Sens. Murkowski, Cantwell introduce new energy and natural resources bill

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the committee’s ranking member, recently introduced the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 (ENRA).

S. 1460 is the successor to the senators’ legislation from the previous Congress, and was placed on the
Senate Calendar for expedited floor consideration.

“Our energy infrastructure is under attack and we need the tools to fix it right now,” Cantwell said. “Our bipartisan legislation will not only help modernize our energy infrastructure, but secure it from extreme weather, climate change, and serious cyber threats. I am looking forward to continuing to refine this legislation through robust debate and then sending it to the President’s desk.”

The bill includes eleven titles on efficiency, infrastructure, supply, accountability, conservation, federal land management, National Park System management, sportsmen’s issues, water infrastructure, natural hazards and Indian energy. It aims to save energy, increase supply, support innovation, modernize the electric grid, boost energy trade, improve grid security, protect sportsmen’s access, support mineral security, strengthen the energy workforce, reauthorize certain conservation programs, enable improved management of federal lands, and minimize risks from natural hazards.

“It has now been a full decade since Congress has passed legislation to modernize and reform our nation’s energy and resource policies,” Murkowski said. “We came very close to achieving that goal last year, and have continued to work with our congressional colleagues and a wide range of stakeholders to write another strong bill.”