Senate Energy Committee Approves Three Hoeven-Supported Bills

Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today issued the following statement after the committee approved three pieces of legislation he has introduced and supported to ensure the use of natural gas and other energy and cost efficient fuels in federal buildings, promote greater energy efficiency and advance the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies. The legislation includes:

• All-of-the-Above Federal Building Energy Conservation Act – Hoeven’s bipartisan bill, which he introduced with Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), would provide the federal government with flexibility to continue the use of natural gas and other efficient fuels in federal buildings, which would otherwise be phased out starting in 2030.
• Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act – Hoeven helped introduce this legislation with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to assist non-profit organizations, including places of worship, faith-based organizations, youth centers and social service providers, in making upgrades to their facilities to improve energy efficiency and generate renewable energy.
• Enhancing Fossil Fuel Energy Carbon Technology (EFFECT) Act – This Hoeven-cosponsored this bill, which was introduced by Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), would establish four new programs at the U.S. Department of Energy focused on coal and natural gas technology, carbon storage, carbon utilization and carbon removal. 

“We’ve worked to advance these pieces of legislation because they will bolster both environmental stewardship and affordable, reliable energy production,” Hoeven said. “The U.S. has emerged as a major producer of natural gas, and our federal building legislation would ensure we can use this efficient energy source. Further, our energy efficiency measures will help both non-profits and the federal government to operate more cost-effectively, saving taxpayer dollars and empowering churches and charities to better serve their communities. At the same time, the EFFECT Act is part of our continued work to advance the development and implementation of CCUS technology, which will help ensure our nation can continue to rely on all of its abundant energy resources.”