Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) has been selected to serve on the conference committee charged with developing America’s comprehensive 21^st century energy policy. On May 25, 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives amended and approved the Senate’s Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 (S. 2012) to reflect the priorities that were included in the House’s North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act (H.R. 8). Now, a House-Senate conference committee will negotiate the differences between each chamber’s bill and develop the final legislation.

“In the House, I fought for policies that preserve and grow Oklahoma’s energy jobs and make sure our families can afford to keep their lights on,” said Mullin. “From oil to natural gas to hydropower, Oklahoma is an energy-rich state, and I’m going to work to make sure our priorities are included in this comprehensive U.S. energy agenda.”

During a markup of H.R. 8 in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power on July 20, 2015, Mullin requested that the final House energy bill include much needed reforms to the hydropower permitting process within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

He said, “We need to be looking down the road … a[t] hydropower as a viable energy source. I hope that we can work together to ensure that the final bill includes robust hydropower reform.” 

The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) praised Mullin’s selection to the conference committee. 

Dan Sullivan, GRDA CEO, said, “As this conference committee negotiates the Energy Modernization Act of 2016, Oklahomans should know that they are well-represented by Congressman Markwayne Mullin. He possesses a strong understanding of the issues that currently complicate our nation’s energy policy and has demonstrated a complete devotion to solving those problems. The Grand River Dam Authority, as a major producer of hydropower in our state, as well as its electric customers and the State of Oklahoma as a whole, will be the beneficiaries of the hydropower streamlining provisions in the bill. Congressman Mullin has already proven to be an extremely effective proponent of these measures – having him included in this small group of legislators that will negotiate the final bill is a great win for all of Oklahoma.”

The Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association (OKOGA) also congratulated Mullin on his selection to the conference committee, saying, “The Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association is very pleased with the appointment of U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-OK 2, as a House conferee to work on a comprehensive, federal energy bill. As a small businessman from a top-producing oil and gas state, Congressman Mullin understands the importance of reliable and safe energy to the security of the nation.”

Mullin will join 23 other Republicans in the House on the conference committee.

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