JAMES COLLURA

Advocated full funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and opposed any cuts to the program for Fiscal Years 2025. See Title II, Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, of the draft Fiscal Year 2025 draft Labor and Health & Human Services Appropriations Acts (H.R.9029 and S.49424) and the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (H.R.9747).

Advocated generally for the inclusion of policies in the draft House and Senate Farm Bill that would bolster efforts to decarbonize home heating oil, including proposals to extend the authorization for the National Oilheat Research Alliance (42 U.S.C. 6201), fully authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program (7 U.S.C. 8103(i)) and provide it with additional funding, and to require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct an updated lifecycle analysis of biodiesel.

Educated members of Congress on the implications of certain provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 including Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 25C tax incentives for residential energy efficiency improvements, the biodiesel and renewable diesel blender tax credit under IRC Section 40A, the tax incentive for sustainable aviation fuels under IRC Section 40B; and the new clean fuels production credit under IRC Section 45Z (see Sections 13201, 13202, 13203, 13301, 13704, 50121, and 50122 of Pub.L.117-169). Supported the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act (H.R.9060), a bill to extend the biodiesel and renewable diesel blenders' tax credit beyond its expiration on December 31, 2024. Advocated for the creation of a targeted incentive for renewable liquid heating fuels.

Generally supported federal policies that encourage production, blending, and use of renewable fuels, specifically in the heating sector. Urged that the EPA revisit the renewable volume obligations set for 2024 and 2026 under the Renewable Fuels Standard (see 42 U.S.C. 7545 and 40 CFR Parts 80 and 1090). Supported the "Energy Choice Act" (H.R.6089), which would prevent home heating fuel bans at the state and local level and preserve American energy security, reliability and consumer choice.

Provided feedback regarding proposed legislation to establish a permanent low-income water assistance program (H.R.8032 and S.3830).

Supported legislation to reform the process for establishing efficiency standards for consumer appliances, the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act" (H.R.6192).

NATIONAL ENERGY & FUELS INSTITUTE

NATIONAL ENERGY & FUELS INSTITUTE

NATIONAL ENERGY & FUELS INSTITUTE