Washington – Business Roundtable welcomed today’s passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015, which was introduced by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI).

“Chairman Upton’s legislation is an important milestone on the road to a national energy strategy that capitalizes on America’s strengths,” said Nicholas K. Akins, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Electric Power Company, Inc. and Chair of the Business Roundtable Committee on Energy and Environment. “This legislation will enhance U.S. energy security and promote increased economic growth.”

Business Roundtable detailed the benefits of the technology-driven transformation of North America’s energy landscape in its recent report, Powering Forward: North America’s Energy Resurgence, including the fact that America’s energy boom increased U.S. average real income by $1,200 per household in 2012. The report offered recommendations for a more effective national energy strategy, all of which are incorporated in H.R. 8. The House-passed legislation is also closely aligned with the recommendations in the earlier Business Roundtable report, Taking Action on Energy: A CEO Vision for America’s Energy Future, which offers more detailed recommendations on U.S. energy policy.

“It is encouraging that Senate leaders are also working on a comprehensive energy bill,” Akins said. “America’s business leaders are committed to working with Congress and the Administration to enact strategic national energy policy that will deliver even greater economic benefits to American households and businesses.”

A strategic U.S. energy policy is a key component of the Business Roundtable growth agenda to achieve America’s full potential.