House Energy Subcommittee to Take Up Efficiency Measures

摘要

The House Energy and Commerce energy subcommittee begins moving today on energy legislation, starting with bipartisan bills centered on energy efficiency. 1. The approach is in line with the desires of Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), who chairs Energy and Commerce’s environment and climate change panel. He released a set of broad policy principles in March that—in contrast to the contentious Green New Deal (H.Res.109) —he hopes can pick up GOP support. Efficiency is among the areas he cited. 2. The bills slated for markup include H.R. 2088, which would reauthorize the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program to provide $3.5 billion annually through improve the energy efficiency of public buildings, more than tripling the current level of funding; and H.R. 2665, which would create a DOE grant program for energy and water efficiency projects. The subcommittee also will take up several bills related to cybersecurity, including one (H.R. 362) that would create a new Energy Department assistant secretary to oversee security issues concerning energy supply and infrastructure.