US Senate energy leaders intend to refile broad energy policy reform legislation this year despite Congress’s failure to enact their bill in 2016 and the Trump administration’s announced federal agency regulatory reviews, Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-Alas.) and Ranking Minority Member Maria E. Cantwell (D-Wash.) said.
“We’re not done with the energy bill we advanced last year, which had 85 cosponsors. It was a bipartisan effort that we intend to complete,” Murkowski said during a joint appearance with her colleague at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on May 3.
“When you have the input of 70 Senate members, which was where we ended up with all the amendments that were adopted, it shows a level of inclusion that’s hard to beat,” Murkowski said.
Cantwell added, “We should have an energy bill every year because things are happening so quickly. It’s something I’m not sure our House colleagues understand.” The legislation died in December after the Senate and House both passed energy policy reform bills, but could not resolve differences in conference.
Murkowski noted that while the 116th Congress has passed some bills under the Congressional Review Act that have revoke onerous regulations, more work needs to be done. “We still need to address the undergrowth that is choking much of the federal energy regulatory structure,” she said.
The two senators conceded they have differing views on some energy questions, but decided early on that they would concentrate on areas where they agree. Both said their constituents’ primary concern is keeping energy costs affordable.
“Recent discoveries by Repsol, Armstrong, and Conoco have confirmed there’s no shortage of crude oil on the North Slope,” said Murkowski. “Some of the revenue has been used to help finance microgrids for smaller communities that have had to rely on diesel fuel for their electricity.”
Cantwell noted that hydroelectric systems in Washington have helped keep power costs low, attracting several industries to the state. “The integration of software also helps us. It’s a next generation technology that’s helping drive energy efficiency. Keeping energy costs low will help this country stay competitive in manufacturing and other sectors,” she said.
Asked if increasing the federal gasoline tax, which has not changed since 1993, might be an exception, Murkowski responded: “If there’s any energy tax that Americans might accept, this might be it. Using the money to pay for infrastructure makes sense to most people, although we in Alaska still don’t want to pay $7/gal.”
Cantwell added, “There are issues where there’s bipartisan support, and it doesn’t matter what some House Republicans and the administration think. I still don’t know what the White House’s agenda is. I think the president needs to hire a futurist instead of trying so hard to hold onto the past.”
Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].
