Legislative Activity
This Week’s Hearings:
- Tuesday, June 18: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a markup of pending legislation.
- Tuesday, June 18: The House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee will mark up the FY 2014 appropriations bill.
- Tuesday, June 18: A House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “U.S. Energy Abundance: Regulatory, Market, and Legal Barriers to Export.”
- Tuesday, June 18: The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee will hold a hearing on the Department of Energy’s science and technology program priorities.
Regulatory Activity
LNG Exports
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz intends to move “expeditiously” in evaluating pending export applications in the order filed, and is expected to make more decisions by the end of this year.
Electric Grid
President Obama has issued a memorandum to federal agencies on “Transforming our Nation’s Electric Grid Through Improved Siting, Permitting, and Review” that outlines principles for establishing energy corridors—particularly in Western States—and for developing an integrated, interagency pre-application process for significant onshore electric transmission projects requiring Federal approval.
PCAST
The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology will meet July 18 to discuss “smart cities” and mathematical sciences.
Shale
The Bureau of Land Management has reopened the public comment period on a proposed rule to amend commercial oil shale management regulations to ensure a fair rate of return to the American taxpayer while encouraging shale development and protecting the environment. Comments are due by July 15.
