Congress is back, but an energy bill languishing in its chambers for nearly a year may have to wait until next year.
A number of clean energy groups, including conservative clean energy advocates with ClearPath, would like to see a comprehensive energy bill passed in the lame-duck session of Congress in the next three-four weeks. But with the transition to a Republican White House in full swing and Republicans holding majorities in Congress, it may not be a priority until next year.
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The bill, the Energy Policy and Modernization Act, is one that “we don’t know” whether Trump would support or not, said Jay Faison, founder and CEO of ClearPath, which advocates for a conservative clean energy policy. “We don’t know how Republicans are going to think about that bill in the context of a Trump White House.”
That is one example, “but there is a lot of uncertainty, right now,” said Faison, who’s group supports natural gas, nuclear power, hydropower and energy innovation as part of a conservative clean energy blueprint. The group does not advocate for wind or solar as part of that plan.
Others, like conservative and free market groups, want no part of an energy bill, especially if it means adding it to a temporary spending bill that must be passed by Dec. 9, or risk a government shutdown.
And energy bill and tax credits can be brought up in the next Congress when they return next year under a new Republican administration, said the group Freedom Partners.
“The American people deserve to have major policy issues debated among our newly elected leaders, not during a lame duck session,” said Freedom Partners vice president for policy Andy Koenig. “That’s why Congress should simply pass a clean spending bill and leave other matters until 2017.”
A similar sentiment was echoed by Adam Brandon, the head of FreedomWorks. “There is no reason to negotiate with Democrats on this. Republicans will return in the next Congress with their majorities intact, and a Republican president will soon enter the White House,” he said.
“Not only will Republicans have control of the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, Democrats are in disarray,” he said. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., “is under fire in her own conference,” while Senate minority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is retiring at the end of the year, and President Obama “will soon be out of the White House.”
“There is no need for a debate on which direction to go,” said Brandon. “Congress should pass a short-term continuing resolution as quickly as possible and adjourn. With our country facing anemic economic growth, the incoming administration and Congress should not be hamstrung by bad deals made by the previous one.”
But Congress has made no decision on whether it will take such decisive action. Other groups that are vying for an energy bill to be passed, along with a continuing resolution short-term spending package, say lawmakers are still planning “next steps” and haven’t yet decided what will happen in the lame duck, said Ben Evans, spokesman for the Alliance to Save Energy, a coalition that supports energy efficiency measures include in the energy bill that was languishing in conference committee before the elections.
“Congress has a narrow window of opportunity in the coming weeks to pass a comprehensive energy bill that would have a real impact on Americans’ lives,” said the alliance’s president Kateri Callahan. “The Senate energy efficiency provisions based on the bipartisan Portman-Shaheen legislation will save consumers billions of dollars and stimulate innovation and economic activity across the economy, including in manufacturing.”
The bill would make a number of efficiency improvements to spur innovation and reduce energy consumption in large commercial buildings.
“There is every good reason to get the energy efficiency provisions in place now and no good reason — political or other — to delay further,” said Callahan. “This is the kind of practical, common-sense work that Americans expect from Congress, and we believe a lot of good will and credibility with the public will be built with the passage of these common sense and money-delivering energy
Pro-fossil fuel groups also want the bill passed because of provisions it contains to hasten the approval of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals, creating new markets for the shale natural gas boom.
The Center for Liquefied Natural Gas sent a letter to Senate and House energy committee leaders, reiterating the organization’s support for quickly moving forward with a conference agreement on the energy bill.
“Quickly passing the current energy bill will be a huge boost to the American economy, giving companies awaiting an export permit greater regulatory certainty and a clear timetable for moving forward with capital intensive projects,” said Charlie Riedl, the group’s executive director. “The legislation will provide an immediate solution to one of the most pressing issues facing our industry.”
