December 9, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7071 touched by the opioid crisis, and Con- Mr. Speaker, I inquire how much I think when we listen to each other, gress had to take action. Again, work- time I have remaining. when we are challenged in our views ing, Republicans and Democrats to- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- and our ideas by each other, we end up gether, under your leadership as chair- tleman from Oregon has 91⁄2 minutes re- with a better product for the American man, we did just that, and there are maining. people, Mr. Speaker. millions of lives that are saved because Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Certainly, Dr. BUCSHON has been a of that work. such time as he may consume to the forceful figure in trying to get to bet- The FCC modernization and reau- gentleman from Indiana (Mr. BUCSHON), ter healthcare policy outcomes. I have thorization, which typically happens, whom we are glad to have back on the greatly valued his counsel and his lead- but when it was done in 2018, it was floor and looking well. ership, and I know incredible things named after Ray Baum, who was the Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I thank await him in the next Congress and in staffer who ran the Energy and Com- the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. WAL- the years thereafter, where I hope he merce Committee. I believe you all DEN) for yielding me the time. will continue to serve with great dis- served together in the legislature. Un- Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a tinction, honor, and ability. fortunately, we lost him, and to name privilege to call GREG WALDEN a col- Mr. Speaker, I don’t think I have that important piece of legislation league and friend. His time as chair- anybody else on our side at this time, after Ray Baum, I know, was not only man of the House Energy and Com- so I encourage passage of the legisla- important to keep the FCC going, but merce Committee is another chapter of tion, the Tribal Power Act, and I yield also to pay tribute to someone who accomplishment and success in the back the balance of my time. came up here to do good public service committee’s storied history. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge for the country and did. As chairman, GREG approached every support for the legislation and I yield Finally, the reauthorization was to issue before the committee with his back the balance of my time. free up spectrum. This has been a chal- eye on achieving results for the Amer- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lenge for years as we worked to get ican people. That is why we are here. question is on the motion offered by more spectrum, which has improved He strove to reach across the political the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. everybody’s lives, to get to a 5G net- divide, because he understood, and still PALLONE) that the House suspend the work. does, our work on behalf of the Amer- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5541, as That work was done, and the leader- ican people is far too important to al- amended. ship of Chairman WALDEN to get that ways be derailed by needless partisan- The question was taken; and (two- done when even the scorekeepers here ship. Of course, we will have our squab- thirds being in the affirmative) the said it wouldn’t really produce any- bles back and forth, but at the end of rules were suspended and the bill, as thing for the country, well, billions and the day, it is about the American peo- amended, was passed. billions of dollars later that this coun- ple, and GREG understands that. A motion to reconsider was laid on try has to pay down our debt came out From the SUPPORT for Patients and the table. of that legislation, as well as spectrum Communities Act to RAY BAUM’S Act, f to allow us to get to a 5G network, as well as too numerous bills signed TIMELY REVIEW OF spectrum to allow us to build up more into law to even list here, GREG’s lead- INFRASTRUCTURE ACT rural broadband. ership of the Energy and Commerce Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move All of the things that improve peo- Committee produced important legisla- to suspend the rules and pass the bill ple’s quality of life happened because tion that is, today, making a difference (H.R. 1426) to amend the Department of of the leadership of Chairman WALDEN, in the lives of the American people. Energy Organization Act to address in- during your time as chairman of the Mr. Speaker, I want to personally sufficient compensation of employees committee. You have earned the oppor- thank GREG for taking the time to and other personnel of the Federal En- tunity to go and enjoy the next phase bring me in and ask for my profes- ergy Regulatory Commission, and for of your life. sional medical diagnosis of many other purposes. But while you will be missed here, major healthcare-related issues or you leave a great legacy where you can The Clerk read the title of the bill. other pieces of legislation before the The text of the bill is as follows: point to the things you have done that committee. H.R. 1426 make America a greater country, and I know at times we doctors can tell for that, I thank you. I know all of us Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- you things you don’t want to hear—and resentatives of the United States of America in join in in applauding your time here in quit laughing—but GREG always lis- Congress assembled, this great institution. tened intently and worked with me to SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I re- help find a cure, so to speak, or a rem- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Timely Re- serve the balance of my time. edy, and for that, I will always be ap- view of Infrastructure Act’’. Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield preciative. SEC. 2. ADDRESSING INSUFFICIENT COMPENSA- myself such time as I may consume. GREG, your wisdom, charisma, and TION OF EMPLOYEES AND OTHER Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend unflappable leadership will be greatly PERSONNEL OF THE FEDERAL EN- and colleague from the Energy and ERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION. missed in the 117th Congress. (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 401 of the Depart- Commerce Committee and the whip, I wish you and Mylene the best as ment of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. the Republican whip of the House, for you both begin this new chapter of 7171) is amended by adding at the end the fol- his overly generous comments, his fine your lives, and I look forward to con- lowing: leadership, and the fun we have had on tinuing to call you friend. ‘‘(k) ADDRESSING INSUFFICIENT COMPENSA- the Energy and Commerce Committee. TION OF EMPLOYEES AND OTHER PERSONNEL OF We do have a lot of fun there on both b 1330 THE COMMISSION.— sides of the aisle, and then we do wres- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I con- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any tinue to reserve the balance of my other provision of law, if the Chairman pub- tle and tumble and we work things out, licly certifies that compensation for a cat- too. time. egory of employees or other personnel of the But Mr. SCALISE has always been a Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Commission is insufficient to retain or at- real warrior on the committee, an in- myself such time as I may consume. tract employees and other personnel to allow credible fighter for what he believes in, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my the Commission to carry out the functions of an effective legislator, a terrific friend and colleague, the good doctor the Commission in a timely, efficient, and spokesperson. He has fallen down a lit- from Indiana. We are so blessed in this effective manner, the Chairman may fix the tle bit, though, I must stipulate, in institution to have people with such in- compensation for the category of employees that he has failed to get me coffee in credible backgrounds, intellect, capa- or other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, recent years. He has been otherwise bility, and just the overall human ex- United States Code, or any other civil serv- consumed with other duties, and that perience that they can bring to help us ice law. will be noted in the historical record, I be better legislators and develop better ‘‘(2) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.—A cer- am sure. policy. tification issued under paragraph (1) shall—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:49 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09DE7.045 H09DEPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE H7072 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 9, 2020 ‘‘(A) apply with respect to a category of ants travel expenses and per diem in lieu of technical environmental reviews are employees or other personnel responsible for subsistence at rates authorized by sections conducted in as rigorous a manner as conducting work of a scientific, techno- 5702 and 5703 of that title for persons in Gov- possible. Better staffing by the best logical, engineering, or mathematical na- ernment service employed intermittently. and brightest people means better envi- ture; ‘‘(B) LIMITATIONS.—The Chairman shall— ‘‘(B) specify a maximum amount of reason- ‘‘(i) to the maximum extent practicable, ronmental outcomes, better energy able compensation for the category of em- limit the use of experts and consultants pur- outcomes, and better outcomes for con- ployees or other personnel; suant to subparagraph (A); and sumers. ‘‘(C) be valid for a 5-year period beginning ‘‘(ii) ensure that the employment contract I appreciate my colleagues’ hard on the date on which the certification is of each expert and consultant employed pur- work on this legislation. issued; suant to subparagraph (A) is subject to re- I particularly want to offer my best ‘‘(D) be no broader than necessary to newal not less frequently than annually.’’. wishes to the sponsor of this bill, Rep- achieve the objective of retaining or attract- (b) REPORTS.— resentative OLSON, who is retiring at ing employees and other personnel to allow (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the end of this Congress. I have always the Commission to carry out the functions of the date of enactment of this Act, and every worked with him on a bipartisan basis the Commission in a timely, efficient, and 2 years thereafter for 10 years, the Chairman effective manner; and of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commis- and enjoy spending time with him be- ‘‘(E) include an explanation for why the sion shall submit to the Committee on En- cause he has a real sense of humor. other approaches available to the Chairman ergy and Commerce of the House of Rep- While we often disagree on policy, he for retaining and attracting employees and resentatives and the Committee on Energy has always been fair-minded and a man other personnel are inadequate. and Natural Resources of the Senate a report of his convictions. When he is with us, ‘‘(3) RENEWAL.— on information relating to hiring, vacancies, it is hard to imagine a better partner. ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days and compensation at the Federal Energy That is particularly true regarding before the date of expiration of a certifi- Regulatory Commission. the work we have been doing with cation issued under paragraph (1), the Chair- (2) INCLUSIONS.—Each report under para- Chairman TONKO and many others from man shall determine whether the certifi- graph (1) shall include— cation should be renewed for a subsequent 5- both parties on legislation to phase out (A) an analysis of any trends with respect the use of hydrofluorocarbons. He and year period. to hiring, vacancies, and compensation at ‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.—If the Chairman deter- the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; his staff have been true leaders in mines that a certification should be renewed and pushing forward that legislation, under subparagraph (A), the Chairman may (B) a description of the efforts to retain which, if we can get it done, will be a renew the certification, subject to the cer- and attract employees or other personnel re- major win for our manufacturers, our tification requirements under paragraph (2) sponsible for conducting work of a scientific, economy, and our environment. that were applicable to the initial certifi- technological, engineering, or mathematical I thank the gentleman for his service cation. nature at the Federal Energy Regulatory to our committee and to our country. I ‘‘(4) NEW HIRES.— Commission. ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An employee or other wish you all the best in the next chap- (c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made personnel that is a member of a category of ter of your life, PETE, absolutely. by subsection (a) shall apply beginning on I thank my colleagues for their ef- employees or other personnel that would the date that is 30 days after the date of en- have been covered by a certification issued actment of this Act. forts and urge passage of the bill. I re- under paragraph (1), but was hired during a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- serve the balance of my time. period in which the certification has expired Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield ant to the rule, the gentleman from and has not been renewed under paragraph myself such time as I may consume. New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) and the gen- (3) shall not be eligible for compensation at Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. the level that would have applied to the em- tleman from Oregon (Mr. WALDEN) each 1426, the Timely Review of Infrastruc- ployee or other personnel if the certification will control 20 minutes. had been in effect on the date on which the ture Act. This legislation was intro- The Chair recognizes the gentleman duced by my colleagues on the Energy employee or other personnel was hired. from New Jersey. ‘‘(B) COMPENSATION OF NEW HIRES ON RE- and Commerce Committee, Representa- GENERAL LEAVE NEWAL.—On renewal of a certification under tive PETE OLSON and Representative paragraph (3), the Chairman may fix the Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask MIKE DOYLE, to help the Federal En- compensation of the employees or other per- unanimous consent that all Members ergy Regulatory Commission recruit sonnel described in subparagraph (A) at the have 5 legislative days in which to re- and retain highly specialized personnel level established for the category of employ- vise and extend their remarks and to ees or other personnel in the certification. in the STEM fields. include extraneous material on H.R. This legislation went through regular ‘‘(5) RETENTION OF LEVEL OF FIXED COM- 1426. PENSATION.—A category of employees or order, and it passed by vote voice in other personnel, the compensation of which The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the committee. The Federal Energy was fixed by the Chairman in accordance objection to the request of the gen- Regulatory Commission, otherwise with paragraph (1), may, at the discretion of tleman from New Jersey? known as FERC, is an independent the Chairman, have the level of fixed com- There was no objection. agency. Mr. Speaker, it regulates the pensation for the category of employees or Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield interstate transmission of electricity, other personnel retained, regardless of myself such time as I may consume. whether a certification described under that natural gas, and oil. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. FERC’s responsibilities also include paragraph is in effect with respect to the 1426, the Timely Review of Infrastruc- compensation of the category of employees reviewing and approving the siting of or other personnel. ture Act. This bipartisan bill was in- large-scale infrastructure projects such ‘‘(6) CONSULTATION REQUIRED.—The Chair- troduced by Representatives OLSON and as LNG export terminals, electric man shall consult with the Director of the DOYLE. I would like to thank both of transmission lines, interstate pipe- Office of Personnel Management in imple- them for their hard work on this bill. lines, and all the associated environ- menting this subsection, including in the de- H.R. 1426 ensures that the Federal mental and safety requirements. termination of the amount of compensation Energy Regulatory Commission, or While FERC receives annual appro- with respect to each category of employees FERC, has the resources and personnel priations from Congress, FERC recov- or other personnel. it needs to review and analyze energy ers 100 percent of its appropriations ‘‘(7) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph infrastructure projects. through the collection of annual (B), the Chairman may— H.R. 1426 addresses insufficient com- charges and filing fees. This unique ‘‘(i) obtain the services of experts and con- pensation of employees and other per- structure, where the industry essen- sultants in accordance with section 3109 of sonnel by amending the Department of tially covers FERC’s costs, has re- title 5, United States Code; Energy Organization Act to grant the sulted in a lean and efficient agency, ‘‘(ii) compensate those experts and consult- FERC Chairman additional authority and it helps keep costs down for con- ants for each day (including travel time) at to adjust compensation for a category sumers. rates not in excess of the rate of pay for level of employees and other personnel with- In testimony before the Energy and IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of that title; and out regard to certain civil service laws. Commerce Committee, FERC explained ‘‘(iii) pay to the experts and consultants The Commission must be able to hire that it faces a growing challenge to re- serving away from the homes or regular and retain sufficiently experienced em- cruit and retain a highly skilled work- places of business of the experts and consult- ployees so that complex and highly force to keep up with the demands of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:49 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09DE7.007 H09DEPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE December 9, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7073 our rapidly growing energy infrastruc- Street. When the market was booming have been here, and they have never, ture. in the 2000s, the private sector poached ever, ever had one defection with GREG FERC has especially had difficulty staff employees from the SEC. They WALDEN’s leadership. hiring engineers throughout the agen- threw dollar after dollar after dollar at I will close with another Houston Oil- cy, with many candidates citing com- these experts and got them to leave the ers’ quote from a great coach, Bum pensation rates as, frankly, the main public sector for the private sector. Phillips. issue. That meant that oversight was not the If Bum came down from Heaven right H.R. 1426 would improve FERC’s highest quality it had been before, and now and was talking about GREG WAL- workforce by granting the Chairman those reviews were longer and longer DEN’s record and career here in the authority to adjust compensation for a and longer. House throughout our history, he certain category of STEM workers. The same thing is happening right would say: GREG WALDEN may not be in This fix would help FERC carry out its now in the current explosion of Amer- a class by himself, but whatever class mission in a timely, efficient, and ef- ican energy. The agency is called you are in, my friend, it doesn’t take fective manner without any additional FERC, as Mr. WALDEN mentioned, the long to call the roll. cost to our taxpayers. Federal Energy Regulatory Commis- I want to thank Mr. OLSON and Mr. sion. The private-sector big guys, the b 1345 DOYLE for working together in a bipar- Big Oil guys, have told me point-blank Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield tisan way, and I urge my colleagues to that they poach on FERC to get the myself such time as I may consume to join me in supporting the legislation. I best employees they possibly can get. thank my dear friend and colleague, reserve the balance of my time. They wave money at them that FERC Mr. OLSON, who we all know, it turns Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have does not have to compete. out, is from Texas 22; and his wife, no additional speakers on this side, so When the SEC had their problems in Nancy. I wish them the very best in I reserve the balance of my time. the 2000s, we allowed them to tempo- their lives ahead. Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, before I rarily raise the Federal employment Mr. Speaker, since he is talking yield to the author of the bill, the gen- cap to keep these SEC experts on the about a little history, I want to talk tleman from Texas, I can tell you, job in the SEC. about a little history, too, before I turn Texas has few stronger advocates, if H.R. 1426 does that same thing, a to my friend from Georgia to speak on any, than Mr. OLSON. And Texas 22, his proven remedy for FERC: 1 year, high- this bill, and that is that something congressional district, has had an in- er salaries, and then a review. really, really, really important hap- credibly effective voice in the United Every Member in this House, Demo- pened not too far from my home State States Congress. crat or Republican, should vote for this of Oregon. He, like I, will be leaving at the end bill because it is not just bipartisan. It In Fort Lewis, Washington, on this of this session, but he has left his mark is bipartisan on steroids. date 58 years ago, this gentleman from on all kinds of positive policy improve- The lead Democrat, my good friend, Texas 22 arrived on this planet. Today ments in the Federal Government. MIKE DOYLE, is from Pittsburgh, Penn- is his birthday, and I hope the House Now, I don’t know about you, Mr. sylvania. In the NFL, that is Steelers will join me in acknowledging Mr. country. I am from the suburbs of Speaker, but there probably aren’t OLSON’s birthday. He was born in the many of us who could cite our friend’s Houston. That was Houston Oilers great State of Washington, as it turns district by number, but somehow Mr. country. Oilers fans have had a clash, a out, but he is Texas through and strong clash, with Steelers fans for OLSON, when you look at him, you through. So happy birthday to Mr. over 40 years. And Pittsburgh fans have know it is Texas 22, and you know OLSON. never apologized for a horrific, blown about the Houston Astros. Now why, I Mr. Speaker, I would turn now to the call that may have cost my Oilers a don’t know. But that is a subject for only pharmacist in the United States chance to go to their first Super Bowl. another day. Congress, which has really been impor- That still hurts today. What I do know is, he has been an tant in our legislative efforts on the able and effective legislator on the En- My point is, if MIKE and I can put that difference aside and pass this bill, Energy and Commerce Committee. He ergy and Commerce Committee in this knows so much about how to take care House. He has served his country in everyone in this entire body should come together and pass this bill. We all of people when they are at the counter, many capacities, including in the mili- how to make sure they get what they tary. He will be missed in this assem- should vote for H.R. 1426. I have to close by speaking about our need, and what they face when they bly, but his work will go on. His work come there in terms of costs of medi- today is noticed, once again, in a bipar- leader, my idol, GREG WALDEN. Like me, GREG is retiring after this year. cines and everything else. tisan way. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he Like me, GREG is not dying. He is just may consume to the gentleman from may consume to the gentleman from retiring. Georgia (Mr. CARTER), who is a terrific Texas (Mr. OLSON), although I do have Let me give you a few examples of member of the committee. another speaker. GREG’s guidance of this committee Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the when he was the chairman. He empow- Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- chairman—my ranking member, my in- ered every Member—Democrat, Repub- er, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support spiration, Chairman GREG WALDEN—for lican, from any State—to have an his kind words and the time to speak amendment, to have their voices heard of H.R. 1426, the Timely Review of In- about H.R. 1426, the Timely Review of on the committee. frastructure Act. Simply put, this is a Infrastructure Act. The best example is, I recall a bill commonsense bill to address how em- ’Tis the season of giving. This bipar- that sunset, sunrise, sunset—our bill to ployees are commended for their work tisan bill gives three gifts to America repeal and replace the Affordable Care at the Federal Energy Regulatory and to the world. Act. That markup went on for 27 hours Commission, or FERC. The first gift: We ensure that the because GREG WALDEN made sure every It is well known that there is a back- American taxpayer gets the maximum Member could have their amendment log of work at FERC due to a shortage value spent for the taxpayer dollars. with a vote in that committee before it of qualified personnel to handle the re- The second gift: This grows Amer- came to the House floor. quirements. When energy developers ica’s economy with high-paying, high- Let me give you another great exam- need to submit applications for ap- technology jobs. ple of GREG WALDEN building a team proval at FERC, they are often delayed And number three: This addresses cli- that always wins, that is always due to a lack of available personnel to mate change by encouraging energy united. I am from Texas, a Republican. review the project. transportation through the safest, When I first got here, we had 25 Mem- The United States has finally cleanest medium possible, pipelines bers. At most times, we were together, reached a level of energy independence above ships, trains, and trucks. but sometimes we split. that we could never have dreamed of H.R. 1426 is a commonsense bill. This GREG WALDEN has led the entire Or- during the OPEC oil embargo. How- is not new. It is modeled after Wall egon delegation GOP the whole time I ever, that development is often subject

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:49 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09DE7.049 H09DEPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE H7074 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 9, 2020 to the timeliness and availability of If we want FERC to ensure that the projects large-diameter ceiling fans, calculated in ac- approvals at FERC. This bill will en- that come up for review, now and in the fu- cordance with ANSI/AMCA Standard 208–18 sure that the retention and recruiting ture, are stringently but quickly reviewed, then titled ‘Calculation of the Fan Energy Index’, with the following modifications: of people at FERC will remain highly we must make the pay for the engineers who ‘‘(I) Using an Airflow Constant (Q0) of competitive, bringing in the people review the applications more competitive. That 26,500 cubic feet per minute. they need to do the job. is exactly what the Timely Review of Infra- ‘‘(II) Using a Pressure Constant (P0) of One area of serious concern was the structure Act would do, by allowing FERC to 0.0027 inches water gauge. number of pending LNG applications offer higher salaries for these high demand ‘‘(III) Using a Fan Efficiency Constant (η0) waiting at FERC. Thankfully, we have engineering positions, ensuring that critical in- of 42 percent.’’. a bipartisan bill that can turn things frastructure projects can get the review and (b) REVISION.—For purposes of section around. approval they need to move forward. 325(m) of the Energy Policy and Conserva- I thank my good friend from Texas The bill has bipartisan and bicameral sup- tion Act (42 U.S.C. 6295(m)), the standard es- tablished in section 325(ff)(6)(C) of such Act 22, PETE OLSON, who is, unfortunately, port and FERC Chairman Chatterjee has stat- (as added by subsection (a) of this section) leaving this body after years of distin- ed his support for this legislation saying that it shall be treated as if such standard was guished service. But this is a good way would enhance the Commission’s ability to re- issued on January 19, 2017. to reflect on all of his great work. We cruit and compensate the skilled staff needed The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- will miss my friend from Texas, and I to lessen the backlog of projects awaiting re- ant to the rule, the gentleman from do wish him well. view and to review future projects in a more New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) and the gen- Also, I thank my colleagues on the timely manner. tleman from Oregon (Mr. WALDEN) each Energy and Commerce Committee for Our bill would not only help get rid of the will control 20 minutes. their work on this important legisla- backlog of projects currently awaiting review, The Chair recognizes the gentleman tion. but would allow FERC to have the proper staff from New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- in place as we build out a sustainable energy GENERAL LEAVE leagues to support this legislation. system. I view it as an important piece of get- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I con- ting our economy back on track and ensuring tinue to reserve the balance of my unanimous consent that all Members that America remains the leader in energy pro- may have 5 legislative days in which to time. duction and innovation that it has been. Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I don’t revise and extend their remarks and in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The clude extraneous material on H.R. 5758. believe I have any other speakers on question is on the motion offered by The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there my side of the aisle on this measure. I the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. objection to the request of the gen- urge its passage, and I yield back the PALLONE) that the House suspend the tleman from New Jersey? balance of my time. rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1426. There was no objection. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge The question was taken; and (two- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield support for the legislation, and I yield thirds being in the affirmative) the myself such time as I may consume. back the balance of my time. rules were suspended and the bill was Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. passed. 5758, the Ceiling Fan Improvement Act Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that today the A motion to reconsider was laid on of 2020. This bipartisan bill was intro- House will consider the Timely Review of In- the table. frastructure Act introduced by Representative duced by Representative GUTHRIE of f PETE OLSON of Texas and myself. I would like Kentucky and Representative SCHA- to thank Mr. OLSON for his leadership and CEILING FAN IMPROVEMENT ACT KOWSKY of Illinois, both senior mem- partnership on this bill and commend him and OF 2020 bers of the Energy and Commerce Com- mittee. his staff on their tireless efforts to get it across Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move H.R. 5758 amends the Energy Policy the finish line. to suspend the rules and pass the bill and Conservation Act to provide a The United States has always been a global (H.R. 5758) to amend the Energy Policy technical fix for large-diameter ceiling leader when it comes to energy development and Conservation Act to make tech- fan efficiency standards. The legisla- and that is just a true today as it has ever nical corrections to the energy con- tion adjusts compliance requirements been. However, in order to maintain and grow servation standard for ceiling fans, and related to total airflow and power con- our energy sector, we need to ensure that we for other purposes. sumptions for these fans. This tech- are building the necessary energy infrastruc- The Clerk read the title of the bill. nical fix provides the highest-airflow ture to do so. Investing in our domestic infra- The text of the bill is as follows: structure is more important than ever as we fans a path to compliance, while still H.R. 5758 look to get through the current health crisis requiring improvements to products and rebuild our economy. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- that underperform. This is a common- resentatives of the United States of America in sense change that will improve effi- Indeed, just as we passed the Water Re- Congress assembled, sources Development Act yesterday, today we ciency of large-diameter ceiling fans SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. and ensure that all products will be- have an opportunity to pass a bill that, while This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ceiling Fan smaller in scale, will help hasten the buildout Improvement Act of 2020’’. come efficient over time. Mr. Speaker, energy efficiency is a of critical energy infrastructure such as hydro- SEC. 2. MODIFICATIONS TO THE CEILING FAN EN- electric dams, pipelines, transmission equip- ERGY CONSERVATION STANDARD. critical tool in our efforts to address ment, and energy terminals. This will not only (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 325(ff)(6) of the climate change, while also saving con- help the economy recover but will ensure that Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 sumers money on their electric bills. we have a secure and strong domestic energy U.S.C. 6295(ff)(6)) is amended by adding at Residential and commercial buildings system. the end the following: contribute nearly 40 percent to our Na- Unfortunately, too many energy infrastruc- ‘‘(C)(i) Large-diameter ceiling fans manu- tion’s carbon pollution, and energy ef- factured on or after January 21, 2020, shall— ficiency measures can reduce U.S. en- ture projects are delayed or do not have as ‘‘(I) not be required to meet minimum ceil- vigorous a review as you would expect. And ing fan efficiency in terms of ratio of the ergy use and greenhouse gas emissions that is due to the fact that the Federal Energy total airflow to the total power consumption by 50 percent by 2050. Regulatory Commission, which is responsible as described in the final rule titled ‘Energy It is crucial that we support energy for reviewing proposed projects cannot hire or Conservation Program: Energy Conservation efficiency efforts across different sec- retain enough qualified engineers for the sim- Standards for Ceiling Fans’ (82 Fed. Reg. 6826 tors. I commend my colleagues for ple reason that salaries in the private sector (January 19, 2017)); and their bipartisan work on this impor- are too high for FERC to compete with given ‘‘(II) have a CFEI greater than or equal tant bill. Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, in par- to— ticular, who chairs our subcommittee its current pay scale limits. This lack of engi- ‘‘(aa) 1.00 at high speed; and neers not only doesn’t allow FERC to fully and ‘‘(bb) 1.31 at 40 percent speed or the nearest that deals with consumer protection is robustly do its work, but it is a barrier to com- speed that is not less than 40 percent speed. always looking to not only improve ef- munities benefiting from the good paying jobs ‘‘(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the ficiency, but also consumer protec- the construction of these projects provides. term ‘CFEI’ means the Fan Energy Index for tions.

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