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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) voted today in support of the U.S. House of Representative’s passage of a major, comprehensive energy bill designed to modernize American energy laws. H.R. 8., the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 was first introduced in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which Latta is a senior member. The legislation includes several provisions authored by Latta.

“Thanks to American innovation and a highly skilled workforce, the United States stands as the global leader in energy production. Today, we have an incredible abundance of natural resources in this country, yet our energy policies remain rooted in a mindset of great scarcity.  This legislation will modernize our energy laws in a way that will allow America to take full advantage of our domestic energy resources.”

The legislation includes four pillars of focus; strengthening energy security and diplomacy, protecting the electricity system, modernizing energy infrastructure, and improving energy efficiency and government accountability.

“This comprehensive bill has been years in the making, and will allow America to maximize its true energy potential. With the modernization of our grid reliability protection systems, America will be best positioned to achieve the energy security sought for generations,” Latta continued. “Addressing the needs of our infrastructure and improving efficiency will create jobs for hard working American men and women, and ensure all Americans continue to benefit from access to a robust, low cost energy supply.” 

Provisions included in H.R. 8 authored by Rep. Latta addressed energy efficiency and grid reliability:

Critical Electric Infrastructure Security: This section would establish a new section 215A of the Federal Power Act that: 

· Provides the Secretary of Energy the authority to address grid security emergencies if the President provides a written directive or determination identifying a grid security emergency. The Secretary is authorized to take emergency measures to protect the bulk power system or defense critical electric infrastructure, including ordering critical electric infrastructure owners and operators to take appropriate actions, with such measures to expire no later than fifteen days from issuance. 

 · Facilitates the protection and voluntary sharing of critical electric infrastructure information between private sector asset owners and the Federal government by: 1) exempting designated Critical Electric Infrastructure Information from certain Federal and State disclosure laws; 2) requiring Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to facilitate voluntary information sharing between Federal, State, local and tribal authorities, the Electric Reliability Organization, regional entities, and owners, operators and users of the bulk-power system in the U.S.; and 3) establishing sanctions for the unauthorized disclosure of shared information.

Voluntary Verification Programs for Air Conditioning, Furnace, Boiler, Heat Pump, and Water Heater Products: This section requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to recognize voluntary verification programs for air conditioning, furnace, boiler, heat pump, and water heating products to demonstrate compliance with DOE energy efficiency and conservation standards and the Energy Star program. 

No Warranty for Certain Certified Energy Star Products: This section would promote continued development of energy efficient appliances through the Energy Star Program by deterring class action lawsuits that could undermine participation in the program. 

WaterSense: This section would codify the voluntary WaterSense program at EPA. It specifies the categories of products that are eligible for WaterSense listing and also the guidelines for developing criteria and reviewing standards.