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WASHINGTON, D.C . – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered the following opening statement at today’s markup of nine bills. Chairman Guthrie’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “As people, as a Committee, and as a Congress, there are few things that are more essential than our responsibility to protect our nation’s children. Today, the harms kids face online are complex, immense, and constantly changing. “In August of 2025, the Ranking Member and I sat down and made a commitment to try to deliver a bipartisan package to empower parents and protect children and teens online. We both recognized the gravity of the issue. We both recognized that parents across this country are asking for action. “Since that time, bipartisan committee staff have spent more than 40 hours directly negotiating these bills and countless more working with members on this committee, stakeholders, and each other to build consensus. Dozens of hours of negotiation. Drafts. Redlines. Counterproposals. Serious engagement. Good-faith efforts. “I am disappointed that, despite that work, we were ultimately unable to reach a bipartisan agreement. This committee has a long history of working across the aisle on issues affecting children and families. In the past, we have shown that when the stakes are high enough, we can put politics aside and work together. “That is why it is unfortunate that the slate of bills before us today is not bipartisan. But at the end of the day, as Members of Congress, our responsibility is to our constituents, especially our children. “Across the country, children are being targeted, groomed, harassed, and exploited online. Algorithms amplify addictive, harmful content. Predators exploit anonymity. And parents are left trying to navigate a digital world that evolves faster than the safeguards they have at their disposal. “Every month we delay, more families experience the kind of devastation that no parent should ever endure. “We worked hard to try to make these bills bipartisan. We meant it when we said we wanted to get there. But the absence of bipartisan consensus cannot be an excuse for inaction. We hoped to do this with our Democrat colleagues. But if we cannot do it together, we still must take steps forward. “The time is now. “We are taking the meaningful steps forward to empower parents and protect children and teens online. We owe it to parents. We owe it to communities. And most importantly, we owe it to the kids who are counting on us to get this right. “Today, we also will mark up five bills from the Energy Subcommittee, which will help ensure the physical and cyber security of one of America’s greatest forms of infrastructure – our electric grid. “As more and more of our lives become digital, the physical and cyber security threats to our grid grow in frequency and impact, particularly from adverse nation states. “These bipartisan cybersecurity bills will help combat those threats by strengthening DOE’s leadership when it comes to securing the energy sector, providing targeted funding and technical assistance to rural and municipal utilities, and authorizing public-private partnerships on grid security that enhance information sharing. “I appreciate the willingness of Ranking Members Pallone and Castor to work with us on these important bills and look forward to moving them forward. “Thank you and I now yield to the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, the gentleman from New Jersey.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, led a hearing titled  Ready for Reuse: Legislative Proposals to Unleash the Potential of America’s Brownfields Sites.   “In order to address the challenges our country is facing, strengthen our economy, and deliver jobs to communities back home, we need to increase our domestic capacity to manufacture crucial products, produce a reliable supply of energy, and secure our position in the global artificial infrastructure race,”  said Chairman Palmer.  “While not all Brownfields Sites are appropriate for ALL uses, we should be looking for opportunities to accomplish the compatible goals of siting crucial infrastructure that is a good fit for a particular location, and encouraging remediation and reuse of idle or underutilized properties.”    Watch the full hearing  here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13):   “As we’ve held hearings this Congress to examine how policy can help spur economic growth while balancing environmental protection needs, it is becoming incredibly clear that federal investment works best when used to leverage local resources and development interests. Development of brownfields is a prime example of this dynamic. These sites would be ripe for redevelopment if not for the additional challenges represented by the use of these brownfields. They are more difficult and resource intensive, an additional burden to development that is especially challenging for under-resourced areas like those that I represent. When a community is interested in turning a brownfield site from an abandoned or underutilized property into a viable economic engine, the EPA’s brownfields program can help lessen that burden and provide the initial push needed for private investment to take interest.”   Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15):  “In my own community, I am deeply committed to working with my constituents, the EPA, and our state and local government partners to address significant brownfield issues. I have visited homes in my district adjacent to heavily contaminated areas and have seen firsthand the damage it causes to families. Cleaning up these areas and making them safe and habitable is a priority, and I look forward to working with the EPA to achieve that.” Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL): “Step back a little bit. I think there’s an awful lot of demonizing that’s going on everywhere in our country right now as it relates to data centers and their development. These facilities are manufacturing intelligence for us for the betterment of human beings. We need to do this in our country. This isn’t a choice between one or the other. We can do both. We can develop this industry. We can protect local communities, and we can protect our national security and create more opportunities for the future.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  Ready for Reuse: Legislative Proposals to Unleash the Potential of America’s Brownfields Sites. Subcommittee Chairman Palmer’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Our country is facing a novel set of challenges, and the global economic and security landscape is shifting. Having to rely on adversaries such as China for critical materials jeopardizes our national security and economy. In order to address these challenges, strengthen our economy, and deliver jobs to communities back home, we need to increase our domestic capacity to manufacture crucial products, produce a reliable supply of energy, and secure our position in the global artificial infrastructure race.    “As we heard at a Subcommittee hearing a year ago, our country is home to thousands of sites known as brownfields, which are underutilized, idled, or abandoned property where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. These sites can be environmental hazards and a nuisance to local communities, but they can also be opportunities.    “While not All Brownfields Sites are appropriate for ALL uses, we should be looking for opportunities to accomplish the compatible goals of siting crucial infrastructure that is a good fit for a particular location, and encouraging remediation and reuse of idle or underutilized properties.    “To that end, we plan to discuss four bills.    “The Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act reauthorizes both the EPA Brownfields Grants Program and the state response program through Fiscal Year 2031. It also builds on a previous discussion draft of reauthorization legislation considered at a hearing last Congress. This draft again includes expanding eligibility for brownfields grants to certain private entities, as well as a program to assist rural communities with developing competitive grant applications. It incorporates requests from brownfields stakeholders, such as increased award amount limits and expanded eligible uses for funding. It also updates the criteria EPA shall consider when ranking applications to support reuse for nationally significant infrastructure projects, such as critical mineral and semiconductor facilities, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and energy generation from all power resources. The existing criteria only supports renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.    “The second bill, the Brownfields Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, creates a new loan program, similar to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act ‘WIFIA’ and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act ‘TIFIA’ programs used to finance water and transportation infrastructure projects.    “The third bill is the Brownfields Inventory and Permitting Efficiency Act, which directs the EPA and states to work together to compile a list of sites suitable for nationally significant infrastructure projects. It also streamlines permitting for projects on certain brownfields sites, and requires EPA to provide guidance to other federal agencies on how to conduct more efficient reviews of these previously disturbed and often previously studied sites. Finally, it directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of impediments to timely and efficient removal of Superfund sites from the National Priorities List.    “Lastly, we have the Brownfields Reauthorization for an Affordable and Revitalized America Act offered by the minority. While this bill increases some grant award limits and directs the EPA to waive cost share requirements in certain circumstances, it also significantly increases the authorization of appropriations for both the Brownfields Grant Program and the state response programs.    “We have four witnesses here today to help us analyze these proposals.    “First, we have Mr. Chris Wells, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, and the current President of the Environmental Council of the States to provide the state perspective.    “We also welcome Mr. Gerald Pouncey, Jr., Senior Counsel at Taft Stettinius & Hollister. Mr. Pouncey has led numerous efforts to permit and finance redevelopment of industrial sites, ports, and former military facilities.    “Also joining us is the Honorable Alan Tomson, Mayor of Davis, West Virginia, and representing the National Brownfields Coalition, who will speak to the impact of the Brownfields Program in local communities.    “Finally, we have Mr. David Robinson, Executive Vice President of Strategic Development, for Aligned Data Centers, whose testimony will address his company’s work on brownfields sites.    “I’d like to reiterate that these bills are all discussion drafts, so I look forward to hearing robust discussion on these proposals, both today and on future occasions.    “Thank you.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  America’s Energy Infrastructure: Authorizing Pipeline Safety . Subcommittee Chairman Latta’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning and welcome to today’s Energy Subcommittee hearing to discuss legislation authorizing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s pipeline safety program.  “I’d like to welcome our witness, the Honorable Paul Roberti, Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, and thank him for appearing before us today. “Your perspective will inform our legislative effort and update us on the Administration’s priorities for maintaining the safety of America’s pipeline infrastructure and enabling the safe expansion of it. “It is good to have a Senate confirmed Administrator leading this vital safety agency after the record long vacancy under the Biden-Harris Administration.  “PHMSA is an agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that develops and enforces federal safety regulations for the nation’s pipeline infrastructure and the transportation of hazardous materials. “PHMSA works closely with industry and pipeline operators to ensure the safe delivery of nation’s most abundant energy resources, from natural gas and crude oil, to propane, jet fuel, gasoline, and other refined petroleum products. “States also play an essential role in carrying out PHMSA’s pipeline safety program, acting as “boots on the ground” to help inspect and oversee the safety of the over 3.3 million miles of both liquid and gas pipelines in PHMSA’s jurisdiction. In fact, States inspect and enforce pipeline safety regulations for over 85 percent of the infrastructure under PHSMA’s safety authority. “Pipelines continue to be the safest and most efficient mode of transport for the energy American families and our economy depend on. “Reliable, affordable natural gas makes up almost half of our country’s resource mix for power generation, and more than half of American families rely on natural gas to heat their homes, cook their food, and power their lives. Pipeline infrastructure in this country is essential to ensure the safe delivery of energy to fuel our country.  “To advance PHMSA’s mission to oversee the safety of our pipeline infrastructure, we will review the discussion draft before us today. “The draft legislation before us focuses on safety, exactly as Congress originally intended with PHMSA’s mission. This discussion draft reauthorizes PHMSA for 5 years, enabling PHMSA to continue modernizing and enhancing its pipeline safety program. “The draft would codify several important provisions to improve the efficiency and safety of the agency. “For example, the bill would: Remove duplicative regulations that do not improve safety, Clarify that PHMSA’s cost-benefit analysis focuses on safety and not anti-energy agendas,  Reduce red tape so special permit programs can efficiently focus on pertinent safety requirements, Strengthen penalties for pipeline safety violations that impair pipeline operations, Establish a voluntary information sharing program to advance good safety practices among pipeline operators, and Ensure state damage prevention programs adopt best practices to reduce the leading cause of pipeline damage incidents. “The United States’ energy system is at a turning point. We’re witnessing unprecedented energy demand not seen in decades, and demand is only expected to increase over the next several years. “Safe, efficient development and oversight of our gas and liquid pipeline system is key to providing reliable energy and power to American families. “For too long, sound pipeline safety policy has been hijacked by the environmental left, intent on stymying pipeline expansion and limiting its massive benefits to the nation. “I look forward to working with PHMSA, pipeline operators, and relevant stakeholders to make sure the pipeline safety program is efficient, predictable and focused on safety priorities that promote confidence and enable the safe expansion of our pipeline system. “I hope to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance legislation that provides for durable and focused safety oversight appropriate to pipeline infrastructure. “Again, thank you for being here and testifying Administrator Roberti. With that, I yield back.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, led a hearing titled America’s Energy Infrastructure: Authorizing Pipeline Safety . “Reliable, affordable natural gas makes up almost half of our country’s resource mix for power generation, and more than half of American families rely on natural gas to heat their homes, cook their food, and power their lives,” said Chairman Latta. “Pipeline infrastructure in this country is essential to ensure the safe delivery of energy to fuel our country.” Watch the full hearing here .     Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11): “Pipelines are the safest delivery method in the world. We appreciate what you're doing. In a state like Texas, we have almost half a million miles of pipeline that transport the vast majority of our oil and natural gas, CO2, and other things, and our national security depends on that. We’re seeing that play out with the situation in Iran, we need to continue to build out this network because it is the safest network...The ERCOT grid relies heavily on natural gas fired generation to meet the peak demand and maintain grid stability, an adequate pipeline capacity and timely infrastructure development are directly tied to reliability and affordability.” Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL): “Speaking about the partnership with the states, and having been a regulator, we operated on behalf of PHMSA for some of the programs. I thought it was a great way to have folks who are committed to our state and really care deeply about what happens there focus on pipeline safety. So, I think it’s a brilliant program. Tell me about the benefits of the state partnerships, and if you have enough money for that, and if you think that you could save money and have more safety by expanding that model of cooperative federalism and more state inspectors.” Administrator Roberti: “It is a great program. Our state partners cover 80% of the natural gas pipelines — the distribution pipelines. I think there’s 1.3 million miles of distribution mains, another almost a million miles of service lines. And they are front and center with their inspections. We work hard to train them, work cooperatively to share information.” Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08): “How do burdensome environmental regulations and climate mandates in blue states like Colorado actually prevent the safe and consistent maintenance of pipeline infrastructure?” Administrator Roberti: “Well, every time — and this is right now a state-by-state issue — many states are trying to eliminate pipelines...States that are pursuing decarbonization are saying, ‘Hold on, let’s take a time out. We won’t need these pipelines anymore.’ Unfortunately, whether the regulators or the legislators, they’re operating in a world of delusion. These pipelines will be necessary for decades to come.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding two Subcommittee Hearings and one Full Committee Markup. Read more below.  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING:  The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy is holding a hearing to discuss legislation to reauthorize the PHMSA pipeline safety program.  DATE:  Wednesday, March 4, 2026   TIME:  10:15 AM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING:  The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment is holding a hearing to examine legislative proposals supporting the remediation and redevelopment of America’s Brownfields Sites.   DATE:  Wednesday, March 4, 2026  TIME:  2:00 PM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP:  The Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a markup of nine bills.   DATE:  Thursday, March 5, 2026  TIME:  10:00 AM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced a Full Committee markup of nine bills. WHAT : Full Committee Markup DATE: Thursday, March 5, 2026 TIME: 10:00 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building Items to be considered: H.R. 7757 , Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (Rep. Guthrie)    H.R. 2657 , Sammy’s Law (Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Carter-GA)  H.R. 6291 , Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (Reps. Walberg and Lee-FL)  H.R. 3149 , App Store Accountability Act (Rep. James)  H.R. 7258 , Energy Emergency Leadership Act (Reps. Lee-FL and Landsman)  H.R. 7266 , Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act (Reps. Miller-Meeks and McClellan)  H.R. 7257 , Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid (SECURE Grid) Act (Reps. Latta and Matsui)  H.R. 7272 , Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (Reps. Weber and Dingell)  H.R. 7305 , Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026 (Reps. Castor and Evans) This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The markup will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at  energycommerce.house.gov .  If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Jessica Donlon with the Committee staff at Jessica.Donlon@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Matt VanHyfte at Matt.VanHyfte@mail.house.gov .

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, announced a hearing titled  Ready for Reuse: Legislative Proposals to Unleash the Potential of America’s Brownfields Sites. “For years, the Brownfields Program has been a vital tool to support the cleanup of contaminated sites, putting many locations back into productive use and creating jobs to revitalize communities across the country. As demand grows to redevelop these sites for advanced manufacturing, and other critical infrastructure, it is essential that the program continues to serve the needs of our communities,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Palmer. “This hearing will provide the opportunity to discuss legislation that would strengthen and modernize the Brownfields Program to cut red tape, protect our environment, and support the innovative use of these sites.”   Subcommittee on Environment hearing titled  Ready for Reuse: Legislative Proposals to Unleash the Potential of America’s Brownfields Sites.   WHAT:  Subcommittee on Environment hearing to examine legislative proposals supporting the remediation and redevelopment of America’s Brownfields Sites.  DATE:  Wednesday, March 4, 2026 TIME:  2:00 PM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building This hearing will focus on the following bills:   H.R. ____ , Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act  H.R. ____ , Brownfields Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act  H.R. ____ , Brownfields Inventory and Permitting Efficiency Act H.R. ____ , Brownfields Reauthorization for an Affordable and Revitalized America Act  This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Seth Ricketts with the Committee staff at  Seth.Ricketts@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Ben Mullany at Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, announced a hearing titled  America’s Energy Infrastructure: Authorizing Pipeline Safety . “America’s pipelines are the safest and most cost-effective mode of transportation for the oil, natural gas, and numerous other energy products our communities and manufacturers need,”   said Chairmen Guthrie and Latta .  “This hearing will provide the opportunity to examine legislation to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) pipeline safety program. Ensuring these pipelines remain operational, safe, and dependable is vital to meeting our nation’s energy demand, securing our grid, and lowering costs for hardworking American families.” Subcommittee on Energy hearing titled  America’s Energy Infrastructure: Authorizing Pipeline Safety. WHAT:  Subcommittee on Energy hearing to discuss legislation to reauthorize the PHMSA pipeline safety program. DATE:  Wednesday, March 4, 2026     TIME:  10:15 AM ET LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  This hearing will focus on the following bill:  H.R. ____ , Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at  energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Seth Ricketts with the Committee staff at  Seth.Ricketts@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Ben Mullany at  Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov . ###