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Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier today announced a final rule designating Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). “This new rule falls woefully short of adequately addressing the legitimate and significant implementation and environmental questions raised by tens of thousands of stakeholders since this rulemaking process began. The agency’s decision to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA will have permanent, far-reaching implications for manufacturers, consumers, municipalities, landowners, and disposal companies. It will also have the effect of jeopardizing people’s access to essential services that we all rely on every single day. The reality is these and other efforts by the EPA are making life less affordable for Americans and jeopardizing America's economic leadership.” 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) announced a series of upcoming budget hearings with Biden administration officials as part of the Committee’s ongoing efforts to hold the administration accountable on behalf the American people. “President Biden’s radical, out-of-touch, tax-and-spend agenda will only make the inflation crisis he caused worse for the American people. By bending to the whims of his left-wing base, he’s sacrificing freedom and prosperity for all Americans,” said Chair Rodgers . “It’s nearly three and a half years into his presidency, and all the Biden administration has to show is a war on American energy, a worse national and cybersecurity posture, and a weakened American role on the world stage. These hearings will give our Members the opportunity to ensure this administration is transparent and accountable to the American people.” The following administration officials will testify for budget hearings:  Wednesday, May 1 Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Hearing with the Department of Energy:   Hon. Jennifer Granholm, Secretary, Department of Energy   Tuesday, May 7 Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Hearing with the Federal Communications Commission:   Hon. Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission   Hon. Brendan Carr, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission   Hon. Nathan Simington, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission   Hon. Geoffrey Starks, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission   Hon. Anna Gomez, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission   Wednesday, May 15 Subcommittee on Environmental, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Hearing with the Environmental Protection Agency:   Hon. Michael Regan, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency   Wednesday, May 15 Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Hearing with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration:   Hon. Alan Davidson, Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration   This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearings will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ .  If you have any questions concerning the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearings, please contact Noah Jackson at Noah.Jackson@mail.house.gov .  If you have any questions concerning the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security or Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials hearings, please contact Kaitlyn Peterson at Kaitlyn.Peterson@mail.house.gov .  If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov .

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) led 26 of their colleagues in filing a bicameral amicus curiae brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit in support of state and industry challengers to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) so-called “Good Neighbor” air rule that targets American power production and burdens states with misguided air regulations. “Acting well beyond its delegated powers under the [Clean Air Act], EPA’s Rule proposes to remake the energy sector in the affected states toward the Agency’s preferred ends. The Rule is part of the broader joint EPA-White House Strategy that oversteps the Agency’s authority by concurrently developing regulations under three separate environmental statutes. It does so not to meet any of the statutes’ individual ends but to transform the power sector. "The group of regulations—including the Rule—are designed to hurriedly rid the U.S. power sector of fossil fuels by sharply increasing the operating costs for fossil fuel-fired power plant operators, forcing the plants’ premature retirement,” the brief reads in part. BACKGROUND: The so-called “Good Neighbor” rule imposes overreaching emissions requirements on power plants, natural gas pipeline assets, and industrial plants, like steel, cement, and paper production facilities in 23 states. Other federal courts have already frozen implementation of the rule in 12 states. Despite active Supreme Court proceedings that may halt implementation of the rule nationwide, the EPA has remained committed to the illegal rule and recently proposed to add five more states to the program.  In June 2023 , Capito joined Wicker in introducing a formal challenge to the rule through a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval.  In June 2023, Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) also introduced H.J.Res. 69, a formal challenge to the rule through a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval.  In June 2022 , Ranking Member Capito sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan outlining serious concerns with the proposed “Good Neighbor Plan.”  Ranking Member Capito has criticized the EPA’s proposed “Good Neighbor Plan” during EPW hearings in March 2023 , July 2022 , and May 2022 , and in an op-ed .  In November 2023 , Chairs Rodgers, Duncan, and Johnson sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission expressing concerns with the impact of EPA’s suite of rules, including the “Good Neighbor” Rule (or Interstate Transport Rule), on the reliability of the nation’s electric grid. In addition to Capito and Wicker, senators who signed on to brief include, John Barrasso, (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and John Thune (R-SD). In addition to Rodgers, House members who signed on to the brief include, Rick Allen (R-GA), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Richard Hudson (R-NC), John James (R-MI), John Joyce (R-PA), Bob Latta (R-OH), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Gary Palmer (R-AL), Greg Pence (R-IN), August Pfluger (R-TX), Tim Walberg (R-MI), and Randy Weber (R-TX).  Full text of the brief is available here .

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA) wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan regarding the agency’s Clean School Bus Program. KEY EXCERPT:   “Alarming information about this program continues to emerge. In particular, the EPA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has flagged serious shortcomings in the program that create significant vulnerabilities to waste, fraud, and abuse. The EPA’s own reporting on the program reveals that numerous award recipients encountered difficulty utilizing the funding they were awarded. Additionally, the EPA continues to administer the program in a manner that favors the use of electric school buses over other types of buses that are eligible for funding under the program.”  CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENT:   Of almost 400 selectees under the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate program 46 selectees withdrew from the program.  The most common reasons provided for withdrawal were school boards voting against the projects for reasons including difficulties coordinating with electric utilities, potentially lengthy and costly electric infrastructure upgrades required to install electric vehicle supply equipment, and hesitancy about maintenance and range issues associated with electric buses.  The OIG concluded in a December 2023 audit that “the agency may be unable to effectively manage and achieve the program mission unless local utility companies can meet increasing power and supply demands for electric buses.”  The OIG noted that establishing charging stations and connecting them to power lines could take approximately twelve to twenty-four months.   Stakeholders reported that infrastructure to support 25 buses or more demands a more complex electrical setup, which can take a year to construct.  POTENTIAL FOR WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE:   In December 2023, the OIG issued a Management Implication Report that highlighted serious problems with the Clean School Bus Program.   The OIG “identified concerns regarding the EPA’s lack of robust verification mechanisms within the Clean School Bus rebate and grant application process, which led to third parties submitting applications on behalf of unwitting school districts, applicants not being forthright or transparent, entities self-certifying applications without having corroborating supporting documentation, and entities being awarded funds and violating program requirements.”  The OIG further stated, “Our initial investigation of its protocols found that the Clean School Bus Program is rife with potentially inaccurate information” and that “the EPA uses few mechanisms to verify the accuracy of application contents and relies on the applicant’s self-certification of all aspects of the application,” including the applicant’s eligibility for the program, satisfaction of vehicle-use requirements, and the identity of the school district the replacement buses funded by the program will serve.  The OIG also found that an administrative entity with zero students was selected to receive a rebate, despite it seeking funding for buses that were ineligible for the program.   Some recipients selected to receive rebates under the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate program later declined the funding.   These withdrawals accounted for $38 million of awards, which the OIG stated lengthened program timetables and created confusion.  EPA PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS:   The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) directed the EPA to award grants, rebates, and contracts to replace existing school buses with both zero-emission buses and clean school buses.  The IIJA defines clean school buses as school buses that reduce emissions and operate partly or entirely using an alternative fuel, or zero-emission buses.   The Committee has previously voiced concerns about the EPA's bias towards electric buses while ignoring the benefits of other clean school buses, concerns that persist today.   According to information provided by the agency, “As of January 2024, the EPA has awarded approximately $1.84 billion to fund 5,103 clean school buses—96 percent of which are electric—and related charging infrastructure at 642 school districts in most states and territories, and at schools operated by federally recognized Tribes.”   Under the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebates program, the EPA continues to offer maximum awards for fully electric school buses that are several times larger than the maximum award amount for other types of clean school buses.  Additionally, under the Clean School Bus program, the EPA continues to fund charging infrastructure for electric vehicles but not propane or compressed natural gas fueling infrastructure.  Under the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate program, the maximum bus funding amount for a class 7+ zero-emission bus was $375,000, and the maximum amount for a propane class 7+ propane bus was $30,000.  The EPA reported, “The majority of awarded electric school buses cost at or near $375,000, while many awarded propane buses cost around $150,000.”  In other words, the maximum rebate amount seemingly covered the entire cost of an electric bus but covered only a fraction of a propane bus.  CLICK HERE to read the letter.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement regarding the Biden administration’s announcement of fund recipients of two Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) competitions: “This administration continues to prioritize its radical rush-to-green agenda over the needs of the American people. The Biden EPA is giving away $20 billion in taxpayer funding to leftwing special interests and other groups but has yet to explain how it will prevent those funds from further enriching China, which dominates the supply chains for renewables and electric vehicles. The Senate should immediately consider our legislation to repeal the green slush fund and work to strengthen our nation’s energy independence.”  NOTE :  The House passed H.R. 1023, led by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), to repeal the GGRF by a bipartisan vote in March.  In January, the Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee convened a hearing to explore how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was planning to administer GGRF funds to avoid waste, fraud, and abuse.  Last fall, Committee Leaders wrote to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan outlining concerns with the GGRG, including:  Possible conflicts of interest with funding recipients    How the speed at which $27 billion in grants must be awarded opens the door to waste, fraud, and abuse Challenges of achieving the program’s implementation and goals given China’s control over solar market  READ :  Fighting to Avoid the Next Big Government Boondoggle   Eliminating the Slush Fund for Biden’s Radical Rush-to-Green Agenda

Vote YES on H.R. 1023 to Repeal the EPA’s Green Slush Fund and the Harmful Natural Gas Tax Washington D.C. —   House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 1023, the Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act . The bill, led by Energy and Commerce Republican Gary Palmer (R-AL), will repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) $27 billion green bank slush fund and stop it from imposing a tax on natural gas. Chair Rodgers prepared remarks: “I rise in support of H.R. 1023, the ‘Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act.’ “I want to thank the bill sponsor, Mr. Gary Palmer of Alabama, and the Members of the Energy and Commerce. “The U.S. has been blessed with tremendous natural resources, which we’ve been able to harness as a result of free market principles and an entrepreneurial spirit that’s uniquely American. “We’ve harnessed the power of nuclear energy, electrified millions of rural American’s homes with clean hydropower, and ushered in the Shale Revolution—which continues to create millions of new jobs, bring manufacturing back to the U.S., and revitalize communities across the country. “As a result, America is more energy secure today than ever before. “This legacy is under threat. Since day one, President Biden has been taking steps to shut down American energy. “On his first day in office he ended the Keystone XL Pipeline. “He’s actively taking steps to ban gas stoves and liquefied natural gas exports, tear down hydropower dams, force electric vehicle mandates on Americans, and impose a tax on natural gas. “His so-called ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ provided the EPA with tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to launder to extreme, liberal special interest allies—who will ultimately make us more reliant on China by forcing Americans to rely on cheap Chinese batteries and solar panels manufactured with slave labor and the worst environmental standards on the planet. “H.R. 1023 is an important step towards ending the President’s radical rush to green agenda. “It repeals the EPA’s $27 billion-dollar Green Bank slush fund, and it’s recently proposed natural gas tax. “The EPA doesn’t want Congress or the American public to know how their taxpayer dollars are spent, so they give it to radical environmentalists to spend in secret. “This legislation will also repeal the EPA’s recent proposed natural gas tax. “This tax drives up costs on everything from our grocery bills to our energy bills. “It will force good-paying American jobs overseas and make us more dependent on foreign energy sources. “I strongly support H.R. 1023, the ‘Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act,’ which promotes American energy leadership and security—something that’s vital to building on our legacy of improving lives, helping to lift people out of poverty, and raising the standard of living across the country and the world. “I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in voting YES on this important bill.”

The EPA’s new tailpipe emissions rule is a plan to eliminate gas-powered cars The Biden administration is doubling down on its rush-to-green agenda that forces Americans to drive unaffordable, less reliable electric vehicles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule for its tailpipe emissions standard—which mandates that two-thirds of all new vehicles be electric by 2032—only benefits the Chinese Communist Party. As Chairs Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Buddy Carter (R-GA) said , President Biden should abandon his radical agenda and let Americans choose what vehicle best suits their needs.  Check out these highlights from a new piece by the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board : Biden officials are stressing that the new auto greenhouse gas emissions standards they rolled out on Wednesday aren’t an electric-vehicle mandate. But the liberal press and climate lobby don’t buy it, and neither should Americans. The Environmental Protection Agency somewhat eased CO2 emissions requirements through 2030 from its proposal last spring while maintaining essentially the same end-point for 2032. That means gas-powered cars can make up no more than 30% of auto sales by 2032. Make no mistake: This is a coerced phase-out of gas-powered cars. […] EVs made up less than 8% of new auto sales last year, and more than half were Teslas. They accounted for less than 4% of General Motors and Ford sales. Foreign luxury auto makers such as BMW (12.5%), Mercedes (11.4%) and Porsche (10%) will have an easier time meeting the Biden mandates because their affluent customers can more easily afford EVs. The average price of a new EV is roughly $50,000, and only two cost less than $40,000 as of December: the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf. Some makers have slashed EV prices to boost sales, but they are also losing money. Ford ran an operating loss of $4.7 billion on its EV business in 2023, equivalent to $64,731 per EV sold.  The companies are heavily subsidizing EVs with profits from gas-powered cars. This means middle-class Americans in Fargo are paying more for gas-powered cars so the affluent in Napa Valley can buy cheaper EVs. This cost-shift won’t be financially sustainable as the Biden mandate ramps up, and it may not be politically sustainable either.   […] EPA claims the rule preserves “consumer choice” because hybrids and plug-in hybrids can help meet the standards in the early years. But auto makers will have no choice but to limit gas-powered, and increase EV, production to meet the mandates. The only “choice” Americans will have in the future is electric. CLICK HERE to read the full piece. NOTE: Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading to stop the Biden administration’s radical EV agenda , preserve people’s vehicle choice, and ensure America—not China—is leading. In May 2023, Chair Rodgers and more than 150 House Republicans sent a letter to the administration urging it to abandon its efforts to mandate EVs.   In December 2023, the House of Representatives passed the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act , led by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), to stop President Biden’s agenda to force Americans to drive electric vehicles by a bipartisan vote of 221-197.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA) released a statement following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of the final rule for its reckless tailpipe emissions standard, which mandates that two-thirds of all new vehicles be electric by 2032. “The Biden administration is doubling down on its rush-to-green agenda that forces Americans to drive unaffordable, less reliable electric vehicles. Today’s announcement only benefits the Chinese Communist Party, which controls the critical materials supply chain. President Biden should abandon his radical agenda—which cedes our auto future to the CCP—and let Americans choose what vehicle best suits their needs.” BACKGROUND: Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading to stop the Biden administration’s radical EV agenda , preserve people’s vehicle choice, and ensure America—not China—is leading. In May 2023, Chair Rodgers and more than 150 House Republicans sent a letter to the administration urging it to abandon its efforts to mandate EVs.  In December 2023, the House of Representatives passed the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act , led by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), to stop President Biden’s agenda to force Americans to drive electric vehicles by a bipartisan vote of 221-197.

Congress Must Pass H.R. 1023 to Repeal EPA’s Green Bank President Biden’s so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” provided the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with $27 billion—nearly three times more than the agency’s entire FY23 appropriated budget—to launder money to a limited number of extreme, liberal non-profits to promote green programs and technology. In reality, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) is a slush fund of taxpayer money that will be used by the Biden administration to fund its special interest friends to advance a radical rush-to-green agenda. The GGRF is ripe for waste, fraud, and abuse. This week, the House is considering H.R. 1023, the  Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act , led by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), which repeals and rescinds the EPA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Here’s why it’s important we take action: 1. China controls the components needed for renewable energy. By mandating technologies that are fully dependent on resources from China, the President is taking taxpayer dollars and using them to line the pockets of one of our greatest adversaries.  China controls the critical minerals supply chain, accounting for roughly 60% of the world’s production of rare earth minerals and materials.  Nearly half of the U.S. solar panel market share is controlled by China. 2. The EPA is not well-equipped to effectively and efficiently hand out $27-billion in taxpayer dollars. Under law, the EPA must obligate the funding by September 2024—an incredibly quick timeline that the EPA Inspector General has cautioned could lead to waste, fraud, and abuse. When asked during an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing if the EPA could guarantee none of the funds from the green bank slush fund would go to China, an EPA official conceded, “it’s a little more complicated” than a yes or no. American taxpayer dollars will be wasted on risky investments through the GGRF. According to the EPA, the program will “leverage public investment with private capital” to finance clean energy projects, despite the agency having no experience administering such a funding vehicle, referring to it as “a first-of-its-kind” program. 3. The Biden administration faces possible conflicts of interest with fund recipients. Some think tanks have raised alarms that the EPA could use this program to subsidize favored special interest organizations. Others have noted that current EPA appointees have ties to potential recipients of these sizeable awards, raising ethical concerns. Bottomline: To reduce the budget deficit, protect against government corruption, and stop China from receiving American taxpayer dollars, Congress must pass H.R. 1023, the Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act . CLICK HERE to learn more about the GGRF. CLICK HERE to read the letter E&C Republicans sent to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in October 2023 sounding the alarm on the GGRF.