110 HR 6991 IH: To establish an Energy Policy Council to develop a U.S. House of Representatives 2008-09-22 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6991 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 22, 2008 Mr. Larson of Connecticut introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To establish an Energy Policy Council to develop a National Energy Plan and monitor the implementation thereof, and for other purposes.

1.

Establishment of Energy Policy Council

There is established an Energy Policy Council (in this Act referred to as the Council) within the Executive Office of the President, which shall consist of— (1)the Secretary of Energy, or the Secretary’s designee, who shall serve as chairman of the Council; (2)the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee; (3)the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, or the Secretary’s designee; (4)the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary’s designee; (5)the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Adminstrator’s designee; (6)the Secretary of Agriculture, or the Secretary’s designee; and (7)the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee.

2.

First meeting

The Council shall hold its first meeting not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

3.

Functions

The Council shall, not later than 4 months after the first meeting described in section 2, transmit to the Congress— (1)a National Energy Plan, developed in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies, to— (A)guide and ensure the coordinated implementation of United States energy policies; and (B)address— (i)reducing our dependence on foreign oil; (ii)strengthening national security; (iii)lowering energy costs for consumers; (iv)creating markets for clean energy jobs; (v)reducing global warming; (vi)increasing energy efficiency; (vii)creating new pathways for innovative energy research and development; and (viii)any other national energy goals the Council considers appropriate; and (2)a plan for comprehensive Federal departmental reform, as necessary and appropriate to— (A)eliminate wasteful spending; (B)eliminate overlapping programs; and (C)establish a consolidated entity, to be known as the Department of Energy Policy, to help carry out the energy plan transmitted under paragraph (1).

4.

Reports

Until the establishment of the Department of Energy Policy, the Council shall annually, after the transmittal of the plans under section 3, transmit to the Congress a report that— (1)reviews such plans and recommends appropriate amendments thereto; (2)assesses the implementation of such plans by Federal agencies; and (3)makes recommendations for any additional improvements to United States energy policies.

5.

Staff

The Council may hire staff to enable it to preform its functions under this Act.