Legislative Activity

House E&C Committee to Vote on LNG Export Legislation

On Wednesday, April 30, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will consider H.R. 6, the “Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act.” The legislation, which enjoys the support of the Committee’s senior most Republican leadership and appears headed for the House floor for a vote before the Memorial Day recess, would amend the Natural Gas Act to consider applications to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to World Trade Organization members as in the public interest. Similar legislation introduced by Senator Udall (D-CO) remains pending in the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Committee will also consider two additional energy-related bills that are less controversial, including H.R. 2689, the “Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act,” and H.R. 4092, the “Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act.”

This Week’s Hearings

  • Tuesday, April 29: The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Chemicals in Commerce Act.”
  • On Tuesday, April 29: The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing titled, “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Skilled Trades Workers.”
  • Thursday, May 1: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Short on Gas: a look into the propane shortages this winter.”
  • Friday, April 4: The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing titled “Electric Grid Reliability and Security – Are We Doing Enough?”

Regulatory Activity

BLM to Publish ANPRM for Methane Emissions From Underground Mines on Federal Land

This week, the Bureau of Land Management will publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register that would limit methane emissions from underground mines on federal lands. The pre-publication notice indicates that the ANPRM is designed to solicit suggestions and comments from stakeholders about the best methods to capture, use or destroy methane emissions from underground mines. Under current practices, underground mines use a number of means to limit methane emissions, including methane drainage before mining through vertical or horizontal wells, methane drainage during mining, and treatment of ventilation air methane – where methane released into the environment is diluted with fresh air and is flushed out of the mine with large fans. BLM is particularly interested in commentary regarding: (1) technologies and methods to capture and ultimately transport methane gas; (2) methane destruction as an alternative to transport following capture; (3) economic feasibility of methane capture and destruction; (4) incentives that could stimulate methane capture and destruction; and (5) destruction of ventilation air methane. Comments are due 60 days after the ANPRM is officially published.