I want to just make a few brief comments on H.R. 4230, the Clean Industrial Technology Act of 2019.
This bill directs DOE, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and other relevant federal agencies and stakeholders to establish a broad, cross-cutting program to develop and commercialize technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from non-power industrial sectors, like manufacturing and material production.
While I am supportive of the intent behind these efforts, I’m concerned that this bill is putting the cart before the horse. We’ve had very limited discussion of this bill in Committee hearings and received no technical comment from OSTP or DOE on this legislation.
I think establishing an interagency committee to consult with stakeholders on a future research program is wise. But it doesn’t make sense to establish detailed requirements for a brand-new program without considering the recommendations of that committee.
I’m also concerned that this bill could duplicate research already underway. There are a number of existing research initiatives at the Department of Energy, like those done through the Office of Fossil Energy and EERE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, that already look to improve efficiency and reduce emissions in power production and manufacturing. These efforts could easily be expanded to apply to a broader range of industrial processes.
Why not leverage existing government resources by providing policy direction to these programs before we establish something new?
Before I close, I want to be clear – I am supportive of funding for cutting edge research that will help improve efficiency and reduce emissions for energy-intensive industries. But I’d be much more supportive of a bill that established a mechanism for federal agencies to work with stakeholders before we authorize a detailed program.
I’d like to take this opportunity to again invite to my good friends across the aisle to the table. There is so much we agree on.
In the future, I hope that we can work together to do our jobs and develop common sense, productive, and bipartisan legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.