Energy, Climate, & Grid Security

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Energy Budget.”  “This committee plays a critical role in ensuring U.S. energy security and leadership.  “For decades, America has led the way. “We’ve harnessed the power of nuclear energy, electrified millions of rural American’s homes with clean hydropower, and ushered in the Shale Revolution, creating millions of new jobs and powering economic prosperity.  “America was able to achieve this through free market principles, entrepreneurship, and giving people the opportunity to choose which energy sources best suit their needs.  “Energy and Commerce Republicans have been working to protect and expand this legacy for generations to come.”  FORCING A RADICAL AGENDA   “The Biden administration, on the other hand, is working to dismantle that legacy.  “This administration’s policies continue to put America on a dangerous path that harms our security and gives our adversaries, like China, control over our energy supply chains.  “This administration has consistently sought to prevent or slow development of American oil and gas resources, which are critical to our own energy security as well as the security of our allies.  “DOE has been complicit in this with actions like the effective ban on new LNG exports.  “American LNG has been a lifeline, especially to our European allies, since Russia invaded Ukraine.  “In the aftermath of the invasion, American LNG helped them reduce their natural gas prices by over 83 percent and reduce their dependence on Russia.  “This ban sends a signal to our allies that we’re no longer a dependable energy partner.  “We find this unacceptable.  “Another example is the recent decision to limit energy development in more than half the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.  “Doubling down on policies to restrict oil and gas, to retire baseload power generation, and to promote widespread, unaffordable and unreliable electrification is not how we secure our energy future.”  UNAFFORDABLE FOR AMERICANS   “Unfortunately, Americans are feeling the impacts of this radical rush-to-green agenda.  “Since President Biden took office, electricity prices have risen some 30 percent.  “That's almost 50 percent more than overall inflation.  “Unilateral actions like those taken by the administration continue to drive out affordable, reliable baseload generation needed to keep prices low and keep the lights on.  “Grid operators and others have been sounding the alarm for years, warning that the U.S. is on a dangerous and unsustainable path.  “Continuing down this path will mean higher energy prices and more catastrophic blackouts across the country, like what’s already happening in places like California.”  DOE COMPLICIT IN ECONOMIC HARM   “As the head of DOE, it is the Secretary’s responsibility to ensure American energy security and leadership. “Yet this department continues to stand by and watch as EPA imposes requirements that harm our ability to generate reliable power. “Is the Department ceding its energy and grid expertise to the EPA? “EPA policies like their new particulate matter standards will make permitting new manufacturing and industry almost impossible in large regions of the country. “I’d like to understand why DOE thinks we can succeed under these anti-manufacturing, and really anti-American policies which are undermining the very manufacturing programs DOE supports to help restore American leadership in critical energy materials and to reduce reliance on China. “Instead of undermining American energy and economic success, let’s work together to build on our remarkable legacy, which has transformed the human condition, lifted people out of poverty, and raised the standard of living more than any other country in the world. “The best way to do this is with a strong energy mix that takes advantage of the resources we have here at home, lowers costs for Americans, and prevents us from becoming reliant on China. “This administration’s forced transition will leave our economy dangerously dependent on supply chains controlled by China and make energy less affordable and less reliable for Americans. “I believe the Department of Energy serves a critical role in assuring sound energy polices, while also providing the support necessary for innovation to flourish. “That’s the goal today. “I look forward to the Department of Energy stepping up so that we can accomplish that goal.” 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Energy Budget.”  “The Department of Energy has immense national security responsibilities to protect America’s energy security and to oversee the nation’s nuclear weapons program.    “DOE also conducts and oversees taxpayer-funded research and development and provides loans and grants to help commercialize energy-related technologies.     “These hearings are essential to ensure that the Department is sticking to its core mission and acts as responsible stewards of taxpayer resources.   “Members will also have an opportunity to examine DOE’s expanding budget request.  “This year, DOE is requesting $51.4 billion dollars. Since FY 2021, DOE’s budget has increased by about $12 billion dollars, about 30 percent.”  PRESIDENT BIDEN’S WAR ON AMERICAN ENERGY   “After three years of President Biden’s war on American energy, the American people are suffering.  “The administration’s blind obsession to 'transition’ everyone away from fossil fuels is straining household budgets and putting the American dream further out of reach for many struggling families.      “Inflation is out of control. Sky-high energy prices and persistent supply-chain shortages are impacting our economy and our safety.  “From groceries to electric bills—everything costs more under President Biden’s energy policies.”  “Americans expect that when we flip the switch or turn the key—that the power comes on immediately.  “In America, if you want to build a home or expand a business—we expect that the infrastructure can be built quickly and predictably.  “Regrettably, under President Biden, supply chain shortages and price spikes have crippled our economic growth and made it more difficult to build new infrastructure.”  ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY    “The Department of Energy has played a role in the energy price spikes and persistent supply chain shortages.   “DOE has mismanaged our Strategic Petroleum Reserves—draining the stockpile to the lowest level in the nation’s history, with no credible plan to replenish it and no plan to increase domestic energy production.    “DOE has turned a blind eye to punitive EPA regulations that have forced the premature retirement of our most affordable and reliable coal, gas, and nuclear power plants and threatened the reliability and stability of our electric grid.   “DOE has pursued a radical climate agenda to impose new Federal regulations for household appliances, electrical equipment, building construction, and natural gas usage.   “DOE also recently imposed a ban on the issuance of new LNG export permits—a political reward for the 'keep-it-in-the-ground' climate activists in an election year.   “As the Committee learned during a field hearing in Port Arthur, Texas, the LNG export ban has created hardships and pain for thousands of workers and their families along the Gulf Coast.”  CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO REIN IN THE DOE   The Democrat’s radical transition plans, and the Department of Energy’s refusal to accept and address the threats facing our energy systems, has required Congress to act.  “Under the Republican majority, the House has passed bipartisan legislation to rein in the Department of Energy and the Biden administration.  “At the beginning of this Congress, we passed H.R. 1 to unleash American energy and modernize our energy infrastructure. In the months that followed, we passed bills to reverse punitive regulations and policy decisions that the Secretary of Energy signed off on.  “We passed legislation to reverse the ban on gas stoves, to prevent DOE from draining our strategic petroleum stockpile and selling it to China, and to reverse DOE’s moratorium on new LNG export permits.”        “Today’s hearing will allow the Secretary of Energy to answer for the Biden administration’s war on American energy.   “We stand at a pivotal time in our nation’s history, and the decisions that are made today will impact our kids and grandkids for generations.      “We have a simple choice: We can embrace America’s energy abundance and cement our position as the world’s number one energy superpower, or we can follow the Biden administration’s plan to rely on China for batteries, electric cars, and solar panels made with slave labor and environmental abuses.  “As it has been said in this Committee before, I believe we need an American energy expansion, not an energy transition to China.  “A critical part of this energy expansion is nuclear energy. I am pleased with this administration’s dedication to expanding nuclear energy and I look forward to continuing to work with both my colleagues here in Congress and the Biden administration on advancing this goal.” 

E&C Republicans Are Holding Granholm Accountable for Her Radical Agenda Americans are suffering because the Biden administration’s energy crisis is increasing costs across the board. From the grocery store to the gas pump, President Biden and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Granholm’s continued actions to undermine American energy are driving up the cost of every purchase people make. To make life affordable again, the DOE must abandon its rush-to-green agenda. Ahead of Secretary Granholm’s appearance before the House Energy and Commerce Committee tomorrow, these are the top questions we have: With energy prices up across the board since President Biden took office, why won’t you commit to supporting the Lower Energy Costs Act ? Since day one in office, the Biden administration has worked to undermine America’s global leadership in clean, affordable, and reliable energy. For example, under Secretary Granholm’s leadership, the administration has: Drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to the lowest level since 1983  Begged OPEC, Russia, and Venezuela to pump more oil while shutting down energy production here at home  Promoted an anti-fossil fuel agenda by stalling energy infrastructure projects  Blocked oil and gas development and production on federal lands and waters  Banned new liquified natural gas (LNG) export facility permits  Canceled critical mineral mining projects  Pressured banks and financial institutions to stop investing in fossil energy projects  Limited development of oil and gas resources in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, set up by Congress for the nation’s energy security Additionally, the administration’s anti-American energy agenda has led them to undermine hydropower in the Pacific Northwest, implement an unworkable and overreaching Clean Power Plan 2.0 , and impose new particulate matter standards that crush American manufacturing. The list is long, but one thing is clear: each of these drastic measures raise costs for families and businesses, while stifling America’s energy and environmental leadership. H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act , would help regain energy dominance, lower prices, create jobs, reduce emissions, strengthen our national security, and secure our supply chains. Why are you forcing Americans to drive unaffordable electric vehicles? Americans don’t want the Biden administration’s aggressive EV mandates —they want to choose what vehicle best suits their needs. That’s exactly what nearly 5,000 American car dealers told President Biden—twice—after EVs stacked up on their lots. Just like Energy and Commerce Republicans, they’re demanding the Biden administration “hit the brakes” on its unrealistic agenda. This forced EV transition also plays right into China’s hands. China controls the vast majority of critical minerals mining, processing, and manufacturing for electric vehicles. Despite the consequences, the Biden administration continues to take actions that would require two thirds of all new vehicles be electric by 2032. In addition to forcing Americans to buy a more expensive vehicle, electricity prices are up 29% since President Biden took office. Simply put, Secretary Granholm’s EV mandates are driving up costs for Americans at a time when Biden’s energy crisis is already hurting every family. Why does the Biden administration repeatedly take action to increase home energy costs and worsen the housing affordability crisis ?   Housing prices and utility bills are already too high for Americans, but that hasn’t stopped President Biden and Secretary Granholm from continuing to impose burdensome regulations on homes and apartments. Starting with a ban on gas stoves, the Biden administration decided to start attacking common and popular household appliances in the name of “energy efficiency.” The DOE proceeded to then target washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and more. Even more recently, the DOE imposed expensive, new energy codes that will only increase costs for Americans already struggling to get by. This rush-to-green agenda may appease President Biden’s radical political allies, but it does not help hardworking Americans—it just only exacerbates Biden’s energy crisis and the housing shortage Americans are facing. Why is the Biden administration undermining energy-producing communities, like Port Arthur, Texas , through their LNG export ban instead of unleashing clean, reliable, and affordable energy? Clean, affordable, and reliable American LNG is the lifeblood of many American communities. As America has become the number one producer and exporter of LNG in the world—despite President Biden's actions—we have strengthened our economy, lowered costs for families, and reduced emissions more than any other nation in the world.   Secretary Granholm’s claim that the administration’s de facto LNG export ban will only last a year proves it is nothing more than an election year stunt to win over the far-Left. Studies show that LNG exports could add upwards of 453,000 jobs and would provide a lifeline to our allies so they are not reliant on Russia for natural gas. President Biden and Secretary Granholm’s decision to halt LNG exports jeopardizes our economy, environment, and our national security.  Why did you secretly meet with the Chinese Communist Party’s top energy official just days before the Biden administration announced it would release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve? Secretary Granholm had multiple conversations with the Chinese Communist Party’s top energy official just days before the Biden administration announced it would release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in 2021. By selling our strategic energy supplies to the CCP, the Biden administration is propping up China at the expense of American national and energy security. As a result, President Biden drained our emergency oil reserve to its lowest level in 40 years. That’s why Energy and Commerce led on H.R. 22 and H.R. 21 , both of which passed the House with bipartisan support, to prevent this abuse.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) sent letters to Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol regarding IEA's shift away from its core energy security mission towards radical climate policy advocacy.  BACKGROUND: The IEA’s new climate agenda and flawed projections fail to provide participating governments with accurate and impartial data to make decisions and directly influenced the administration’s decision to restrict U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.  This agenda will have a significant impact on American LNG production, domestic energy prices, and threatens our allies.  U.S. LNG exports have spurred European countries to construct LNG import facilities in order to further wean themselves off of Russian natural gas.  Despite this, Europe continues to import a record amount of LNG from Russia, importing 40 percent more today than it did before the invasion of Ukraine.  Turning away from America’s tremendous energy potential risks U.S. energy security and the security of our allies.  KEY EXCERPTS FROM IEA LETTER: “The IEA was established in 1974 to ensure the security of oil supplies following the disruptions created by the Arab oil embargo. Congress has authorized U.S. government agencies to participate in the IEA to provide authoritative data and impartial analysis of world energy markets, to help coordinate responses to energy supply disruptions, and to strengthen the energy security of the U.S. and its allies. We are concerned that the IEA has lost focus of its energy security mission and has instead shifted attention and resources to climate policy advocacy—to the detriment of its core mission.” CLICK HERE to read the full letter to IEA Executive Director Dr. Birol.   CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Energy Secretary Granholm. 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm regarding the Department’s recent announcements to push for the adoption of expensive new energy codes. Rather than improve people’s lives and the environment, this latest rush-to-green policy is being implemented by the Biden administration to appease its radical environmental allies and will only increase housing prices and utility bills for millions of American. BACKGROUND: On September 19, 2023, DOE announced a $400 million program to implement new building energy codes.  On December 18, 2023, DOE announced another new $530 million program to implement new building energy codes.  The Biden administration has repeatedly advanced efforts to impose burdensome energy efficiency standards that would raise costs for Americans.  “Zero energy” building codes, which the grants may support, would force buildings to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in favor of more expensive, but less reliable electric options. KEY EXCERPTS: “In the U.S., building codes are predominately and appropriately regulated by State and local jurisdictions – not the Federal government. In recent years, activist environmental groups have begun pressuring international organizations, Federal agencies, States, and local jurisdictions to develop and enforce 'model' building energy codes that mandate expensive, one-sized-fits-all construction requirements and restrict fuel choices, even when it is not technologically feasible or cost-effective for the homeowner or tenant.  “State and local governments should not be forced to adopt international energy codes that set efficiency requirements, ban the use of natural gas, or require expensive electrification retrofits for appliances and electric vehicle charging. We are concerned that the DOE’s building codes grant programs will exacerbate the current housing affordability crisis and limit energy choices for the American people by encouraging the adoption of such one-sized-fits-all building codes that are not appropriate or cost-effective for all income levels and regions of the country.” CLICK HERE to read the full letter. 

Washington, D.C. — The House Energy and Commerce Committee is continuing its oversight of the deadly Maui fires that happened in August 2023. In a new letter to Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura, Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) have asked for clarification on testimony and documents provided to the Committee. KEY LETTER EXCERPT : “We appreciate your testimony before the Committee on Energy and Commerce at our September 28, 2023, hearing titled, 'Investigating the Role of Electric Infrastructure in the Catastrophic Maui Wildfires' and for your cooperation in supplying additional information in response to our October 13, 2023, additional questions for the hearing record (QFRs). We continue to keep the people of Maui in our thoughts as recovery efforts continue.   “As we continue our investigation, questions persist both about the events on the days the wildfires occurred (August 7 and 8, 2023) and about Hawaiian Electric Company and its subsidiaries’ (collectively, HECO) 'Wildfire Mitigation Plan' (WMP). For example, in HECO’s October 27, 2023, response to the Committee’s QFRs, you described the weather updates that HECO received on the dates of the wildfires. However, you also stated that HECO 'did not learn until after the windstorm had passed that the winds had been higher than forecast.'  “Additionally, we continue to have questions about the WMP and the timeline of its creation and development. HECO stated that it began developing the WMP in 2019 and finalized it in 2023. However, the Hawaii Public Utility Commission revealed it had not seen the document prior to the fires and only learned of its existence when HECO referenced it in HECO’s September 19, 2023, response to the Committee’s August 30, 2023, letter requesting more information about HECO’s wildfire mitigation measures.  “As fires involving electrical equipment continue to threaten lives, property, and energy reliability, the Committee has a responsibility to understand how these disasters unfold and how they can be prevented, so we can utilize this knowledge and findings in developing and overseeing the implementation of our national energy infrastructure policies.”  The Chairs have requested a response to their additional questions by April 3, 2024.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.  TIMELINE OF INVESTIGATION:   August 30, 2023 : E&C Republican Leaders Open Investigation into Hawaiian Electric Following Deadly Maui Fires  September 14, 2023 : Chair Rodgers and Griffith Announce Oversight Hearing on Maui Fires, Invite Utilities and State Energy Officials to Appear  September 28, 2023 : Energy and Commerce Committee Oversight Subcommittee Hosts Hearing on Maui Fires  October 18, 2023 : Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Griffith Presses Maui Officials for Additional Information Following Oversight Hearing on Catastrophic Fires