Jen Kiggans Voted For Prohibiting Funds For Use On Climate Change And Promoting Clean Energy And Voted For Republican Amendments That Harmed The Environment

Kiggans Voted For FY2024 Environmental Appropriations Bills That Included Republican Amendments To Roll Back Climate Efforts

Kiggans Voted For Passing FY 2024 Interior And Environment Appropriations With Republican Riders. In November 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would provide $37.7 billion in discretionary spending, including $25.4 billion subject to the measure's discretionary cap and $9.4 billion offset by rescissions. It would provide $14.6 billion for the Interior Department, including $3 billion for the National Park Service; $1.5 billion for the Fish and Wildlife Service; $1.3 billion for the U.S. Geological Survey; and $1.3 billion for the Bureau of Land Management. It would provide approximately $11.2 billion for Native American programs in fiscal 2024, including $2.6 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, $1.4 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education and $7.1 billion for the Health and Human Services Department’s Indian Health Service (an IHS total that includes $5.1 billion in advance appropriations enacted in the fiscal 2023 spending measure). The bill would provide an additional $5.9 billion in fiscal 2025 advance appropriations for IHS. The bill would provide $6.2 billion for the EPA, which includes $2.4 billion for environmental programs and management and $561 million for science and technology. It would provide $8 billion for the Forest Service, including $4.4 billion for wildfire management and response. Between the Forest Service and Interior Department, it would provide $619 million for wildfire preparedness and $1.4 billion for fire suppression activities. The bill would also provide $960 million for the Smithsonian Institution; $178 million for the National Gallery of Art; and $373 million combined for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Among its policy provisions, it would prohibit the use of funds to promote “critical race theory”; block a January 2023 EPA and Army Corps of Engineers rule on the definition of “Waters of the United States”; prohibit the EPA from issuing a waiver to allow California to issue its own emissions standards for small off-road vehicle engines; require the Interior Department to conduct quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales; and prohibit the use of funds to implement certain regulations under the Endangered Species Act, including protections for the lesser prairie-chicken and the northern long-eared bat. It would rescind $9.4 billion in funding for the EPA, Interior Department and Council on Environmental Quality provided under the fiscal 2022 budget reconciliation bill (PL 117-169), including $7.8 billion for renewable energy projects and $1.4 billion for environmental and climate justice projects. As amended, the bill would bar the use of funds provided by the bill for the American Climate Corps; prohibit the use of funds provided by the bill to enforce any COVID-19 mask mandates; bar the use of funds provided by the bill to implement, administer, apply, enforce or carry out any plastic straw prohibitions; prohibit the use of funds provided by the bill for the cancellation or suspension of oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska; and prohibit the use of funds provided by the bill to reduce the number of oil and gas leases issued by the Interior Department, among other provisions.” The bill passed by a vote of 213-203. [H.R. 4821, Vote #597, 11/3/23; CQ, 11/3/23]

Kiggans Voted For Prohibiting Funds For Use On Climate Change And Promoting Clean Energy

Kiggans Voted For Prohibiting Using Funds For Executive Orders On Climate Change. In November 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Roy, R-Texas, amendment no. 127 that would prohibit the use of any funds provided by the bill to implement a series of Biden administration executive orders (Executive Order nos. 13990, 14008, 14013, 14030, 14057, 14082 and 14096) related to climate concerns.” The amendment was adopted by a vote of 208-207. [H.R. 4821, Vote #595, 11/3/23; CQ, 11/3/23]

Kiggans Voted For Defunding Executive Orders Promoting The Use Of Clean Energy And Environmental Justice. In November 2023, Kiggans voted for: “McCormick, R-Ga., amendment no. 102 that would prohibit the use of funds provided by the bill to implement Executive Order 14037, related to strengthening American leadership in clean cars and trucks; EO 14057, related to catalyzing clean energy industries and jobs through federal sustainability; and EO 14096, relating to revitalizing U.S. commitment to environmental justice for all.” The amendment was adopted by a vote of 217-202. [H.R. 4821, Vote #585, 11/2/23; CQ, 11/2/23]

Kiggans Voted For Prohibiting The Use Of Funds For An Executive Order To Tackle Climate Change. In November 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Fulcher, R-Idaho, amendment no. 89 that would prohibit the use of funds provided by the bill to implement, administer, apply, enforce or carry out a section of Executive Order 14008 related to tackling climate change domestically and internationally.” The amendment was adopted by a vote of 212-202. [H.R. 4821, Vote #581, 11/2/23; CQ, 11/2/23]

Kiggans Voted For Prohibiting The Use Of Funds For An EPA Rule For Air Quality Standards

Kiggans Voted For Prohibiting The Use Of Funds For An EPA Rule For Air Quality Standards. In November 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Gosar, R-Ariz., amendment no. 91 that would prohibit the use of funds provided by the bill to finalize, implement or enforce a 2023 proposed EPA rule titled "Reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter.” The amendment was rejected by a vote of 212-206. [H.R. 4821, Vote #582, 11/2/23; CQ, 11/2/23]

Kiggans Voted To Not Enforce Rules To Protect Endangered Wildlife, Plants, And Threatened Habitats

Kiggans Voted For Barring Funds To Enforce Rules To Protect Endangered Wildlife, Plants, And Threatened Habitats. In November 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Boebert, R-Colo., amendment no. 74 that would bar the use of funds provided by the bill from being used to finalize, implement, administer or enforce the following proposed 2023 rules: --"Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of Regulations for Interagency Cooperation" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. -- "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat" by FWS and NOAA. --"Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants’’ by FWS.” The amendment was adopted by a vote of 213-212. [H.R. 4821, Vote #575, 11/2/23; CQ, 11/2/23]

Kiggans Voted For Considering Striking $1 Billion In Funding For Renewable Energy From Energy And Water Development Appropriations

Kiggans Voted For Considering Striking $1 Billion In Funding For Renewable Energy From Energy And Water Development Appropriations And Barring Any Raises For Members From Legislative Branch Appropriations. In October 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Adoption of the rule (H Res 756) that would that would provide for floor consideration of the Fiscal 2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (HR 4394) and the Fiscal 2024 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (HR 4364). The rule would provide for up to one hour of general debate on each measure. It would make in order 60 amendments to HR 4394. It would provide for the automatic adoption of a Fleischmann, R-Tenn., manager's amendment to HR 4394. The amendment would strike $1 billion in funding from Energy Department (DOE) energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. It would provide for the automatic adoption of a Amodei, R-Nev., manager's amendment to HR 4364 would be considered as adopted. The amendment would bar any cost-of-living adjustments for members of Congress during fiscal 2024. It also would provide that H Res 699 would be automatically laid on the table. The resolution would provide for floor consideration of a short-term funding bill (HR 5525), a measure concerning natural gas export-import (HR 1130) and a resolution (H Res 684) condemning actions taken by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.” The rule was adopted by a vote of 218-208. [H.Res. 756, Vote #517, 10/3/23; CQ, 10/3/23]

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To The Military Construction-VA Appropriations Bill To Ban Funds To

Implement Biden Executive Orders Related To Climate Change And Promote Clean Energy Industries And Jobs

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To The Military Construction-VA Appropriations Bill To Ban Funds From The Bill From Being Used To Implement Biden Executive Orders Related To Climate Change. In July 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Roy, R-Texas, amendment no. 40 that would bar the use of funds provided by the bill to implement seven Biden administration executive orders relating to climate change.” The amendment was adopted by a vote of 220-214. [H.R. 4366, Vote #377, 7/26/23; CQ, 7/26/23]

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To The Military Construction-VA Appropriations Bill To Ban Funds From The Bill From Being Used To Promote Clean Energy Industries And Jobs. In July 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Zinke, R-Mont., amendment no. 41 that would bar the use of funds provided by the bill to implement the December 2021 Biden administration executive order regarding the promotion of clean energy industries and jobs.” The amendment was adopted by a vote of 222-212. [H.R. 4366, Vote #378, 7/26/23; CQ, 7/26/23]

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To Prohibit Defense Department Land From Being Designated As A “Critical Habitat” Under The Endangered Species Act

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To Prohibit Defense Department Land From Being Designated As A “Critical Habitat” Under The Endangered Species Act. In July 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Biggs, R-Ariz., amendment no. 55 that would prohibit, under the Endangered Species Act, a ‘critical habitat’ designation for any military installation or other Defense Department land necessary for military purposes.” The amendment was rejected by a vote of 193-237. [H.R. 2670, Vote #322, 7/13/23; CQ, 7/13/23]

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To Prohibit The Defense Department From Implementing Biden Climate Change Executive Orders

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To Prohibit The Defense Department From Implementing Biden Climate Change Executive Orders. In July 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Roy, R-Texas, amendment no. 64 to HR 2670 that would prohibit the Defense Department from implementing several Biden administration executive orders relating to climate change and environmental policy.” The amendment was adopted by a vote of 217-216. [H.R. 2670, Vote #326, 7/14/23; CQ, 7/14/23]

Kiggans Voted For An Energy Appropriations Bill That Rolled Back Climate Efforts And Voted For Republican Amendments That Harmed The Environment

Kiggans Voted For FY 2024 Appropriations For The Energy Department That Included Provisions To Roll Back Climate Efforts

Kiggans Voted For FY 2024 Appropriations For The Energy Department, Including Republican Riders. In October 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would provide $60 billion in fiscal 2024 funding for the Energy Department, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation and independent federal agencies. It would provide $49 billion for the Energy Department, $24 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, and $2.8 billion for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Within NNSA funding, it would provide $19.1 billion appropriated for weapons activities, $1.9 billion for naval reactors and $2.4 billion for defense nuclear nonproliferation. The bill would provide $2 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office. It would redirect $3.6 billion in unobligated funds previously appropriated by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law for advanced nuclear reactor demonstration programs, including $2.4 billion for advanced nuclear fuel and $1.2 billion for small modular reactor research and development. The funding for each would be evenly distributed over the next three fiscal years. It would provide $470 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, $281 million for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and $858 million for the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. The bill would provide $9.6 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For programs within the Interior Department, the bill would provide $1.9 billion, including $1.7 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation and $23 million for the Central Utah Project. It would also prohibit the use of funds provided by the bill to finalize an Energy Department rule proposed in February 2023, on energy conservation standards for gas ranges and ovens, or any rule that would directly or indirectly limit consumer access to gas kitchen ranges or ovens.” The bill passed by a vote of 210-199. [H.R. 4394, Vote #558, 10/26/23; CQ, 10/26/23]

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To Prohibit Using Funds To Implement Various Biden Administration Executive Orders Relating To Climate Change

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To Prohibit Using Funds To Implement Various Biden Administration Executive Orders Relating To Climate Change. In October 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Rosendale, R-Mont., for Roy, R-Texas, amendment no. 60 that would prohibit the use of funds to implement various Biden administration executive orders relating to climate change.” The amendment was rejected by a vote of 192-222. [H.R. 4394, Vote #556, 10/26/23; CQ, 10/26/23]

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To Reduce Bureau Of Reclamation Policy And Administration Expenses By $5 Million

Kiggans Voted For An Amendment To Reduce Bureau Of Reclamation Policy And Administration Expenses By $5 Million. In October 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Westerman, R-Ark., amendment no. 14 that would reduce funding by $5 million for Bureau of Reclamation policy and administration expenses.” The amendment was rejected by a vote of 212-213. [H.R. 4394, Vote #531, 10/26/23; CQ, 10/26/23]

Kiggans Voted For The Lower Energy Costs Act. In March 2023, Kiggans voted for: “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would require a number of actions to boost the domestic production of fossil fuels and critical minerals, accelerate the construction of natural gas pipelines and other energy infrastructure, and reverse or repeal certain recent policies related to energy and climate change. Among provisions to boost oil and gas leasing and production, the bill would require the Interior Department to resume quarterly oil and gas lease sales on federal lands; complete certain proposed sales on the Outer Continental Shelf; and implement at least two lease sales per year in each of the Gulf of Mexico and the Alaska regions of the Shelf. It would roll back increased fees and royalties for onshore and offshore oil and gas development and production established by the 2022 budget reconciliation package (PL 117-69). It would adjust revenue sharing requirements for onshore and offshore production to generally decrease federal shares and increase state shares, particularly for coastal states. It would also require annual geothermal lease sales; terminate a moratorium on new coal leasing; and provide for final approval of previously authorized coal leases. It would prohibit the president from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing and from taking any action that would delay new leases, sales and drill permits for oil and gas, coal or mineral exploration. It would remove restrictions on the import and export of liquified natural gas and prohibit the Chinese Communist Party or a person acting on its behalf from acquiring any interest with respect to lands leased for oil or gas. Among provisions to streamline the permitting process under the National Environmental Policy Act, the bill would set deadlines for the completion of NEPA environmental reviews and adjust thresholds for levels of review; limit the scope of reviews to ‘reasonably foreseeable’ effects and codify 2020 regulations removing requirements to consider climate change impacts in the review process; and direct agencies to use previously completed reviews to satisfy NEPA requirements for substantially similar proposed actions. For oil and gas projects, it would limit the scope of environmental reviews to areas within or immediately adjacent to affected plots and prohibit the consideration of downstream, indirect effects of oil and gas consumption. To expedite certain energy production and infrastructure projects, it would establish procedures and a 120-day expedited deadline for federal agencies to review applications for cross-border oil and natural gas pipelines; and expand the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s role as the lead agency for natural gas pipeline permitting. To address critical mineral supply, the bill would require the Energy Department to conduct ongoing assessments of and develop strategies to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical energy resources, including through increased mining and processing and permit the EPA to temporarily waive certain pollution regulation requirements for processing and refining projects at critical energy resource facilities to address supply chain concerns. It would make coal and critical mineral mining projects eligible for certain expedited infrastructure permitting processes; provide for appointment of a lead agency to coordinate the permitting process for mineral exploration; and limit the withdrawal of federal lands and waters from mineral leasing. The bill would also repeal certain climate-related programs established by the 2022 budget reconciliation package, including the $27 billion ‘Greenhouse Gas Reduction’ fund to support low- and zero-carbon projects, a program imposing fees on methane emissions from oil and gas drilling sites on federal lands, and energy rebate programs to incentivize energy-efficient homes and buildings.” The bill passed by a vote of 225-204, with 221 Republicans and 4 Democrats voting for the bill, 1 Republican and 203 Democrats voting against the bill, and six Democrats not voting. [H.R. 1, Vote #182, 3/20/23; CQ, 3/30/23]

• HEADLINE: “House Republicans Pass Energy Bill To Roll Back Regulation Of Fossil Fuel Production.” [PBS, 3/30/23]
• White House: H.R.1 Doubled The Cost Of Energy Efficiency Upgrades. “This Administration is making unprecedented progress in protecting America’s energy security and reducing energy costs for Americans – in their homes and at the pump. H.R. 1 would do just the opposite, replacing pro-consumer policies with a thinly veiled license to pollute. It would raise costs for American families by repealing household energy rebates and rolling back historic investments to increase access to cost-lowering clean energy technologies. Instead of protecting American consumers, it would pad oil and gas company profits – already at record levels – and undercut our public health and environment. The Administration strongly opposes this bill. H.R. 1 would double the cost of energy efficiency upgrades that families need to reduce household bills and would repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund that will cut energy costs and boost economic development in rural and urban communities across the country.” [White House, Statement of Administration Policy, 3/27/23]
• Joseph Minott Op-Ed: H.R. 1 Eliminated The Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) And The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, Which Helped Families Reduce Energy Consumption And Therefore Their Energy Bills. “In addition to a series of handouts to fossil fuel corporations and the removal of vital environmental protections, H.R. 1 truly takes money away from the communities that need it most by eliminating both the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, both passed within the Inflation Reduction Act last August. […] EPA is proposing to allow third-party air monitoring experts to help communities identify and resolve pollution incidents, but the SERP needs MERP to fund that air monitoring. Without it, it is unclear how air monitoring experts will work with local communities. In addition, MERP funds can be used to update ventilation systems and improve insulation in homes, businesses and public spaces impacted by the gas industry, truly reducing energy consumption and utility expenses. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund could also be used to upgrade ventilation and improve overall energy efficiency in low-income communities across the country, in addition to supporting clean energy like rooftop solar and geothermal heating systems.” [Pennsylvania Capital-Star, Op-Ed, 4/2/23]
• National Parks Conservation Association: The Lower Energy Costs Act Was Bad For Climate Change, Environmental Laws, And Air And Water Pollution. “The Lower Energy Costs Act should be a nonstarter for anyone who wants to preserve our national parks and everything they protect. Here are five reasons why: 1. The act would worsen climate change […] The Lower Energy Costs Act would deepen our nation’s dependency on fossil fuel energy, slowing the benefits from our efforts to transition to clean energy, such as wind and solar. If enacted, hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands and waters would be vulnerable to mining and oil and gas development, with little regard to the effects these activities would have on our national parks, communities and climate. […] 2. The act would gut existing environmental laws Even worse, the Lower Energy Costs Act would undercut bedrock environmental laws that address the impacts of climate change on our environment and give people a voice in how their public lands are managed. 3. The act would pollute air and water The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 40 percent of the watersheds in the western United States are already contaminated by pollution from hard rock mines. For decades, mining and drilling activities across the country have wreaked havoc on our environment and communities, polluting the air we breathe and water we drink. The Lower Energy Costs Act would make matters worse, opening up swaths of public lands for unabated mining and oil and gas drilling.” [National Parks Conservation Association, Blog, 3/27/23]