Legislative Activity

This Week’s Hearings:

  • Tuesday, June 4: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will explore ways to improve federal wildland fire management.
  • Thursday, June 6: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will review the programs and activities of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI).
  • Thursday, June 6: The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a legislative hearing on the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act (H.R. __), draft legislation released by Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA).

Executive Branch Activity

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Jon Wellinghoff has submitted his resignation letter to President Barack Obama. He will remain at FERC until his replacement is confirmed by the Senate.

Hydraulic Fracturing (HF)

DOI has issued its revised proposed rule to regulate HF activities on federal and tribal lands. Comments will be accepted through June 24, unless pressure from Congress and other stakeholders leads to an extension, potentially of an additional 90 days. A final rule is expected after DOI considers this latest round of public comments; a target date for finalization is not yet certain.

Nuclear

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards will meet on Wednesday, June 5 to Friday, June 7 in Rockville, Maryland. NRC will also be issuing the final License Renewal Interim Staff Guidance this week for Updated Aging Management Criteria for Reactor Vessel Internal Components for Pressurized Water Reactors.

NPR-A

The Bureau of Land Management will issue a call for nominations and comments, due by mid-July, on tracts for oil and gas leasing for the 2013 National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska lease sale.

USEITI

The U.S. Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Multi-Stakeholder Group Advisory Committee will next meet on June 12-13 to discuss the legal context for revenue disclosures, consideration of sub-national payments, and discussions on scope and materiality; it will also meet on July 23-24 to discuss criteria and components for the U.S. draft candidacy application for EITI.

Pipelines

The FERC is updating regulations governing the form, composition, and filing of rates and charges by interstate oil pipelines for transportation in interstate commerce. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will host a pipeline safety workshop on June 19-20 in Richardson, Texas to discuss ways to improve public awareness outreach. PHMSA will also host an August 7 public workshop on a proposed pipeline “Integrity Verification Process,” to present information on several new mandates and to seek comment from interested stakeholders.