Ken Calvert: “I am pleased to be here today in strong support of H.R. 1873, the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act. As…”

“I am pleased to be here today in strong support of H.R. 1873, the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act. As we enter wildfire season, it is of the upmost importance that the federal government act to prevent these devastating disasters. The Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act strengthens electric grid reliability while reducing the risk of fires and fire hazards caused by poor vegetation management in power line rights-of- way on federally managed public lands. Currently, bureaucratic permitting delays impede electric utility companies from effectively managing overgrowth near electric infrastructure, which puts these areas at greater risk for a fire event. This common-sense, widely-supported, legislation would require an expedited federal review process for trees that are dangerously close to power lines. The effective management of this unruly vegetation is especially important in my home state of California, where in 2016, an overwhelming 6,986 fires destroyed over 565,000 acres of land throughout the state. I thank my Colleague from California, Mr. LaMalfa, for his leadership on this legislation and I look forward to supporting the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act later today. The CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired. Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the 5-minute rule.…”