Upton Testifies About COVID Impact On Energy Industry

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fredupton73473737-40

Congressman Fred Upton is urging policies to help the energy industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. He testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy Tuesday, saying the industry has been hurt in multiple ways.

“If there are regulatory obstacles that need to be removed, we need to hear about them,” Upton said. “We need to build on the CARES Act with programs and changes. We need to hear about that, too.”

Upton said people have used far less gasoline due to the pandemic, and commercial and industrial customers of electric companies have had reduced power consumption. He told the subcommittee this exposes vulnerabilities that should be planned for.

“As we look toward the future, I also want to focus on making our energy sector more resilient to shocks, so we can respond to all hazards and future disruptions, whether caused by a pandemic, wildfire, severe weather, cybersecurity threats. or a national security emergency.

Upton said as the country opens back up, Congress must be “laser focused on ways to maximize growth and economic expansion.”