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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) issued the following statement applauding the House Energy and Power Subcommittee for its advancement of energy and jobs legislation yesterday, including H.R. 1582, the Energy Consumers Relief Act, and H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act:

“During my meetings with various manufacturing businesses, I often hear concerns regarding unnecessary government interference and onerous new government regulations,” Latta said. “Recent technological advances in the energy sector have opened up access to once unavailable domestic sources of energy, which has unleashed a number of positive economic benefits. In Ohio, this energy renaissance has been a life source to small towns and communities as they have struggled to recover from dire economic conditions. When proceeding with new regulations, we must find the right regulatory approach that will encourage growth in our energy sector, not hamper it.”

H.R. 1582, the Energy Consumers Relief Act, authored by Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), will increase transparency for major EPA regulations that may drive up energy costs and destroy jobs by requiring the EPA to submit a report to Congress detailing costs, benefits, energy prices, and jobs impact before the agency finalizes any new energy-related rules estimated to cost more than $1 billion. Further, the EPA would be prohibited from finalizing a rule if it is determined to cause significant adverse effects to the economy.

H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act, which was introduced by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS), seeks to expedite and modernize the federal review process for natural gas pipeline permits, and helps to facilitate the construction of new pipelines to transport the nation’s growing natural gas supply.

Click here to view Congressman Latta’s opening statement from the markup.

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