The Washington Word

House Approps Committee Increases Funding for Efficiency, Renewable Programs in FY20 Bill

May 21, 2019

The House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2020 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies bill last week by a vote of 31-21.

The bill - which funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior programs, the Department of Energy, and other related agencies - provides $46.4 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion, or 4 percent, above the FY19 enacted level.

Subcommittee Chair Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) said in a statement that the bill "rejects the President’s drastic and short-sighted proposed cuts to key energy and water programs, including a 12% decrease to the Department of Energy, a 31% decrease to the Army Corps of Engineers, and a 28% decrease to the Bureau of Reclamation."

For DOE's energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, the bill provides $2.65 billion, an increase of $273 million above the current year level and $2.3 billion above the Trump administration's budget request. More . . .

Landmark Hearing Exposes Climate Change Gulf Between Parties

Washington Examiner

May 15, 2019

A landmark House Ways and Means Committee hearing Wednesday, the first focused on climate change in a dozen years, illuminated the gulf between Democrats and Republicans.

Republicans have undergone a shift in recent months in saying that climate change is a problem worth addressing. But Republican committee members threw cold water on a carbon tax, a measure many climate hawks and economists view as essential. More . . .

Senate Finance Committee Looks to End Uncertainty of Tax Breaks

Roll Call

May 17, 2019

Senate Finance Chairman Charles E. Grassley announced the creation of five task forces charged with delving into what to do about 42 myriad tax breaks that continually get turned on and off by Congress, including energy effiiciency incentives.

The joint announcement by the Iowa Republican and Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden , the committee’s ranking member, comes 16 and a half months after 26 tax “extenders” expired at the end of 2017. Grassley said the task force is charged with coming up with solutions by the end of June, including whether to consolidate or change certain provisions, make them permanent or allow them to lapse. More . . .

House Dems Unveil Climate-Focused Infrastructure Bill

Washington Examiner

May 15, 2019

House Democrats in the energy committee released an infrastructure bill on Wednesday focused on combating climate change that would dedicate tens of billions of dollars to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

More than $33 billion would go to clean energy, including $8 billion for grid upgrades to accommodate and expand the use of more renewable energy. More than $2 billion would be used to install solar panels in low-income and underserved neighborhoods and communities.

The bill, the LIFT America Act, also includes $23 billion to make energy efficiency improvements in homes, schools, and other buildings to ensure they produce less greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The money will also be used to fund the "nationwide deployment" of cleaner fuels that can be used to heat homes and businesses. More . . .

NEW IN CONGRESS

NEW BILL: H.R.2759 - To require the Secretary of Defense to enhance the readiness of the Department of Defense to challenges relating to climate change and to improve the energy and resource efficiency of the Department, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX)

Introduced: May 15, 2019

NEW BILL: H.R.2741 - “Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America Act" (The LIFT America Act): To rebuild and modernize the Nation's infrastructure to expand access to broadband and Next Generation 9-1-1, rehabilitate drinking water infrastructure, modernize the electric grid and energy supply infrastructure, redevelop brownfields, strengthen health care infrastructure, create jobs, and protect public health and the environment, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)

Introduced: May 15, 2019

NEW BILL: H.R.2665 - Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA)

Introduced: May 10, 2019

NEW BILL: H.R.2664 - All-of-the-Above Federal Building Energy Conservation Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA)

Introduced: May 10, 2019

H.R.2119 - To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize grants for improving the energy efficiency of public buildings, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL

Latest Action: Forwarded to full committee by subcommittee on voice vote, May 16, 2019