House advances efforts to enhance state flexibility on ozone standards, restructure hydropower and energy security

House efforts to increase U.S. hydropower infrastructure and energy security, as well as allow state and
local flexibility over implementation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ozone standards advanced through the House of Representatives this week.

In total, there were four bills being considered, all of which originally came from the Energy and
Commerce Committee. The first was the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017, introduced by Energy Subcommittee Vice Chairman Pete Olson (R-TX), which would allow states more flexibility for implementing the air quality standards established by the EPA. That bill passed by a vote of 229 to 199.

“This bill is about listening to our regulators back home,” Olson said. “It is about giving our local officials the tools they need to make air rules work. It’s about making sure that communities aren’t penalized for pollution they can’t control. It’s about making sure that when EPA sets a standard, they have to put out the rules communities need to meet that standard.”

A bill introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) to amend the Federal Power Act to promote development of small conduit hydropower facilities in the growing renewable energy market also advanced, with only two members of the House voting against it. At the same time, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) put forward a bill to extend the license for construction on the Enloe hydroelectric dam in his state, which was passed by voice vote.

Lastly, Energy Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) came together to submit the Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act, which Upton says will enhance energy security, emergency preparedness, job creation, as well as infrastructure protection and resilience for years to come.

“Prioritizing and elevating energy security planning and emergency preparedness is an important step in the face of increased threats, vulnerabilities, and interdependencies of energy infrastructure and end-use systems,” Upton said.

It would alter energy emergency planning requirements to give states more power to secure infrastructure against physical and cybersecurity threats. That bill was also advanced by a voice vote.