Energy Policy

The federal government's energy policies affect our day-to-day lives, the future of our environment, and our national security. At the request of Rep. Waxman and other members, the Special Investigations Division has investigated federal agencies, Congress, and the White House to expose problems and urge needed action on energy issues.

Latest News

Chairman Waxman Requests Information on Oil Company Involvement in Interior Scandal

Chairman Waxman wrote to the Department of the Interior Inspector General to request further information about the oil companies’ improper gifts to Mineral Management Service officials in Denver.

Committee Holds Hearing on Governance and Financial Accountability of Rural Cooperatives: The Pedernales Experience

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing titled, “Governance and Financial Accountability of Rural Cooperatives: The Pedernales Experience” on Thursday, June 26, 2008, in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.

Chairman Waxman Clarifies Energy Bill Provision

Chairman Waxman wrote to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Levin and Ranking Member McCain to correct misinformation about section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which ensures that federal agencies are not spending taxpayer dollars on new fuel sources that will exacerbate global warming.

Chairman Waxman Clarifies Intent of Energy Bill Provision

Chairman Waxman wrote to Senate Energy Committee Chairman Bingaman to clarify that the intent of section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 is to ensure that federal agencies are not spending taxpayer dollars on new fuel sources that will exacerbate global warming.

Chairman Waxman Responds to Kansas Legislators' Invitation

In a letter to Kansas State Senate President Morris and Speaker Neufeld, Chairman Waxman thanked them for their invitation to visit and hear about a new coal-fired power plant proposed by Sunflower Electric, and reiterated his commitment to safeguarding taxpayer dollars from waste through oversight of the Rural Utility Service.

Members Ask Rural Utility Service How it is Protecting Taxpayer Subsidized Loans from the Financial Risks of Climate Change

In a letter to the Rural Utilities Service, Chairman Waxman and Rep. Jim Cooper asked how RUS is addressing the financial risks of building new coal-fired power plants without emissions controls for greenhouse gases, when RUS provides taxpayer-subsidized loans for such plants. Failure to account for costs these plants may face for future carbon controls would put taxpayer dollars at risk.

Committee Requests Information Regarding DOD Greenhouse Gas Emission Compliance

Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis requested information from Secretary Gates on how the Department of Defense will comply with a recently enacted provision of law barring the government from purchasing alternative fuels for vehicles and planes, such as fuels from a coal-to-liquids process or tar sands, if those fuels have higher greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels.

Waxman to Introduce Moratorium on Approval of New Coal-Fired Power Plants

Rep. Henry A. Waxman announced at a congressional hearing with EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson that he will introduce legislation that establishes a moratorium on the approval of new coal-fired power plants under the Clean Air Act until EPA finalizes regulations to address the greenhouse gas emissions from these sources. Under this legislation, a Clean Air Act permit for a new coal-fired power plant could not be issued unless the plant uses state-of-the-art technology to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The bill will also prohibit any person who builds a new coal-fired power plant without carbon controls from receiving allowances under future climate change legislation.

Members Request DOE to Explain Process for Finalizing the Draft National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors

Chairmen Waxman and Kucinich, along with Ranking Minority Member Davis, wrote to Energy Secretary Bodman requesting answers to questions regarding the Department of Energy’s process for finalizing two draft transmission corridors pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The corridors were proposed in May 2007 and finalized earlier this month. Stakeholders in the Mid-Atlantic region have reported that DOE refused to consider new data in finalizing the proposed corridor in the eastern United States. However, DOE has stated that it relied upon new information in removing Clark County, Nevada, from the finalized Southwest Area National Corridor. The Oversight Committee has requested that DOE provide an explanation for these decisions and documents regarding its decision to remove Clark County from the corridor.

House Passes Carbon-Neutral Government Legislation

On August 4, 2007, the House passed H.R.3221, the “New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act,” by a vote of 241-172. The legislation incorporates various legislative initiatives for energy independence and reducing global warming, including the Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007 (H.R. 2635).

Department of Energy Agrees to Environmental Study Request

In response to a request by Chairman Waxman, the Department of Energy announced that it would prepare an environmental impact statement prior to the remediation of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.

Department of Justice Responds to Committee Inquiry on Oil Leases

The Department of Justice responded to a letter sent by Reps. Waxman, Davis, Issa, and Watson that asked Attorney General Gonzalez to review a legal analysis concluding that the Administration has legal recourse to recover billions of dollars in lost revenue on defective oil and gas leases issued in 1998 and 1999. In the letter, the Justice Department explains their inability to offer their views since the Department of the Interior's (DOI) authority to impose these provisions in leases is currently in litigation. The Justice Department also states that the facts are still under review.

Chairman Waxman Raises Concerns About EPA’s Handling of LNG Project on California Coast

In a letter to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chairman Waxman discloses that documents the Committee has received raise new questions about how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is handling the air permit application for the BHP Billiton liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating storage and re-gasification project off the coast of Ventura County, California.

Statement of Rep. Henry A. Waxman on the State of the Union Address

Chairman Waxman's response to the State of the Union address.

Five Year Review of Bush Energy Policy

On the fifth anniversary of the White House energy plan, Rep. Waxman releases a new report showing what has happened to energy prices and dependency on foreign oil since the release of the plan developed by Vice President Cheney's energy task force.

The Impact of High Gasoline Prices in Central New Jersey

At the reqeuest of Rep. Rush D. Holt, this report analyzes what has happened in central New Jersey to the cost of one key energy source - gasoline - since the release of the Administration's energy plan.

New White House Report Conflicts with State of the Union Energy Goals

In a letter to the Council of Economic Advisers, Reps. Waxman, Kaptur, and Jim Davis ask why the Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisers differs so significantly from the President’s energy goals in the State of the Union Address.

Rep. Waxman Supports Stupak Substitute for H.R. 3893

In a House floor speech, Rep. Waxman supports the Stupak amendment for H.R. 3893, which would address the problem of gas price gouging.

Republican Energy Bill (H.R. 3893) is "Crass Opportunism"

Rep. Waxman speaks on the House floor about the Republican bill H.R. 3893, which benefits oil companies and relaxes necessary environmental regulations but does nothing to alleviate gas price spikes.

More on $1.5 Billion Fund for Oil and Gas

Rep. Waxman writes a follow-up letter to Speaker Hastert clarifying the process that led to the insertion of a $1.5 billion fund for awards to oil and gas companies in the energy bill and restating his objections to the provision.

$1.5 Billion Giveaway Secretly Slipped into Energy Bill

Rep. Waxman writes that after the energy legislation was closed to further amendment in the recently concluded conference, a $1.5 billion provision benefiting oil and gas companies, Halliburton, and Sugar Land, Texas, was mysteriously inserted in the text.

Energy Bill (H.R. 6) Fails Americans in Four Fundamental Areas

Reps. Waxman, Markey, Solis and Capps release a report examining how H.R. 6 undermines national security, harms the environment, wastes tax dollars, and costs the American consumer.

Energy Bill Fact Sheets

As the energy bill conferees from the House and the Senate meet in coming weeks to discuss the House and Senate versions of H.R. 6, they’ll be making decisions about with serious implications for this and future generations. In order to broaden the dialogue on these important energy issues, Rep. Waxman will be releasing one fact sheet daily, examining one of the many issues the conferees are expected to consider.

Energy Bill Would Preempt States and Localities

Rep. Waxman releases a report examining how the pending energy legislation would take away authority and funds from state and local governments, further concentrating power in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Waxman Questions Treatment of Climate Scientists

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton has opened an investigation into prominent experts on global warming, an effort that Rep. Waxman writes "some may interpret ... as a transparent effort to bully and harass" the scientists.

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