Energy
What Hank believes:
- We must strive to reduce our reliance on oil, an increasingly scarce resource. Our continued addiction to this rapidly depleting energy source damages the environment, undermines our national security, and gravely threatens our economy.
- We must never again be fooled by low oil prices and neglect to take necessary steps toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
- "Peak oil" is a real phenomenon. Oil is a finite resource and global oil extraction and refinement will peak – soon. That means it will reach its highest possible volume, then begin a continual decline. Supply will fall as demand continues to rise worldwide, and the price of all petroleum-based products – gasoline, transportation, and plastic products (to name a few) – will dramatically rise.
- America should invest heavily in becoming the world’s leading producer of clean, efficient, renewable energy.
- Coal is not a clean solution to our energy crisis. Biofuels, especially corn ethanol, divert precious agricultural produce away from food production, causing the price of staples like rice, corn, and soy to skyrocket. Natural gas could be an acceptable bridge to an era in which clean renewables like solar, wind, and hydro are dominant. This must be the ultimate goal.
- The EPA needs additional resources and a Congressional mandate to aggressively defend the environment, which is a public good, and it should engage in regulation of carbon dioxide emissions.
- Congress should aggressively tighten efficiency standards, especially fuel standards for automobiles, and implement legislation to dramatically cut pollution.
What Hank has done:
- Introduced the Resource Assessment of Rare Earths (RARE) Act of 2011, which directs the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a three-year, comprehensive global mineral assessment of rare earth elements (REEs) critical to high-tech clean-energy and defense manufacturing.
Cosponsored the Energy Independence and Security Act, which would:
- move the United States toward greater energy independence and security;
- increase the production of clean renewable fuels;
- protect consumers;
- increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles;
- promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options;
- and improve the energy performance of the Federal Government;
- Voted to remove subsidies to oil and gas companies.
- Cosponsored legislation to establish the H-Prize, which would award competitive cash prizes to advance the research, development, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies.
- Cosponsored the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, which passed the House. It extends tax credits for the production of electricity from renewable resources.
- Cosponsored H.R. 3671, the Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act. This bill prohibits the authorization of federal permits for new fossil fuel extraction projects after 2018.
- Cosponsored H.Res.430 to express support for the designation of Journeyman Lineman Recognition Day.
- Cosponsored H.R. 3671, the Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act. This bill prohibits the authorization of federal permits for new fossil fuel extraction projects after 2018.
- Cosponsored H.R.5042, the Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act, to establish the Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program at the Department of Energy to provide financial assistance to promote energy efficiency and onsite renewable technologies in manufacturing facilities, and for other purposes.
- Cosponsored H.R.1812, CLIMATE Act, to provide that the Executive order entitled “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth” (March 28, 2017), shall have no force or effect, to prohibit the use of Federal funds to enforce the Executive order.
What Hank will do:
- Support measures to dramatically increase mandatory automobile fuel efficiency.
- Advocate for a significant development fund to sponsor wide-scale research, development, and production of energy from renewable sources. America must strive to become the leader of this industry.
- Continue to protect consumers from energy price gouging.
More on Energy
Dear Friends,
We held an informative and excellent public discussion on the issues that Fourth District residents are most concerned about during our August 7th telephone town hall. We called 100,000 constituents to discuss the issues of the day. To listen to the live, 1-hour event, click HERE. The good news is if you missed our previous telephone town halls, I’ll be hosting another live access event soon. To sign up for future events, click HERE.
Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) recently celebrated and recognized his staff – both in Washington, D.C. and the District – for being named finalist for the first-ever Democracy Awards, the Congressional Management Foundation’s new award recognizing non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) celebrated and recognized his staff – both in Washington, D.C. and the District – for being named finalist for the first-ever Democracy Awards, the Congressional Management Foundation’s new award recognizing non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices.
Congressman Hank Johnson held a telephone town hall from his Washington, D.C. office on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. He called more than 50,000 residents in the Fourth District to hear their thoughts on a wide-range of issues such as what the Democratic Party is doing to make sure their voice is heard on Capitol Hill and the Trump Administrator’s immigration policies at our borders.
Congressional Management Foundation Recognizes Rep. Johnson for Outstanding Achievement
Congressman Hank Johnson held a telephone town hall from his Washington, D.C. office on Wednesday, January 31 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. He called 40,000 residents in the Fourth District to hear their thoughts on what they would like to see him work on in 2018.
Mr. Johnson spoke to residents for more than an hour and 20 minutes on such topics as the immigration, taxes, President Trump, assistance with federal agencies and help for veterans -- among many other important topics.
Congressman scores leadership post on T&I; also appointed to Highways & Transit and Aviation subcommittees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced Tuesday that his appointment on the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) has resulted in a leadership role.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law (RRCAL), which exercises jurisdiction over regulatory and competition policy, spoke out against Republicans’ H.R. 26, the REINS Act, as an example of “corporate welfare” that would establish sweeping restrictions on new environmental and public health protections.
[Watch Rep. Johnson speak from the House floor HERE]
I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and a Happy New Year. May the gift of love, peace and happiness be yours this season.
It’s been a busy month since Thanksgiving, and I want let you know what I’ve been working on in Congress.
Congressman Hank Johnson held a telephone town hall from his Washington, D.C. office on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. He called 50,000 residents in the Fourth District to hear their thoughts on the results of the Nov. 8 General Election and to listen to what they would like to see him work on in the 115th Congress that begins Jan. 3, 2017.