Energy Independence

Keeping Pacific Northwest energy rates low, increasing our domestic oil supply, and encouraging alternative and more efficient energy sources

Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers tours Hopkins Ridge Wind Farm

Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers understands that high energy and gas prices are impacting the daily lives of families, businesses, and farmers in Eastern Washington. We must develop a comprehensive approach to meet our nation’s energy needs. This includes expanding our domestic energy supply, streamlining the permitting process for refineries, encouraging conservation, and exploring alternative sources of energy.

In the Pacific Northwest, innovation is leading the way for the development of many new alternative energy sources. Developing liquid coal, wind production, ethanol, biodiesel, (hydrogen) fuel cells, nuclear power, and solar energy are among the variety of ways that we can decrease our dependency on foreign oil while creating new markets for Eastern Washington

Eastern Washington has enjoyed low energy rates because of low-cost hydropower. As the Ranking Member of the Water and Power Subcommittee, McMorris Rodgers is working to ensure balanced use of our Snake and Columbia River systems, safeguard our water rights, explore water storage options, protect our dams, ensure the use of hydropower to provide low-cost renewable energy, seek options for the Odessa Aquifer, and maintain reliable and affordable transmission systems for our region.

She is also a member of the Ag Energy Users Caucus that works to make sure rural America’s voice is heard on energy issues.

Energy Accomplishments

• Helped stop the proposal to increase BPA rates.
•Conducted field hearings to discuss rate proposals and Endangered Species ACT (ESA) cost transparency.
• Supported the Energy Policy Act, which not only provided for renewable energy, but provided groundbreaking policy changes to support biodiesel efforts for our nation’s consumers and farmers.
• Promoted innovation in energy industry by supporting local companies such as ReliOn and Itron.
• Member of the Ag Energy Users Caucus that works to make sure rural America’s voice is heard on energy issues.
• Continues to support companies in Eastern Washington that are working on developing alternative sources of energy such as fuel cells, wind production, and biofuels.
• Supported the Federal Energy Price Protection Act which prohibits price gouging, and the Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act which helps increase domestic oil supply by expanding U.S. refining capacity.
• Continued to ensure changes are not made to BPA’s debt repayment structure by testifying to the Committee on the budget about the proposed restructuring.
• Sent a letter to the President requesting for an executive order to establish a hybrid car pilot program within the Pacific Northwest.

Legislation Co-sponsored

110th Congress

H. Con Res 25
Expresses the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that, not later than January 1, 2025, the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United States should provide from renewable resources not less than 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.

H.R. 550 - Securing America's Energy Independence Act of 2007
Extends certain tax credits for fuel cell, solar and energy storage devices.

109th Congress

H.R.1511
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a 5-year extension of the credit for electricity produced from wind.

H.R.2498
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the tax incentives for the use of biodiesel through 2010.

H.R.4318 Outer Continental Shelf Natural Gas Relief Act
Terminates the effect of all provisions of Federal law that prohibit the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf, to terminate all withdrawals of Federal submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf from leasing for exploration for, and development and production of, natural gas, and for other purposes.

Press Releases

• McMorris Rodgers Introduces Legislation to Shed Light on ESA Compliance Costs (May 24, 2007)
•McMorris Rodgers Responds to 9th Circuit Appeals Court Ruling (April 10, 2007)
•McMorris Named Lead Republican on Water and Power Subcommittee (January 17, 2007)
• McMorris: We Must Protect our Dams (November 15, 2006)
• McMorris Votes to Increase Domestic Oil and Gas Supply by Allowing Deep Sea Energy Exploration (June 29, 2006)
• McMorris, Hastings Hold Congressional Hearing on Northwest Energy Costs (June 21, 2006)
• McMorris Votes to Increase Refinery Capacity and Prevent Price Gouging (May 3, 2006)
• McMorris Highlights BPA Rate Increase at Water and Power Subcommittee Hearing (March 1, 2006)
• McMorris Criticizes BPA Rule Change in Budget Committee Testimony (February 14, 2006)
• McMorris Named Vice-Chair of Water and Power Subcommittee (February 2, 2006)
• McMorris Addresses Energy Costs at Washington State University’s Oil Depletion Conference (October 5, 2005)
• Resources Committee Passes Legislation to Increase U.S. Energy Supply (September 28, 2005)
• McMorris Co-Sponsors Biodiesel Legislation (July 12, 2005)
• McMorris Testifies at House Resources Water and Power Subcommittee Hearing on the Impact of the Endangered Species Act (May 4, 2005)
• McMorris Votes For National Energy Bill Energy Legislation Will Help Provide Economic Stability In The Pacific Northwest (April 21, 2005)
• McMorris Claims Victory in Keeping the BPA Rate Increase Out of the House Budget Resolution (March 17, 2005)
• Congresswoman Cathy McMorris issued the following statement today regarding the proposal to increase power rates in the Pacific Northwest (February 7, 2005)