Regulatory Activity

Local Government Input for EPA

EPA has announced its upcoming meeting of the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) to be be held Thursday, July 30 and its meeting for the Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee, which will be held on Friday, July 31. According to the agency, the LGAC will discuss “issues pertaining to protecting America’s waters; hydrofracturing; cleaning up our communities; air, climate and energy; and climate change resiliency and sustainability.” The Subcommittee will discuss rural strategy and recommendations to the Administrator regarding environmental issues affecting small communities. The meetings are open to the public.

Legislative Activity

Fracturing

On Wednesday, July 15, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, will hold an oversight hearing titled “The Future of Hydraulic Fracturing on Federally Managed Lands.”

OCS

On Tuesday, July 14, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, will hold a hearing on seismic surveying involved in energy exploration on the outer continental shelf (OCS).

Pipeline Safety

On Tuesday, July 14, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Power, will hold a hearing, according to the committee, “to examine how the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has progressed, or not, in implementing reforms established under the Pipeline Safety Act of 2011.”

Energy for Islanded Systems

On Tuesday, July 14, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing to examine energy challenges for islanded systems including Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Territories.

Forests

On Thursday, July 16, there will be two separate hearings regarding national forests and forest related items. One will be held by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and the other by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining.