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After the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) earlier this month, which increased the debt ceiling allowing the U.S. to avoid a catastrophic default, APGA staff have launched renewed outreach efforts to members of the House and Senate. There is strong momentum behind issues like more energy infrastructure permitting reform and consumer energy choice protections, issues that have real impacts on APGA members and their customers. Below is a brief look at what APGA has been working on. 

The FRA included several provisions addressing aspects of the permitting reform discussion, including multiple that were part of APGA’s list of priorities. However, there is still more work to be done and it seems there is an appetite in both the Senate and the House to progress additional legislation with varying reforms to issue areas such as judicial review and litigation delays to areas addressing approvals of electric transmission projects. APGA staff is conducting outreach to the offices of key House and Senate members on relevant committees to advocate for our permitting reform priorities. These include, principally, reforms to Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act, which would provide FERC with the proper refund authority to remedy instances when interstate transmission entities charge unfair and unjust rates. APGA staff is also continuing to support committee staff with resources related to these issues and has sent several statements for the record. These reforms will allow APGA’s members to continue to provide efficient and reliable natural gas to their customers and, importantly, at affordable rates. Read more here.

APGA staff continues to support policymakers’ efforts to exercise oversight of the Biden administration and its plans to regulate away or ban gas cooking products and mislead consumers about the efficiency of other gas-fueled appliances. APGA members’ customers should be able to choose what cooking products and appliances they use in their own homes. Two bills to prevent these efforts related to gas stoves passed the House with bipartisan support. APGA staff sent letters to House leadership supporting these bills, provided committee staff with relevant resources, and conducted outreach to key members’ offices. We are also exploring opportunities to encourage Congress members to exercise additional oversight where possible. Read more here. 

As public utilities, APGA members are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the municipal financing options that several recently introduced bills offer. APGA staff has been conducting outreach, developing resources and talking points, and engaging with other like-minded groups on this subject. 

Conversations about Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) reauthorization remain top-of-mind with APGA members and members of the House. APGA staff are working to ensure that the voices of our members, those particularly impacted by PHMSA regulations, are part of the discussion. We have met several times with committee staff on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to share our insights and concerns about proposed language. We are also reaching out to the offices of relevant committee members to advocate for our priorities as details are solidified. Read more here.

For questions on this article please contact Josh St. Pierre of APGA staff by phone at 202-470-4262 or by email at jstpierre@apga.org.