The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2609, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, this week.
An amendment introduced by Congressman Paul Gosar, would prohibit the Department of Energy from implementing the “Chu Memorandum.” Issued by former Secretary of Energy Steven Chu in 2012, the “Chu Memorandum” outlines four specific directives that could increase energy costs dramatically. These actions would increase energy rates on Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) and shift costs onto American consumers.
Rep. Gosar’s amendment garnered bipartisan support and was adopted in the appropriations bill by voice vote.
Other amendments would roll back federal regulation of some popular consumer items including refrigerators, freezers and incandescent light bulbs. PR campaigns for alternative energy programs would also be cancelled. Those amendments were also adopted by voice vote.
The White House has threatened a veto of the bill, which has been funneling money for years into failed alternative energy companies such as Solyndra.