WASHINGTON – Today, as the Obama Administration released its first Quadrennial Energy Review, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) led a bipartisan group of Senators in re-introducing legislation to continue advancing a coordinated and robust approach to meeting our nation’s energy needs. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also joined as original co-sponsors.
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The Quadrennial Energy Review Act of 2015 would authorize a high-level, government-wide coordination council to submit a periodic, comprehensive review of current domestic capabilities and future energy needs, as well as the resources, technologies, and policy recommendations to meet them. Under the legislation, a QER would be completed at least once every four years with interim reports possible as needed. The reviews would offer a strategic roadmap to drive innovation in domestic energy sources in order to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and improve economic competitiveness and security in the United States.
“America’s economy relies on innovators to make new discoveries, build new industries, and create new jobs. To support those innovators, we need a balanced federal energy policy and a strategic blueprint to continue leading the world in energy innovation,” Senator Coons said. “A Quadrennial Energy Review would identify a baseline assessment of our technological, economic and national security capabilities. It would then put our federal resources to work to help us better coordinate with the private sector and promote energy innovation. This is critical component of an all-of-the-above energy policy.”
The Quadrennial Energy Review Act was first introduced by former Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) in the 112th and 113th Congresses. Senator Coons was also a cosponsor of those bills.
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