Recently, transatlantic attention has focused on Belarus after irregularities were noted with its presidential election on 9 August that resulted in protests in that nation. Meanwhile, talks between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) also resumed this week, continuing to seek a path forward for the UK’s future trade arrangements with the … Continue Reading
Executive Branch Activity New Guidance Clarifying Energy Executive Order Last week, just four days before federal agencies’ initial plans were due to OMB, the White House issued a memo updating with more specifics as to how President Trump expects agencies to carry out his previously issued energy executive order (Executive Order 13783, “Promoting Energy Independence and … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Resolution Repealing BLM’s Planning 2.0 Rule Sent to the President Last week, the Senate passed H. J. Res 44, using the Congressional Review Act (CRA), to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Management Planning rule, known as the BLM Planning 2.0 Rule, by a vote of 51-48. The House passed the resolution … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Comprehensive Energy Bill Conferees met on last week on Thursday for the opening session to consider energy legislation, S. 2012, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2016. If passed, the bill would be the first piece of comprehensive energy legislation to emerge from Congress in almost a decade. The mood … Continue Reading
Executive Activity Fiscal Year 2016 Budget for EPA On Monday, February 2, President Obama will announce his Fiscal Year 2016 Budget request to Congress to fund the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We expect a significant focus in the proposed budget on climate change and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There is some concern that these … Continue Reading
Executive Branch Activity U.S.-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping have announced an unprecedented effort to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The target for the United States is to cut its GHG emissions by 26-28 percent below year-2005 levels by 2025. China is expected to increase its share of … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Tuesday, July 29: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing titled “Breaking the Logjam at BLM: Examining Ways to More Efficiently Process Permits for Energy Production on Federal Lands.” Tuesday, July 29: The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing titled “FERC Perspectives: Questions Concerning EPA’s Proposed … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity EPA Approves New Measurements for Ozone In significant news for entities attempting to maintain or attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQSs), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it has approved four new testing methods that are now allowed for measuring ozone and related pollutants in determining compliance. The alternative tests can … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity DOE Proposes to Amend Procedures for LNG Export Application Review On Thursday, May 29, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy proposed to amend the agency’s review process for applications to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that are not party to a free-trade-agreement with the U.S. The Department plans … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Greenhouse Gas Rule The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) anticipated Proposed Rule concerning greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for existing coal and natural gas fired power plants will be released to the public on Monday, June 2, at 10:30 am. To advance public awareness of the proposed rule, the President devoted his Saturday radio address … Continue Reading
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 … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Congressional Committees Evaluate Expedited LNG Export Application Processing Last week, congressional interest in exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) reached a crescendo as three different congressional committees held hearings to evaluate the economic and geopolitical impact of expedited U.S. processing of liquefied natural gas (LNG) applications to countries that do not have a Free-Trade-Agreement … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Energy Committee to Consider LNG Export Legislation On Tuesday, March 25, the House Energy and Committee will hold a hearing to review H.R.6, the “Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act.” H.R.6 was introduced by Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO), and would force the Department of Energy to expeditiously approve pending applications to export … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity EPA To Propose New GHG Emissions Rule for Oil and Gas Facilities The EPA is proposing revisions to the greenhouse gas reporting rule for oil and gas facilities that will revise calculation methods, monitoring and data reporting requirements, terms and definitions including confidentiality determinations. Affected parties are likely to include: pipeline transportation of … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Environmental Protection Agency and Local Governments The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Local Government Advisory Committee will meet November 26 via teleconference to discuss the Draft 2014–2018 EPA Strategic Plan concerning air quality issues, brownfield clean ups, water quality issues, environmental justice and related environmental issues of significance to local governments. While the meeting … Continue Reading
