Press Releases

(Washington, DC) – Today the House passed an omnibus spending bill that included wide-ranging and bipartisan energy legislation that represents the first major update of America’s energy policy in 13 years. 

The Energy Act of 2020 includes more than a dozen bills from the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and focuses on competitive and innovative clean energy solutions driven by basic and early-stage research. The legislation advances fundamental research and development activities in support of grid modernization, critical mineral security, and high-risk, high-reward next-generation energy technologies. It also takes an all-of-the-above approach to clean energy that not only considers a wide range of renewable energy sources, but also essential technologies like advanced nuclear, energy storage, carbon capture, and research into cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuels. 

“I’m very pleased we were able to pass this energy package,” Ranking Member Frank Lucas said. “This bill incorporates much of the high-priority legislative work done by our Republican committee members this Congress. Importantly, it recognizes that the most effective way to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gases, and maintain U.S. energy independence is through technological innovations, which we can support by investing in basic and early-stage research. It also acknowledges that we need a diverse portfolio of U.S. energy sources including advanced solar, wind, water, and geothermal power. It isn’t limited to renewable energy, however. This bill includes support for emerging technology that will make our existing power sources cleaner and more efficient, including carbon capture, energy storage, and advanced nuclear power. This is fiscally responsible legislation that invests in our energy future while keeping our energy sector competitive and prices low for consumers and businesses. I appreciate my colleagues for working with me to craft this consensus bill, and I look forward to having it become law.”

For more details on the energy package, a section by section summary of the legislation is available here, and a fact sheet is available here.