PESA - Petroleum Equipment & Services Association

11/17/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/17/2021 13:44

$1.75 Billion Reconciliation Package Moves Closer to Vote; Council to Comment on Vaccine Mandate, Methane Rule

[Link]Tim Tarpley, SVP Government Affairs & Counsel

Analysis by Energy Workforce SVP Government Affairs & Counsel Tim Tarpley

After months of delays and negotiations, a vote in the House appears imminent on the $1.75 billion dollar reconciliation package. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has directed her caucus to plan on remaining in DC, potentially even through the Thanksgiving holiday, in order to finalize a vote on the bill.

While it is certainly possible the package will pass the House in the coming days, its prospects in the Senate appear murkier. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) summed up the situation: "Whatever the House does is irrelevant. The final bill is gonna be written in the Senate, and it'll be written by two people."

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has repeatedly stated he has serious concerns about voting for any package that could increase inflation and add to the national debt. Caught up in this back and forth are many provisions that could have significant effect on the energy services sector, and the oil and gas industry as a whole. It appears the modified methane fee language, as well as the increase in royalty rates for oil and gas production, will survive in the House bill despite rising gas prices and supply fears as the nation heads into the winter months. These provisions may yet see significant changes or removal on the Senate side.

The Council will continue to follow these developments and work with the House and Senate as the package moves forward.

Council to Comment on OSHA Vaccine Mandate, EPA Methane Rule

The Council is formulating comments on two important upcoming rules that could have significant impacts on our sector - the OSHA Vaccine Mandate and EPA's Methane Rule. In order to ensure that the opinions and technical expertise of all Member Companies is represented in these comments, the Council plans to form task forces to assist. Contact Tim Tarpley should you wish to participate in either task force.

Tim Tarpley, SVP Government Affairs & Counsel, analyzes federal policy for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Council's newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, Council activities and more.