QER Calls for Modernizing the Nation’s NatGas Transmission and Distribution Systems
On April 21, the administration released the first installment of its first Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), described as the first-ever comprehensive study of the nation’s energy infrastructure, which identifies the threats, risks, and opportunities for U.S. energy and climate security, with the goal of enabling the federal government to translate policy goals into a set of integrated actions.
The QER, involving more than 20 federal agencies, came from a Jan. 9, 2014, directive from President Obama as part of his Climate Action Plan.
The intent of the first installment of the QER, according to a DOE official speaking at an electric power conference, was “not to collect dust” but to provide action-oriented recommendations.
One of the QER goals is regulatory reform, while at the same time it addresses “a trend toward reducing GHG emissions,” the DOE official said. “We recognize the need for multiple business models.”
GHG or Fuel?
The DOE website describes methane as “both a potent greenhouse gas and valuable energy resource.”
One of the areas addressed in the QER is modernizing the nation’s natural gas transmission and distribution systems and “reducing methane emissions through common-sense standards, smart investments, and innovative research to advance the state of the art in natural gas system performance.”
QER initiatives concerning the natural gas infrastructure include new efficiency standards for natural gas compressors, natgas system manufacturing R&D, federal loan guarantees for new methane reduction technologies and FERC proposed cost recovery for natgas facilities modernization.
The natgas initiatives are covered in more detail at the DOE website.
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House Energy and Commerce Committee Commentary on QER
Following QER’s Findings, Committee Leaders Want to Work Together to Modernize U.S. Energy Policy
WASHINGTON, DC – House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) today released the following statement following the administration’s release of the first installment of its Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) focusing on energy transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure.
“The QER’s findings underscore the urgent need to update our nation’s energy policy and modernize our energy infrastructure. The current energy policy written in a time of scarcity just isn’t cutting it in today’s era of abundance. While we share our differences with this administration regarding energy policy, when it comes to the transmission, storage, and distribution of our resources, we can all agree that targeted changes to our laws and polices are necessary. We need a modern and resilient energy infrastructure that will meet tomorrow’s energy challenges. We are reviewing the administration’s full recommendations, but we have already found areas of common ground where we will work together. We are setting out to build the Architecture of Abundance, and we welcome any willing partners to join us.”
Earlier this year, the committee released a framework of its Architecture of Abundance energy legislation, which will focus on four policy areas: modernizing infrastructure, a 21st century energy workforce, energy diplomacy for a changing world, and efficiency and accountability.
