Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1426, the Timely Review of Infrastructure Act. This legislation was introduced by my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Pete Olson and Representative Mike Doyle, to help the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recruit and retain highly specialized personnel in the STEM fields. This legislation went through regular order, and it passed by vote voice in the committee. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, otherwise known as FERC, is an independent agency. Mr. Speaker, it regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC's responsibilities also include reviewing and approving the siting of large-scale infrastructure projects such as LNG export terminals, electric transmission lines, interstate pipelines, and all the associated environmental and safety requirements. While FERC receives annual appropriations from Congress, FERC recovers 100 percent of its appropriations through the collection of annual charges and filing fees. This unique structure, where the industry essentially covers FERC's costs, has resulted in a lean and efficient agency, and it helps keep costs down for consumers. In testimony before the Energy and Commerce Committee, FERC explained that it faces a growing challenge to recruit and retain a highly skilled workforce to keep up with the demands of our rapidly growing energy infrastructure.…”