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
Regulatory Activity Greenhouse Gas Emissions The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the public comment period on its proposed Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Stationary Sources for Electric Utility Generating Units until May 9. Lead and Copper EPA has announced public meetings of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council Lead and … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity This Week’s Hearings Wednesday, February 26: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Natural Resource Adaptation: Protecting Ecosystems and Economies.” Wednesday, February 26: The House Natural Resources Committee will hold an oversight hearing titled, “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Veterans.” Thursday, February 27: The House Energy and Commerce … 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
Legislative Activity House Natural Resources Committee Approves Mountaintop Mining Lesiglation On Thursday, November 14, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to favorably report H.R. 2824, the “Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America” Act, introduced by Rep. Bill Johnson, by a margin of 24-14. The legislation would prevent the Department of Interior … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Secretary Jewell’s Order on Improving Mitigation Policies Department of Interior Secretary Jewell has issued an Order titled, “Improving Mitigation Policies and Practices of the Department of the Interior.” The Order is intended to establish a department-wide strategy to ensure “consistency and efficiency in the review and permitting of infrastructure development projects” and at … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate EPW Committee Holds Hearing on Fugitive Methane Gas Leaks Last Tuesday, November 5, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing titled “Fugitive Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Operations.” During the hearing, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) director of atmospheric programs in the Office of Air and Radiation, … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Environmental Protection Agency and Local Governments The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Local Government Advisory Committee will meet November 26 via teleconference to discuss the Draft 2014–2018 EPA Strategic Plan concerning air quality issues, brownfield clean ups, water quality issues, environmental justice and related environmental issues of significance to local governments. While the meeting … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Rep. Upton and Rep. Green Introduce Energy Infrastructure Project Reform Legislation Last Tuesday, October 22, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), along with a bipartisan group of original cosponsors, introduced the North American Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. 3301). The legislation would eliminate the State Department’s … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Passes Water Resources Reform and Development Act Last week, the House passed its Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which provides federal funding for water and water-related infrastructure projects. The Senate passed its Water Resources and Development Act legislation in March. A conference committee will now be appointed to work out … Continue Reading
Executive Branch Activity Climate Change Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, Heather Zichal, has announced she will leave the White House in the next few weeks. Ms. Zichal had been responsible for coordinating the administration’s energy and climate policy from within the U.S. Domestic Policy Council. Legislative Activity Energy Efficiency Chairman … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate Energy Committee Hearing on Hydrocarbon Agreement The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on Tuesday, October 1 to consider two bills that would implement the Transboundary Hydrocarbons Agreement between the United States and Mexico. The hearing produced a bipartisan result, as Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) expressed support … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Energy Efficiency Legislation Today, the Senate is scheduled to resume consideration of S. 1392, energy efficiency legislation introduced by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH). The Senate began to consider the legislation last Wednesday, September 11, but disagreements regarding non-germane amendments related to the Keystone XL Pipeline and implementation of … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity This Week’s Hearings: Tuesday, July 23: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the FAIR Act of 2013 (S. 1273), a bill to provide for additional federal-state royalty revenue sharing from energy development. The House Natural Resources Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the status of the … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity This Week’s Hearings: Tuesday, June 4: The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a full committee hearing intended to identify ways to improve federal wildland fire management. Tuesday, June 4: The House Committee on Natural Resources will hold a full committee hearing to address species conservation concerning tribal, state and … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity This Week’s Hearings: Tuesday, June 4: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will explore ways to improve federal wildland fire management. Thursday, June 6: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will review the programs and activities of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). Thursday, June 6: The House Natural Resources … Continue Reading
