Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) led his House colleagues in introducing legislation to nullify Biden-era regulations that would send America’s most critical power plants into early retirement.

The “Clean Power Plan 2.0,” finalized in May 2024, imposes impossible-to-meet emissions requirements on existing coal-fired and newly constructed natural gas-fired power plants. If left in place, this rule will lead to the premature retirement of power plants that generate the reliable power American families and businesses rely upon.

Balderson, Chairman of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), is joined by Chairman Gary Palmer (AL-6) of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) in introducing this legislation.

“The ‘Clean Power Plan 2.0’ was the flagship initiative of the Biden-led EPA that, if fully implemented, would destabilize our electric grid and weaken American energy security,” said Balderson. “Forcing the premature retirement of our most reliable power plants is exceptionally shortsighted when it comes to addressing the long-term reliability of our electric grid. Ohio and the rest of the nation are in the middle of a historic surge in power demand. Nullifying the Biden Administration’s disastrous Clean Power Plan 2.0 will ensure that the lights stay on and the American economy keeps humming.”

“The EPA’s ‘Clean Power Plan 2.0’ is one of the most reckless regulations stemming from the Biden administration’s war on energy,” said Chairman Pfluger.  “After years of rising energy costs, and with energy demand projected to reach record highs, the last thing our country can afford is the EPA’s dangerous attempt to shut down reliable power plants.  I applaud Rep. Balderson for introducing this important legislation and for his leadership in advancing policies that will ensure America can grow through abundant, reliable power.”

As electricity demand continues to grow at historic levels, grid operators warn that baseload power generation may struggle to keep pace in the coming years. For example, central Ohio is projected to double its electricity demand between 2018 and 2028. If left in place, energy experts warn that our electric grid will fall short and not meet future American demand for power.

Balderson previously introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act in June 2024 to block the EPA rule. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced a companion resolution in the Senate.

President Trump and his administration have indicated they are actively working to reverse the Biden power plant rule. This legislation supports the Trump Administration’s actions and efforts to protect American baseload power production.

Additional House co-sponsors include Representatives Bob Latta (OH-5), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Rick Allen (GA-12), Randy Weber (TX-14), Carol Miller (WV-1), Morgan Griffith (VA-9), Michael Rulli (OH-6), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), and Ryan Zinke (MT-1). Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Troy Balderson (OH-12) reintroduced legislation today that would enable grid operators to expedite consideration of power generation projects that improve the reliability of the electric grid. U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced identical legislation in the Senate.

The Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable (GRID) Power Act would allow certain projects, at the request of the grid operator, to bypass the overwhelmed interconnection queue. In 2023, the median wait time grew to five years, delaying critical projects from being built and connected to the grid.

“Our interconnection queue is buckling under its own weight,” said Balderson. “Transmission providers are tasked with ensuring we have enough electricity to keep the lights on, but the growing backlog of projects is adding years to an already time-consuming process. This legislation would give grid operators the authority to identify and expedite the consideration of essential projects that will protect our grid’s reliability and provide the power needed to meet America’s growing demand.”

“The reliability of the electric grid has been undermined for years by Green New Deal policies advanced under the Obama and Biden administrations, whose heavy-handed approach to regulation has forced the retirement of critically-needed baseload power plants. The result is an unstable grid, power shortages and more brownouts and blackouts,” said Senator Hoeven. “Our legislation seeks to reverse this trend by empowering grid operators to put baseload power generation projects at the front of the line for approval. Further, it sets deadlines for FERC, requiring the agency to promptly set up this priority approval process and to start acting on baseload power projects. Doing so will enhance our nation’s energy security and help ensure the power stays on when needed most.”

“Bureaucratic delays are slowing critical power projects and threatening the reliability of our electric grid,” said Senator Young. “We need to cut through red tape to get more power online faster. This bill will strengthen our grid to promote American energy independence and drive economic growth—especially in states like Indiana, where reliable energy is vital to jobs and Hoosier workers.”

The The interconnection queue has become inundated with proposed projects seeking to capitalize on the Biden Administration’s taxpayer-funded “green” energy credits. These projects, which now make up 97% of all projects in the queue, tend to be weather-dependent and cannot be dispatched at a moment’s notice to meet consumer energy needs. As power demand in Ohio and across the nation grows at a historic pace, the grid will require more dispatchable baseload energy to avoid rolling blackouts and power shortages.

The previous Administration issued new rules, such as the Clean Power Plan 2.0, in an attempt to accelerate the retirement of American power plants currently responsible for providing much of the United States’ baseload power. The GRID Power Act would bring more baseload power generation online in a timely manner, leading to the long-term stability of the American electric grid.

“Significant increases in electricity demand are expected in every region of the country, driven by data centers powering advancements in AI, domestic manufacturing, and the electrification of various sectors of the economy,” said Todd Snitcher, President & CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA). “Grid operators should be given significant flexibility to address current or future reliability concerns, including the creation of an accelerated interconnection for resources identified as critical to maintaining reliability. The bill appropriately requires stakeholder feedback and FERC approval before any changes are made, ensuring that all viewpoints are heard. EPSA is grateful to Congressman Balderson and Senators Hoeven and Young for their leadership on this critical issue and their commitment to electric grid reliability.”

“AXPC applauds Congressman Balderson, Senator Hoeven, and Senator Young’s efforts to prioritize projects that enhance grid reliability and capacity,” said Anne Bradbury, CEO of the American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC). “As our nation’s power demand continues to rise, it is critical that we don’t delay consideration of power-generation projects, such as those that use natural gas, that can provide needed dispatchable power and enhance reliability.”

“We applaud Congressman Balderson for the GRID Power Act and for pushing reforms and finding solutions to ensure a strong energy future,” said Rob Brundrett, President of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA). “This legislation will benefit Ohio’s energy consumers and help stabilize our energy grid. OOGA strongly supports Congressman Balderson’s efforts to prioritize reliable, abundant and easily dispatchable natural gas to power our homes and businesses by bringing innovative ideas to the queue reform process.”

“Electrical grid reliability is a critical issue for Ohio’s economy, especially as we emphasize advanced manufacturing and energy-intensive advancements in technology,” said Ohio Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Steve Stivers. “Legislation like the GRID Power Act will serve to expedite power generation projects that can improve the resilience and reliability of energy supply for the economy of the 21st Century. We thank Congressman Balderson for his leadership in addressing the critical energy needs of American businesses and consumers, and look forward to working with him to advance this common-sense proposal.”

“As the debate over generation adequacy continues within the 13-state grid region served by PJM Interconnection, Ohio manufacturers believe competitive markets will best respond to future load growth and demand,” said Ryan Augsburger, President of The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “OMA supports queue reform to more quickly and efficiently interconnect generating resources to the grid.  Representative Balderson’s bill is a good first step toward reform.”

The GRID Power Act

The GRID Power Act directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to develop rules that authorize grid operators–Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs)–to “fast-track” critical projects that ensure grid reliability and meet growing power demands by allowing them to bypass the years-long wait in the interconnection queue.

Under the legislation, grid operators would still be required to conduct feasibility and system impact studies on the generation projects before signing an interconnection agreement. The bill also promotes transparency by requiring the operators to provide a process for public comment and stakeholder engagement before submitting proposals to FERC and requires operators to provide regular reports on the state of grid reliability to FERC. This legislation empowers grid operators to accelerate projects that:

• Provide new dispatchable power and improve grid reliability and resource adequacy;
• Address power shortages caused by retiring or offline dispatchable power; and/or
• Support increased power demand.

FERC would be required to review and approve “fast-track” proposals within 60 days, potentially reducing the total time to approve these projects from years to just 12 months. Upon enactment, this legislation would require FERC to start the rulemaking process for this mechanism within 90 days of the bill’s enactment and finalize the rules within 180 days.

Full text of the GRID Power Act can be found HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH)

This article was originally published by Axios Pro.

By Daniel Moore

Rep. Troy Balderson is reintroducing legislation to expedite the building of power plants stuck in a grid backlog — this time with a Senate companion and a supportive FERC chairman.

Why it matters: Balderson’s teaming with Sens. John Hoeven and Todd Young on the Grid Power Act reflects a serious Republican push to grow the country’s power supply.

• The bill is in line with Trump’s support of fossil fuels and nuclear plants to meet growing demand from data centers.

Zoom in: The bill would require FERC to initiate a rulemaking to put a priority on “dispatchable” power plants — a term that generally excludes intermittent wind and solar.

• Fast-tracked projects would be approved to connect to the grid within one year, down from current wait times of five years, Balderson said.

• Grid operators would be allowed to speed up plants “capable of providing known and forecastable electric supply in time intervals necessary to ensure grid reliability,” according to the bill.

• The bill seeks to reverse “‘Green New Deal policies advanced under the Obama and Biden administrations” that led to the closure of baseload power like coal and nuclear plants, Hoeven said in a statement to Axios.

Mark Christie, whom Trump named FERC chairman last month, has expressed support for the idea.

Friction point: Renewable developers have cautioned against allowing certain projects to skip the line, pressing instead for changes that lower wait times for all power projects.

• FERC finalized a widely supported rule in 2023 that imposed penalties on developers for withdrawing projects and on transmission providers for not meeting certain deadlines.

The big picture: Roughly 2,600 gigawatts of project proposals — more than twice the power capacity currently supplying the grid — were in the interconnection queue at the end of 2023, DOE estimated.

• About 95% of the proposed projects were solar, wind and battery storage.

What they’re saying: The interconnection queue is a “logjam of renewable projects,” Balderson told Axios ahead of the reintroduction.

• “Those projects can still apply, they can still get in the queue.… But you’ve got to have something that’s going to get authorized, get through the queue and get the power.”

• Balderson said he’s been in touch with Christie and plans to move the bill this session.

Click here to read the original article published by Axios Pro.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representative Pete Stauber (MN-08) along with Representatives Rudy Yakym (IN-02), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced the Brake for Kids Act, legislation that will require the Department of Transportation to release a Public Service Announcement (PSA) on the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. 

“Too many drivers nationwide drive illegally past stopped school buses, endangering children and their caregivers,” said Representative Pete Stauber. “In the most tragic cases, the outcome of these reckless actions can be fatal. We are facing an epidemic of distracted driving, but an alarming number of drivers are also unaware that driving past a stopped school bus is illegal. That’s why it is imperative that the Department of Transportation release a PSA informing American drivers of the dangers passing school busses illegally. We must do everything we can to protect our nation’s most precious commodity: our children.”

“Our community in northern Indiana is all too familiar with the devastating consequences of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses. Just last week, we were mere seconds away from another tragedy,” said Representative Rudy Yakym. “My dear friend and predecessor, Jackie Walorski, took swift action to pass the Stop for School Buses Act of 2021, and I am proud to continue her legacy by co-leading the Brake for Kids Act. By passing this legislation, we can better protect our children, safeguard our communities, and prevent further tragedies.”

“Street safety for our kids should be an issue that everyone can get on board with,” said Representative Seth Moulton. “Last year, in my district, Peabody Public Schools put cameras on their school buses and found over 3,400 instances of vehicles failing to stop. That’s 2.3 illegal passes per bus per day. This legislation helps combat this dangerous behavior and ensure kids don’t get killed when just trying to get to school.”

“As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I worked with Congresswoman Jackie Walorski to include life-saving legislation addressing the dangers posed by drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Representative Julia Brownley. “I am proud to join my colleagues in continuing to build on this progress to better protect children from preventable tragedies.”

“The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) strongly supports the Brake for Kids Act. Private school bus contractors encounter illegal passing of their school buses every day, putting schoolchildren in great danger,” said Curt Macysyn, Executive Director of the National School Transportation Association. “NSTA believes this bill will finally move the needle in the direction of safety for kids embarking and disembarking their school buses. A national public safety messaging campaign including television and radio ads will serve to educate and remind all drivers that it is illegal and dangerous to pass a stopped school bus with its lights flashing and stop arm extended. NSTA thanks Representatives Stauber, Yakym, Moulton and Brownley for their strong leadership on this critical safety issue.” 

BACKGROUND: 

In a 2024 study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, participants were asked for their opinions on the reason most drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus. A little over 24% reported that they didn’t know the law. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) made the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will undertake 31 deregulatory actions to unleash American energy, invigorate the American auto industry, and lower the cost of living for Americans. 

“President Biden enacted a number of harmful regulations that made it more expensive to purchase a car, heat our homes, operate a business, and manufacture right here in the United States,” said Congressman Pete Stauber. “I am pleased to see this administration take historic action to roll back these burdensome regulations that raised the cost of living for every American family. Promises made, promises kept.”

Of these 31 actions, here are some of the most impactful: 

• Bringing an end to the Biden era “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule, which allowed federal agencies to infringe on the property rights of farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and landowners for far too long.
• Terminating Biden’s electric vehicle mandate, which threatened the American auto industry and consumer choice.
• Reviewing flawed air regulations for steelmaking and other domestic manufacturing sectors, which would have jeopardized the future of taconite mining in Northern Minnesota. 
• Stopping the Biden era “Clean Power Plant 2.0,” which would have shut down domestic power generation, raising costs for Americans and jeopardizing grid reliability.
• Reconsidering the unattainable Particulate Matter air quality standards, which would have shut down domestic manufacturing, including the wood and paper products industry across Northern Minnesota.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) voted to pass H.R. 1968, a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through September and allow the momentum we’ve seen from this Administration to continue. 

Of his vote, Congressman Stauber stated, “By voting to pass this funding bill today, my Republican colleagues and I are keeping the government open for the American people and ensuring that we can continue to enact President Trump’s America-First agenda. I was disappointed to see that most Democrats voted to shut down the government, a decision that would devastate our federal workers, service members, veterans, children, and the elderly. After weeks of claiming to care about federal workers and important programs like Medicaid, they are awfully quick to throw these people and programs aside in a desperate attempt to wrestle power away from the President of the United States. Their vote today should show every American their true intentions. Our Republican Conference will not be deterred by the Democrats’ glaring lack of effort to work together. We will get this funding bill to the President’s desk, which will allow us to deliver the President’s popular agenda for the American people.”

This Continuing Resolution also guarantees the following: 

• The largest pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers in 40 years.
• Protects Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Community Health Centers, and investments in the Federal Aviation Administration. 
• Allows ICE to continue deporting criminals.
• Extends the National Flood Insurance program. 
• Provides $6 billion for the toxic exposure fund to assist veterans’ healthcare needs. 

Provides $7.6 billion for the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress: 

“After President Trump’s powerful speech tonight, one thing is clear: the renewal of the American Dream is underway. President Trump has accomplished more in one month in office than most Presidents accomplish in four years, and there were plenty of achievements to celebrate tonight. Whether it’s securing the border, stopping the flow of fentanyl into our country, saving women’s sports, cutting government waste, and restoring peace around the globe – I am grateful for all that the President has done so far to get this country back on track. 

“As the President continues to steer this nation forward, I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can set partisan politics aside and join us in enacting the President’s agenda over the next four years. The American people delivered the President a mandate and we have a historic opportunity ahead of us to make tax cuts permanent and unlock other policies that will make our country stronger than ever before. I am confident that we can get the job done and continue to deliver for the American people.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) announced that Jennifer Hegseth, along with Minnesota hockey legend Phil Verchota, will join him as guests at President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress on Tuesday. 

Phil Verchota is a Duluth-native and member of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic Hockey Team. Of his guest, Congressman Stauber stated, “During his Inaugural Address, President Trump said, ‘In America, the impossible is what we do best.’ No one exemplified this more than the young hockey players on the 1980 Olympic team, whose defeat of the dominant Soviet hockey team inspired our nation at a time of great need. As the author of legislation that will award this team with Congressional Gold Medals, I am proud to be joined by Phil Verchota during the President’s address to Congress. I know his presence tomorrow night will serve as a reminder that America’s greatness knows no bounds.”

Stauber is currently pushing his Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act in the House and is very close to securing the number of cosponsors necessary to receive a vote on the House Floor.

Jennifer Hegseth is the wife of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Of this guest, Congressman Stauber stated, “As a son of Forest Lake, Secretary Hegseth has made Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District incredibly proud through his work to make America’s fighting force stronger than ever before. I am honored to be joined by his wonderful wife tomorrow night during this historic address.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Congress currently has a unique opportunity, through the reconciliation process, to align both the House and the Senate on an agreed upon budget which will ultimately allow Congress to pass legislation that supports an America First agenda. As Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, there are numerous opportunities to engage in this process. 

Republicans are committed to delivering on their promise to the American people by securing our borders, restoring American energy dominance, and rolling back burdensome regulations, all while saving billions of dollars to be put back into the pockets of hard-working taxpayers. 

Constituents across the Fourth District know firsthand the struggles faced due to increased grocery prices, increased energy bills which induce stress over higher gas prices, and imperiled national security through unprecedented numbers of illegal immigrants crossing our borders and putting our communities in danger. Because of this, Arkansans and Americans alike are demanding change, and House Republicans are ready to step up to the plate to deliver relief that is long overdue.

The budget resolution passed in the House this week creates a necessary blueprint to deliver on the promises House Republicans made to the American people by saving billions of taxpayer dollars, unleashing America’s energy potential, and implementing an America First agenda. Advancing this budget resolution will now allow committees, like the House Natural Resources Committee, to get to work on the nuts and bolts of reconciling the budget, implementing savings across the entirety of the government, and harnessing our biggest revenue generators like domestic energy production. 

By unlocking access to our energy and mineral reserves, actively managing federal forests, streamlining burdensome permitting processes, and repealing wasteful IRA spending, we will deliver a balanced, responsible reconciliation bill that builds the wealth of our nation without bankrupting future generations. Promises made, promises kept – House Republicans will continue to deliver relief to the American people, and it will be exciting to see the reconciliation process majorly contribute to these efforts.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

For many of us in rural parts of the country, agriculture roots run deep. Generations of families have invested their livelihoods tending to crops, raising livestock, and feeding millions through the bounty of their hard-earned harvest. Arkansans are certainly no stranger to this way of life. In the Natural State, we recognize how deeply important the agriculture industry is, not only to our own pocketbooks, but the success and sustainability of our country’s economy. American agriculture is unparalleled in its innovation, growth, and success which is why organizations like FFA, Future Farmers of America, are so important. 

It was a great honor to be a member of the Fountain Lake High School FFA local chapter and later serve as the Arkansas State FFA President. During this time, I learned important lessons through wonderful instructors like Mr. Albert McCoin, who ensured his students gained as much as they possibly could through classroom teachings, technical education, and leadership opportunities. Mr. McCoin also taught us, through his own example, just how valuable it is to be a hard worker and a dedicated leader. And his personal challenge to participate in public speaking and leadership opportunities would later factor into my service as the Representative of the Fourth District of Arkansas, something for which I will always be grateful. From learning how to tie a tie to what cutlery to use first in a formal dinner, FFA taught us important life lessons, not just in the agriculture industry, but to set us up for success in any of our career paths.

The timing of National FFA Week is not just a random week that was selected on the calendar, it was intentionally chosen in 1948 to fall upon President George Washington’s birthday in honor and recognition of our first President’s contributions to our nation’s agriculture industry. President Washington didn’t see himself first as a great leader, general, or even president. He saw himself first as a farmer. His life was dedicated to learning more about farming, creating a better agriculture industry to bolster the country’s output of crops and livestock, and developing more successful farming methods. This is an excellent reminder for us that our nation was built upon the backs of farmers. Washington’s dedication to farming remains a great influence on how FFA members conduct their own affairs and upon which the organization sets its values.

“Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” is the motto adopted by the FFA in 1952 which has held firm today, over 70 years later. There is no better reminder just how important it is to continue learning, developing, and serving. As the demand for the earth’s bounty increases and technology advances in agriculture and forestry, there is a strong need for a technically educated workforce with hands-on experience.  There’s no more important time for strong vocational and technical education programs at the high school level than today.  My hope is that these programs grow stronger and that the students whose lives are enriched by the FFA organization would take part in every opportunity presented to them, develop their skills and knowledge to the best of their ability, and boldly press forward with a heart for service toward their communities. This week, may we all be grateful to FFA for their dedicated service in cultivating excellent leaders for our nation and the future of farming and agriculture.