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 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
Regulatory Activity Clean Power Plan Last week, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) finally published in the Federal Register the final Clean Power Plan. This regulatory action is one of the keystones of the Obama Administration climate change initiative, which it sees as an important part of the President’s legacy. With this announcement, the EPA is … 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
Legislative Activity House “Comprehensive” Energy Bill and Crude Oil Export Legislation The leadership of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is expected to put forth a new version of its comprehensive energy bill this week on Tuesday, and will likely hold a full committee markup of the legislation on Thursday. In addition, the Committee … Continue Reading
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 … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Greenhouse Gases from Aircraft The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has announced its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking upon the release of its “Proposed Finding That Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Aircraft Cause or Contribute to Air Pollution That May Reasonably Be Anticipated To Endanger Public Health and Welfare.” EPA will hold a public hearing … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Following the regulatory process, on Friday, April 3, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent its proposed rule concerning the “Definition of the Waters of the U.S” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for interagency review. At that time, EPA also released a statement about the proposed … 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
Regulatory Activity EPA to Hold Public Hearings on Clean Power Plan This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold public hearings in Washington D.C., Atlanta, Denver and Pittsburgh to receive comments on its proposed Clean Power Plan. EPA’s Clean Power Plan intends to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants to 30 percent below … 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