Regulatory Activity

Secretary Jewell’s Order on Improving Mitigation Policies

Department of Interior Secretary Jewell has issued an Order titled, “Improving Mitigation Policies and Practices of the Department of the Interior.” The Order is intended to establish a department-wide strategy to ensure “consistency and efficiency in the review and permitting of infrastructure development projects” and at the same time “conserving natural and cultural resources.” For this purpose, the Order directs the establishment of “landscape-level planning” that could include the adoption of regional mitigation plans. The Order also requires the development of a report providing the strategy for implementing improvements in the Department’s practices. The report is due by the end of January 2014.

Electronic Manufacturers And the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a final rule that amends the methodology for monitoring electronics manufacturers under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. This action is likely to impact electronic manufacturing facilities that produce microcomputers, semiconductors, photovoltaic devices, liquid crystal display (LCD) unit screens and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The final rule becomes effective on January 1, 2014.

Offshore Wind

The Department of Energy will host a webinar titled “Jobs and Economic Development Impacts of Offshore Wind” on Wednesday, November 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The webinar will provide an overview of a new model that calculates jobs and the economic impact of offshore wind for four areas: the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Gulf Coast.

Legislative Activity

This Week’s Hearings:

  • Wednesday, November 20: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining, will hold a hearing to consider miscellaneous public lands bills that address National Forest System land swaps, mitigating risks of wildfires, modification to Forest Service recreation programs and related bills.
  • Thursday, November 21: The House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, will hold a hearing to address public lands bills including reimbursement to states that operated National Parks during the government shut down, state management of federal lands and related bills.