Chair Rodgers Opening Remarks at FERC Budget Hearing

Jul 24, 2024

Washington D.C. - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today's Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing titled "The Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Budget."

"I am pleased that all five commissioners are here today to offer their testimony. Welcome back to Chairman Phillips and Commissioner Christie.

"I would also like to offer a warm welcome to FERC's newest members, Commissioners Rosner, See, and Chang.

"FERC was established by Congress as an independent agency within the Department of Energy through the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977.

"While FERC is an independent agency, it still answers to Congress and must carry out the mission that Congress directs it to.

"Congress established FERC as an economic regulator, to ensure that electricity, natural gas, and oil is delivered to the American people safely, securely, and at a reasonable price.

"In order to achieve this, we need solutions that bring down costs for Americans, who are currently suffering under the burden of exploding costs across the board, including rising electric and utility rates.

"Expanding energy with an all-of-the-above strategy will ensure Americans won't have to worry about rationing energy in the summer or winter months or having to make tough choices about whether to pay the electric bill or buy groceries for their family."

CHALLENGES FACING AMERICA'S ENERGY SYSTEMS

"That requires that FERC adhere to its core mission, especially as America's energy and economic security is increasingly under attack by the Biden Administration and their radical rush-to-green agenda.

"Over the last four years, this administration and Democrats have wreaked havoc on our nation's economy, energy prices, and our grid and pipeline infrastructure.

"They have chosen to prioritize the interests of radical environmental activists at the expense of the American people, eliminating jobs and investments for American energy workers, making us dangerously dependent on the Chinese Communist Party for our energy supply chains, and forcing the early retirement of our most affordable and reliable power plants.

"Given their independence and mission, FERC should be stepping up and taking action to protect consumers. But sadly, it seems that FERC has lost sight of its mission.

"FERC has the responsibility to ensure that rates for the interstate transmission of electricity and natural gas is 'just and reasonable.'

"It also has a responsibility to issue timely permits for pipelines, hydropower projects, and LNG export facilities when they are in the 'public interest' of Americans.

"The commission must do more to insolate itself from the Democrat's 'rush-to-green' agenda and refocus on the core Congressionally directed mission."

ENERGY PRICES FOR AMERICANS

"FERC also recently announced a new transmission rule, which advanced along partisan lines.

"The new rule will raise energy prices and trample on states' authority over their energy infrastructure.

"It will force some states to shoulder the costs for transmission lines with no actual benefits for their own communities, especially in rural areas.

"The commission has also slow walked permitting for pipelines and LNG facilities, which directly impacts the supply and price of natural gas.

"At a time when more than half of the nation is at elevated risk of blackouts, we need to do more to unleash American energy, rather than throttle it.

"That starts with meaningful infrastructure permitting reforms that reduce energy costs for Americans and ensure the U.S. can reach its full energy potential."

LOOKING FORWARD

"I cannot say this enough: energy is foundational to everything we do.

"It's what keeps the lights on, heats our homes, and powers our hospitals, businesses, and transportation.

"Access to affordable, reliable energy over the past century has raised our standard of living, driven technological innovation, and improved the health and wellbeing of all Americans.

"We need to continue protecting and building on that legacy.

"Today's hearing is an opportunity for Members to hold FERC accountable and understand how recent actions, like their new transmission rule, will impact people's financial security and our nation's energy security."

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