Cramer: House Energy and Commerce Committee Advances Architecture of Abundance Energy Reforms

Statement

Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee passed H.R. 8, the Architecture of Abundance bill. The legislation attempts to modernize and improve our nation's energy polices and regulations.

"Many of the polices governing our nation's energy sector were put in place during times of energy scarcity. The United States is currently enjoying a time of energy abundance which occurred absent government action and we need to ensure government doesn't return us to an era of scarcity. This bill streamlines regulations to make sure energy markets work efficiently and allow more resources to be developed. The bill also takes measures to protect energy infrastructure from national security threats. However, this is just a step in reshaping the rules and regulations governing our nation's energy sector. We need to repeal the crude oil export ban, approve the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, and repeal regulations promulgated by the Obama Administration to ensure we have affordable and reliable energy from safe resources."

Regarding the need for the study and analysis of the impact the Clean Power Plan and other EPA rules have on the production of electricity, Cramer added:

"It's bad enough the Clean Power Plan will force huge increases in the cost of electricity for North Dakota consumers, but it is nothing short of reckless to impose this arbitrary rule without consulting the agencies and stakeholders responsible for ensuring reliable energy delivery. As a former regulator, I assure my colleagues the issue of sustaining a reliable transmission and distribution network is not minor."

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