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Capital Connections - January 2025

Legislative Update

 

Last week, the General Assembly held its first legislative session for 2025. It was mostly ceremonial, swearing in the newly elected legislators for the 2025-2026 biennium. Rep. Destin Hall (R-87) was selected as the latest Speaker of the House of Representatives, with former Speaker Tim Moore getting elected to Congress last November. Senate leadership remains the same with Sen. Phil Berger (R-26) being re-elected as President pro tempore. Senate Republicans continue to hold a supermajority, while House Republicans have fallen short by one seat. Speaker Hall has stated that he expects Republicans to operate as if they maintain a supermajority, but he also intends to work across the aisle on issues. He has also indicated that his top priority for this year will be Hurricane Helene relief. Both the House and Senate have adjourned business until Jan. 29.

 

ElectriCities’ government affairs team is working to introduce public power to the General Assembly’s newest legislators and strengthen relationships with leadership and committee chairs. Throughout the legislative session, keep reading Capital Connections for updates on legislation and priorities. You can also reach out to Rhian Ray or Dalton Ashworth for more information on what’s happening in Raleigh or D.C.

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Rhian Ray

Goverment Affairs Manager

 

Dalton Ashworth

Government Affairs Associate

 

Leah Kirby

Senior Copywriter

119th Congress Begins

 

On Jan. 3, legislators returned to Washington for the start of the 119th Congress. Newly elected members took their oaths of office, and both chambers have begun filling their committees. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was re-elected to continue serving as Speaker of the House, while Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was sworn in as the President pro tempore of the Senate, replacing Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA).

 

Priorities for the Republican-led 119th Congress include a budget reconciliation package within the first 100 days, immigration reform, increased border security, and prioritizing American production.

 

Members of ElectriCities staff and Board of Directors will travel to D.C. in February to meet with our North Carolina Congressional delegation and to attend the American Public Power Association (APPA)’s annual legislative rally. You’ll find a recap of their trip in our March edition of Capital Connections.

Representative Virginia Foxx Named Chair of the House Rules Committee

 

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5) has been appointed to serve as the newest chair of the House Rules Committee. Foxx is a Republican who has been serving North Carolina in Congress since 2005. She currently represents the public power entities of Granite Falls, Lexington, and New River Light & Power.

 

The House Rules Committee is regarded as one of the most powerful committees in Congress. As chair, Foxx will play a pivotal role in shaping the legislative process in the House. 

House Energy & Commerce Committee Announces Subcommittee Leadership for 119th Congress

 

Last week, Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced the Committee’s Subcommittee leadership for the 119th Congress. Chairman Guthrie has stated that the committee will focus on restoring American energy dominance and delivering on President-elect Trump’s “America First” agenda.

  • Subcommittee on Energy
    • Chairman: Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH)
  • Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
    • Chairman: Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC)
  • Subcommittee on Environment
    • Chairman: Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
  • Subcommittee on Health
    • Chairman: Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA)
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
    • Chairman: Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL)
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
    • Chairman: Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)

Anthony Tyre, Mayor Pro Tem of Washington, North Carolina, speaks at the groundbreaking of PharMerica's facility.

Senate Committees Announce Committee Assignments and Leadership

 

The Senate has also announced committee assignments and Chairs for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee for the 119th Congress. Subcommittee leadership for these committees has yet to be announced.

 

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) will chair the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee has jurisdiction over the Energy and Interior departments and a range of issues related to energy, conservation, and public lands. 

 

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) will chair the Environment and Public Works Committee. The Environment and Public Works Committee has primary jurisdiction over the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), among other agencies.

From left to right: Danly, Fotouhi, and MacGregor

President-elect Trump Announces Deputies for Federal Departments

 

As Senate confirmation hearings begin for President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks, the incoming president has appointed deputies to the Departments of Interior (DOI) and Energy (DOE), as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all of whom served in his first administration.

 

James P. Danly is nominated for the position of Deputy Energy Secretary for DOE. In President Trump’s first term, Danly served as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Danly has a background in energy law and served as an officer in the U.S. Army.

 

David Fotouhi is nominated for the position of Deputy EPA Administrator. During President Trump’s first term, Fotouhi was acting general counsel for the EPA. He is currently a partner at Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher working in litigation.

 

Katharine MacGregor is nominated for the position of Deputy Interior Secretary at DOI. MacGregor would be returning to this role under President Trump. She was first approved to serve in this capacity in February 2020. Currently, she is the Vice President of Environmental Services at NextEra Energy.

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Dates We’re Watching

 

Jan. 29: North Carolina General Assembly Returns

 

Feb. 24-26, 2025: APPA Legislative Rally in Washington, D.C.

 

March 4-5, 2025: ElectriCities Connections Summit in Raleigh, N.C.

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