Lorain Times

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has given its approval to two bills introduced by Congressman Bob Latta, aimed at enhancing American energy production in response to the growing demands of artificial intelligence technology. The bills, known as the Electric Supply Chain Act and the Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act, are now set to be considered on the House floor.

The Electric Supply Chain Act mandates that the Secretary of Energy conduct regular assessments and provide reports on the supply chain related to electricity generation and transmission. Meanwhile, the REFINER Act calls for a report from the National Petroleum Council on the current state of petrochemical refineries in the United States.

These legislative measures are part of Congressman Latta's ongoing efforts to bolster domestic energy production and infrastructure. During a recent full Energy and Commerce markup session, Latta emphasized the significance of these initiatives. He stated, “Generative artificial intelligence isn’t a trend; it’s the backbone of the next industrial era. Countries around the globe are racing to build the full AI stack: data centers, chips, power, and platforms. Here in the United States, we must ensure that we have the right policies in place to have enough energy to power AI and make America an attractive place to build the entire AI supply chain."

Latta expressed gratitude towards his colleagues on the committee for advancing his bills, which aim not only to support advancements in AI but also to reinforce American-led energy production.