Balderson, Troy RSS Articles

An Ohio Energy Summit

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This article was originally published by WHIZ.

By Matt Morris

The energy sector is the state’s third largest industry and Ohio is taking measures to keep America’s energy supply abundant and affordable.

U.S. Senator Jon Husted and U.S. Congressman Troy Balderson made a quick stop in Zanesville to talk to area energy producers about measures that can be taken to decrease the obstacles that are preventing or delaying current and future energy development.

“We had a roundtable with a lot of the energy producers here in this state,” Husted said. “As you know the local economy really benefits from having oil and gas producers and all of the downstream investments that they make here. Everything from the people who get jobs as a result of it to the pipelines to the producers. All of those create a lot of jobs for this part of the state but they also provide energy to the rest of the state, which helps us keep our prices reasonable.”

The meeting centered around permitting reforms, which would ultimately streamline the permitting process to speed up developments and investments.

“So there was not only oil and gas producers here but there were also refineries representation here,” Balderson said. “Pipeline representation were here to represent but just talking about energy and… I think you know for this meeting from the standpoint that we… there was really nothing that we dove into directly. It was very broad… but just you know, talking about the demand that’s out there.”

As a rustbelt state, Ohio leaders are focused on bringing jobs back and see that the ability to provide a stable and affordable energy supply is a major incentive for businesses that are looking to relocate and expand.

Click here to read the original article published by WHIZ.

Ohio EPA gets authority to issue federal hazardous waste permits

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This article was originally published by Zanesville Times Recorder.

By Shawn Digity

"Cooperative federalism" was the name of the game April 2, as Eastpointe Business Park's AMG Vanadium became the local flagbearer of a joint U.S. and Ohio EPA announcement officials say will benefit numerous Ohio-based manufacturers.

In short, Ohio has been fully authorized for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (or RCRA) permitting, explained EPA's regional administrator Anne Vogel during a celebration at AMG.

Now, Ohio EPA becomes a "one-stop shop," as Vogel called it.

This means Ohio EPA revised its own RCRA permitting policies on how it regulates, generates, transports, treats, stores and disposes of hazardous waste. Those policies now coincide with the U.S. EPA's standards.

Ohio manufacturing businesses can now apply for permitting just through Ohio, knowing they also match the federals EPA's guidelines.

"There's no duplication of effort between the federal and the state government," Vogel added. "What does it not mean is that there's any less protectiveness happening. The permits will be the same, protecting human health and the environment."

The process to gain the permitting authorization started in June 2023 when Ohio EPA submitted revisions of its program to the U.S. EPA. It was under review until November 2025.

"After coordinating efforts with the federal EPA, Ohio will proceed with our strong hazardous waste rules that ensure efficiency and accountability," said U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson. "Hazardous waste permitting decisions will now be made faster and closer to communities that they impact with a clear understanding of local industry and public health needs."

Hazardous wastes are solids, liquids or gases that can be byproducts or leftover materials of manufacturing processes that can pose harm to human or environmental health.

AMG Vanadium recycles spent refinery catalysts and produces ferrovanadium, an iron and vanadium alloy, according to its website. Its progenitor, Vanadium Corporation of America, opened an alloy plant in Cambridge in 1952 which is now the current site of AMG Vanadium, and opened a $300 million expansion in Zanesville's Eastpointe Business Park in 2022.

Click here to read the original article published by the Zanesville Times Recorder.

Balderson, Carey, Taylor Introduce Resolution Honoring Fallen Ohio Servicemembers

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Troy Balderson (OH-12), Mike Carey (OH-15), and Dave Taylor (OH-2) introduced a resolution honoring the lives, service, and sacrifice of six servicemembers killed during a March 12 air refueling mission over western Iraq in support of Operation Epic Fury. Three of those servicemembers were part of the Ohio Air National Guard.

“Our nation is forever grateful to Capt. Koval, Capt. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Simmons for their commitment to defending freedom,” said Balderson. “They answered the call to serve—and did so with courage and selflessness. We grieve alongside their families, stand with their fellow servicemembers, and remain forever indebted for their sacrifice.”

“The tragic deaths of six Airmen during a combat mission in the Middle East is a devastating loss for our country and our communities here in Ohio. My prayers are with the Gold Star families grieving their loved ones. America is protected by brave heroes who volunteer to serve, and their sacrifice will not be forgotten,” said Carey.

“Captain Curtis Angst, Technical Sergeant Tyler Simmons, and Captain Seth Koval made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, and we owe a debt of gratitude to heroes like them. My heart is with their families as they grieve this unthinkable loss, and I will continue to stand resolutely behind our courageous service members as they prove time after time that America is the land of the free and the home of the brave,” said Taylor.

Servicemembers from the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, OH, were Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons.

From the 99th Air Refueling Squadron in Birmingham, AL, were Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt.

Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.

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Op-Ed – Keeping pace with innovation: Empowering Americans in the age of wearables

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Op-Ed originally published in The Washington Times.

By Troy Balderson

Americans are paying more attention to their health than ever before. From scrutinizing ingredient lists to prioritizing sleep and recovery, people across the country are becoming more engaged in their own well-being.

At the center of this movement are wearable health devices.

Products like smartwatches, fitness bands and rings now offer insights that once required a visit to a doctor or specialist. They help answer everyday questions that matter: Did that late-afternoon coffee affect my sleep? Has increasing my activity lowered my resting heart rate? Am I recovering well, or should I take it easy today?

I’ve seen this evolution firsthand. Decades ago, wearable health tech was bulky, expensive, and mostly limited to elite athletes. Today, it fits on your wrist — or even your finger — and it’s being used by people of all ages. My own mother, now in her 80s, can track her steps and better understand how she’s feeling from one day to the next.

I’m an early adopter myself. I’ve worn a smartwatch for years. It tracks my workouts, heart rate, sleep, respiration and VO2 max, and even estimates a “fitness age” compared to my actual one. These tools don’t replace a doctor — but they make me a more informed, engaged patient.

In fact, when I go in for my annual physical, I can hand my phone to my physician and review trends together. Having this data already in hand sparks better conversations, better questions and better decisions.

But as exciting as this progress is, innovation is now moving faster than our regulatory system.

Wearable companies are packing more sensors, features and capabilities into consumer devices at a rapid pace. But Washington’s regulatory framework wasn’t built to keep up with health-focused technology that evolves this quickly.

Technology has a long history of outpacing the federal government. But when regulation lags too far behind, it can delay access to safe, low-risk innovations — and discourage the very breakthroughs that have made American products competitive globally.

This is where Congress needs to act.

In the coming weeks, I will introduce legislation to modernize how certain low-risk digital health screening functions on wearables are reviewed and approved. The goal is simple: create a streamlined, tailored regulatory pathway that protects consumers without bogging down innovation.

My bill provides the Food and Drug Administration with clear legislative guidance on how to approach these emerging tools. It encourages collaboration between regulators and device manufacturers, rather than forcing innovators into outdated, one-size-fits-all processes designed for traditional medical devices.

Safety and accuracy remain front and center. But we also need a system that recognizes the difference between high-risk medical interventions and low-risk digital health screeners that help people better understand their own bodies.

This matters not just for patients, but also for the entire health care system. When individuals are more engaged in their health, outcomes improve — and costs can come down.

There’s also a bigger picture to consider. The United States leads the world in health innovation, but that leadership isn’t guaranteed. If we fail to modernize our regulatory approach, we risk falling behind while other countries race ahead.

Just as important as innovation is protecting Americans’ personal health information. Consumers deserve confidence that the data generated by their devices is secure, transparent and used responsibly. As this discussion unfolds on Capitol Hill, I will be committed to establishing strong privacy safeguards and clear accountability.

Republican or Democrat, we all want healthier lives for ourselves and our families. Modernizing regulations to keep pace with innovation shouldn’t be controversial; it should be expected. And in 2026, learning more about your health shouldn’t be limited to the four walls of a doctor’s office.

As co-chair of the Congressional Digital Health Caucus, I believe we should use every tool at our disposal to bring care directly to patients, wherever they are, and whenever they need it. With thoughtful, modern regulations, we can empower consumers, support innovators and ensure America remains the global leader in digital health.

Rep. Troy Balderson represents Ohio’s 12th Congressional District. He serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health.

House passes Rep. Troy Balderson’s bill to bolster grid reliability

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

This article was originally published by the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

By Sabrina Eaton

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed legislation by Zanesville Republican Rep. Troy Balderson that would require federal agencies to assess how their regulations affect electric grid reliability before finalizing new rules.

The Reliable Power Act (H.R. 3616) was approved 225 to 203, with unanimous GOP backing, and support from Democrats Lou Correa of California, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Jared Golden of Maine, Jimmy Gray of California, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, and Eugene Vindman of Virginia.

“America is facing a reliability crisis–one made worse by the last administration’s regulatory chaos and radical climate agenda,” Balderson said on the House of Representatives floor. “After unelected bureaucrats spent years waging war on American energy, President Trump and his Administration have finally reined in agency overreach and restored energy dominance as a national priority.”

The legislation would require the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to conduct annual long-term assessments of the bulk power system’s ability to maintain adequate reliability. If NERC determines the grid is at risk of insufficient generation capacity, it must notify the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that the system is in a “state of generation inadequacy.”

FERC would then notify the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant agencies. Those agencies would be required to submit any proposed regulations affecting power generation to FERC for review and comment before finalization. No rule could be finalized if FERC finds it would cause “a significant negative impact on the ability of the bulk-power system to supply sufficient electric energy necessary to maintain an adequate level of reliability.”

“The Reliable Power Act puts common-sense guardrails in place so families aren’t left facing blackouts, price spikes, or uncertainty every time they flip a switch,” Balderson said.

In an interview after the bill’s passage, Balderson said the bill addresses communication failures between federal agencies.

“One agency does this and doesn’t let the other agency know what’s going on,” he said. “So, this brings back communication skills. It brings back accountability and coordination.”

He emphasized the bill’s importance to Ohio, saying it will address grid reliability concerns.

“We are shutting baseload energy off faster than we can replace it,” Balderson said. “That’s the problem, and we have to extend the ability for these base load power plants to stay on for grid reliability.”

The concerns come as electricity demand is increasing due to data center expansion. Balderson noted that PJM, the regional transmission organization that represents Ohio, indicated two and a half years ago “that we don’t have the power supply to deal with the upswing and electricity usage.”

The Reliable Power Act is Balderson’s second piece of grid-related legislation this Congress. In September, the House passed his Grid Power Act, which Balderson said also addresses the issue of baseload power being shut down faster than new generation can come online. That earlier bill has not yet moved in the Senate, though Balderson said he is optimistic both will win approval.

During Wednesday’s debate on Balderson’s legislation, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, New Jersey’s Frank Pallone, said the regulatory chaos that Balderson cited was created by the Trump administration through “senseless tariffs and unprecedented executive actions, which he said drove electricity prices are by 13% and natural gas prices up by 8% since Trump took office.

Pallone argued the bill would empower FERC to override health and safety regulations from other agencies.

“This is a Christmas gift to some of the nation’s largest polluters,” said Pallone. “FERC, which has no expertise in public health or environmental protections, would just be able to stop another agency’s regulation meant to protect public health.”

Pallone also warned about health impacts: “Pollution is exacerbating your child’s asthma. Who cares? Your water may be contaminated. Nothing to worry about. We don’t care. Other agencies spent years crafting regulations, often after an extensive analysis that shows the benefits of that regulation, from a health and safety point of view, outweighs the cost.”

“This bill would throw all of that out the door by allowing FERC, which has no expertise in these areas, to just say no and FERC doesn’t even want to do it,” Pallone continued.

The bill drew support from several industry groups, including the American Public Power Association, National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“Given the current environment of rapidly increasing electricity demand, and the critical role that affordable and reliable electricity plays in the economy and livelihoods of all Americans, the impact of relevant agency actions should not be left to chance,” said a statement from Marty Durbin, President of the Global Energy Institute at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates implementing the bill would cost FERC less than $10 million annually, though those costs would be recovered through user fees. The budget office said the net effect on the deficit would be negligible.

Click here to read the original article published by the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

House Passes Balderson’s Reliable Power Act

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Troy Balderson (OH-12), Mike Carey (OH-15), and Dave Taylor (OH-2) introduced a resolution honoring the lives, service, and sacrifice of six servicemembers killed during a March 12 air refueling mission over western Iraq in support of Operation Epic Fury. Three of those servicemembers were part of the Ohio Air National Guard.

“Our nation is forever grateful to Capt. Koval, Capt. Angst, and Master Sgt. Simmons for their commitment to defending freedom,” said Balderson. “They answered the call to serve—and did so with courage and selflessness. We grieve alongside their families, stand with their fellow servicemembers, and remain forever indebted for their sacrifice.”

“The tragic deaths of six Airmen during a combat mission in the Middle East is a devastating loss for our country and our communities here in Ohio. My prayers are with the Gold Star families grieving their loved ones. America is protected by brave heroes who volunteer to serve, and their sacrifice will not be forgotten,” said Carey.

Servicemembers from the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, OH, were Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Master Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons.

From the 99th Air Refueling Squadron in Birmingham, AL, were Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt.

Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.

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Balderson Joins President Trump for Announcement to Lower Car Prices and Protect Consumer Choice

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) joined President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in the Oval Office today for the announcement of the “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” initiative, which will boost vehicle affordability for millions of Americans.

The initiative resets the unworkable corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards that were raised under the Biden Administration in a push to phase out gas-powered vehicles and create a de facto electric vehicle (EV) mandate. If left in place, the Biden-era standards would have raised car prices, increased U.S. reliance on China, and restricted consumer choice.

“Americans shouldn’t be forced into expensive electric vehicles they can’t afford—yet that’s exactly what the Biden administration tried to do,” said Balderson. “Republicans in Congress have already made tremendous progress to roll back EV mandates and cut and lower costs for working Americans through the Working Families Tax Cuts. I applaud President Trump and his administration for continuing to right-size regulations and lower costs for the American people.”

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July, Congress eliminated key enforcement mechanisms for Biden’s heightened CAFE standards. Today’s announcement resets those standards to a common-sense level that keeps new vehicle prices within reach while supporting continued improvements in fuel efficiency.

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Balderson, Cotton Introduce Bill to Stop Frivolous Lawsuits Blocking American Energy Projects

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) today introduced legislation to streamline America’s energy projects by ensuring a project can move forward without being trapped in perpetual legal battles. The Curtailing Litigation Excess and Abuse Reform Act of 2025 (CLEAR Act) eliminates excessive litigation against energy projects while maintaining stringent environmental standards.

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Activist groups have long weaponized our legal system to attack promising energy projects, filing lawsuit after lawsuit to grind progress to a halt. The CLEAR Act puts a end to this serial litigation,” said Congressman Balderson. “To unleash American energy, lower costs, and strengthen our energy security, we must restore predictability and common sense to our permitting system.”

“Cutting-edge American energy infrastructure is critical for everything from lowering energy costs to winning the AI race,” said Senator Cotton. “Unfortunately, these projects often get delayed by frivolous litigation. My bill will end this nonsense and streamline the process to restore American energy dominance.”

The CLEAR Act would:

Ensure that once a court has ruled on an energy project, opponents can’t drag it back into court repeatedly.
Prevent activist groups from filing serial lawsuits to block projects they oppose ideologically, while still preserving legitimate avenues for oversight and enforcement.
Enable critical energy infrastructure to be built faster by limiting costly delays. Create certainty for investors and communities.
Maintain exceptions for certain lawsuits after a project is running.
Support America’s energy independence, grid reliability, and access to critical minerals needed for modern technology.

Full text of the CLEAR Act can be found HERE.

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Republican Bill Targets Endless Litigation Over Energy Projects

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

This article was originally published by Bloomberg.

By Kellie Lunney

Litigation aimed at delaying or halting energy projects would see tougher limits under Republican legislation introduced Tuesday.

The bill would prevent subsequent legal claims against fossil fuel, transmission, and critical mineral energy projects after litigation has been “finally adjudicated on the record by a court of competent jurisdiction,” according to legislative text obtained by Bloomberg Government.

The legislation aims to end lengthy, serial litigation related to domestic energy development, particularly oil and gas projects. Lawmakers of both parties seeking to improve energy permitting have long wanted to overhaul litigation and judicial review of projects.

The measure also curtails the length of time for judicial review of energy projects. It would mandate the filing of legal claims within 150 days of the final agency authorization of the project and require the filing to be from a party that submitted relevant comments on the matter during the public notice period.

The language in the new bill from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who’s leading the effort in the Senate, is similar to provisions in other pending legislation to rein in repeat litigation over projects that prevents them from moving forward—an issue that some Democrats have acknowledged is a problem in the permitting process.

“Activist groups have long weaponized our legal system to attack promising energy projects, filing lawsuit after lawsuit to grind progress to a halt,” said Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), the House sponsor of the bill. “To unleash American energy, lower costs, and strengthen our energy security, we must restore predictability and common sense to our permitting system,” Balderson said.

Opponents of reducing the length of time to file legal claims against a project argue it disadvantages individuals and groups, including tribes, who have limited resources to push back expeditiously.

“Cutting-edge American energy infrastructure is critical for everything from lowering energy costs to winning the AI race,” Cotton said in a statement. “Unfortunately, these projects often get delayed by frivolous litigation.”

Negotiations to fix permitting have ramped up on Capitol Hill this fall, as demand for affordable and reliable energy increases.

The House Natural Resources Committee in November advanced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 4776) that would streamline the environmental review process for all energy projects.

Read More: Energy Permitting, Speedy Environmental Reviews Advance in House

The bill, which the House is expected to consider before the end of the year, would speed up agency reviews and limit litigation-related timelines under the National Environmental Policy Act, a key law in the federal permitting process.

The legislation from Cotton and Balderson wouldn’t affect legal claims related to energy projects filed by landowners for the fair market value of the property acquired under eminent domain.

Click here to read the original article published by the Bloomberg.

Balderson Statement on the End of the Democrat Shutdown

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) released the following statement after the House passed legislation to reopen the federal government. The measure also includes full-year appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and military infrastructure projects for FY2026.

“Today I voted to reopen the federal government and end the senseless Democrat shutdown. Common sense has prevailed and partisanship was defeated.

“Shamefully, Democrats admitted they saw this shutdown as an opportunity to leverage the pain of the American people to advance their far-left agenda. They continue to peddle fear and misinformation in a desperate attempt to bend public opinion to their will. And they will continue to fail.

“The American people are too smart to fall for this kind of political stunt.

“I applaud the eight Senate Democrats who finally stood up to Chuck Schumer and ended the Democrat blockade. Now Republicans can accelerate our work to lower costs for working families, make our nation safer, and restore American energy dominance.”

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