Apr 20, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte today applauded the Senate's passage of the bipartisan Energy Policy Modernization Act (S. 2012), which includes key Ayotte-led efforts to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Ayotte has helped lead Senate efforts to permanently renew LWCF, and helped introduce stand-alone legislation last year to make the program permanent. In December, Ayotte worked to successfully include a three-year extension of the program in a government funding bill.
"I'm pleased the Senate today voted overwhelmingly to pass legislation to modernize our nation's energy policies," said Senator Ayotte. "This bill includes key measures I have long advocated for, including the permanent reauthorization of LWCF, which has done so much to protect the beauty of New Hampshire and our nation. I'm also pleased the bill includes measures I have long supported as a cosponsor of Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency legislation."
Key Ayotte-backed measures of the bill include:
• Permanent Reauthorization of LWCF: Following Ayotte's years of leadership on LWCF, the Energy Policy Modernization Act permanently reauthorizes the fund.
• Energy Efficiency: The Energy Policy Modernization Act includes key measures from the Shaheen-Portman Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, which Ayotte co-sponsored.
• Biomass: Also included in the bill is a bipartisan amendment cosponsored by Ayotte, recognizing biomass as a renewable, carbon-neutral energy source. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.