#FullCmte Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and #SubCommTech Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) highlighted the Energy and Commerce Committee’s work on infrastructure in the Washington Times’ ‘Infrastructure 2018’ special edition.
The committee has been leading the way on examining solutions to further advance the nation’s infrastructure. 24 #SubEnergy and #SubEnvironment bills have passed the House of Representatives and several more have passed the full committee. The committee has held 48 infrastructure-related hearings and on January 30, 2018, #SubCommTech reviewed 25 broadband infrastructure bills.
As Chairman Walden notes, “Here at the committee, infrastructure means more than roads and bridges; it means examining solutions to expand, improve and modernize our energy infrastructure so that we can deliver energy to consumers more safely, reliably and cost-effectively.” #SubCommTech Chairman Blackburn added, “On the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, we’ve made great strides to close the digital divide and increase the expansion of broadband nationwide. The Communications and Technology Subcommittee, which I chair, has been working hard on a large broadband infrastructure package.”
To learn more about the committee’s efforts on infrastructure, click HERE.
To read the ‘Infrastructure 2018’ special, click HERE.
Energy infrastructure: Ensuring reliability, resiliency
By: Chairman Greg Walden
President Trump recently announced the framework for his infrastructure plan and I applaud him for not only recognizing the need to improve all facets of our nation’s infrastructure but for also demonstrating the leadership needed to push forward this major initiative.
Knowing that the president cares deeply about this issue and the opportunity for bipartisan progress, improving our nation’s infrastructure has been a focal point of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s work since the beginning of the 115th Congress.
Here at the committee, infrastructure means more than roads and bridges; it means examining solutions to expand, improve and modernize our energy infrastructure so that we can deliver energy to consumers more safely, reliably and cost-effectively. It’s a multifaceted approach to energy and the economy. It means focusing our efforts on the ways in which we can deploy broadband internet access to all areas of the country regardless of location. It means ensuring our pipeline distribution system and grid are well equipped to deal with both physical and cyber threats. It means streamlining the approval and siting processes for new pipeline and hydropower projects. It’s all about rolling back the impediments to economic growth while ensuring we’re well equipped to handle the infrastructure demands of today and the future.
To date, the Energy and Commerce Committee has held 48 infrastructure-related hearings, and we’ve had 24 energy infrastructure bills pass the House of Representatives addressing pipeline and electric transmission lines infrastructure, hydropower licensing, Brownfields, air quality standards, and energy efficiency. Several other solutions, like H.R. 3053, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act, and H.R. 3387, the Drinking Water System Improvement Act, have received overwhelming bipartisan support in the committee. Additionally, the Communications and Technology Subcommittee reviewed 25 infrastructure bills at a legislative hearing back in January…
Read the full opinion piece online HERE.
Putting rural Americans first
By: Rep. Marsha Blackburn
Many of you are probably reading this from a tablet or a phone. Using Wi-Fi or high-speed internet has become a common part of your day. Just imagine how you would feel or how you would function if you didn’t have this access. You would be unable to quickly scroll through the latest news, stream a lecture in real time or even listen to a podcast. How would you react? Do you take for granted that you touch a screen and the world is at your fingertips? Thirty-nine percent of rural Americans do not know that luxury. Not only do they not have high-speed internet, many of them still have dial-up connections. Because of this, in the evening, families are forced to load the kids into the van and head into town just to get to a parking lot with a Wi-Fi signal.
On the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, we’ve made great strides to close the digital divide and increase the expansion of broadband nationwide. The Communications and Technology Subcommittee, which I chair, has been working hard on a large broadband infrastructure package. We included five resolutions that outline our principles for broadband expansion and around two dozen separate pieces of legislation introduced by Democrats and Republicans.
It is essential that we continue to find ways to increase access to broadband. We’re on a mission to lower barriers to deployment that will allow for new technologies to reach more sparsely populated areas in a significantly shorter time frame. To accomplish this, we have taken a technologically neutral approach that will allow for greater flexibility in addressing the unique geographic challenges states face. It shouldn’t matter whether you’re getting your internet via satellite, fiber or fixed wireless so long as you are getting the service that you need.
If we can accomplish this, we can finally have a 21st century internet that fits with our 21st century economy. Removing barriers and streamlining processes will have a direct impact on the quality of Americans’ lives. It will be easier than ever to run your own small business from home, interact with your doctor remotely or enroll in continuing education programs that will help Americans succeed in this diverse and competitive marketplace.
Read the full opinion piece online HERE.
###