WHAT WE’RE WATCHING: A New Standard of “Influence?” Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act (H.R. 22), which would prohibit the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to any entity that is “under the ownership, control, or influence … Continue Reading
This report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases. POTUS’ Schedule* 11:45 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT receives his intelligence briefing | Oval Office VPOTUS’ Schedule* 1:00 p.m. EDT – THE VICE PRESIDENT leads a phone call with state, local and tribal leaders | … Continue Reading
This report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases. POTUS’ Schedule* 3:00 p.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT receives his intelligence briefing | Oval Office 4:30 p.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT signs an Executive Order on Expediting Permitting | Oval Office VPOTUS’ Schedule* THE VICE … Continue Reading
This report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases. POTUS’ Schedule* 12:30 p.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Washington, D.C., en route to Kennedy Space Center, FL 3:15 p.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in a … 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 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
Regulatory Activity Oil and Gas The Department of the Interior has issued a Proposed Rule to establish “minimum standards for accurate measurement and proper reporting of all gas removed or sold from Federal and Indian leases.” The proposal excludes the Osage Tribe. Comments are due December 14. Legislative Activity This Week’s Hearings: On Tuesday, October … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity New Hydraulic Fracturing Rule Released The U.S. Department of Interior has released its final agency rule that would regulate the use of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas development on federal and tribal lands. The final rule could have a significant impact on the oil and gas industry given the scope of oil … Continue Reading
Executive Activity Fiscal Year 2016 Budget for EPA On Monday, February 2, President Obama will announce his Fiscal Year 2016 Budget request to Congress to fund the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We expect a significant focus in the proposed budget on climate change and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There is some concern that these … Continue Reading
Executive Branch Activity U.S.-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping have announced an unprecedented effort to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The target for the United States is to cut its GHG emissions by 26-28 percent below year-2005 levels by 2025. China is expected to increase its share of … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity EPA Extends Comment Period for Proposed Rule on Clean Power Plan The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period for its Clean Power Plan proposed rule which would limit carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. The comment deadline which was formerly October 20 is now December 1. Read our … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Pesticides and Waters of the United States The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting comment on its proposed data collection concerning potential changes to its permits for discharges to waters of the U.S. from biological and chemical pesticides that leave a residue. Comments are due by September 15. Ozone EPA is considering updating … Continue Reading
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 … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Greenhouse Gas Data The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to publish data it has collected from industry and related parties under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. The agency is seeking comment on its plan to publicly release information by aggregating in order to protect the confidentially of entities that provided information. Comments on … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity DOE Proposes to Amend Procedures for LNG Export Application Review On Thursday, May 29, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy proposed to amend the agency’s review process for applications to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that are not party to a free-trade-agreement with the U.S. The Department plans … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate to Consider Environmental Nominations On Tuesday, May 13, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a full committee hearing to evaluate President Obama’s nominations for key environmental positions. Dr. Monica Regalbuto is being nominated for Assistant Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) to oversee the department’s Office of Environmental … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Congressional Committees Evaluate Expedited LNG Export Application Processing Last week, congressional interest in exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) reached a crescendo as three different congressional committees held hearings to evaluate the economic and geopolitical impact of expedited U.S. processing of liquefied natural gas (LNG) applications to countries that do not have a Free-Trade-Agreement … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Energy Committee to Consider LNG Export Legislation On Tuesday, March 25, the House Energy and Committee will hold a hearing to review H.R.6, the “Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act.” H.R.6 was introduced by Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO), and would force the Department of Energy to expeditiously approve pending applications to export … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Narrowly Passes Two Partisan Rules Bills During “Energy Week” Last week, the House narrowly approved two partisan energy-related bills, H.R. 3826 (the “Electricity Security and Affordability Act”) and H.R. 2641 (the “Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2013” or RAPID Act), as part of the House Republican Leadership’s thematic “energy week.” … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Future Climate Scenarios The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released phase-two of its National Stormwater Calculator. EPA highlights that “the updated calculator includes future climate vulnerability scenarios.” Primarily used to estimate the annual amount of stormwater runoff from a specific location, EPA notes that the tool also includes “changes in seasonal precipitation levels, … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Funding for Autos The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced it will provide $50 million in funding for its FY 14 Vehicle Technologies Program to help “make plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) more affordable and convenient…within the next 10 years.” The funding will be dedicated to target areas including: advanced light-weighting, advanced battery development, … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House-Passed Budget Agreement Includes Energy Policy Provisions Last Thursday, December 12, members of the U.S. House voted 332-94 to pass the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, a budget resolution offered as an amendment to H.J. Res. 59 that sets short-term funding caps for the FY 2014 and FY 2015 years and longer-term projections … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Energy and Commerce Committee Holds FERC Oversight Hearing Last Thursday, December 5, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing titled “Evaluating the Role of FERC in a Changing Energy Landscape” featuring testimony of all sitting members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The hearing was also Cheryl A. LaFleur’s … Continue Reading
Executive Activity President’s Task Force To Meet on Climate Change The President’s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience will meet for the first time on Tuesday, December 10. The Task Force is composed of 26 state, local and tribal officials and is charged with identifying ways to prepare communities for the impact of climate … Continue Reading