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:
- In 2022, Congressman Johnson Votes to Further Isolate, Diminish Russian Economy by Revoking Permanent Normal Trade Relations.
- Voted to pass H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, House Democrats’ legislation that would require the Trump Administration to remain in the Paris Climate Accord and to develop a serious, carefully considered plan for how the United States will meet its commitments to reduce pollution and safeguard our environment.
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Met with a local pig farmer and 100 other people to discuss environmental issues ranging from landfill management to storage and transportation of coal ash from shuttered power plants.
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Introduced the Resource Assessment of Rare Earths (RARE) Act, 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
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted to send historic, inflation-fighting legislation to the President’s desk. The Inflation Reduction Act will deliver landmark investments to lower Georgia families’ kitchen table costs, create nine million good-paying union jobs, combat the climate crisis and dramatically reduce the deficit.
“Today, I proudly voted to fight inflation, slash Georgians’ kitchen table costs, create good-paying jobs and deliver the largest climate investment in our nation’s history,” said Rep. Johnson.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced that he secured the inclusion of more than $15 million for 13 community projects in Georgia’s Fourth District in the FY23 appropriations – Congress’s annual spending plan.
The inclusion of this funding in the Appropriations Committee bills is the first step in the budgetary process.
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted for new bipartisan legislation to lower the cost of food and fuel: another step forward in House Democrats’ fight against inflation. The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act will help bring down prices for Georgians in the grocery aisle and at the gas pump by giving American farmers and ranchers the support they need to thrive.
Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced that Georgia will receive $9.5 million in federal funds to bring down heating and cooling costs for working families. These investments, secured through last month’s government funding legislation, will be used to slash Georgians’ energy bills, provide crisis assistance and help weatherize homes.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted to impose new economic punishments for Russia’s continued attacks on the people of Ukraine, as well as Belarus’ support for Russia’s unprovoked invasion. The Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act counters Russia’s unconscionable actions and Belarus’ complicity by suspending normal trade relations with both countries. This legislation will allow President Biden to raise tariffs on Russian and Belarusian goods, further isolating their economies and cutting off funds for Vladimir Putin’s heinous war.
DECATUR, GA — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) released his 2021 Congressional Report that highlights the bills he helped pass in the House of Representatives, his consumer, courts and criminal justice reform legislation he introduced and the excellence in constituent services his office provided – mostly focused on COVID-19 relief -- that follows through with his promise of “taking care of home first.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) highlighted a new report showing that Democrats’ Build Back Better Act would meaningfully lower costs and cut taxes for Georgia families, saving them thousands of dollars each year. According to the report, just four cost-cutting provisions of this landmark legislation alone will save the median Georgia family with two parents and two children at least $3,750 each year and save the median single-parent family with two children at least $16,450.
Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) delivered the following speech at the DeKalb & Dunwoody Perimeter Chambers Legislative Preview event on Tuesday, November 30 on "Rebuilding America."
Good morning everyone and thank you to the DeKalb and Dunwoody Perimeter Chambers of Commerce for inviting me to update you on where we are legislatively in Washington and how that impacts what's happening on the ground here in Georgia.
And most importantly, how that directly impacts you and your family and your small businesses.
LITHONIA, GA – Since taking office in 2007, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) has worked to help secure more than $70 million for constituents seeking help with federal agencies from his offices in Georgia’s 4th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Newton counties and all of Rockdale County.
Johnson pushing for inclusion of “Public Transportation Expansion Act” in reconciliation bill