Regulatory Activity

Ozone

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a proposed rule to further consider cross-state air pollution and its potential impact on the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Comments are due January 19. 

Legislative Activity

Oil

On Thursday, December 10, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing concerning “Terrorism and the Global Oil Markets.”

Climate Change

On Tuesday, December 8, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness, will hold a hearing titled “Promoting Open Inquiry in the Debate over the Magnitude of Human Impact on Earth’s Climate.” The subcommittee states that hearing is expected to focus on “the ongoing debate over climate science, the impact of federal funding on the objectivity of climate research, and the ways in which political pressure can suppress opposing viewpoints in the field of climate science.”

Fisheries

On Monday, December 7, the House Natural Resources Committee will hold an oversight field hearing in Riverhead, NY, to address “Restoring Atlantic Fisheries and Protecting the Regional Seafood Economy.”

Minerals

On Tuesday, December 8, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, will hold an oversight hearing to examine “Ensuring Certainty for Royalty Payments on Federal Resource Production.”

Animas Spill

On Wednesday, December 9, the House Natural Resources Committee will hold an oversight hearing to consider the Department of the Interior’s role in the EPA’s Animas spill.

Stream Protection Rule

On Tuesday, December 8, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining the Stream Protection Rule.” The Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Janice Schneider, will testify.

Energy

On  Wednesday, December 8, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Research and Technology, will hold a hearing regarding “The Future of Biotechnology: Solutions for Energy, Agriculture and Manufacturing.” Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Biosciences Principal Deputy, Dr. Mary Maxon, will testify.