What’s Happening
Two weeks ago, House Democrats on the Energy & Commerce (E&C) Committee unveiled the CLEAN Future Act, their plan to tackle climate change. Now, E&C Republicans have published their own plan, called the Securing Cleaner American Energy plan, which focuses on American clean energy security while emphasizing the climate benefits.
Why It Matters
President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats have made tackling climate change top of their agenda. The CLEAN Future Act, introduced recently by E&C Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), is their most comprehensive proposal to do this, so far. Yet, as ACC On the Issues outlined, the legislation is mandate-heavy and carries an enormous price tag of $560 billion.
The Securing Cleaner American Energy proposal pitched by Republicans takes a different approach. It focuses heavily on establishing energy security, accelerating innovation, and streamlining regulations to facilitate the clean energy transition. Some of the main proposals include:
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All-of-the-above energy innovation:
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Support for nuclear energy, including next-generation technologies, while opening up the industry for foreign investment from allies
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Support for carbon capture, utilization & storage (CCUS)
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Support for innovative hydrogen projects
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Support for hydropower through H.R. 1588, a bill ACC already supports
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Energy & resource security:
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Secure our rare earth mineral supply chain, crucial to clean energy technology and national security
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Restore the Keystone XL pipeline, while prohibiting the federal government from placing a sweeping moratorium on fracking (instead devolving that decision power to the states)
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Regulatory streamlining:
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Modernize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing process for nuclear projects (including next-generation technologies)
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Update the licensing process for hydropower projects
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Improve the permitting process under the New Source Review (a significant regulatory barrier to infrastructure investments and upgrades)
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My Take
Republicans are taking a pro-innovation, market-based approach to protect our energy security and tackling climate change. In particular, the emphasis on an all-of-the-above energy innovation portfolio, including technologies such as nuclear, CCUS, and hydrogen, is crucial to facilitate the clean energy transition. Moreover, the provisions for streamlining and updating our regulatory process are important, because unnecessary red tape often holds up clean energy projects.
The importance of energy security was demonstrated clearly in Texas during the historic cold snap earlier this year. An all-of-the-above energy approach and resilient grid technology are key to not only addressing climate change but providing Americans with reliable energy even in the worst of conditions.
Most of the policies contained within this proposal could easily attract bipartisan support. Real climate action will require both sides at the table, so I hope the Democrats on E&C will be receptive to these important pieces of legislation Given the political reality, Democrats and Republicans will have to come together to make tough compromises on issues such as fracking.
Quote me on it
“Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee have consistently proposed smart policies that would lower emissions and protect America’s energy supply. Streamlining burdensome regulations, investing in CCUS and nuclear, and securing critical mineral resources is just common sense – and yet Democrats continue to move the goalposts. E&C Republicans are offering real solutions, and I hope Democrats will include them in these conversations.” – National Policy Director Christopher Barnard