Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith
(R-VA)
Witnesses:
David Howell, Acting Director and Principal Deputy Director, Office of
Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (invited but declined)
Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Director, Center for Energy, Climate, and
Environment, The Heritage Foundation, and Adjunct Professor, George
Washington University
Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, Senior Resident Fellow for Climate and Energy
Program, Third Way
Kenny
Stein,
Vice President for Policy, Institute for Energy Research
The Subcommittee invited the MESC’s Acting
Director David Howell to participate in the hearing, but the
DOE refused, citing inadequate time to prepare
testimony despite receiving notice of the request two weeks in advance.
However, the DOE agreed to make Acting
Director Howell available at a later date in June.
On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 10:15 a.m., in Room 1324 Longworth House
Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on
Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold an oversight budget
hearing
titled “Examining the President’s FY 2024
Budget Proposal for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and
the Power Marketing Administrations”.
Camille Touton, Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Department
of the Interior
John Hairston, Administrator and CEO,
Bonneville Power Administration, Department of Energy
Tracey LeBeau, Administrator and CEO,
Western Area Power Administration
Mike Wech, Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration,
Department of Energy
Virgil Hobbs, Administrator and CEO,
Southeastern Power Administration
Panel II
Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department
of the Interior
Jainey Bavishi, Deputy Administrator for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
$4.1
billion
budget request for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget request for
NOAA is $6.8 billion, a $407 million increase
from the FY 2023 enacted level.1 The request
seeks to build a climate-ready nation and ensure
NOAA’s climate products and services are
accessible and useful to all Americans. NOAA’s
core mission and activities include weather forecasting, climate
prediction, and management of fisheries, coastal and ocean resources, as
well as cross-cutting research to support and advance these operational
areas. NOAA carries out this mission through
six major line offices:
National Ocean Service (NOS), responsible for mapping and charting
coastal areas and providing other navigation support services.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), responsible for stewardship
of living marine resources through the conservation, management, and
promotion of healthy ecosystems.
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), responsible for
research in support of most NOAA missions
including atmospheric, coastal, and oceanic sciences, climate and air
quality research, ecosystem research, and fisheries and marine mammal
research. National Weather Service (NWS), responsible for weather
forecasts and warnings.
National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service
(NESDIS), responsible for development and operation of satellites that
monitor and transmit data for weather forecasting, climate prediction,
space weather forecasting, and earth and ocean science research.
Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), manages a variety of
specialized ships and aircraft for collection of oceanographic,
atmospheric, hydrographic, and fisheries data.
The budget proposal includes a $49 million request for the Lower
Colorado River Operations Program, including $16.8 million to build on
the work of Reclamation, Colorado River basin partners and
stakeholders to implement drought contingency plans. It also includes
$2.7 million for the Upper Colorado River Operations Program to
support Drought Response Operations and $200.3 million to find
long-term, comprehensive water supply solutions for farmers, families,
and communities in California. The budget includes $62.9 million for
the WaterSMART Program to support Reclamation’s collaboration with
non-federal partners in efforts to address emerging water demands and
water shortage issues in the West.
A request of $57.8 million advances the construction and continues the
operations and maintenance of authorized rural water projects. The
budget request also provides $35.5 million for the Native American
Affairs Program, which provides technical support and assistance to
tribal governments to develop and manage their water resources. 
The budget includes $210.2 million for the Dam Safety Program to
effectively manage risks to the downstream public, of which $182.6
million is for modification actions. Another focus area for
infrastructure is $105.3 million requested for extraordinary
maintenance activities across Reclamation.
These funding amounts are included in the $1.3 billion budget request
for Reclamation’s principal operating account (Water and Related
Resources), which funds planning, construction, water conservation,
efforts to address fish and wildlife habitat needs, and operation,
maintenance and rehabilitation activities at Reclamation facilities.
Additionally, funding of $33 million is requested to implement the
California Bay-Delta Program and address California’s current water
supply and ecological challenges, while $48.5 million is for the
Central Valley Project Restoration Fund to protect, restore, and
enhance fish, wildlife, and associated habitats in California’s
Central Valley and Trinity River Basins.
The request also provides $66.8 million for Policy and Administration
to develop, evaluate, and directly implement Reclamation-wide policy,
rules and regulation as well as other administrative functions.
There are four PMAs: The Bonneville Power Administration, the Western
Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and
the Southeastern Power Administration. Each
PMA markets and delivers (via transmission
lines) electricity generated at federal dams and reservoirs operated by
Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).
Subcommittee
hearing
for the purpose of receiving testimony from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service
Agency.
Witnesses:
Terry Cosby, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture
Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator, Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department
of Agriculture
House Agriculture Committee
Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee
Full committee
markup
of the following legislation:
H.R. 3399, Soo Locks Security and Economic Reporting Act of 2023 |
View
Text
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 1836, Ocean
Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023 | View
Text
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 3395, U.S.
Supply Chain Security Review Act of 2023 | View
Text
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 886, Save Our
Seas 2.0 Amendments Act | View
Text
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 2367, Truck
Parking Safety Improvement Act | View
Text
H.R. 3013, Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and
Efficiently Act of 2023 (LICENSE Act of 2023) | View
Text
H.R. 3318, To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish an
axle weight tolerance for certain commercial motor vehicles
transporting dry bulk goods, and for other purposes | View
Text
H.R. 3408, Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy
Safe Integrity Act of 2023 (DRIVE Safe Integrity Act) | View
Text
H.R. 3316, To amend titles 46 and 49, United States Code, to
streamline the environmental review process for major projects, and
for other purposes | View
Text
H.R. 3365, Supply Chain Improvement Act | View
Text
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 1500,
Intelligent Transportation Integration Act | View
Text
H.R. 915, Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act | View
Text
H.R. 3317, Rolling Stock Protection Act | View
Text
H.R. 3372, To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a
safety data collection program for certain 6-axle vehicles, and for
other purposes | View
Text
H.R. 2948, Carrying Automobiles Responsibly and Safely (CARS) Act |
View
Text
H.R. 3447, Toamend title 23, United States Code, to authorize a
hydrogen powered vehicle to exceed certain weight limits on the
Interstate Highway System, and for other purposes | View
Text
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 1796, Disaster
Survivors Fairness Act of 2023 | View
Text
H. Con. Res. 43, Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby | View
Text
S.J. Res. 11 – Providing
for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United
States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection
Agency relating to “Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles:
Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards”
Sponsored by fossil-fuel utility Southern Company and tar-sands and
natural-gas pipeline company TC Energy.
A new world energy order is emerging and America’s place in it is at a
critical juncture.
Join POLITICO for its first-ever energy
summit to explore how the
U.S. is positioning itself in a complicated energy future.
While the Biden administration pushes forward on the energy transition,
global energy demand and prices along with geopolitical pressures
continue to complicate what is already a tricky political path toward
clean energy. What are the most viable policy and regulatory solutions
available in Washington to advance the clean energy agenda?
Throughout the day, we will also explore any progress made on the ground
with the infrastructure and climate packages intended to move the U.S.
to a renewable energy economy through electric vehicle adoption, a Just
Transition to support oil and gas workers moving into green sector jobs
and Biden’s environmental justice proposals.
We will also dig into clean energy technologies and innovation,
including wind energy, solar power, nuclear, and battery technologies,
the electrification of the transportation sector, while acknowledging
the larger political forces that will shape any policy wins. Finally,
we’ll explore the latest developments in Washington in the battle to
implement and enforce ESG standards to combat
climate change.
The Schuyler
1001 14th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
This program will also be available to watch on our virtual event
platform provided the week of the event.
A light lunch will be served upon arrival, and a cocktail reception with
light hors d’oeuvres will follow the program.
AGENDA
11:30 AM
Doors Open & Lunch
12:00 PM
Welcome Remarks
Sudeep Reddy, Senior Managing Editor, POLITICO
12:25 PM
Executive Conversation
François Poirier, President and Chief Executive Officer, TC
Energy
Goli Sheikholeslami, Chief Executive Officer, POLITICO Media Group
12:45 PM
Regional Partnerships for Energy Security and Climate Action
Sharon Burke, Founder and President, Ecospherics & Former
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy
Christopher Sands, Director, Canada Institute, Wilson Center
Moderated by: Manuel Quiñones, Daily Editor, E&E News
1:10 PM
A Conversation with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico
Moderated by: Gloria Gonzalez, Deputy Energy Editor, POLITICO
1:30 PM
Innovating Our Way to Lower Emissions
John Delaney, Founder & CEO, Forbright
Bank, Former U.S. Representative
Melanie Nakagawa, Chief Sustainability Officer, Microsoft
Jigar Shah, Director, Loan Programs Office, U.S. Department of
Energy
A
hearing
to examine the following ambassadorial nominees.
Nominees:
Jennifer M. Adams, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign
Service, Class of Career Minister, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of
Cabo Verde
Heather Roach Variava, of Iowa, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign
Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Lao
People’s Democratic Republic
Julie Turner, of Maryland, to be Special Envoy on North Korean Human
Rights Issues, with the rank of Ambassador
Matthew D. Murray, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign
Service, Class of Counselor, for the rank of Ambassador during his
tenure of service as United States Senior Official for the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Jennifer L. Johnson, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior
Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to
the Federated States of Micronesia
The government of Cape Verde is seeking developers to build four solar
plants
across four islands in the archipelagic nation.
Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs
Chairman Pat Fallon (R-Texas) will hold a
hearing
titled “Driving Bad Policy: Examining EPA’s
Tailpipe Emissions Rules and the Realities of a Rapid Electric Vehicle
Transition.” The subcommittee hearing will examine the Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA) new proposed vehicle emissions standards
rules.
Witnesses:
Steve Bradbury, Heritage Foundation
Doug Kantor, General Counsel, National Association of Convenience
Stores
“The Biden Administration’s pursuit of radical Green New Deal policies
has continued in the form of the EPA’s new
vehicle emissions standards rules. The impact this would have on
American consumers cannot be overstated. This is the largest attempt at
green regulation of U.S. cars, trucks, and locomotives that we’ve ever
seen and could require that 67 percent of all new cars sold are EVs by
2032. The EPA has even declined to appear
before the subcommittee to defend the Biden Administration’s policies on
this issue. A shift of this magnitude towards the progressive utopia of
exclusively electric vehicles could have untold national security
implications as well as trigger nationwide blackouts if fossil fuel
power plants are taken offline before the grid is stabilized. As long as
the Biden Administration continues pursuing radical green regulations
that will drive up costs on American consumers and create turmoil in the
U.S. energy sector, Committee Republicans will swiftly push back and
exercise forceful oversight,” said Subcommittee Chairman Fallon.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee
