News

June 19, 2007

House Begins Energy Legislation Mark Up

The House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality began mark up of energy legislation today, June 19, 2007. A memo from Chairman Dingell (MI) describes the issues and process for consideration of a number of so called "committee prints" or legislation. As the memo describes, the Subcommittee has decided to leave a number of controversial issues (fuel economy standards, coal to liquids) for debate later this year when climate legislation is taken up. It also mentions, indirectly, the difficulties that have arisen in the Senate Energy Bill process concerning these issues. The committee prints or legislation being discussed over the next two weeks include:

Plug-in Hybrids – One section of this legislation would establish plug-in demonstration and deployment-oriented activities at the Department of Energy something ASERTTI members and others have been communicating to Congress for some time.
Energy Efficiency and CHP – The promotion of energy efficiency legislation includes far reaching building and appliance energy efficiency requirements. There is also language directing the Department of Energy to continued operation of the CHP application centers and move responsibility for the centers back to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Other legislation being considered includes authorizations for a new ethanol infrastructure grant program, refinement of EPACT loan guarantees, expansion of Energy Information Administration data collection, and Smart Grid activities.

For more information on the above legislation or ASERTTI’s activities in support of particular provisions, please contact David Terry at 703-395-1076.