House Energy and Commerce Committee:
Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee

The Subcommittee on Energy & Air Quality crafts legislation about national energy policy, more specifically fossil energy, renewable energy resources and synthetic fuels, energy conservation, energy information, and energy regulation and use. Also included in the subcommittee's jurisdiction are utility issues and regulation of nuclear facilities, nuclear energy and waste, interstate energy compacts, and the Clean Air Act. Additionally, the Subcommittee oversees all laws, programs, and government affairs affecting the previous subjects. The Energy Policy Act of 2003, H.R. 6, is one of the latest pieces of high-profile legislation to come out of the Subcommittee.

Rep Ralph Hall (R-TX 04) is serving his 12th term as Congressman from Texas's 4th district. Ralph Hall is the newly appointed chairman to the Energy and Air Quality subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. The subcommittee deals with issues related to energy and the Clean Air Act. This appointment follows closely on the heels of Hall's decision to switch parties. On January 2, 2004, Hall became a Republican. Hall cited ideological differences as well as an inability to secure appropriations money for his district from House Republicans as reasons for his party re-registration. Hall also has a close relationship with the Bushes. Previously, Hall was one of the most conservative Democrats in the House and frequently voted with the President on issues such as tax, trade, and foreign policy. Hall's lifetime LCV score is 17, and his scores in 2002 and 2003 were 0 and 15, respectively. Hall's record does not bode well for the environment as he assumes the subcommittee chairmanship.

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA 09)is the Ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Energy & Air Quality. He has represented Virginia's 9th District since 1982 following eight years in the Virginia State Senate. Congressman Boucher's National Environmental Scorecard ratings have remained pretty consistent over the last few years; 75% in 2003 and 77% for the 107th Congress. During the 107th session, Boucher supported the construction of Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste repository and opposed efforts to increase fuel economy and energy efficiency.