In the News

Bipartisan legislation supporting environmental quality and energy conservation introduced by U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) passed the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce on Wednesday.

H.R. 1733 calls on the U.S. Secretary of Energy to review and update a report on the energy and environmental benefits of re-refining used lubricating oil. U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) has introduced a companion bill.

“Like many Hoosiers, I believe in the value of recycling many products,” Brooks said.

“There are so many benefits to recycling lubricating oil. I am proud to have introduced a bill that is aimed at saving energy and protecting the environment in connection with how we use and reuse lubricating oil, such as motor oil. The re-refining process removes contaminates from used oil and blends additives to restore the oil to its original effectiveness. Used oil can even be re-refined infinitely, and re-refined oil is suitable for use in all types of gas and diesel engines.”

Brooks introduced the bill with Rep. Joseph Kennedy (D-MA).

Brooks added, “Ensuring Congress has up-to-date data on the value of recycled oil will allow legislators to better make decisions when investigating environmental and energy policy moving forward.”

The Energy and Commerce Committee also passed a measure introduced by Brooks’ fellow Hoosier Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) to promote hydropower development at existing non-powered dams by expediting the leasing process. Under the legislation, H.R. 2872, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would assess federal non-powered dam safety before licensing.

Brooks and Bucshon’s bills now await consideration by the full House of Representatives.

Referring to the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Subcommittee on Environment, full Committee Chair Greg Walden (R-OR) said, “Throughout this Congress, these subcommittees have been working diligently and in a bipartisan manner to develop legislation that prioritizes the consumer, supports American business, and protects the environment.”

“These bills expand the nation’s access to domestic energy resources, improve recycling and reuse of materials, and provide small businesses with the regulatory flexibility they need to meet environmental standards while still growing the economy and creating jobs,” Walden added.