Many Americans have grown concerned about the monopoly power that Big
Tech corporations wield. But few people realize that the problem of
concentrated private power also infects the electricity sector. In most
regions, electricity is controlled by a single investor-owned utility
with a government-granted monopoly. Across the country, powerful
utilities are actively blocking decentralized solar energy, degrading
the reliability of the power lines even as they raise prices, and
failing to make the grid investments needed for a clean, carbon-free
future.
Dr. Beverly L. Wright, Executive Director, Deep South Center for
Environmental Justice Co-Chair, National Black Environmental Justice
Network Member, White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council New
Orleans, LA
Max Sarinsky, Senior Attorney, Institute for Policy Integrity, New
York University School of Law
Dr. Kristina Dahl, Senior Climate Scientist, Climate & Energy Program,
Union of Concerned Scientists
Republican Witness:
Lucian (Lou) Pugliaresi (Republican Witness), President, Energy Policy
Research Foundation, Inc. Washington, DC
The hearing on the Energy Product Reliability
Act,
initially scheduled for December 7, 2021, was previously postponed. The
legislation would require the implementation of standards for securing
fossil-fuel pipelines from cyberattacks.
H.R.
2872
(Rep. Cartwright), To establish an integrated national approach to
respond to ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate
change by protecting, managing, and conserving the fish, wildlife, and
plants of the United States, and to maximize Government efficiency and
reduce costs, in cooperation with State, local, and Tribal Governments
and other entities, and for other purposes. SAFE Act, or Safeguarding
America’s Future and Environment Act.
H.R.
3228
(Rep. Velázquez), To direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, to improve science, data, and services that enable
sound decision making in response to coastal flood risk, including
impacts of sea level rise, storm events, changing Great Lakes water
levels, and land subsidence. National Coastal Resilience Data and
Services Act.
H.R.
1415
(Rep. Kilmer), To amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to
authorize grants to Indian Tribes to further achievement of Tribal
coastal zone objectives, and for other purposes. Tribal Coastal
Resiliency Act.
H.R.
268(Rep.
Vela), To provide for the boundary of the Palo Alto Battlefield
National Historic Park to be adjusted, to authorize the donation of
land to the United States for addition to that historic park, and for
other purposes.
H.R.
441
(Rep. Young), To provide for the conveyance of certain property to the
Tanana Tribal Council located in Tanana, Alaska, and for other
purposes.
H.R.
2512
(Rep. Estes), To amend the National Trails System Act to designate the
Chisholm National Historic Trail and the Western National Historic
Trail, and for other purposes. Chisholm National Historic Trail and
Western National Historic Trail Designation Act.
H.R.
2551
(Rep. Curtis), To designate and adjust certain lands in the State of
Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and
for other purposes. Bonneville Shoreline Trail Advancement Act.
H.R.
2773
(Rep. Dingell), To amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration
Act to make supplemental funds available for management of fish and
wildlife species of greatest conservation need as determined by State
fish and wildlife agencies, and for other purposes. Recovering
America’s Wildlife Act of 2021.
H.R.
2793
(Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney), To reauthorize the Highlands Conservation
Act, to authorize States to use funds from that Act for administrative
purposes, and for other purposes. Highlands Conservation
Reauthorization Act of 2021.
H.R.
4009
(Rep. Norton), To authorize the Georgetown African American Historic
Landmark Project and Tour to establish a commemorative work in the
District of Columbia and its environs, and for other
purposes.Georgetown Waterfront Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act.
H.R.
4358
(Rep. Buchanan), To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate
segments of the Little Manatee River as a component of the Wild and
Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes. Little Manatee Wild and
Scenic River Act.
H.R.
4380
(Rep. Escobar), To designate the El Paso Community Healing Garden
National Memorial, and for other purposes.
H.R.
4404
(Rep. Soto), To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate
segments of the Kissimmee River in the State of Florida as a component
of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.
Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act.
H.R.
5118
(Rep. Neguse), To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize
the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and
for other purposes. Continental Divide Trail Completion Act.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a virtual
hearing
entitled, “Ensuring Equitable Delivery of Disaster Benefits to
Vulnerable Communities and Peoples: An Examination of
GAO’s Findings of the
CDBG-DR Program.” on Wednesday, January 19,
2022, at 10:00 a.m. via Cisco WebEx.
Increasingly, large-scale natural disasters have resulted in
catastrophic damage around the United States, often with
disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations and contributing to
wealth inequality. This hearing will assess a study2 of aspects of the
Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program
undertaken by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) at the request
of Chairwoman Maxine Waters and Representative Al Green in January 2020.