ICYMI: E&E News: Meet House Republicans’ freshman grid guru
Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) joined E&E News’ Nico Portuondo for a sit-down interview on her Energy and Commerce Committee priorities, permitting reform, and how to achieve an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future. Check out highlights and key excerpts from the interview below:
“Republican freshman Rep. Julie Fedorchak is gaining a lot of power in Republican's energy and environment plans in the very beginning of her first term. It's probably for a good reason.
“That's because the North Dakota lawmaker may be, on arrival, the most experienced on energy issues on Capitol Hill. For 12 years, she led North Dakota’s Public Service Commission, overseeing electric utilities, natural gas pipelines and more, and was the president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners until late last year.
“Republican energy leadership noticed her energy chops quickly. This month, she was awarded with a unique opportunity to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee as a freshman, giving her a powerful voice on energy and grid issues.”
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“Fedorchak isn't resting on her laurels. In her first week on Capitol Hill, she penned a letter to then-President-elect Donald Trump and Interior Secretary nominee Doug Burgum listing the top 20 federal regulations she believes are crippling the nation's energy industry.
“Environment and climate advocates, however, aren't likely to be a fan of her recommendations. She wants to get rid of climate regulations like EPA's rule on power plant emissions and its rule to limit methane emissions from natural gas producers, and is a staunch defender of states' authorities to plan grid infrastructure despite Democratic efforts to federalize the process.”
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“Fedorchak does, however, support an 'all-of-the-above' energy philosophy, saying renewables should compete in a fair market with other baseload energy sources. She's also a grid expert, potentially providing an important voice in bipartisan discussions to overhaul regulations on energy infrastructure.”
CLICK HERE to read the full Q&A.