Legislative Activity Nomination Proceedings The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has advanced the nominations of Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) to be Secretary of Interior and Governor Rick Perry to be Secretary of Energy. Notwithstanding the boycott by the Democratic members of the committee, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee advanced the nomination of … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Energy Bill Last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee released a 50-page section-by-section of the recently passed S. 2012 Energy Modernization Policy Act of 2016. Looking forward to a potential conference of the Senate and House energy bills, Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee recently … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity US/Europe Energy Relations On Thursday, November 5, the U.S. House of Representatives and the European Parliament will jointly discuss energy security issues. The House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold an “Energy Security Roundtable” with European members of the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue. The event will be co-chaired by … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Deepwater Horizon Spill Restoration The Department of the Interior’s draft Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessments regarding the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill currently proposes 10 early restoration projects. The Department is extending the public comment period on its draft until July 6. Greenhouse Gas On Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council has announced a two-step application process for entities seeking funding for council-selected projects “to restore and protect the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region” as a result of the Deepwater Horizon … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Clean Water Act The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will extend its public comment period on the proposed “Clean Water Act Methods Update Rule for the Analysis of Effluent” until May 20. Background on the proposed rule can be found here. Mineral Activity on the OCS The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity New Hydraulic Fracturing Rule Released The U.S. Department of Interior has released its final agency rule that would regulate the use of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas development on federal and tribal lands. The final rule could have a significant impact on the oil and gas industry given the scope of oil … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Pesticides and Waters of the United States The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting comment on its proposed data collection concerning potential changes to its permits for discharges to waters of the U.S. from biological and chemical pesticides that leave a residue. Comments are due by September 15. Ozone EPA is considering updating … Continue Reading