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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04), Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08), celebrated the passage of three bills advanced by the Committee on Energy and Commerce to make our grid more reliable, lower energy costs for hard-working families, and get America back to building infrastructure.

H.R. 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act, introduced by Chairman Latta (OH-05), H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, introduced by Chairman Hudson (NC-09), and H.R.3628, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act, introduced by Rep. Evans (CO-08), would help to provide essential information about our bulk power system, modernize the federal permitting process to expand our natural gas pipeline capacity, and ensure states are prioritizing the baseload power needed to keep the lights on.

Attributable to Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce:

“Since the beginning of this Congress, our Committee has fought to unleash the reliable and affordable energy that American families need,” said Chairman Guthrie. “These bills will help safeguard our energy security by bringing more baseload power online, strengthening our grid, and modernizing the federal permitting process. Thank you to Subcommittee Chairmen Latta and Hudson, and Congressman Evans, for your work on these vital pieces of legislation.”

Attributable to Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04), Speaker of the House of Representatives:

“House Republicans continue to implement a pro-growth agenda that puts hard hats back on American workers, gets shovels in the ground, and unleashes the economic potential our nation has been denied for years by Democrats’ waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Speaker Johnson. “Republicans are ending the era where unelected regulators and radical activist lawyers weaponize bureaucracy and misuse laws like the Clean Water Act to block economic development and restrict opportunity in America.

“For too long, Washington’s paralysis and partisan climate red tape has driven up costs, drawn-out reviews, and delayed construction of roads, pipelines, factories, and critical infrastructure. This week, House Republicans delivered commonsense deregulation and long-overdue reforms to repair a broken permitting system and remove barriers that have held America back. These bills codify more of President Trump’s executive orders and help unlock the full benefits and historic investments within our Working Families Tax Cuts. Republicans continue to advance pro-growth policies that expedite development, empower American industry, and create conditions for long-term competitiveness and prosperity.”

Attributable to Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy:

“Energy security is national security, and this bill brings us one step closer to unleashing American energy dominance,” said Chairman Latta. “The Electric Supply Chain Act will strengthen the reliability of our electric grid, secure our electric grid supply chains, and ensure we can power the artificial intelligence data centers of the future. Together, these efforts reinforce American-led energy production and security across the board. I’m grateful to my House colleagues for supporting this bill, and I urge the Senate to act on this critical legislation.”

Attributable to Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:

“Delays in the construction of new natural gas pipelines drive up energy prices,” said Chairman Hudson. “My bill makes long-overdue modernizations to the permitting process by streamlining the regulatory authority of FERC. This makes sure the environment is protected, but no single state can arbitrarily block the construction of new pipelines.”

Attributable to Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08):

“For years Colorado’s ruling Democrats have pushed out-of-touch policies and burdensome regulations that have led to skyrocketing energy bills and increased financial strain, resulting in further mental and physical stress on hard-working families across the state,” said Congressman Evans. “This legislation puts Coloradans first by holding state regulatory entities like Colorado Public Utilities Commission accountable by new federal standards, to ensure they are focused on considering energy reliability and affordability. I’m proud to lead the charge on legislation that lowers costs, uplifts working-class Americans, and strengthens our nation's energy dominance.”

BACKGROUND:

H.R. 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act – Rep. Latta (OH-05)

• The bill would direct the Department of Energy to conduct periodic assessments of supply chain constraints or vulnerabilities that could impact the bulk power system.
• The Biden-Harris Administration’s misguided energy agenda furthered our reliance on adversarial nations like China for critical materials and manufacturing for wind turbines, solar panels, and grid components that are needed for intermittent generation resources.
• As our nation’s electric system is under strain from premature retirements of baseload power and historic demand increases from manufacturing and technology, we must ensure our federal government and policy makers are equipped with the necessary tools to protect the affordability and reliability of the bulk power system.

H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act – Rep. Hudson (NC-09)

• Under current law, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is designated as the lead agency for coordinating necessary environmental reviews and associated federal authorizations for interstate natural gas pipelines.
• Unfortunately, pipeline infrastructure approvals are often delayed due to a lack of coordination—or inaction—among states and other federal agencies involved in the process. In 2026, the U.S. Energy Information Administration expects natural gas demand to reach an all-time. Now more than ever, it is critical we expand our natural gas pipeline capacity to meet that demand.
• This legislation modernizes the federal permitting process for interstate natural gas pipelines by bolstering FERC’s role as the lead agency for environmental reviews as the coordinator of Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality reviews. This legislation will help lower energy costs, provide natural gas to power our economy, and strengthen our nation’s energy security.

H.R. 3628, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act – Rep. Evans (CO-08)

• This legislation would require state Public Utility Commissions to consider requirements for utilities to have sufficient generation from reliable and dispatchable energy sources, such as natural gas, nuclear, coal, and hydropower, over a 10-year period.
• The ongoing reliability crisis facing our nation stems from Democrat policies designed to drive out baseload generation in favor of intermittent wind and solar, harming our ability to onshore manufacturing and burdening households with higher costs.
• Running a grid on wind and solar is akin to paying for two parallel grids, in part, because these energy sources require backup resources when the wind does not blow or the sun does not shine. Residential ratepayers bear the financial burden of these choices.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, led a hearing titled Securing America’s Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid . “Addressing cyber and physical threats represents another challenge to the reliable delivery of energy and power. Incapacitating the grid with cyber or physical attacks will have widespread, devastating impacts, which makes security particularly vital to our nation's security, economy, our health, and welfare,” said Chairman Latta. “Addressing these threats is difficult. The avenues for malicious attack only increase with increased digitization, and the growing linkages of gas pipelines, new generating resources, and expanded transmission.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from yesterday’s hearing: Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12): “Two weeks ago, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission released their 2025 report to Congress. In this report, the commission stated that the extensive use of Chinese components in the U.S. grid creates risks for cyber espionage and sabotage. As our nation looks to increase grid resiliency and reliability in the face of historic electricity demand growth, Congress and all relevant energy stakeholders must work to reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries, such as China, to meet our energy needs.” Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11): “Mr. Ball, in your testimony, you indicated that the PRC campaigns, like Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, represent the most persistent and adaptive threats targeting our infrastructure. We know that the Chinese Communist Party is actively seeking to do damage and gather intelligence. But can you describe, at an operational level, what utilities are doing differently today than has been done before to detect and to stop these campaigns, and then what gaps still exist that we need to be worried about?” Mr. Ball: “ I think the best way to describe that is that we see an industry that is evolving in its capabilities, and it’s based on awareness. We have seen a significant awakening, and I’m not saying it’s enough, but we have seen a significant awakening to the threat within our industry. And, you know, when it boils down to it, despite the sophisticated capabilities that threat actors like the PRC have, a lot of the things that make us resilient still boil down to basic practices and making yourself and our utilities more resilient. We need to continue to bolster that capability for our industry, whether it’s large ISOs or down to the municipals and cooperatives. I think you’re hearing even today how this industry is awake to that. And I think we need to continue to empower them to be able to build a more resilient system.” Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23): “Mr. Chairman, our witnesses know better than anyone how frequently adversaries test our defenses and target the operators who keep power flowing. As we consider these vulnerabilities, we must also recognize the broader point: cyber and physical threats don’t just expose weaknesses in the electrical system — they highlight the danger of relying on a single source of energy. When states or cities adopt policies that eliminate natural gas or restrict access to other fuels, they don’t just limit consumer choice — they reduce resiliency. Electricity is essential, but it only works when the grid is functioning. If a cyberattack or a physical incident takes the grid offline, everything that depends on electricity stops. Natural gas and propane, however, can be delivered directly to the home or facility and continue to operate independently of the electrical grid. They provide heat, hot water, cooking capabilities, and even fuel for backup generators during an outage. These fuels don’t replace electricity, but they give families, hospitals, and emergency services a critical lifeline when the grid is down. Removing these options leaves communities with only one energy source to rely on — and one point of failure.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled Securing America’s Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid. Subcommittee Chairman Latta’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning and welcome to today’s hearing. We will examine how the electric industry is addressing cyber and physical threats to the electric grid—a key component of our nation’s critical energy infrastructure. “We will look at the challenges to securing this infrastructure at a time of tremendous growth in power demand. “This hearing will inform the Subcommittee on current initiatives and practices to secure our nation’s critical electric infrastructure from the various malicious threats to the delivery of power. “This year we have frequently heard about the challenges to the reliable delivery of energy and power. “Grid operators have testified about the massive premature loss of dispatchable baseload power in our electric grid without adequate replacement. This has resulted in increased blackout risks in certain regions of the nation during times of peak demand. “Addressing cyber and physical threats represents another challenge to the reliable delivery of energy and power. Incapacitating the grid with cyber or physical attacks will have widespread, devastating impacts, which makes security particularly vital to our nation’s security, economy, our health, and welfare. “Addressing these threats is difficult. The avenues for malicious attack only increase with increased digitization, and the growing linkages of gas pipelines, new generating resources, and expanded transmission. These linkages have been rapidly increasing as the nation works to meet growing power demand, particularly from AI and manufacturing. “As the public security assessments note, the nation faces an evolving landscape of threats – from nation states to criminal and ideologically motivated cyber attackers. “Russia has long been a persistent threat to our energy systems. Yet China has become particularly worrisome. “Even as we race with China on AI, the U.S. intelligence community reports in its public assessments that China remains the most active and persistent threat to American critical infrastructure networks. China’s proxies have pre-positioned attack capabilities in American infrastructure, to be used during a major crisis or conflict. “More local risks relating to physical attacks also threaten communities and other important infrastructure. “Just two years ago, this Subcommittee held a field hearing in North Carolina to examine the threats surrounding an attack on electric substations. The attack in question left 30,000 people without power and exposed how targeted physical attacks can impact people and industry, even the military, in critical regions.   “Addressing cyber and physical threats is made more complicated by individual utilities’ particular capabilities, resources, and access to threat intelligence and other information. “Our witnesses this morning will help us understand how the industry works to overcome these challenges. “We’ll hear testimony from grid executives representing both investor-owned utilities and the nonprofit Cooperatives—which together cover the bulk of American electric infrastructure. “We’ll also hear from the head of the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center, or E-ISAC. This operation, run by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC, provides important information-sharing services to assist industry with critical infrastructure threats. “Given that Congress has charged NERC with assuring reliability of the electric system, a perspective on what is necessary to coordinate grid security to effectively address growing vulnerabilities will be important. “We’ll hear from a grid security expert at Carnegie Mellon who has been active on the National Security Council. “And, finally, we’ll hear from the Associate Laboratory Director for national security at Idaho National Laboratory. He will provide insights into threats and into how the U.S. government is working to help industry be more informed about the most consequential risks, and to better plan and protect our grid. “Energy and Commerce has led on enactment of several laws over the past decade to ensure appropriate national attention to cyber and physical risks in our nation’s critical energy infrastructure. “This work ranged from clarifying government authorities in the Federal Power Act to authorizing several technical assistance and information sharing programs to assist utilities of all sizes. “The hearing today should inform us as we seek to update and reauthorize various provisions that aim to make the nation more secure.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, 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 Securing America’s Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid . “Ensuring that our energy infrastructure, including the electric grid, can provide reliable power is one of our Committee’s top priorities,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Latta. “Protecting against threats of malicious cyber or physical attacks to our grid infrastructure is essential for national security, economic security, and the safety of tens of millions of Americans. This hearing will offer our members the chance to hear from experts who understand the realities of grid security threats and who can inform Congress about what is necessary to secure the electric grid.” Subcommittee on Energy hearing titled Securing America’s Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid.   WHAT: Subcommittee on Energy hearing to discuss the cyber and physical security of our electric grid.  DATE: Tuesday, December 2, 2025   TIME: 10:30 AM ET LOCATION: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning this hearing, please contact Calvin Huggins at Calvin.Huggins1@mail.house.gov . If you have an y press-related questions, please contact Ben Mullany at Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement following the House passage of H.R. 3109, the REFINER Act, led by Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05) and H.R.1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, led by Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11). Both pieces of legislation passed the House with bipartisan support: the REFINER Act, passed by a vote of 230 Yeas to 176 Nays, and the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act by a vote of 217 Yeas to 188 Nays. “By unleashing American energy, House Republicans are leading the way to support our nation’s energy security, strengthen our grid, and lower prices for hard-working families,” said Chairman Guthrie. “The REFINER Act will help to ensure our refineries are being used effectively to produce the oil, gas, and other critical feedstocks we rely upon while the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act expands American energy production and infrastructure by removing U.S. LNG export restrictions, which the Biden-Harris Administration politicized and abused.” “Today, House Republicans secured another commonsense solution to continue our success in bringing down energy costs and fuel our economy. The House passed the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act and the REFINER Act to deregulate, evaluate, and expand our capabilities so we can harness the full potential of American energy,” said Speaker Johnson. “These measures advance more of President Trump’s executive orders and energy dominance agenda to increase American energy production, create jobs, strengthen national security, and secure reliable, affordable energy to power America’s homes, businesses, and economy.” “As energy demand grows, we have to ensure our refining capacity grows with it to maintain America’s energy dominance,” said Chairman Latta. “The REFINER Act will provide the data and insight needed to guide decisions that reinforce our energy infrastructure and help keep fuel costs low for American families. I thank my House colleagues for supporting and passing my bill and urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation as soon as possible,” “Today's House passage of my Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act is another major victory in achieving American energy dominance. My legislation reforms the broken, politically weaponized approval process so we can streamline permitting for exporting LNG once and for all,” said Congressman Pfluger. “It's simple: Exporting American LNG strengthens our economy, stabilizes prices, drives much-needed investment in energy infrastructure, and bolsters the energy security of our global partners. I thank my colleagues for supporting this critical legislation, and I urge its swift passage in the Senate under Senator Scott's strong leadership.” Background on H.R. 3109: Over the last several years, our nation’s refining capacity has shrunk due to onerous Federal and State policies that make it prohibitively difficult to operate. From 2020 to 2022, refining capacity in the United States decreased by more than one million barrels of fuel per day, and the number of refineries dropped from 135 to 128. The REFINER Act would require the National Petroleum Council to collect and examine critical information regarding the role of petrochemical refineries in the U.S., and their contributions to energy security, reliability, and affordability. The report must analyze opportunities to expand capacity, as well as current risks to refineries, including negative policy impacts. Background on H.R. 1949: In January 2024, President Biden announced an indefinite ban on the issuance of export permits to non-FTA countries while it conducted a review to consider the “climate impacts” of natural gas exports. This politically motivated ban threatened the American economy, discouraged investment in natural gas production and processing, and harmed our allies in Europe working to lower their consumption of Russian gas. The Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act amends the Natural Gas Act to repeal all restrictions on the import and export of natural gas, effectively overturning the Biden-Harris Administration’s attempt to undermine U.S. domestic energy production. Under this legislation, FERC would have the exclusive authority to approve or deny any application for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a facility to export natural gas from the U.S. to a foreign country or import natural gas from a foreign country. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered remarks on the House floor regarding H.R. 3109, the Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act, to increase American refining capacity, unleash American energy, and lower prices for consumers. Chairman Guthrie’s remarks on H.R. 3109, the Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act, as prepared for delivery: “The American economy is fueled by petrochemical refineries, providing affordable diesel and gasoline to families, critical inputs for our manufacturers, and products imperative for the maintenance of our defense systems. “The national security component of a viable refining industry cannot be understated, and we must not forfeit these essential supply chains. “Under the previous administration, we saw the impact of an energy retreat: higher prices for families and businesses, emboldened adversaries, sluggish economies, and increasing reliance on other nations. “Unfortunately, that is still the case in states like California where a hostile regulatory environment has forced refineries to reduce operations. In fact, the Golden State is expected to lose 17 percent of its capacity in the next year. “This has led to average gasoline prices of nearly $5 dollars per gallon, increased fuel dependence on Asian producers, and jeopardized the fuel supply chain of military installations in the state. “We must not let this become the status quo across the country. “H.R. 3109 requires the National Petroleum Council to collect and examine information regarding the role of petrochemical refineries in the United States, and their contributions to affordability, security, and reliability. “The report will assess opportunities to expand capacity, as well as current risks to refineries. “H.R. 3109 will provide DOE and Congress the information we need to enact policies that deliver affordable, reliable, and clean energy to all Americans. “I thank Representative Latta, the Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee, for his leadership on this issue. “I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 3109. “According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, global demand for liquid fuels is set to increase by about 20 million barrels per day by 2050. “To ensure prices remain low for consumers, high-value refined goods are available for our global partners, and inputs for our nation’s defense systems are available, we must recognize what it will take to fulfill that demand increase. “We are in an age of energy expansion, and we must implement policies that allow America to produce, refine, and export energy to global customers. “I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 3109, and I yield back.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, to remove unnecessary export controls on LNG, strengthen the domestic economy, and increase the energy security of the United States and our allies. Chairman Guthrie’s remarks on H.R. 1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, as prepared for delivery: “In February 2016, the first cargo of U.S. LNG set sail from the lower 48, making the United States a natural gas exporter for the first time since the 1960s. “Since then, exports have increased from 0.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2016 to nearly 12 billion cubic feet per day in 2024, making the U.S. the global leader in LNG in less than a decade. “U.S. LNG has played an undeniably important role in providing affordable, abundant, and clean energy to the world. “This could not have been more evident than in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, disrupting global commodity markets and leaving Europe without secure access to energy. “Immediately, US producers began sending cargoes of American gas to the continent to fuel their economies and heat their homes, helping some of our most important global allies. “However, in January 2024 the Biden-Harris Administration announced an illegal and indefinite ban on new export authorizations, all in the name of vaguely stated climate change goals. “Current law is clear, requiring a statutory presumption in favor of exports are in the public interest. “Plus, the vast majority of studies show that not only do LNG exports bolster our energy security, they also help maintain low domestic natural gas prices for Americans. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s action not only jeopardized our European allies, it threatened the faith and credibility of American companies’ contracts, emboldened Russia and other nefarious actors, and created uncertainty for domestic producers of natural gas. “H.R. 1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, would ensure this catastrophic policy decision is never made again by removing DOE from the statutory authorization process. “This legislation maintains the President’s authority to impose sanctions on foreign governments, prohibiting imports or exports if justified. “Free trade, open markets, and competition have resulted in the U.S. emerging as a global energy superpower, and lifting these restrictions will help maintain this dominance at a time it is needed most. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1949. “The American people have made it clear that we cannot heed the calls of radical environmental activists putting politics over people. “The United States is blessed with enormous gas reserves, more than sufficient to meet rising global demand while also serving our domestic markets. “This bill will create American jobs, help our allies around the world, and maintain low-cost natural gas for American families and businesses. “I urge all my colleagues to support this bill and I yield back.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, delivered the following opening statement at today’s markup of eight bills. Subcommittee Chairman Latta’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Welcome to today’s Energy subcommittee markup of 8 bills to restore consumer choice, reduce energy and housing costs, and remove burdensome regulatory structures. “When selecting appliances or equipment for their home or business, Americans take many factors into consideration: cost, reliability, size, and durability to name a few. It is imperative consumers have a wide range of products so they can choose what works best for their needs. “Under the last administration, nearly 30 energy efficiency standards were issued, totaling over $60 billion in costs and removing products from the market, resulting in fewer options for Americans. “H.R. 4626, the Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act, would amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to reform the statutory procedures for issuing or amending energy efficiency standards. “This will result in standards that truly meet the statutory requirements of EPCA and provide both manufacturers and consumers with certainty. “Especially as we head into winter, consumers must have access to durable, affordable appliances to perform critical functions, like home heating, while still prioritizing energy efficiency and associated cost-savings. “Airtight building envelopes are also important for consumers, especially in the colder months, to keep warmth in and utility bills low. That is why the subcommittee will be considering H.R. 4758, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, to repeal sections of the Inflation Reduction Act that essentially bribed states to recklessly adopt unamended building codes.    “Brian Tebbenkemp, a witness in September’s legislative hearing, said it best, ‘I think we can all agree that American families deserve safe, strong, and efficient homes, but we need a better pathway forward that gives local control, encourages innovation, and keeps homes within the reach of Americans. “The passage of H.R. 4758 is an important step towards accomplishing that shared goal. “The subcommittee will also consider H.R. 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, to repeal section 433 of the Energy Independence and Security Act, which required DOE to phase out fossil fuel use in federal buildings across the country. “This policy, which was opposed by even the Obama Administration, not only poses a significant national security risk, but it could in fact increase energy consumption as the direct use of natural gas is about 92 percent efficient, compared to 33 percent for electricity. That is a significant delta. “Energy efficiency, not bans, are important to prioritize for our federal buildings. I look forward to considering H.R. 3474, the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act, which is bipartisan legislation to require an assessment of whether mechanical insulation should be installed or updated in federal building energy audits. This is a commonsense measure that truly prioritizes energy efficiency. “The subcommittee will also consider H.R. 3699, the Energy Choice Act, which prohibits any state or local policy from banning access to an energy service based on the type or source of energy that is sold. States like New York, which banned natural gas use, are forcing consumers to incur significant costs while jeopardizing their reliability during the winter months. This must change. “Duplicative standards and regulations have also impacted housing, appliance, and equipment affordability for millions of Americans. H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act, will repeal duplicative energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing, and H.R. 4593, the SHOWER Act, will codify a simple definition of a showerhead, providing more options for consumers. “Lastly, the subcommittee will consider H.R. 1355, the Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025, with the understanding that we hope to reach a bipartisan agreement prior to a Full Committee markup. I thank the gentleman from New York and minority professional staff for continuing to work with us towards a compromise. “The suite of legislation before us today represents an opportunity for this Committee to implement reforms that re-prioritize energy efficiency policies towards the items that matter most to consumers: affordability, availability, and durability. I urge all my colleagues to support these pieces of legislation.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, led a markup of eight bills. “Burdensome regulations have driven up costs and put home ownership out of reach for millions of Americans,” said Chairman Latta. “Today, the Subcommittee on Energy advanced legislation that will cut through the red tape and make housing more affordable. From protecting consumer choice to addressing the rising prices of critical home appliances, these bills offer common-sense solutions for working families.” Legislative Vote Summary: H.R. 3474 , Federal Mechanical Insulation Act, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. H.R. 3699 , Energy Choice Act, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. H.R. 5184 , Affordable Housing Over Mandating Efficiency Standards (Affordable HOMES) Act, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. H.R. 4690 , Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, was reported to the full committee by a roll call vote of 16 Yeas to 14 Nays. H.R. 4593 , Saving Homeowners from Overregulation With Exceptional Rinsing (SHOWER) Act, was reported to the full committee by a roll call vote of 17 Yeas and 14 Nays. H.R. 4758 , Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, was reported to the full committee by a roll call vote of 16 Yeas and 14 Nays. H.R. 4626 , Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act, was reported to the full committee by a roll call vote of 17 Yeas to 14 Nays. H.R. 1355 , Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote. Watch the full markup here . Below are key excerpts from today’s markup: Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) on H.R. 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act: “This legislation addresses a critical flaw in federal energy policy, one that has real world consequences for reliability, national security, and cost-effective infrastructure planning. As it stands today, the federal building standards and certification systems actively discourage or penalize the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels, even when those systems are proven to be cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable in certain applications. Section 433 of the Energy Independence and Security Act effectively phases out fossil fuels in their use in federal buildings, forcing a one-size-fits-all electrification mandate regardless of regional climate, mission critical facility needs, or impacts on the grid. These policies don’t just drive up construction and operational costs, they undermine energy security for facilities that must never go dark. Think about federal installations like VA hospitals, military bases, research labs, DHS facilities, and emergency response centers. These buildings require assured energy reliability not just during normal operations, but during extreme weather, cyber threats, or grid failures. Localized backup generation and hybrid energy systems are essential to resilience. And yet, under current policy, these assets are treated as liabilities simply because they rely on natural gas or other fuels.” Congressman Craig Goldman (TX-12) on H.R. 4758, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act: “The Biden-Harris Administration spent billions in taxpayer dollars to mandate, I repeat, to mandate green energy appliances in new homes. Some home builders estimate that these policies have increased the cost of new homes by $31,000. These policies put home ownership and the American dream out of reach for many families. My bill, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, would help address home affordability by repealing several costly and burdensome programs in the so-called Inflation Reduction Act.” Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12) on H.R. 4626, the Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act: “Over the last several years, under the Biden administration, DOE has gone beyond its scope of statutory authority — setting arbitrary and capricious standards as found by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and finalizing rules that do not meet the specific statutory criteria. In fact, egregious appliance standards have caused homeowners to spend 34 percent more on appliances than they did 15 years ago, while having to replace them at a faster rate. When I’m home in the district, people want to know why replacing their air conditioning system cost $10,000 more today than it did four years ago. Furthermore, the previous administration proposed standards that discouraged the use of natural gas in favor of the electrification of appliances. Regardless of the cost to the consumer, the American people want choice, and these decisions need to be market-driven and not government-driven. My legislation, the Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act, will make much needed statutory reforms to energy efficiency standards for appliances by eliminating DOE’s requirements to review and update energy conservation standards every six years.” ###