Summer-time work for House Energy and Commerce Committee

The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce has approved a number of energy-related bills.

Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullin and others on the committee gave voice-vote approval to a bill increasing fines for illegal pirate radio operations. Under the Preventing Illegal radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, fines will be increased from $10,000 to $100,000 a day per violation and up to a maximum of $2 million.

Another measure will create an office of Internet connectivity and growth to coordinate and track federal funding for broadband across all agencies. It is part of the reauthorization process of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The committee also wants a study of the internet-connected devices industry.  One such bill calls for the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the study.

Under the Nuclear Utilization of Keynote Energy Act, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s regulatory processes will be more predictable and transparent.