Today, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly supported and helped the Senate pass legislation to make needed reforms to our nation’s energy policy. The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 would work to modernize our nation’s energy policy by expanding energy efficiency programs, modernizing the electrical grid, and increasing the development of renewable energy and traditional resources. The bill also includes provisions important to hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationalists that improve access to public lands, open federal land to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting, and improve some of the most important conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and the National Fish Habitat Conservation Program. Donnelly said, “From wind to oil, solar to natural gas, to coal and Indiana biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel, we need to pursue every resource to increase our energy independence. This much-needed, bipartisan legislation would make sure that our energy system is strong and reliable and help families and businesses invest in energy efficiency in order to save money. It also includes important conservation priorities to help us find the right balance between increasing energy production and remaining good stewards of the earth.”
The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 would increase the energy supply, improve energy efficiency, modernize current infrastructure, and reauthorize important conservation programs. The bill supports the development of American renewable energy, traditional resources, and non-fuel minerals to help the United States move toward energy independence and cleaner, abundant, affordable energy supply. Other cost-saving provisions in the bill focus on energy efficiency standards that help families and businesses save money. Additionally, The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 would modernize our energy infrastructure by integrating new technologies to enhance the reliability and resilience of American energy systems. Finally, the bill permanently extends the LWCF, something Donnelly announced he supported in February 2015. The LWCF continues and strengthens efforts to conserve parks, lands, and wildlife habitat for outdoor recreation, and does not use taxpayer money. An amendment also adopted includes provisions from the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 that Donnelly cosponsored, which would increase access to federal land for hunting, fishing, and recreational activities.
Donnelly believes that America needs an all-in approach to energy policy that pursues every avenue to increase our energy independence. He pushed for the Keystone XL Pipeline to increase our country’s energy security and the jobs and energy production the pipeline will create. He has consistently advocated for a strong domestic energy economy to expand economic opportunities for Hoosier workers, businesses, and their families.