U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) last week led the Energy and Environment Innovation Showcase on Capitol Hill, an event to encourage economically sound solutions for climate change.
The Dec. 9 event, held by Republicans on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee, highlighted the importance of investments in developing and deploying innovative technologies to reduce emissions, spur the nation’s economy, and provide more value to American consumers.
“As we focus on local solutions at the showcase — powered by American innovators — to strengthen our energy security, power the economic engines of the future, and address climate change risks, we are renewing our call for Democrats to work with us on realistic, innovative public policy,” Rep. Walden said prior to the event.
E&C Committee members invited 15 companies, educational institutions and other organizations from their districts to showcase ongoing projects, products and services, and discussed bipartisan legislation that Democrats should work on with Republicans to reduce emissions, promote clean energy, and conserve natural resources.
Rep. Walden, ranking member of the E&C Committee, hosted two companies from his home state involved in providing energy and environment solutions: NuScale Power, a Tigard, Ore.-based private company that develops small modular nuclear reactors, and DR Johnson Lumber Co., based in Riddle, Ore., the first company in the United States to produce Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels certified for construction.
“Any serious efforts to reduce emissions from energy production must include new, safe and small modular nuclear power, like that being developed by NuScale in Oregon,” Rep. Walden said. “Nuclear power is emissions-free, and the technology being designed by NuScale can help communities transition from coal to cleaner energy sources.”
Also during the event, Rep. Walden interviewed Republican pollster and writer Kristen Lynne Soltis Anderson on the benefits of innovation, and they discussed his “12 in 20” plan, a set of 12 bipartisan bills that “Congress could pass right now to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in emissions reduction, economic productivity and clean energy production all at the same time,” the congressman said.
“We want to come forward with ideas we think make good common sense and can actually become law,” Rep. Walden told reporters about his plan. “The president would sign all of these.”