On June 11, 2020, the European Commission published a so-called inception impact assessment, which is its plan for revising the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62 (PPWD). The Commission invites stakeholders to provide comments on its plan until August 6. The Commission is expected to make a legislative proposal in Q2 2021. … Continue Reading
What happened: Last week the Senate passed a landmark piece of legislation – the Great American Outdoors Act. Under the legislation, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) would be permanently and fully funded at $900 million annually rather than funding levels being determined by the congressional appropriations process each year. What is next: The … Continue Reading
This overview provides select EU policy developments in the broad area of sustainability – and how we can support businesses in managing and shaping these policy discussions to their advantage. Our Observations Despite the COVID-19 crisis, sustainability policy remains a top priority for EU policymakers. Now is the best time for businesses to engage in … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Potential Energy Legislation After the House proposed a narrow version of the energy bill to the Senate, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) proposed a broader bill once again. After a meeting last week with House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chairman Murkowski appeared confident she will get a … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity New Congress As a result of the November 8 elections, we will have a new Administration and Congress taking office on January 20, 2017. For a comprehensive view of what to expect for the energy, environment and natural resources community, click here for our 2016 Post-Election Analysis. WOTUS Also on Tuesday, November 8, … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity WRDA The House is expected this week to take up H.R. 5303, the “Water Resources Development Act of 2016” (WRDA). The Senate recently passed its version of the bill, S. 2848, on September 15. Unlike the Senate, the House legislation does not include funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure or for emergency … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate Passes WRDA Bill with Funding for Flint Last week, the Senate passed its version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) (S. 2848) by a vote of 95-3. The $10.6 billion bill would authorize projects to be carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to address navigation, flood protection and … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Comprehensive Energy Bill Conferees met on last week on Thursday for the opening session to consider energy legislation, S. 2012, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2016. If passed, the bill would be the first piece of comprehensive energy legislation to emerge from Congress in almost a decade. The mood … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Comprehensive Energy Bill While leadership continues its discussion, it is possible that the Senate may consider a vote to proceed to conference on the comprehensive House and Senate Energy bills before July 15. Should a vote for conference succeed, Senate conferees would need to be selected and conference would not begin until after … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Comprehensive Energy Bill As we have previously reported, while the House has voted to go to conference on comprehensive energy legislation and has already appointed its conferees, the Senate has yet to do the same. Work continues in the Senate to clear potential obstacles to agreeing to a conference with the House and … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Comprehensive Energy Legislation To begin the process of reconciling the House and Senate energy bills, the House has voted to go to conference and has appointed its conferees, which will include 24 Republicans and 16 Democrats. However, the Senate has yet to do the same. Work continues in the Senate to clear potential … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Energy Bill Last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee released a 50-page section-by-section of the recently passed S. 2012 Energy Modernization Policy Act of 2016. Looking forward to a potential conference of the Senate and House energy bills, Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee recently … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Future of House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill The House Appropriations Committee favorably reported its $37.4 billion Energy and Water Appropriations bill on April 19 by voice vote. With the House having not yet adopted a budget resolution, the bill cannot be considered on the floor until mid-May. With the Senate having passed … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Flint and Water Infrastructure Funding In our continued tracking of the package of federal funding for Flint’s water crisis,the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee recently favorably reported its Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes $220 million in funding in a combination of grants and loans for both Flint and for drinking water … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Senate Energy Policy Modernization Act Last week the Senate voted to pass S. 2012 the Energy Modernization Act of 2016 with a strong, almost unheard of bi-partisan vote of 85-12, including numerous amendments impacting a majority of the United States. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has since been … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Senate Energy Policy Modernization Act As the holds have been removed on S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, we now expect the bill to come to the Senate floor this week. Floor consideration will include 29 amendments by voice vote and eight by roll-call vote. Of note, Senators have agreed … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Senate Energy Policy Modernization Act As a result of continued opposition to the Flint water funding package and an off-shore oil revenue amendment, the Senate continues to remain in a holding pattern on floor action for S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016. Renewables in FAA Reauthorization The Senate prepares for … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate leadership continues to work to encourage their colleagues to lift holds they have placed that have prevented further floor consideration of S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 and the Flint water funding package. While progress reportedly has been made to address Senator Mike Lee’s (R-UT) hold concerning spending for … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity This week, the Senate could return to floor consideration of S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016. Last week there was progress made toward hotlining a procedural proposal to separate consideration for a potential agreement on Flint, MI water funding and the Energy bill in order to vote on the two items … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate Energy Policy Modernization Act While there is interest in resuming Senate floor consideration of S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 this week, the bill continues to be held up largely by Democrats led by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) due to the lack of agreement as to how to address the … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate Floor Consideration of Comprehensive Energy Bill The Senate has been trying to conclude its floor consideration of S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016. Last week, a motion to invoke cloture was offered but the Senate failed to reach the 60 votes needed to end debate on the bill. Democrats refused to … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Comprehensive Energy Legislation This week the Senate will continue its floor debate of S. 2012, the comprehensive energy bill that Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) authored. Under the open amendment process 130 amendments were filed. While some of the non-controversial amendments were accepted last … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Comprehensive Energy Legislation We anticipate that the Senate will turn to S. 2012, the comprehensive energy bill that Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) authored. Based on remarks by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell(R-KY) we anticipate an open amendment process. In the past, energy … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Comprehensive Energy Legislation Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is likely to seek floor time for her comprehensive energy bill, S. 2012, by the end of this month or early February. This Week’s Hearings: Puerto Rico On Tuesday January 12, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and … Continue Reading
