July 30, 2015

Senator Warren's Statement on the Energy Policy Modernization Act

United States Senator Elizabeth Warren released the following statement today after the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted to advance the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015:

"Today, I voted in favor of the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. While this was not the bill that I would have written, the bill contained several important provisions including permanently reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Historic Preservation Fund. Additionally, the bill contained several other progressive measures to improve energy efficiency, grid modernization, and energy distribution and storage. I am disappointed that the bill does not do more to address climate change, and I would have preferred that the bill simply maintained current law for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. On balance, I believe those concerns were outweighed by the bill's positive provisions, and I appreciate Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell for the fair process under which the bill was considered. I also thank the Chairman and Ranking member for their cooperation and support for my three amendments and especially for my amendment to authorize a study into the state and regional economic impact of exported liquefied natural gas (LNG), a measure which was opposed by a number of Republican committee members. This amendment will provide important data that will help shape our future energy policies. For these reasons, I supported moving the bill to floor where I will continue to work with my colleagues to make further improvements to address climate change and other important policies that affect consumers and the environment."