Energy and Environment

Lessons from the Storms The 2017 hurricane season has been the most active and destructive to the United States in a number of years. From Puerto Rico to Texas, storms have caused devastation, some of which lingers long after the hurricanes have dissipated. The challenge of rebuilding is daunting. As part of the rebuilding process, we should learn how to better prepare for similar… Read more »

Congressmen Morgan Griffith (VA-09) and Bob Goodlatte (VA-06) today issued the following statement after sending a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Neil Chatterjee regarding the planned closure of Line 25 of the Colonial Pipeline: “We are deeply concerned about the economic impact this closure may have on Southwest Virginia. Without Line 25, gas prices will rise,… Read more »

Good Riddance to “Sue and Settle” You may recall from civics class that our Federal Government has three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Your teachers probably never included the Sierra Club on that list. Thanks to the practice known as “sue and settle,” however, special interest groups like the Sierra Club may have more influence on our country’s laws than the… Read more »

Energy Independence is Closer Than Ever “America is at the beginning of an energy Renaissance.” Energy Secretary Rick Perry recently offered this view in testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, on which I serve. His optimism marks a refreshing change from the last Administration. On February 23, 2012, then-President Obama ridiculed the idea that more oil… Read more »

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement regarding the formal notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it would withdraw the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan: “The Clean Power Plan was bad for the United States and Southwest Virginia. It would have killed jobs, cost too much, and exceeded the EPA’s legal… Read more »

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement on Dominion Energy’s announcement that it is studying two sites in Southwest Virginia for potential use as a pumped storage hydropower facility: “I firmly believe that pumped storage hydropower holds great promise for the coalfields of Southwest Virginia. The coalfields already have much of the infrastructure for this… Read more »

Hurricane Harvey I wish to express my sincere condolences to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the communities that found themselves in the path of destruction, and I stand with all of my fellow Americans in hoping for your safety and a swift and full recovery. I am proud to say that first responders from Southwest Virginia have traveled to Texas… Read more »

Energy and Commerce Update        As you know, I serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Many major domestic policy issues fall under its jurisdiction, from energy to telecommunications to manufacturing to healthcare and health insurance. This means that the committee always has a lot on its plate. I am pleased to report that it’s been hard at work… Read more »

Department of Energy (DOE) awarded a one million dollar contract to the Minerals Refining and Rare Earth Consortium (MRREC), of which Virginia Tech is a member. The consortium consists of two other universities, University of Kentucky and West Virginia University. This award is one the three selected by the DOE. The $1 million DOE funding will be used to support the Phase 1… Read more »

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) recently introduced legislation to promote closed-loop pumped storage hydropower. The possibility of developing pumped-storage in Virginia’s coalfields is a developing idea that has potential to generate substantial economic activity. Congressman Griffith said, “Our state legislators have worked hard to facilitate the deployment of this technology in… Read more »