I support an “all of the above” energy strategy that serves American economic and security interests. Coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, hydropower, domestic oil, and biomass all may play a critical role in America’s energy future.
The United States possesses a tremendous amount of natural resources, and we must take full advantage of all options to unlock America’s full potential. American industry and energy production has some of the lowest emissions in the world.
I support coal use and production. Coal is a vital component of the American economy, with a fifth of the nation’s electricity being generated from it. Metallurgical coal, which the Ninth District has an abundance of, is also critical in our production of steel. We need to increase current coal production and eliminate overly burdensome regulations that hurt industry with little to no environmental gains. I also support research into carbon mitigation technologies to burn coal more efficiently.
I support common sense policies that safeguard our ability to have clean air and clean water without unreasonably jeopardizing thousands of jobs or burdening American families with unbearable energy costs.
As a member of the Conservative Climate Caucus, I believe that it is important to recognize that the United States is the leader in providing reliable and affordable energy while also reducing emissions and we should continue to focus on creating and exporting innovative energy and carbon mitigation technologies.
Actions
Secured funding for a pilot program to reclaim abandoned mine lands for economic and community development in Virginia. Several awards have already been issued in the Ninth District under this program.
Introduced New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act (H.R. 165) to reform the complicated New Source Review permitting program governing upgrades to emissions sources such as factories and power plans.
Introduced Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act (H.R. 6464) to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to eliminate duplicative hearings on nuclear facility construction licenses.
Cosponsored the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (REINS) Act, which would require Congress to approve of all new major regulations that cost $100 million or more, or which result in a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, industries, or state and local government agencies.
Cosponsored the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act (H.R.1435) and the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023 (H.R.4468) to clarify that EPA does not have the power to ban internal combustion engines. Consumers should not be mandated to purchase electric vehicles.
Introduced H.R. 2880, the Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act, to streamline how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licenses certain hydropower projects. This bill passed the House of Representatives in December 2017. This legislation was signed into law as a part of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 on October 23, 2018.
I sponsored H.R. 446 and H.R. 447, legislation to extend the deadlines for commencement of construction of hydroelectric projects at the Gathright Dam in Alleghany County and the Flannagan Dam in Dickenson County. These projects would generate power by utilizing the flows that are normally released by the Army Corps’ operation of the dams and will have an estimated combined capacity of 5.5 megawatts. Both H.R. 446 and H.R. 447 passed the House of Representatives and the Senate and were signed into law on July 23, 2018.
Support increased funding for the Department of Fossil Energy and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy.
Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus
Member of several Congressional caucuses, including the Natural Gas, Conservative Climate, and White Oak Caucuses.
