Energy Policy

The federal government's energy policies affect our day-to-day lives, the future of our environment, and our national security. At the request of Rep. Waxman and other members, the Special Investigations Division has investigated federal agencies, Congress, and the White House to expose problems and urge needed action on energy issues.

Latest News

U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil Increases Under Administration’s Policies

Despite the President’s repeated public statements on the need to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, estimates from the Department of Energy project an 85% increase in U.S. dependence on foreign oil under the Administration’s proposed energy policies.

President's Calls for Energy Independence Inconsistent with Administration's Energy Plan

Following statements by the President on the need to address our national dependence on foreign oil, Rep. Waxman writes the President to share a recent report that finds that U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil will worsen under H.R. 6, the energy bill the President supports and is urging Congress to pass.

U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil Worsens Under Administration Energy Policies

A new report released by Rep. Waxman finds that, under the Administration’s proposed energy policies, U.S. dependence on foreign oil will continue to increase markedly into the foreseeable future.

Energy Dept. Responses on Industry Contacts Suspect, Contradicted by Other Evidence

Rep. Waxman asks the Department of Energy Inspector General to investigate the veracity and completeness of the Department's responses regarding communications with energy industry groups related to the Energy Policy Act of 2003.

President Asked to Explain Reported Saudi Oil Agreement

Reps. Waxman and Markey ask the President to respond to an assertion by Bob Woodward that the Administration reached an understanding with the Saudi ambassador that oil prices would remain high until the months before the presidential election.

Gasoline Prices Tumble at Mention of California Oxygenate Waiver Consideration

Reps. Waxman, Eshoo, Capps, Solis, George Miller, and Lofgren call the market response to Energy Secretary Abraham’s testimony strong evidence that the granting of the waiver could immediately reduce prices in the state and throughout the nation.

President Urged to Waive Oxygenate Requirements, Reduce Price at Pump for Californians

In light of reports that the Administration is looking at short-term measures to address record-high gasoline prices, Reps. Waxman, Eshoo, Capps, Solis, and Lofgren write the President to call attention to California Governor Schwarzenegger's request for waiver of federal oxygenate requirements -- a step that could be taken immediately to reduce gasoline prices in the state.

California Members Support Waiver of Ethanol/MTBE Requirements

Fifty-two members of the California House delegation write EPA to express support for a waiver that would allow the state to sell cleaner blends of gasoline without the oxygenates mandated by the Clean Air Act.

Members Demand Information on Energy Department Contacts with Industry Groups

More than a dozen members demand the release of information regarding reports that the Department of Energy worked with industry groups to plan a "lobbying blitz" in support of the energy bill.

DOE Appears to be Coordinating 'Lobbying Blitz'

Reps. Waxman and Dingell ask the Department of Energy to provide information on the “lobbying blitz” that DOE has reportedly planned with industry lobbyists. According to press reports, DOE is seeking to pressure Senators to reverse their position and pass the energy bill.

Energy Bill Is Collection of Special Interest Favors

The energy bill now being finalized in conference grants almost every item on energy industry wish-lists and lacks virtually all of the key components of a national energy policy.

Pending Energy Bill Is Bad for the Country and Worse for California

Rep. Waxman details why the Republican's pro-industry and anti-environment energy legislation should be of special concern to Californians.

President Bush’s Statements on Proposed Hydrogen Programs are Unsubstantiated

Rep. Waxman writes the congressional conferees on the energy bill, revealing that the President’s claims that his proposed hydrogen programs will make “our country much less dependent on foreign sources of energy” are unsubstantiated, and contrary to other expert views.

Questions on DOE Reimbursement of Contractor's Legal Costs

Rep. Waxman writes Energy Secretary Abraham to request information on the Department's policies for reimbursing DOE contractors for legal defense costs, particularly those of Lockheed Martin in the ongoing whistle-blower lawsuits involving a plant in Paducah, Kentucky.

DOE Urged to Act on Lockheed Martin Paducah Plant Activities

Rep. Waxman urges Department of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham to recommend federal intervention in an action against government contractor Lockheed Martin for alleged illegal activities at a plant in Paducah, Kentucky that have resulted in a public health and environmental catastrophe.

Applying Energy Regulations to Texas

Rep. Waxman sent a letter to Energy and Commerce Chairman Billy Tauzin and Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee Chairman Joe Barton regarding their insistence that new controversial electricity laws apply to each of the contiguous states but Texas.

Contradictions in EPA Statements on Hydraulic Fracturing

In an Oct. 1 letter to EPA Administrator Whitman, Rep. Waxman asked why technical data submitted to Congress was changed to minimize the risk that hydraulic fracturing, an oil and gas extraction technique promoted by Halliburton, would contaminate underground sources of drinking water. In a follow-up letter to Administrator Whitman, Rep. Waxman details contradictions in EPA statements on whether EPA changed its data on hydraulic fracturing in a way that benefits Halliburton.

Energy Bill Rewards Industry Contributors

A new report by the Special Investigations Division for Rep. Waxman finds that energy interests that gave millions of dollars in campaign contributions will receive billions of dollars in tax breaks and subsidies.

Rep. Waxman Releases Analysis of House Energy Bill

The conference between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on energy legislation began today. Rep. Waxman released a detailed section-by-section analysis of H.R. 4, the House energy bill, which shows that H.R. 4 is not a coherent national energy policy but is instead a collection of special interest giveaways to large energy industry campaign contributors.

Questions for Administration Officials on Denial of Oxygenate Requirements Waiver

Rep. Waxman writes to Vice President Cheney, Energy Secretary Abraham, EPA Administrator Whitman, and OMB Director Daniels to inquire about the role of Enron and the MTBE industry in the denial of the California's request for a waiver from the federal oxygenate requirement. The denial of this waiver could result in higher gasoline prices and worse air quality for Californians.

House Energy Bill Includes Huge Taxpayer Subsidies to Energy Industries

A new report prepared for Rep. Waxman analyzes the House energy bill in detail. The report shows that the Administration's energy policy contained in H.R. 4 is mainly an assemblage of tax breaks and subsidies to energy companies.

Exempting Texas from Controversial Energy Regulations

Rep. Waxman sent a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Pat Wood asking why he believed Texas should be exempt from controversial electricity transmission policies that Chairman Wood has proposed for the rest of the country.

Bush Administration's Denial of Waiver from Gasoline Oxygenate Requirements

Rep. Waxman has written to both President Bush and EPA Administrator Whitman to oppose the Bush Administration's refusal to waive gasoline oxygenate requirements in California. Every member of the California House delegation -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- supported the waiver, which would provide significant environmental and economic benefits to the state. The Administration's decision to deny the waiver could lead to higher gasoline prices in California, yet do nothing to improve air pollution. The Bush Administration's denial of the California waiver reversed the January 2001 recommendations of EPA's technical experts.

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