Architecture of Abundance
The Architecture of Abundance is a broad new energy vision for America that seeks to replace outdated policies rooted in the old ideas of energy scarcity. It is a blueprint for a 21st century energy policy that will allow us to take full advantage of America’s rich energy resources in a safe and responsible way.
Building the Architecture of Abundance covers a broad range of issues that can be understood within five pillars:
- Pillar I: Modernizing Infrastructure
- Pillar II: Maintaining Diverse Electricity Generation
- Pillar III: Permitting a Manufacturing Renaissance
- Pillar IV: Harnessing Energy Efficiency and Innovation
- Pillar V: Unleashing Energy Diplomacy
Constructing these pillars will help unleash the benefits of America’s energy abundance – more jobs and economic growth, cheaper energy for American consumers and businesses, and increased energy security at home and abroad.
This page will serve as a clearinghouse for information about the committee’s efforts to construct the Architecture of Abundance. It contains examples of legislation the committee has already advanced to begin laying the foundation for a modern energy policy, and it will continue to be home to new ideas and news about America’s energy abundance.
Architecture of Abundance updates
- Idea Lab: A new vision for American Energy: the Architecture of Abundance (July 16, 2014)
- Upton Unveils Energy Policy Vision with Pillars of the Architecture of Abundance (July 15, 2014)
In the News
- #TBT: President Busted on False Keystone Claims (November 20, 2014)
- OPINION: Rep. David McKinley in Charlestion Daily Mail: Encourage natural gas markets here and abroad (November 7, 2014)
- UPI: Rep. Upton: Use energy as foreign policy tool (July 26, 2014)
- We Can Do Better If We Say #Yes2Energy (July 31, 2014)
- Yes to Energy, Yes to Jobs (August 13, 2014)
- Electrical Workers vs. the EPA (August 15, 2014)
- OPINION: Rep. Bob Latta in The Lima News: Unleashing America’s energy potential (September 3, 2014)
- OPINION: Chairman Fred Upton in The Ripon Forum: The Red Tape Factory (September 26, 2014)
- The Hill: Upton seeks energy policy based on abundance (July 15, 2014)
- Upton in the Washington Times: America’s Energy Revolution Requires A New Architecture of Abundance (April 30, 2014)
- Shimkus in the Washington Times: All of the Above Includes Nuclear (April 30, 2014)
- Rep. Fred Upton in Reuters: "The Architecture of Abundance: Building Energy Infrastructure" (July 25, 2013)
- WSJ: Pipeline-Capacity Squeeze Reroutes Crude Oil (August 23, 2013)
America’s Energy Abundance
- Time for a Reality Check (November 19, 2014)
- The Truth Behind America's Energy Boom (November 6, 2014)
- Thanks to the Shale Boom, Gas Prices Are Dropping Across the Nation (November 13, 2014)
- Committee Works to Support Nation of Builders (October 28, 2014)
- Study: EPA's Power Plan Could At Least $366 Billion (October 17, 2014)
- The Architecture of Abundance: A Better Energy Strategy (October 10, 2014)
- More Energy = Lower Prices (October 7, 2014)
- America's Manufacturing Comeback Something to Celebrate (October 3, 2014)
- A Shale Success Story: LNG (October 3, 2014)
- House-Passed Bills Would Address Looming New England Energy Crisis (October 1, 2014)
- TICK-TOCK: The Keystone Clock Strikes 2,200 Days (September 28, 2014)
- Higher Electricity Prices Coming This Winter (September 25, 2014)
- #POTUSchat: Obama Crowdsources on Keystone Decision on 6th Anniversary of Application (September 19, 2014)
- House Votes to Say #Yes2Energy, Giving Senate a Second Chance to Support American Energy Solutions (September 18, 2014)
- Bipartisan Energy Solutions Still #StuckInTheSenate (September 17, 2014)
- House to Vote to Lower Energy Costs, Create Jobs (September 16, 2014)
- The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs & More American Jobs Act (September 15, 2014)
- Major Projects, Major Problems (September 15, 2014)
- Energy Revolution Bringing Jobs, Security to America (September 10, 2014)
- Potential Repeat of Polar Vortex, Threat of Blackouts Underscore Need for Visionary Policy That Says #Yes2Energy (August 29, 2014)
- Abundant and Affordable Energy Fuels U.S. Gains in Global Manufacturing (August 21, 2014)
- Senate Must Follow House's #RecordOfSuccess on Energy Efficiency (August 20, 2014)
- The Future Is Bright If We Say #Yes2Energy (August 14, 2014)
- Architecture of Abundance Pillar I: Modernizing America's Distribution Infrastructure (August 11, 2014)
- States that Say #Yes2Energy Experiencing Economic Success (August 7, 2014)
- America Winning in Oil Production (July 7, 2014)
- Chairman Upton Highlights Promise of America’s Energy Abundance in Weekly Republican Address (June 21, 2014)
- U.S. Oil Production Tops Imports; America On Track for Energy Self-Sufficiency (November 14, 2013)
- North America’s Energy Abundance Offers a Real Jobs Plan (August 8, 2013)
- Administration Ups Estimates for U.S Oil and Gas Reserves (May 1, 2013)
Pillar I: Modernizing and Updating Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure
To keep pace with America’s growing energy supplies, we need to build a modern new infrastructure to connect these resources to those who need them. But federal tape and archaic permitting processes continue to block distribution projects like pipelines and transmission lines from being constructed in a timely and efficient manner. Reforms are needed to deliver benefits to consumers and maximize market-driven growth.
Legislative Accomplishments
H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act
- Keystone XL: #TimeToBuild (Clock)
- Fact Sheet, The Northern Route Approval Act
- #TBT: House Votes (Eight Times!) to Approve Keystone (November 13, 2014)
- TICK-TOCK: The Keystone Clock Strikes 2,200 Days (September 28, 2014)
- #POTUSchat: Obama Crowdsources on Keystone Decision on 6th Anniversary of Application (September 19, 2014)
- House Action on the Keystone XL Pipeline (September 18, 2014)
- Song Requests for Willie Nelson and Neil Young Keystone XL Concert (August 29, 2014)
- Letters of Support for H.R. 3 (April 16, 2014)
- Fact Sheet, House Action on the Keystone XL Pipeline (July 8, 2013)
- If There Is No Pipeline, There Is No Future (July 2, 2014)
- Keystone = Economic Growth (June 27, 2014)
- #TBT: House Passes Bill to Approve Keystone XL (May 22, 2014)
- Committee Leaders Respond to Final Keystone XL Environmental Impact Statement (Jan. 31, 2014)
- The Roller Coaster of Emotions on the Path to Build the Keystone XL Pipeline (Sep. 19, 2013)
- House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Build the Landmark Keystone XL Pipeline (May 22, 2013)
H.R. 3301, the North American Energy Infrastructure Act
- Fact Sheet, the North American Energy Infrastructure Act
- House-Passed Bills Would Address Looming New England Energy Crisis (October 1, 2014)
- House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Build North American Energy Projects, Delivering Jobs and Lower Prices (June 24, 2014)
- Support Grows for Bipartisan North American Energy Infrastructure Act (June 24, 2014)
- Smarter Energy Policies Can Help Relieve Pain at the Pump (June 18, 2014)
- Committee Approves Bipartisan Legislation to Reform Approval of Cross-Border Energy Projects (May 8, 2014)
- What They’re Saying: H.R. 3301 Will Unleash North America’s Energy Boom (May 7, 2014)
- North American Energy Infrastructure Act Will Bolster U.S. – Canada Electricity Relationship (May 7, 2014)
- Upton and Green Introduce Legislation to Modernize and Reform Cross-Border Energy Project Approvals (Oct. 22, 2013)
- OPINION: Beaumont Enterprise Editorial: Cross-border pipelines need better pathway (October 9, 2013)
H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act
- Fact Sheet, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act
- House-Passed Bills Would Address Looming New England Energy Crisis (October 1, 2014)
- Higher Electricity Prices Coming This Winter (September 25, 2014)
- America Needs New Pipelines to Realize Benefits of Energy Boom (May 19, 2014)
- Consumers Desperate for New Natural Gas Pipelines (February 5, 2014)
- Polar Vortex Sends Gas Prices Soaring, Underscores Need to Build Architecture of Abundance (Jan. 14, 2014)
- House Approves Bipartisan Legislation to Accelerate Construction of Natural Gas Pipelines (Nov. 21, 2013)
- American Workers Herald Job Creation Benefits of Bill to Help Fulfill Nation’s Natural Gas Potential (Nov. 21, 2013)
- OPINION: Rep. Leonard Lance in The Hill: We need ‘all of the above’ energy plan (Nov. 20, 2013)
- Rep. Pompeo Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expedite Natural Gas Pipeline Approvals (May 9, 2013)
Pillar II: Maintaining Diverse Electricity Generation
The U.S. has benefitted from decades of affordable and reliable electricity, which has served as a backbone for our competitive economy. Maintaining a diverse U.S. electricity portfolio is a vital component of any long-term energy strategy, and this need is becoming ever more critical as market and policy forces have shifted the nation’s generation mix. To help ensure consumers and businesses enjoy continued access to affordable and reliable electricity, we must encourage a true all-of-the-above approach to electricity production that takes advantage of all domestic energy resources and technologies.
Legislative Accomplishments
H.R. 3826, the Electricity Security and Affordability Act
- Fact Sheet, the Electricity Security and Affordability Act (February 28, 2014)
- House Approves Legislation to Protect Affordable and Reliable Electricity (March 6, 2014)
- Committee Leaders Kick Off Debate on Electricity Security and Affordability Act (March 5, 2014)
- OPINION: Whitfield in Roll Call: A Bipartisan Solution to Keep the Lights On (Jan. 30, 2014)
- Letters of Support (Jan. 15, 2014)
- Subcommittee Advances Bipartisan Electricity Security and Affordability Act (Jan. 14, 2014)
- Whitfield and Manchin Introduce Bipartisan Electricity Security and Affordability Act (Jan. 9, 2014)
H.R. 2218, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act
- Fact Sheet, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 (Jan. 3, 2013)
- House Stands Up for Jobs and the Environment, Approves Coal Ash Legislation With Strong Bipartisan Support (July 25, 2013)
- “Coal Keeps the Lights On” (July 25, 2013)
- Committee Leaders Respond to Coal Ash Consent Decree (Jan. 30, 2014)
- Ahead of Committee Vote, American Workers and Utility Groups Voice Strong Support for Commonsense Measure to Protect Jobs, Public Health, and the Environment (June 19, 2013)
- In Ongoing Effort to Protect Jobs and Keep Energy Costs Low, Rep. McKinley Formally Introduces Improved Coal Ash Legislation (June 3, 2013)
Pillar III: Permitting a New Manufacturing Renaissance into Existence
America’s growing supplies of affordable energy has helped spark a manufacturing renaissance, bringing jobs and investment back to American factories. But reforms are still needed for the U.S. to take full advantage of this industrial opportunity. Permitting uncertainty, unaccountable agencies, and legal challenges are holding back investment and development. The U.S. needs to update and modernize its federal permitting process for manufacturers and other energy-intensive industries to give investors the confidence to make multi-billion dollar, long-term investments in the U.S.
Legislative Accomplishments
H.R. 4795, the Promoting New Manufacturing Act
- Fact Sheet, the Promoting New Manufacturing Act (May 14, 2014)
- Letters of Support
- WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: Support for Scalise Manufacturing Bill Grows Ahead of House Vote To Bolster Job Creation (Nov. 20, 2014)
- Obama's Mixed Manufacturing Message (Nov. 19, 2014)
- House to Vote This Week on Scalise Bill to Boost Manufacturing and Create More American Jobs (Nov. 17, 2014)
- Committee Approves Bills to Advance Manufacturing Renaissance, Boost Jobs and Energy Efficiency (June 10, 2014)
- Promoting New Manufacturing Act = Jobs (June 9, 2014)
- Subcommittee Takes a Critical First Step To Boost American Manufacturing and Create Jobs (May 29, 2014)
- Subcommittee to Review Draft Bill to Promote New Manufacturing and Job Creation (May 14, 2014)
Pillar IV: Harnessing Energy Innovation and Commonsense Efficiencies
Just as innovation has helped us gain access to our energy abundance, that abundance is supporting innovation in energy use. A key policy goal is to encourage continued private sector innovation for cleaner, more efficient ways of producing and using energy. New factories and buildings should be as efficient as possible, and efficiency in government buildings and fleets can conserve resources while saving taxpayer dollars.
Legislative Accomplishments
H.R. 2126, the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act
- Fact Sheet, the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2014
- Letters of Support
- Senate Must Follow House’s #RecordOfSuccess on Energy Efficiency (August 20, 2014)
- House Approves Committee’s Bipartisan Energy Efficiency Legislation (March 5, 2014)
- Committee Approves Two Bipartisan Bills Advancing All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy (Jan. 28, 2014)
H.R. 4092, the Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2014
- Committee Approves Bills to Advance Manufacturing Renaissance, Boost Jobs and Energy Efficiency (June 10, 2014)
- House Continues Commitment to Energy Efficiency and “All-of-the-Above” Solutions (June 23, 2014)
H.R. 4801, the Thermal Insulation Efficiency Improvement Act
- House Continues Commitment to Energy Efficiency and “All-of-the-Above” Solutions (June 23, 2014)
- Committee Approves Bills to Advance Manufacturing Renaissance, Boost Jobs and Energy Efficiency (June 10, 2014)
H.R. 316, the Collinsville Hydroelectric Relicensing Bill
- House Continues Commitment to Energy Efficiency and “All-of-the-Above Solutions (June 23, 2014)
- Building on the Committee’s Bipartisan Success, Senate Cleats Two Energy and Commerce Bills (May 23, 2014)
H.R. 267, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act
- President Signs Bipartisan Bill into Law to Boost Hydropower Development, Help Create Jobs (Aug. 12, 2013)
- As Part of All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy, House Overwhelmingly Approves Bill to Facilitate Increased Hydropower Development (Feb. 13, 2013)
In this new era of energy abundance, the U.S. has an opportunity to use our energy as a diplomatic tool. Thanks to American innovation and new advancements in technology, we are now are able to produce enough supplies to take care of our domestic needs and still have supplies left to let our allies buy energy from us, rather than being held hostage to unstable regions of the world. It is time to revisit current laws to ensure they are not creating artificial barriers to the market and conduct oversight to ensure increased exports will indeed benefit rather than harm American consumers.
Legislative Accomplishments
H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act<
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Exports Page
- U.S. LNG Expors Can Supply "Independence" (October 29, 2014)
- Architecture of Abundance Pillar V: Unleashing Energy Diplomacy (September 4, 2014)
- One Month After House Vote, Gardner Urges Senate Action on LNG as Russian Aggression Escalates (July 25, 2014)
- Fact Sheet the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act (June 23, 2014)
- Support Builds for Bipartisan H.R. 6 Ahead of House Vote (June 25, 2014)
- OPINION: Gardner Featured in Investor’s Business Daily (June 25, 2014)
- Members Urge Support for LNG Exports, Say #Yes2Energy and Jobs (June 24, 2014)
- OPINION: Upton Featured in CNBC: Unleashing the benefits of American energy (June 23, 2014)
- House to Vote on LNG Exports Legislation Next Week (June 20, 2014)
- Russia’s Ukraine Power Play Spotlights LNG Exports As Key to Global Energy Security and Domestic Prosperity (June 16, 2014)
- Upton and Gardner Respond to DOE’s LNG Export Changes (May 29, 2014)
- Upton Responds to Putin’s Decision to Cut off Ukraine’s Gas (May 15, 2014)
- Former Clinton and Bush Energy Secretaries Agree it is Time for Action on LNG (May 14, 2014)
- Chairman Upton Appears on Platts Energy Week to Discuss Energy Issues within the Committee and Congress (May 5, 2014)
- Russia Threatens to Turn Off Europe’s Gas (May 5, 2014)
- Committee Approves Legislation to Expedite LNG Exports (April 30, 2014)
- Subcommittee Advances Bill to Speed UP LNG Exports (April 9, 2014)
- Subcommittee Reviews Bill to Accelerate U.S. LNG Exports (March 25, 2014)
- As White House Downplays Importance of LNG Exports, Eastern Europe Makes Plea for U.S. Natural Gas (March 10, 2014)
- Coalition Grows in Support of LNG Exports to Counter Russian Influence – H.R. 6 Would Expedite Application Backlog at DOE (March 7, 2014)
- Gardner Introduces Bill to Expedite U.S. LNG Exports in Wake of Russian Aggression (March 6, 2014)