Press Releases

The U.S. House of Representatives voted and passed H.R. 4553, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) introduced an amendment to the bill that increases funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy. This bill funds critical activities that bolster industries important to the people of Southwest Virginia.  

Following passage of the bill, Congressman Griffith released the following statement:

“I am glad the House adopted my amendment to the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill, which directs additional millions of federal dollars to the DOE Office of Fossil Energy. This is a critical office that develops innovative technologies for America to pioneer on the global stage. 

“The bill also supports nuclear energy innovation. Virginia’s Ninth District is exploring the potential of nuclear energy and is home to an abundance of natural resources and emissions reduction technologies. With this powerful combination, we can burn coal cleaner than anywhere else in the world and guide the world towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.

“By advancing this appropriations bill, we can secure America’s electric grid, lower energy costs for consumers and unleash American energy dominance.”

BACKGROUND

Congressman Griffith voted to advance H.R. 4553 out of the Rules Committee. His remarks in support of the bill can be found here.

Congressman Griffith spoke on the floor in support of his amendment to H.R. 4553. Those remarks can be found here.

Congressman Griffith’s amendment adds $6.8 million in funding to the DOE Office of Fossil Energy.

In November 2024, Congressman Griffith traveled to Azerbaijan to attend COP29, the annual United Nations (UN) climate change conference. At COP29, Congressman Griffith touted America’s innovative technologies as well as those in Virginia’s Ninth District.

Congressman Griffith is the sponsor of legislation to help America sustain its electric grid and meet rising energy demands in the United States. The Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025 amends Section 207 of the Federal Power Act to allow a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) or a state Public Utility Commission to petition the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue an order to keep a power plant open and allocate costs for fixing a reliability issue.

Congressman Griffith also serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus. 

H.R. 4553 must be considered next by the U.S. Senate.

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