U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) this week was reappointed as chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The subcommittee has jurisdiction over a number of federal agencies and issues that play a major role in the nation’s energy policy, including authority over the Department of Energy, nuclear power, the national power grid system, the Clean Air Act and other issues directly related to the coal industry. As chairman, Whitfield has been a leading advocate on behalf of the Kentucky coal industry, working to ensure coal is a leading component of our “all-of-the-above” approach to achieving North American energy independence.
During the 112th Congress, Chairman Whitfield held 48 hearings and helped usher through the House of Representatives 17 bills with bipartisan support focused on reining in President Obama’s regulatory overreach and stopping harmful policies that discourage job growth. In the new Congress, Whitfield will continue his efforts to ensure that regulations and red tape are not stifling job growth, help advance North American energy independence by promoting our country’s abundant natural resources, including coal, and work to reduce the size and scope of the federal government by reducing wasteful and unnecessary spending.
“I am pleased that Chairman Upton has once again called on me to serve as the chairman of the Energy and Power Subcommittee,” said Whitfield. “I believe we made great strides during the 112th Congress in reining in President Obama’s overreaching EPA, but we have more work to do. We will continue to pursue policies that help promote job creation, economic growth, and energy independence – policies that will continue to benefit Kentucky families. This administration is still trying to regulate coal out of existence and I refuse to stand idly by as these regulations destroy jobs and increase energy costs for consumers. We have once again developed an aggressive agenda that I hope we can pursue in a bipartisan manner.”
“Chairman Whitfield has been a champion of North American energy and a leader in our pursuit of energy independence. He led the charge last Congress in our fight against harmful EPA regulations and helped advance several commonsense, bipartisan energy solutions. He is a valued leader of this committee and I am pleased he will remain chairman of this important panel as we look at ways to fortify our energy security and strengthen our economy,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton.