to medical innovation and our scientific enterprise allowing the clean energy economy uh to be stolen away just when we were getting going with the manufacturing boom and job creation across
▶ 4:41:19the country. Many of those jobs and factories in my colleagues districts. Uh if you believe what we've heard this Congress about the importance of energy to China's AI ambitions, uh unless you adopt this amendment and begin to to advocate for a sane America first, a true America first policy, you're you're going to be giving it all away.
▶ 4:41:43and we're going to keep reminding you of it uh every hearing that we have that you've sided with Chinese industrialization, the Chinese Communist Party over the best interest, the public interest of the United States of America. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and to yell back. Gentle lady yields back. Is there any further discussion on the bill or amendment on the amendment? Gentleman from from Texas is recognized for five minutes to speak on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 4:42:13My remarks will be short. They will mirror the sentiment of uh many Americans. In fact, I would say most Americans, that they're tired of Congress stumbling and bumbling. They're tired of the politization. They're tired of all of this. Let's not confuse the public interest with the political interest, which is what we're hearing. Um I obviously oppose this amendment. And just for the record, to make it clear, the public interest test is still alive and well in chapter three of the Natural Gas Act. It is alive and well. The president has every authority.
▶ 4:42:39In fact, this administration has restricted shipments of ethane to countries like China this year. So when you look at the facts, it's still alive and well. The executive branch still has the opportunity to deem whether or not it is in the public interest. Uh I oppose this amendment. Let's move at the speed of commerce. Let's get away from the political interest. And I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment?
▶ 4:43:08Seeing none, uh, the vote occurs on the amendment. A roll call has been and the clerk will call the rope. Mr. Lada, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Griffith votes no. Mr. Billis, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Hudson votes no. Mr. Mr.
▶ 4:43:36Carter of Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Palmer votes no. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Mr. Joyce Mr. Joyce votes no. Mr.
▶ 4:44:06Weber Mr. Weber votes no. Mr. Allen Mr. Balderson Mr. Fulture Mr. Fulture votes no. Mr. Fluger Mr. Fluger votes no. Mrs. Harshburgger Mrs. Harshburgger votes no. Mrs. Miller Mrs. Miller Meeks votes no. Mrs.
▶ 4:44:35Kamik Mr. Obernolulti Mr. James Mr. Ben Mr. Ben votes no Mrs. Houchen Mrs. Hchin votes no Mr. Fry Miss Lee Mr. Langworthy Mr. Langworthy votes no.
▶ 4:45:05Mr. Kaine Mr. Kane votes no. Mr. Roelly. Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans votes no. Mr. Goldman Mr. Goldman votes no. Mrs. Fedorch Mrs. Fedor votes no. Mr. Palone Mr. Palone votes I. Mr. Get Mr. votes I.
▶ 4:45:34Miss Shakowski I Miss Shakowski votes I. Miss Matsui I. Miss Matsui votes I. Miss Caster I. Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko. Hi. Mr. Tonko votes I. Miss. Miss. Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters Mr. Peters votes I.
▶ 4:46:05Mrs. Dingle Mrs. Dingle votes I. Mr. Vzy Mr. Vy votes I. Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly votes I. Miss Bagon. Miss Bagon votes I. Mr. Sodto. Mr. Sodto votes I. Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Trean Miss Trean votes I.
▶ 4:46:36Miss Fletcher Miss Fletcher votes I. Miss Okasio Mr. Oenclaus. Mr. Oenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter of Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes I. Mr. Mendez I. Mr. Mendez votes I. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Lansman.
▶ 4:47:06Mr. Lansman votes I. Miss. Mcclullen. M. Mcclullen votes I. Chairman Guthrie. No. Chairman Guthrie votes no. M. Mr. Lab. Mr. La is not recorded. Mr. La votes no. M. Dr. Dunn. No. Mr. Dunn votes no. M. Mr. Fry. Mr. Fry votes no. Miss Kam Mrs. Kamik Mrs. Kamik is not recorded. Mrs. Mr.
▶ 4:47:35Balderson votes no. Mr. Balderson is not recorded. Mr. Balderson votes no. Anyone? Oh, Mr. Obernulti. Mr. Oberoni is not recorded. Mr. Ober, excuse me. Mr. Obernoli votes no. Mr. James Mr. James is not recorded. Mr. James votes no. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Kaine. Mr. Kaine is recorded as no. Okay.
▶ 4:48:06Anyone on the Democrat side? The clerk will report. Mr. Mr. Chairman, on that vote there were 23 eyes and 26 nos. The amendment is not agreed to. Are there further amendments? Gentle lady from Virginia, what purpose you seek recognition?
▶ 4:48:36I have an amendment at the desk label The clerk will report. Amendment to HR 1949 offered by Miss Mlen. But without objection, the amen the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady from Virginia is recognized for five minutes in support of our amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 4:49:01Um, last week the Senate Finance Committee Republicans re released their section of the big ugly bill that guts the Inflation Reduction Act energy tax credits. Um, these tax credits are vitally important not only to economic competitiveness, but to keeping energy bills affordable for end users. and slashing them could increase Americans utility bills by over $400 each year.
▶ 4:49:26The Senate version of that section creates an unfair cliff that only applies to wind and solar energy, undercutting Republican claims to support an all of the- above energy strategy. It's it imposes restrictions on power plants receiving tax credits that target embedded materials that come from foreign entities of concern, which are mainly China, but also a few other countries.
▶ 4:49:50And the Senate bill phases in supply chain restrictions mandating that certain percentages of materials cannot be tied in any way to a country like China down to every bolt and screw. Many experts have pointed out that the language is sloppy and unclear, either by design or by mistake. And in practice, it could be impossible for projects to demonstrate compliance with the restrictions, even if every critical component were made in America.
▶ 4:50:16Um, and yet the Senate Republicans think that that type of restriction is a good idea. Now, I'm not opposed to scrutinizing where we source components for energy infrastructure, but any restrictions need to be applied fairly and consistently. consistently and what's good for the goose is good for the gander. So if we have these foreign entities of concern standards for clean energy, they should also apply to fossil energy. Currently, the US relies much more on fossil energy than clean energy.
▶ 4:50:46And so Republicans should be even more worried about China and other nations of concern being involved in the supply chain for the fossil industy infrastructure. So that's what this amendment addresses by applying the same foreign entity restrictions that the Senate bill puts on clean energy facilities to LG facilities. LG facilities would still operate if they meet the restrictions.
▶ 4:51:10They just wouldn't get access to the special permitting structure that the bill creates if they're owned by a foreign entity of concern or received material assistance from one in their construction or operation. So this is just simply making the same standards apply across the board. If Republicans believe that the LG value chain from bolts to liquification technology to the pipelines doesn't have a trace of foreign entity of concern, then this amendment should be easy to support.
▶ 4:51:40If the Republicans are worried about foreign entities in the LG value chain, then they would want to incentivize uh companies to resource supply chains in America. So, I'm just trying to make this language consistent across the board uh for for both LG and for clean energy. And with that, I yield back. Gentle lady yields back. Is there discussion on the amendment? Gentleman from Texas, Mr. Fluger, is recognized for five minutes to speak on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 4:52:05And uh again, my comments are going to be as brief as possible to not relitigate this uh as we did throughout our subcommittee markup, but this is an apples to oranges discussion. It's completely different situation. the IRA uh that was estimated by CBO to be $350 billion out of our taxpayer dollars ended up being well over a trillion dollars.
▶ 4:52:28And much of that money has gone to China in the form of paying for critical minerals, solar panels, components that that go into uh wind and and other uh renewable energy sources. So, this is completely different when you're talking about the production of USA natural gas. I fully support what the Senate is trying to do for the uh entity of concern test for the IRA tax credit.
▶ 4:52:52And I fully support vetting those who own LG export facilities and LG facilities in the United States of America. And in fact, this is such a duplicative amendment, it already exists. State, Treasury, FK, that process is not going to change. They already vet it.
▶ 4:53:08It's already going through a process to make sure in fact this LG industry is so much more mature than what the uh IRA clean giveaway energy uh tax credits that uh that foreign countries have claimed for far too long again on the ballot on November 5th because people were tired of seeing over a trillion dollars go to countries like China. This is different. The vetting will not change. We don't have nefarious actors.
▶ 4:53:33And if they are nefarious and they're applying to own or be a part of an LG facility, they won't get there because we have multiple agencies within the executive branch that are going to vet that and prevent them from owning it. So I definitely support keeping entities of concern out of the ownership of these types of facilities, but it already exists and for that reason I will be a no on this amendment. yield back. Gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment?
▶ 4:54:04Gentle lady from Florida, Miss Ker. Miss Ker is recognized for five minutes to speak on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, during our our subcommittee, we did we did have a little bit of fun. However, I traded um our favorite quotes from Shakespeare and and Hamlet and and this uh Republican move has uh reminded me of of how do I love thee?
▶ 4:54:29Let me count the ways because you you just you're you're blinded by uh what oil and gas is asking for to the detriment of the people we represent back home. You love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach when feeling out of sight for the ends of being in ideal grace.
▶ 4:54:50It's just constant love letters u from from the GOP that I know many people say GOP grand oil party but just time after time after time putting the interest of the oil and gas companies above the interests of American consumers and manufacturers.
▶ 4:55:11And I'm grateful for Miss uh Miss McClullen's amendment here and I want to offer my strong support for it because for years Republicans on this committee have cited US dependence on Chinese manufactured products like solar panels or batteries to oppose our transition to the next generation uh economy.
▶ 4:55:32Uh, House Republicans have been so fixated on this issue that they voted in the dead of night in the big ugly bill to impose um these foreign entity of concern provisions on many of the clean energy tax credits passed by Democrats as part of our historic clean energy and climate law in 2022.
▶ 4:55:52But independent analysis has shown that the house fiak restrictions would result in uh a real heartache for for Americans in American manufacturing. 237 billion in lost GDP, 162 billion in lost wages and wipeout of 1.4 million American jobs.
▶ 4:56:15And unfortunately, as we wait for the Senate to to produce some texts, we do we do have hints that they have decided to double down on this approach applying restrictions uh to all types of clean energy generation and manufacturing in their version of the big ugly bill.
▶ 4:56:32Uh when Secretary of Energy Chris Wright appeared before the energy subcommittee this month, he said, "We don't want companies that are just pass through entities for products from abroad." While he couldn't answer whether any specific companies that he's been involved with could meet Republicans fiat requirements, it seemed reasonable that we would apply the same standards to all energy supply chains.
▶ 4:56:56So if Republicans are so proud of domestic domestic homegrown US LG, they should have no problem supporting uh this amendment that simply ensures that those projects are made without parts from China and other foreign adversaries. And there was an interesting um discussion with Miss McClon and Miss Flu Mr. Flugler on subsidies.
▶ 4:57:20You know, oil and gas, they have received massive federal subsidies for decades, more than $20 billion annually. And just one example, the intangible drilling cost deduction allows companies to deduct most costs of drilling new wells valued at $1 billion annually.
▶ 4:57:41Uh the latest draft of the Republican big ugly bill from the Senate Finance Committee gives another 18 billion to oil the oil and gas industry over the next decade. This includes reductions in royalties, royalty rates for drillers on public lands and in public waters. You know, the U American consumers have been subsidizing big oil and gas uh providing these handouts for way too long.
▶ 4:58:09And now those handouts are going to directly benefit our competitors, both both those manufacturing the components that build LG export terminals and those receiving the LG If my Republican colleagues really want to secure American energy and protect our national security, they would have no problem using the foreign entity restrictions that they wrote here. Uh that's fair. That's equitable.
▶ 4:58:36I urge my colleagues to support Miss McClen's good amendment and I yield back. Gentle lady yields. Is there any further discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, a roll call vote has been requested. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada, Mr. Griffith. Mr. Griffith votes no. Mr. Mr.
▶ 4:59:03Bill Rockus, Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson votes no. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Palmer votes no. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn votes no. Mr. Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce votes no.
▶ 4:59:34Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes no. Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen votes no. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Balderson votes no. Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fulture votes no. Mr. Fluger. Mr. Fluger votes no. Mrs. Harshburgger. Mrs. Harshburgger votes no. Mrs. Miller Meeks. Mrs.
▶ 5:00:03Miller Meeks votes no. Mrs. Kamik Mr. Obalty votes no. Mr. James Mr. James votes no. Mr. Bence Mr. Ben votes no. Mr.
▶ 5:00:32Fry, Miss Lee, Mr. Langworthy, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Kain votes no. Mr. Roelly Mr. Roelly votes no.
▶ 5:01:05Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans votes no. Mr. Goldman Mr. Goldman votes no. Mrs. Fedorek. Mr. Forech votes no. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes I. Mr. Get. Mr. Get votes I. Micowski I. Mr. Shakowski votes I.
▶ 5:01:34Miss Matsui I. Miss Matsui votes I. Miss Caster. Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko. Hi. Mr. Tonko votes I. Miss. Clark. Miss. Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Dingle Mrs. Dingle votes I.
▶ 5:02:05Mr. Vzy Mr. Vzy votes I. Miss Kelly Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly votes I. Miss Miss Betagon votes I. Mr. Sto Mr. Sto votes I. Miss Shrier Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Treyan Miss Treyan votes I. Miss Fletcher Miss Fletcher votes I. Mr.
▶ 5:02:35Kaziocortez Mr. Aenclauss. Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter of Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes I. Mr. Mr. Mendez votes I. Mr. Mr. Mullen Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Lansman Mr.
▶ 5:03:05Lansman votes I. Miss Mlen. Miss Mlen votes I. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes Mr. Lad is not recorded. Mr. Lada votes no. How is Miss Kamik reported? Mrs. Kamik is not recorded. Mrs. Kamik votes no. Does anyone else wish to be recorded?
▶ 5:03:36The clerk will report the results. Mr. Joyce on that vote there were 23 eyes and 25 nos. The amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 5:03:57Are there any further Seeing none, the question now occurs on approving HR 1949 and a roll call vote has been requested. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada. Mr. La votes I. Mr. Griffith. Mr. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Bill Rakus. Mr. Hudson.
▶ 5:04:28Mr. Hudson votes I. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mr. Carter of Georgia votes I. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Palmer votes I. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Krenshaw votes I. Mr. Joyce Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber Mr. Weber votes I. Mr.
▶ 5:04:58Allen Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fulture votes I. Mr. Fluger. Mr. Fluger votes I. Mrs. Harshburgger Mrs. Miller Meeks Mrs. Miller Meeks votes I. Mrs.
▶ 5:05:27Kamik Mr. Obernalty Mr. Ornalty votes I. Mr. James Mr. James votes I. Mr. Bence Mr. events votes I Mrs. Hchin. Mr. Fry Mr.
▶ 5:05:55Fry votes I Miss Lee. Mr. Langworthy Mr. Kain Mr. Mr. Kane votes I. Mr. Roelly Mr. Roelly votes I. Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans votes I.
▶ 5:06:26Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Fedorek. Mrs. Fedorek votes I. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes no. Migette votes no. Miss Shakowski. Miss Shakowski votes no. Miss Matsui no. Miss Matsui votes no. Miss Caster Miss Caster votes no. Mr.
▶ 5:06:56Tonko no. Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss Clark. Miss. Clark votes no. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes no. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr. Vzy. Mr. Vzy votes no. Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly votes no. Miss Better. Miss Better votes no. Mr.
▶ 5:07:26Sodto. Mr. Sodto votes no. Miss Shrier. Miss Trean. Miss Trean votes no. Miss Fletcher Miss Fletcher votes no. Miss Mr. Aenclaus Mr. Aenclaus votes no. Mr. Carter of Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes no. Mr. Mendez Mr.
▶ 5:07:55Menendez votes no. Mr. Mullen Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr. Lansman Mr. Lansman votes no. Miss Mlen, Miss Mlen votes no. Chairman Guthrie, how is Dr. Harshburgger recorded? Mrs. Harshburgger is not recorded. Mrs. Harshburgger votes I.
▶ 5:08:25How is Miss Kamik recorded? Mrs. Kamik is not recorded. Mrs. Kamik votes I. How is Dr. Shrier reported? Miss Shrier is not recorded. Miss Shrier votes no. Mr. Guthrie is not recorded. Mr.
▶ 5:08:55Guthrie votes I. How's Mr. Palmer recorded? Mr. Palmer is recorded as I. The clerk will report the role. Mr. Joyce, on that vote, there were 26 eyes and 23 nos.
▶ 5:09:27The eyes have it. The bill is adopted. The chair calls up HR 3668 and asks the clerk to report HR 3668, a bill to promote inter agency coordination for reviewing. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and the bill will be open for amendment at any point so ordered. Does anyone wish to be recognized to speak on the bill? The gentleman from North Carolina is recognized.
▶ 5:09:58Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, HR 3668, the improving inter agency coordination for pipeline reviews act. This bill would make muchneeded reforms to the permitting of interstate natural gas pipelines. Development of inter interstate pipelines currently faces unnecessary and significantly and significant regulatory and statutory hurdles. In fact, only five petroleum liquid pipelines were completed in 2024 with the only interstate pipeline being a refined product pipeline.
▶ 5:10:29In every energy subcommittee hearing this year, as well as as well as at the full committee's hearing examining the future of artificial intelligence, each witness has highlighted the need for additional infrastructure to meet both short and long-term energy and strategic goals. Our regulatory and statutory permitting process must reflect the urgency and importance of the projected growth in natural gas demand.
▶ 5:10:53Despite FK being granted increased authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2025, pipeline project approvals are consistently delayed due to the lack of coordination between the multiple agencies involved in the permitting process. My bill would make this process more efficient by bringing stakeholders, including agencies, to the table earlier so concerns can be identified early in the process.
▶ 5:11:17From there, agencies participating in the permitting process would perform their analysis while complying with schedules established by FK. It would also improve the water quality review by moving that responsibility from states to FK. For the past decade, a few states, especially in the northeast, have used this federally delegated section 401 authority to obstruct interstate projects.
▶ 5:11:40These states have stood outside the FK led NEPA process and used their section 401 authority as a one-state veto of a multi-state project of national significance. This has been detrimental to the development of critical pipeline infrastructure. Under HR 3668, FK would continue to incorporate water quality and other environmental reviews in its analysis.
▶ 5:12:02FK would still consider terms or conditions proposed by the states involved in the process and include any necess any necessary to comply with the underlying statute. This process does not weaken the Clean Water Act and it does not strip of authorities. Environmental reviews will continue to be conducted by FK and states will continue to have the opportunity to raise legitimate concerns.
▶ 5:12:27If we want to fuel our nation forward, lower costs for consumers, win the AI race against China, and strengthen our position as an energy superpower, it is critical we have regulatory and statutory processes in place to build infrastructure in this country. This is a race we cannot lose. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR 3668 and I yield back balance of my time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The gentleman yields. The gentleman from Louisiana, Mr.
▶ 5:12:57Carter is recognized for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to strike the last word in opposition to this. Gentleman is I'm proud to represent Louisiana, a state that has powered this nation for generations. From offshore rigs to solar fields, we know energy. We live it. We help fuel it. We help fuel America's past. And we'll we're helping build and fuel its future. Hydrogen, wind, and solar are growing across Louisiana.
▶ 5:13:27Not just in theory, but in practice. That's not just for jobs. It's for health, economy, and our children. But I must say what we're seeing today as many of these bills go through the process, including this one. It's not a road map to American energy leadership. It's a shortcut shortcut for special interests, a wishlist for the well-connected, a threat to the environmental safeguards and communities we count on.
▶ 5:13:58Yes, we need permitting reform desperately. Projects take way too long. The bureaucracy too often stands in the way of progress. But let me be clear. Reform must never mean rolling back critical safety and environmental reviews, removing a state's ability to protect its residents, or arbitrarily fast-tracking favored This is not reform. That's regression, and it's dangerous.
▶ 5:14:28Cutting red tape is smart. Cutting corners is reckless. Environmental reviews and community input are not obstacles. They're We can build faster and build smarter, but we cannot allow the payto-play politics we saw in the permitting provisions of the Republicans reconciliation bill to undermine public trust and public health.
▶ 5:14:52If we truly believe in the free market, then every project, whether clean or conventional, must be judged on its merits, not on the size of a checkbook or the whim of the current America's energy future must be balanced, resilient, and just. That means protecting workers, empowering innovation, and refusing to sacrifice communities, especially those historic historically left behind on the altar of expedience.
▶ 5:15:23I invite my Republican colleagues to join me in pursuing real bipartisan permitting reform that works for trans for transmission, conventional energy, and renewables. Let's work together to build an energy infrastructure of the future, but let's do it in the right way. With speed, yes, but also with integrity.
▶ 5:15:46Taking in mind that communities that have been historically left behind are ones that don't always get the opportunity to have a seat at the table. Well, guess what? We are their people at the table fighting for them. Fighting for those communities that have been marginalized that cannot afford to let a big checkbook bypass security measures.
▶ 5:16:10That cannot let a big checkbook ignore the safety vows that so many of these communities depend on. Yes, we want to expedite programs, projects, and but we cannot sacrifice safety. We cannot sacrifice what's important to making sure that all of those boxes are checked. We can do them quickly. We can do them efficiently. We can get rid of the bureaucracy, but we cannot short change the American people on safety. I yield. The gentleman yields.
▶ 5:16:40For what purpose does the gentle lady from Texas seek recognition? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk will report the amendment. Would the gentle lady please specify the amendment? Um, sure.
▶ 5:16:58I The amendment is The clerk will report. Amendment to HR offered by Miss Fletcher. Page 15. After line nine, insert the J. ensuring FERC's independence.
▶ 5:17:26Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady is recognized for five minutes to speak in support of her amendment. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, as co-chair of the natural gas caucus, I understand the need for a clear, durable regulatory framework for natural gas infrastructure. As a Houstononian, I know many professionals in the field um who call the seventh congressional district home and who I'm proud to call my neighbors.
▶ 5:17:53Um, and I know that they need regulatory certainty to provide the lowe emission energy to the US and to our allies abroad that we've been talking about today. As energy demands increase, as we've discussed repeatedly on this committee, natural gas will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring dependable, affordable electricity. I spoke about the need for durable permitting reform a little earlier today, so I won't repeat all of that now.
▶ 5:18:20Um, but I want to talk about uh the bill before us in my amendment because among its provisions, the bill before us expands the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's authority to act as the sole lead agency for coordinating the environmental review process for natural gas pipeline import Congress created FK in 1977 as a nonpartisan independent commission tasked with carrying out fundamental functions that underpin the reliability
▶ 5:18:50and safety of our energy system. On February 18th of this year, President Trump issued Executive Order 14215 disingenuously titled ensuring accountability for all agencies. This executive order is really an attack on independent agencies like FK, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
▶ 5:19:15The executive order mandates that independent agencies submit quote all proposed and final significant regulatory actions end quote for White House review and makes President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi the final arbittors on questions of how to interpret laws for the executive branch.
▶ 5:19:33Just yesterday, Axios reported that the White House and Doge are examining how to further exert influence over FK and quoted former FK chair Nil Chattergy as being worried about Trump politicizing FK. Earlier this month, the White House indicated it would refuse to renominate Chairman Mark Christie, who has been a staunch defender of FK's independence, coming just weeks after the White House improperly forced out Commissioner Willie Phillips.
▶ 5:20:00We can't allow political influence to degrade FK's operations at this critical moment for our energy security. If adopted, my amendment would prevent this legislation from going into effect until President Trump rescends his executive order taking power from independent agencies. Subjecting FK to political interference from President Trump or any other president severely damages their ability to protect rateayers and to ensure that we can meet growing energy demand.
▶ 5:20:30Several FK commissioners have spoken out about the dangers of this executive order, including former commissioner Noram Brownwell, who President Bush appointed, who said, and I'm quoting, "This administration seems to be putting itself in the place of laws passed by Congress and precedents set by the courts establishing FK independence. That's unhealthy, unwarranted, and unprecedented.
▶ 5:20:55and it will lead to a great degree of uncertainty and bad President Trump's own former FIK appointee Allison Clement said the executive order is quote flatly and plainly illegal and it will not be held up in court. Joseph Kellaher, also a President Bush appointee, warned that OM does not have the capacity or the expertise to review the roughly 1500 decisions FK issues annually.
▶ 5:21:24In March, the energy subcommittee held a hearing with regional grid operators to discuss reliability and increasing energy demand. And every single witness went on the record to say that a more politicized FK would make it harder for them to do their jobs. We need to listen to these experts and we need to reject this dangerous executive order.
▶ 5:21:46This executive order is yet another example of President Trump's Trump's agenda to consolidate power, ignoring the cost to American safety and security and undermining the democratic principles of representative government of the people in this room who are here today and those who created nearly f who created for nearly 50 years ago with the clear intent to shield independent agencies from political influence.
▶ 5:22:14It took an act of Congress to create FK and the authority to change its operations lies within Congress too, not the White House. I encourage my colleagues to support my amendment ensuring FK's independence to ensure that FK's decisions are free from political influence, a topic that we seem to have had agreement on earlier today. Thank you, and I yield back. The general lady yields. The chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 5:22:42chairman and uh I appreciate my colleague from Texas um talking about the need I believe she is here that we we do need to meet the energy demand in this country. I appreciate the comments from my friend from Louisiana when he talked about the need to cut red tape. Um but also making sure that quote people with big checkbooks don't get to skirt the environmental process. I I agree completely. Um this I I oppose this amendment though because it would prohibit the bill from going in effect until executive order 14215 is rescended.
▶ 5:23:13Well, this executive order required all rulemakings including from independent agencies to be consistent with the policies of the president. This amendment has nothing to do with the underlying legislation and the executive order is well within the authority of the president and executive branch. This legislation does not require any rulemakings. So the amendment doesn't really apply.
▶ 5:23:34Instead, this legislation streamlines the permitting of energy infrastructure and clarifies that FK uh is the lead agency for NEPA for natural gas pipelines. Um the the concern was raised earlier that um there would be no environmental protections, but the language of my resolution, my legislation preserves the authority of states to raise legitimate water quality concerns, but prevents states from using water quality concerns as a pretext to block projects.
▶ 5:24:03The language has no effect on NEPA or any other environmental laws. As part of FK's 7C process, applicants are required to supply FK with a thorough analysis of the project's impact on water bodies and quality. NEPA requires FK to extensively consider these impacts and the Natural Gas Act authorizes FIRK to include mitigation conditions in certificates to reduce project impacts, including on water quality.
▶ 5:24:31Applicants often propose mitigation measures in their applications to minimize project impacts. FK analyzes water quality impacts as part of the NEPA process, imposes mitigation measures as necessary, and is able to adequately respond to those concerns as part of the Natural Gas Act and NEPA review process. There are plenty of, as my colleague from Louisiana said, boxes to check to to prove that we're not impacting the water quality.
▶ 5:24:59Uh all my legislation says is in addition to checking all these boxes, one state shouldn't have the ability to veto an interstate project of national importance. So I I share my colleagues concerns that we need to make sure any project doesn't impact the water quality anywhere in this country. Um we need to preserve the ability of states uh to to raise concerns to provide information to FK as they make their pro as they make their decisions.
▶ 5:25:26But there is a very long, very thorough, very detailed process set up in NEPA um and the Natural Gas Act. Uh and and FK, I have every confidence in FK to act independently to follow this process. All we're trying to do is cut red tape. We're not taking away any protections and I would ask my colleagues to please support this so that we can meet those energy needs now and in the future. With that, Mr. Chair, I'll yield back. The gentleman yields. The chair recognizes a gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. alone.
▶ 5:25:56Thank you. I I have to disagree with the gentleman from North Carolina, though, and support Representative Fletcher's amendment. Look, what your legislation does, Mr. Hudson, is to expand FK's authority to act as the sole lead agency for coordinating environmental review. It creates a 90-day deadline for FIRK and other federal agencies to take action on pipelines or LG facility permits after the conclusion of the NEPA process.
▶ 5:26:26It removes the state's ability to determine whether or not a proposed gas pipeline complied with their clean water laws. I mean, the bottom line is it's getting giving FK all these additional powers, taking it away from other federal agencies and from the states.
▶ 5:26:43And the point I think of u of the gentleoman from Texas's amendment is that if you buy into this idea under the president's executive order that he has all the power to make all these decisions then there's no independence on FK's part to carry out what the gentleman from North Carolina's legislation seeks to accomplish. And that to me is a very dangerous thing.
▶ 5:27:11I think that the, you know, look, I couldn't agree more with the point that the gentleoman from Texas is making. This committee has to have a a broad discussion about the White House's attack on these independent regulatory agencies. I I'm gravely concerned about the attacks on the independence of FK. Uh, and but they're far from the only commission under attack.
▶ 5:27:34The Trump administration has moved swiftly to gut the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in direct violation of the bipartisan advance act that we spent so much time on in this committee last year. Uh yet we sit here with Doge and the president thinking that they know better than an NRC commissioner originally nominated by the president and how to make a nuclear reactor safe.
▶ 5:27:58I mean, I I if if you guys think that that the president himself or the people that work at the White House have the expertise on the on the, you know, that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has or that, uh, you know, the commissioners have that he's getting rid of. I I think you're just kidding yourself. They don't have that expertise.
▶ 5:28:19Um, you know, and and that's even without getting into the illegal firings of commissioners at the FTC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or meddling that the administration has done at the Chemical Safety Board or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the Federal Communications Commission.
▶ 5:28:36All of these are under attack and and committee Republicans are sitting on the hands watching as Trump and Doge dismantle these regulatory bodies that many of us have spent our careers working on to empower and protect because we think they have the expertise that the White House doesn't have. These agencies keep Americans safe and keep companies from price gouging Americans. I hate to think what would happen if if Republicans don't fight back against the Trump administration dismantling of them.
▶ 5:29:06That's what's going on here. The gentle lady from Texas is right. How on earth are we supposed to pass laws further empowering FK when the h White House is overriding FK independence every day and declined to renominate a Republican chair who happen to be too protective of the AY's independence and the White House's opinion. So I I'm sorry.
▶ 5:29:28I don't trust President Trump or anyone in the White House to know how to set electricity rates or approve oil pipeline prices or regulate gas pipelines. They don't have that expertise. They have no experience on how to do these things. The commissioners and the staff at FK do. That's why they're independent agencies. But only if we let them do their job. If we don't, and that's that's what's happening.
▶ 5:29:52And the amendment will get us back on track by refusing to let the law go into effect until the White House retreats from its illegal assaults on independent commissions. It's a matter of congressional authority. It should be easy for everyone to get on board with this amendment or at least for everyone who's willing to admit that President Trump can occasionally do wrong.
▶ 5:30:12I mean, maybe you think he's godlike, but if you really think that he's has the ability to substitute his opinion for these regulatory agencies, I mean, that makes no sense to me. I I yield back. Mr. uh Mr. Chairman, the gentleman yields. The gentleman from California, Mr. Peters, is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll try to be brief. Um I think uh Representative Fletcher makes a good point, and it's not about President Trump, it's about any president.
▶ 5:30:40I think if um if we if we took away FK's independence and they were subject to President Biden's pause in natural gas, I think that would upset Republicans in much the same way as we're concerned over on this side about uh about upsetting the other side of the apple cart. So, I think part of what we'll what permit reform ultimately will depend on is our confidence in the independence of these agencies. And I think all members of Congress should stand behind that because we don't want the politics of a president to be interfering with the laws that we set out.
▶ 5:31:10So I think this is a a good amendment. I actually think probably you get Texas Democrats to vote for this bill if you would accept the amendment. Um maybe that won't happen today. But I'll also just say to be um to be fair that I actually think that Mr. Hudson has done a good job with with this to the as far as it goes um dealing with with constraints on linear infrastructure. Um but any big permitting deal is going to have to deal with transmission.
▶ 5:31:37And if we could find a way to give the same um treatment of overhead power lines, linear infrastructure as we do for pipelines, I think we would really have a lot more progress than we're going to have today. So I I would not support this uh without dealing with the other linear infrastructure that really cries out for permit reform which is u high voltage inter regional transmission. Um and look forward to working together on that in the future. And I yield back. Gentleman yields. There's no further discussion on the amendment.
▶ 5:32:07A roll call vote has been requested. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada. Mr. Griffith Mr. Griffith votes no. Mr. Billis Mr. Hudson Mr. Hudson votes no. Mr. Carter of Georgia.
▶ 5:32:38Mr. Carter of Georgia votes no. Mr. Palmer Mr. Palmer votes no. Mr. Dunn Mr. Dunn votes no. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Mr. Joyce Mr. Joyce votes no.
▶ 5:33:09Mr. Weber Mr. Weber votes no. Mr. Allen Mr. Allen votes no. Mr. Balderson Mr. Balderson votes no. Mr. Fulture Mr. Fulture votes no. Mr. Fluger Mr. Fluger votes no. Mrs. Mrs. Harshburgger votes no. Mrs. Miller Meeks.
▶ 5:33:42Mrs. Kamik Mr. Obenalty Mr. Obenalty votes no Mr. James Mr. James votes no Mr. Bence Mr. Bence votes no Mrs. Howchin Mrs. Howin votes no Mr.
▶ 5:34:07Fry Miss Lee Mr. Langworthy Mr. Langworthy votes no Mr. Kain Mr. Kane votes no Mr. Roelly Mr. votes no Mr. Evans Mr. Evans votes no Mr. Goldman Mr. Mr. Goldman votes no.
▶ 5:34:38Mrs. Fedorch. Mrs. Fedorch votes no. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes I. Mr. Get. Mr. Get votes I. Miss Shakowski. Miss Shakowski votes I. Miss Matsui I. Miss Matsui votes I. Miss Caster I. Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko. I. Mr. Mr. Tonka votes I. Miss Clark I.
▶ 5:35:07Miss Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes I. Mr. Vzy. Mr. Vzy votes I. Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly votes I. Miss Better. Miss Better Gun votes I. Mr. Sto Mr. Sto votes I.
▶ 5:35:38Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Treyan. M. Treyan votes I. Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher votes I. Miss Mr. Aenclaus. Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter of Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes I. Mr. Mr. Mendez votes I. Mr. Mullen Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr.
▶ 5:36:07Lansman Mr. Lansman votes I. Miss Mlen. Miss Mlen votes I. Sometimes it's located. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes no. How is Mr. Ladder recorded? Mr. Lad is not recorded. Mr. Lad votes no. How is Miss Kamik reported? Mrs. Kamik is not recorded. Mrs. Kamik votes no. Does anyone else wish to be recorded?
▶ 5:36:50Mr. Joyce, on that vote there were 23 eyes and 26 nos. The amendment is not Are there any other amendments? The gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Mendez, is recognized. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk labeled The clerk will report the amendment.
▶ 5:37:21Amendment to HR 3668 offered by Mr. Mendez. Page 15 after line nine. Insert the following. Jay, ensuring pipeline. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentleman is recognized for five minutes in support of his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We've heard a lot about gas pipelines this Congress. How Republicans think we need to build more of them.
▶ 5:37:46how they and the administration want to override states rights to apply their own clean water laws to the pipelines and how they think companies should be able to pay $10 million to automatically have their pipeline permits approved. But what we haven't heard about is safety.
▶ 5:38:01and frankly shocked that especially given that Congress is nearly two years past due on reauthorizing the pipeline safety activities of the pipeline and hazardous material safety administration or fimza and that's crazy to me and it's concerning. We are two years overdue on reauthorizing pipeline safety and Republicans are just talking about adding more pipelines rather than anything relating to those pipeline safety. Unfortunately, there's a lot to talk about.
▶ 5:38:31Federal enforcement of pipeline safety fell to record lows in the first months of the Trump administration. For the first time in BIMSA's history in March, it initiated zero enforcement actions. Zero. None. And I don't think any of us here believe that's because there is nothing to enforce. It's because the Trump administration is once again turning a blind eye to any bad behavior by fossil fuel companies.
▶ 5:38:55And in case any of my Republican colleagues doubt those stats, I'd like to insert an article into the record discussing them titled pipeline enforcement plunges in Trump's first Without objection. Thank you. And it gets worse. Doge forced out the top career pipeline safety official and hasn't given any public indication of how many other FIMSA employees they forced out.
▶ 5:39:22All while the Senate has taken zero action on the proposed FIMSA heads nomination. Last January, the Biden administration submitted a final rule for a leak detection regulation required by the last reauthorization legislation, a law that President Trump himself signed. But on his very first day in office, Trump told the Federal Register not to publish the rule, and it's been in limbo ever since. And our pipelines aren't getting any safer.
▶ 5:39:50Just last week, FIMSA rescended its guidelines for how pipelines should comply with another provision of the most recent authorization relating to inspection and maintenance plans, leaving everyone in limbo. The Trump administration is simply committed to not complying with the law on pipeline safety, and this committee apparently has zero interest in holding him to account. This is a serious issue and has real impacts on all of our communities.
▶ 5:40:16Last year, there were 13 fatalities in pipeline incidences across the nation. In April, the Keystone pipeline in North Dakota sprung a leak, causing a serious safety issue. 5 years ago, a rupture in a carbon dioxide pipeline in Mississippi sent 45 people to the hospital. And just to give that additional color before everybody gets to turn their head to the issue, I want to read from this article that describes that incident in Mississippi. An individual's first thought was a pipeline explosion.
▶ 5:40:46He didn't know what was filling the air, but he called his mom, Thelma Brown, to warn her to get inside. He told her he was coming. Brown gathered her young grandchildren and great-g grandandchildren she was watching. Took them into her back bedroom and got them under the quilt with them and waited. Quote, "They didn't come." Brown says, "10 minutes.
▶ 5:41:06I knew they would have been here in 5 minutes, but they didn't come." Little did she know, her sons and nephew were just down the road in the Cadillac, unconscious, victims of a mass poisoning from a carbon dioxide pipeline rupture. As a carbon dioxide moved through the rural community, more than 200 people evacuated. At least 45 people were hospitalized. Cars stopped working, hobbling emergency response. People lay on the ground, shaking and unable to breathe. First responders didn't know what was going on.
▶ 5:41:35quote, "It looked like you were going through the zombie apocalypse." End quote. Needless to say, we've got to get this right. Mr. Chairman, the pipeline safety authorization expired 633 days ago. This committee has yet to do anything this Congress to do its duty and kickstart the reauthorization process. Not a hearing, not a draft bill, nothing. We can't talk about making it easier to build pipelines until we are confident that they are actually safe. My amendment is simple.
▶ 5:42:05It would pause enforcement of this bill until we reauthorize FIMSA's pipeline safety activities for fiscal year 2026. That's it. It's just saying in order for this bill to take effect, we have to do our jobs. That shouldn't be too hard for any of us. I urge adoption of my amendment and I yield back. Gentleman yields. The chair recognizes a gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Hudson. Thank you very much. Um, I wish to speak in opposition to this amendment.
▶ 5:42:34Um, it's more I see it really is as nothing more than a delay tactic at this point. Uh, it would prevent HR 3668 from taking effect until Congress reauthorizes FEMA safety activities. U, listen, I'm glad to see my Democrat colleagues change of heart on FEMA reauthorization because last Congress, none of my colleagues supported um on the other side of the aisle voted for our legislation to reauthorize FEMA.
▶ 5:42:57Um, and but if but if my colleagues are willing to work with me, I would love to work towards a bipartisan FIMS of reauthorization um to make sure that we keep our nation's pipeline infrastructure updated and safe. It's it's past time. Um we but and I ask my colleagues, please let's let's come together. Let's try to do this in a bipartisan way. I think we can we can find the path to do it. I think you know both sides have tried to do it alone. uh the the other side in 2020.
▶ 5:43:26Uh we tried last year. Uh let's let's try something new and let's work together. I' I'd invite my colleague who offered the amendment. Love to begin discussions with you and see if we can come to some common ground. Uh I agree with you. Uh pipeline safety is vitally important and uh and I think there's some important work to be done in this reauthorization. I think it'd be great if we could do it together. Uh but I I urge my colleagues uh to vote no on this amendment because this is not the right place to to have this uh played out.
▶ 5:43:56But um but I look forward to having discussions in the future and and yield back. Thank you. The gentleman yields. The chair recognizes the gentle lady from California, Miss Matt Suie. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the last word and in speak in support of this amendment. The gentle lady is recognized. It is important that we talk about the consequences of this bill for everyday people.
▶ 5:44:20This bill strips states of their authority under the Clean Water Act to stop projects that harm water quality that puts my constituents and communities across the country at serious risk. This is about clean water, one of the most important foundations of public health. Yesterday, with the limited time he would give us, Secretary Kennedy sat there and told us environmental factors impact health. And my Republican colleagues agreed with him. But your actions don't match your words.
▶ 5:44:50The Secretary's own Maha report identified the aggregation of environmental chemicals as a driver of chronic diseases and obesity, particularly among children. Then the NIH's terminated grants for public drinking water contaminants and infant health, pestified exposure and child respiratory health, exposure to metals and metal mixtures on late life cognitive health and more.
▶ 5:45:17And here you are pushing a bill that guts the Clean Water Act, doubling down on a strategy that will make kids sick. Sadly, this is nothing new and it's an astound astounding hypocrisy in California. We understand just how essential clean water is. It fuels our communities, powers our economy, and grows the fresh produce that sits ends up on the kitchen tables across the country. Clean water is not something we take for granted.
▶ 5:45:44We spent decades managing our water responsibly, and we're not about to let Republicans undermine that. I urge my colleagues to stop undermining public health projections and oppose this bill and I yield back the balance of my time. General lady yields. If there is no further discussion, the vote occurs on the amendment. A roll call vote has been requested. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Lada.
▶ 5:46:17Mr. Griffith. Mr. Billis, Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson votes no. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mr. Carter of Georgia votes no. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Palmer votes no. Mr. Dunn.
▶ 5:46:48Mr. Dunn votes no. Mr. Krenshaw. Mr. Krenshaw votes no. Mr. Joyce no. Mr. Joyce votes no. Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber votes no. Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen votes no. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Balderson votes no. Mr. Fulture. Mr.
▶ 5:47:18Fulture votes no. Mr. Fluger. Mrs. Harshburgger. Mrs. Harshburgger votes no. Mrs. Miller Meeks. Mr. Oenalti. Mr. Oenalti votes no. Mr. James Mr. James votes no. Mr. Vence.
▶ 5:47:49Mr. Vince votes no. Mr. Fry, Miss Lee, Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Langworthy votes no. Mr. Kane. Mr.
▶ 5:48:18Kane votes no. Mr. Roelly. Mr. Roelly votes no. Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans votes no. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes no. Mrs. Fedorch. Mrs. Fedorch votes no. Mr. Palone I. Mr. Palone votes I. Mette I. Mr. Get votes I.
▶ 5:48:47Miss Shakowski I Miss Shakowski votes I. Miss Matsui I Miss Matsui votes I. Miss Caster I. Miss Caster votes I. Mr. Tonko I. Mr. Tonko votes I. Miss. Clark. Miss. Clark votes I. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes I. Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters votes I. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs.
▶ 5:49:17Dingle votes I. Mr. Vzy. Mr. Vzy votes I. Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly votes I. Miss Better. Miss Bedagon votes I. Mr. Sodto. Mr. Sodto votes I. Miss Shrier. Miss Shrier votes I. Miss Trean. Miss Trean votes I. Miss Fletcher, Miss Fletcher votes I.
▶ 5:49:48Miss Aassiocortez, Mr. Aenclaus, Mr. Aenclaus votes I. Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Carter of Louisiana votes I. Mr. Mr. Menendez votes I. Mr. Mullen Mr. Mullen votes I. Mr. Mr. Lansman. Mr. Lansman votes I. Miss Mlen.
▶ 5:50:18Miss Mlen votes I. Chairman Guthrie. No. Chairman Guthrie votes no. How's Mr. Lada recorded? Mr. Lad is not recorded. No. Mr. Lada votes no. How's Mr. Griffith recorded? Mr. Griffith is not recorded. How's Mr. Fluger reported? Mr. Griffith votes no. Mr. Fluger is not recorded. Mr. How is Miss Hen recorded? Mrs. Hchen is not recorded. Mrs. Hchin votes no.
▶ 5:50:50Does anyone else wish to be recorded? The clerk will call the role. We'll report the role. Mr. Joyce on that vote. There were 23 eyes and 25 nos. The amendment is not agreed to. Are there any further amendments?
▶ 5:51:19Seeing none, the question now occurs on approving HR 3668. All roll call vote has been requested. The clerk will call the role. Mr. La Mr. Lada votes I. Mr. Griffith. Mr. Griffith votes I. Mr. Bill Rakus. Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson votes I. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mr. Carter of Georgia votes I. Mr. Palmer.
▶ 5:51:49Mr. Palmer votes I. Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn votes I. Mr. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce votes I. Mr. Weber. Mr. Mr. Weber votes I. Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen votes I. Mr. Balderson. Mr. Balderson votes I. Mr. Fulture. Mr. Fulture votes I. Mr. Fluger. Mr. Fluger votes I. Mrs.
▶ 5:52:19Harshburgger. Mrs. Harshburgger votes I. Mrs. Miller Meeks. Mrs. Miller Meeks votes I. Mrs. Kamik. Mr. Oenalty. Mr. Mr. Oberenalty votes I. Mr. James Mr. James votes I. Mr. Bence. Mr. Bence votes I. Mrs. Hchin. Mrs. Hin votes I. Mr. Fry.
▶ 5:52:51Miss Lee. Mr. Langworthy. Mr. Langworthy votes I. Mr. Kain. Mr. Kane votes I. Mr. Rouley I. Mr. Rouley votes I. Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. Goldman. Mr. Goldman votes I. Mrs. Fedorch. Mrs. Fedorch votes I. Mr. Palone. Mr. Palone votes no. Miss Dette.
▶ 5:53:22Mr. Get votes no. Miss Shakowski. Miss Shakowski votes no. Miss Matsui. Miss Matsui votes no. Miss Caster. Miss Caster votes no. Mr. Tonko, Mr. Tonko. Mr. Tonko votes no. Miss Clark. Miss Clark votes no. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz votes no. Mr. Peters.
▶ 5:53:53Mr. Peters votes no. Mrs. Dingle. Mrs. Dingle votes no. Mr. Vzy. Mr. Vzy votes no. Miss Kelly Miss Kelly votes no. Miss Bettergon. Miss Better votes no. Mr. Sodto Mr. Sodto votes no. Miss Miss Shrier votes no. Miss Treyan. Miss Fletcher.
▶ 5:54:24Miss Fletcher votes no. Mr. Kaziocortez. Mr. Rocken Clauss. Mr. Carter of Louisiana. No. Mr. Cardo of Louisiana votes no. Mr. Mendez. Mr. Menendez votes no. Mr. Mr. Mullen votes no. Mr. Lansman. Mr. Lansman votes no. Miss. Mlen. Miss. Mlen votes no. Chairman Guthrie.
▶ 5:54:54Chairman Guthrie votes I. Mr. Okenclaus not recorded. Mr. Okenclaus votes no. Mr. Kshaw is not recorded. Mr. Kshaw votes I. How is Mrs. Kamik reported? Mrs. Kamik is not recorded. Mrs. Kamik votes I. How is Miss Trean reported? Miss Trean is not recorded.
▶ 5:55:24Miss Trean votes no. The clerk will report. Mr. Joyce, on that vote, there were 27 eyes and 23 nos. The eyes have it. The bill is adopted.
▶ 5:55:54Without objection, staff is authorized to make technical and conforming changes to the legislation approved by the committee today. So ordered. Without objection, the committee stands adjourned.