Last week’s elections mean changes in Congressional leadership and a possible policy shift for advanced energy. Read on for AEE’s analysis of what the elections could mean for advanced energy policy, both in the short and long term.
When the 114th Congress convenes in January, newly Republican leadership in the Senate will likely entail a priority shift towards fossil fuels for the next Congress. Prior to winning a hard-fought election battle in coal-rich Kentucky, incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to roll back the carbon pollution standards issued by the EPA. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who will chair the Senate on Committee Energy and Natural Resources, is expected to push for movement on the Keystone XL pipeline, natural gas and oil exports and onshore and offshore oil drilling. Other newly appointed chairs include Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch of the Senate Finance Committee and Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran of the Senate Appropriations Committee. In the House, Rep. Paul Ryan will likely replace retiring Rep. Dave Camp as the new Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.