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 be used for measuring nitrogen dioxide (NOx); ozone (O3) and lead (Pb) in ambient air.

Hydrogen Fuel

On Tuesday, June 24, the Department of Energy will host a webinar titled “Hydrogen Fueling for Current and Anticipated Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles.” The webinar will discuss the California Energy Commission’s proposed award for 28 hydrogen fueling stations. Argonne National Laboratory will also discuss a new tool intended to evaluate earnings from hydrogen infrastructure for early market fuel cell electric vehicles.

Offshore Wind

The Department of Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, has announced the sale of commercial wind energy leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off Massachusetts. Comments are due by August 18.

BLM

The Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reopening its request for nominations for individuals to serve BLM’s Advisory Committees concerning land use planning and management of the National System of Public Lands in Montana, Oregon and Washington. Nominations are due by July 21.

Legislative Activity

This Week’s Hearings:

Natural Gas

Tuesday, June 24: The Joint Economic Committee of Congress will hold a hearing to consider “The Economic Impact of Increased Natural Gas Production.” The committee will hear testimony from the United Parcel Service, Environmental Defense Fund, Anadarko and other witnesses.

Interagency Coordination on Clean Energy and Water

Wednesday, June 25: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water and Power, will hold a hearing to consider S.1971, legislation that intends to establish interagency coordination between the Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior to address production of energy and water.

Water and Power

Tuesday, June 24: The House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water and Power, will hold an oversight hearing concerning federal water authority.

Carbon Soil Sequestration

Wednesday, June 25: The House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, will hold an oversight hearing titled, “Increasing Carbon Soil Sequestration on Public Lands.”