House E&C Chairman Pallone applauds advance of two energy bills

With the advancement of two energy bills out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sees an opportunity to expand and reform energy access and practices.

The first, the Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019 (H.R. 4447), was introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), to create a grant for energy storage and microgrids, as well as a technical assistance program at the U.S. Department of Energy.

The other, the Department of Energy Organization and Management Improvement Act (H.R. 8159), addresses more bureaucratic measures at the department, requiring the Secretary of Energy to review and report on measures and recommendations for the improvement of DOE’s management, as well as the implementation of reforms. It was introduced by Pallone and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR).

“The Energy and Commerce Committee passed two important pieces of legislation today to expand access to sustainable energy and reform the Department of Energy’s management and personnel practices,” Pallone said. “I’m especially proud of my bipartisan bill with Ranking Member Walden to improve DOE management and clarify that National Nuclear Security Administration personnel are subject to the authority and direction of the Secretary of Energy.”

More specifically, H.R. 4447 would offer $5 million annually for its program over five years, which would help provide grants and technical assistance to rural electric cooperatives or non-profits working with at least six rural electric cooperatives. This money would allow them to design and demonstrate energy storage and microgrid projects that work with renewable energy sources.

The Department of Energy Organization and Management Improvement Act would amend part of the National Nuclear Security Administration Act. Through that amendment, officers and employees of the National Nuclear Security Administration would become subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Energy. Currently, Section 3220 of the NNSA Act blocks any DOE personnel other than the Secretary from exerting authority over those officers and employees, but the amendment would eliminate that rule.