Last week, the House passed its most comprehensive energy package in years. The Clean Energy and Jobs Innovation Act, which passed by a vote of 220-185, was compiled of numerous research and development, clean energy, cyber, grid, and other bills previously considered or introduced in various committees. Of note, the bill included the McKinley-Welch building codes language, which is the House companion to the Portman-Shaheen legislation. As a reminder, that language would unduly expand the Department of Energy's (DOE) role in the building code process.
The Senate is primed to act on their own energy package, although exact timing remains unknown. While much of the Senate language is largely innocuous, APGA has pushed back on inclusion of the Portman-Shaheen building codes language in the bill, as well as supported an amendment by Senator Cornyn (R-Texas) that would ensure low-and-middle income homeowners do not see home prices increase due to DOE energy savings targets. APGA greatly appreciates member engagement on this effort.
House and Senate negotiators continue to work with the White House to come to an agreement on a possible new round of coronavirus aid. Talks have stalled for months, however in-person discussions have resumed this week. APGA continues to monitor the situation as it progresses.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on October 1 titled "
Generating Equity: Improving Clean Energy Access and Affordability". In September, the Committee's Environment panel held a hearing "
Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy: Opportunities for an Equitable, Low-Carbon Recovery", for which
APGA submitted written testimony.
For questions on this article, please contact Doug MacGillivray of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-2742 or by email at
dmacgillivray@apga.org.