THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND RESOURCES

In the 109th Congress, the Subcommittee on Energy and Resources will hold hearings on the two principal areas within its jurisdiction, energy and resources. Under these key areas, the Subcommittee will closely examine national energy policy, crude oil supplies, natural resources, and exercise oversight responsibilities pertaining to the activities of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

With energy as a primary driver of domestic and international economies, the Subcommittee intends to closely examine our national energy policy. As the cost of energy resources including gas, oil, coal, and electricity increase, international demand rises for these commodities, impacting world economic cycles, the U.S economy and balance of trade, and the stability of the dollar. Therefore, it is important for Congress to examine U.S policies relating to the development, exploration, conservation, production, and consumption of oil and gas, electricity, hydroelectric power, nuclear power, and all aspects of renewable energy.

The Subcommittee plans to examine projections of future crude oil supplies and how significant changes in world consumption, such as increasing Chinese consumption, will affect the national economy and different regions of the United States. Oversight will include monitoring the impact of diminishing supply on the world market, which requires a thorough congressional review of our domestic fuel policies, refinery capacity, and proliferation of boutique fuels.

The electric industry and market has undergone dramatic changes over the last decade, thus the subcommittee will focus its efforts on reviewing the development and expansion of efficient markets. The Subcommittee will exercise oversight over FERC, reviewing the overall development of renewable and alternative energy technologies and assessing policy implications which could accelerate their development and entry into the global marketplace.

Additionally, the Subcommittee will initiate oversight over the Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture, and the EPA in order to investigate issues on natural resources including water and air quality, access to public lands, the management of federal land, and multiple use issues. The Subcommittee intends to review EPA's actions affecting environmental and national resources (including wetlands), policies affecting energy development and production (including its oxygenate mandate), hydrogen power, and alternative general energy supplies.