House Republicans debut energy and permitting reform package
March 23, 2023
Last week, House Republicans formally introduced the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1). This comprehensive legislative package is aimed at increasing American energy production and enacting permitting reform to reduce regulatory burdens associated with the development of infrastructure projects. By designing the Lower Energy Costs Act as H.R. 1, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has signaled......
Lame-Duck Look Ahead: Energy Permitting Reform Bill
October 13, 2022
In early August, it was announced that Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) had reached a deal with Congressional leaders to take up energy infrastructure permitting reform legislation. This deal was made in exchange for his support of the climate change and clean energy reconciliation package known as the Inflation Reduction......
House Committees Move Forward With Reconciliation Legislation
September 16, 2021
This month, the House of Representatives began the process of writing their proposed $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package following passage of a budget resolution in August. Along with of the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the reconciliation package marks a critical step in President Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda. Unlike the bipartisan......
Hurricane Ida Wreaks Havoc, but Louisiana’s Levees Hold Firm
September 02, 2021
Throughout New Orleans, Louisiana, residents are still beset with remnants of Hurricane Katrina 16 years after it made landfall, breaching New Orleans’ levees and ultimately devastating communities, leading to 1,800 deaths. On the 16th anniversary of the tragic storm, the very same region was besieged by Hurricane Ida, which reached winds of 150 miles per......
Congress Focuses on Clean and Renewable Energy
October 01, 2020
Over the last two weeks, Congress’ spotlight was on clean and renewable energy. The Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, the House Committee on Natural Resources, and the House Committee on Energy & Commerce held hearings on the topic. Last week, the House passed H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. The......
Joe Biden Proposes $2 Trillion Clean Energy and Infrastructure Plan
July 16, 2020
Democratic presumptive nominee, Joe Biden unveiled the second pillar of his Build Back Better economic recovery plan with a $2 trillion clean energy and infrastructure plan, focused on speeding up the transition to cleaner energy for transportation and buildings in addition to prioritizing environmental justice. On Tuesday, July 14, near his home in Wilmington, Delaware,......
Democrats’ Infrastructure Bill Includes Investment in Energy and Parks
June 25, 2020
House Democrats’ infrastructure package, the Moving Forward Act, includes $70 billion for upgrading the nation’s energy infrastructure, promotes renewable energy, and invests in local parks and green stormwater management infrastructure. ASCE’s 2017 Infrastructure Report Card gave our nation’s energy and public parks categories each a grade of “D+,” and it found the 10-year investment gap......
Rhode Island’s Infrastructure Gets a ‘C-’ in its State’s First Infrastructure Report Card
June 24, 2020
The Rhode Island Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released the inaugural 2020 Report Card for Rhode Island’s Infrastructure this morning in a virtual news conference, Speakers included Chad Morrison, P.E., 2020 ASCE Rhode Island President-Elect; Nazifa Sarawat, E.I.T., Chair, 2020 Report Card for Rhode Island’s Infrastructure; Mayor James Diossa of Central......
Congress Holds Hearings on Effects of Pandemic on the Energy Industry
June 16, 2020
Congress held two hearings this week to examine the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the energy industry. Both the House Committee on Energy & Commerce and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources heard from former agency officials and industry experts about challenges and opportunities that face the energy industry during and the......
Energy Bill Amendment Addresses Energy Efficiency, Would Save Billions on Energy Bills
March 06, 2020
In efforts to curb climate change and make homes and businesses more energy efficient, the Senate is likely to vote next week on an amendment that would be a part of a larger energy bill currently under consideration on the Senate floor, the American Energy Innovation Act. This amendment, introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH)......