Legislative Activity President’s Budget Expected this Week President Trump is expected to release his FY 2018 budget this week, and transportation stakeholders are eager to see whether the full budget includes cuts to transportation programs with bipartisan Congressional support that were included in the President’s “Skinny Budget” released in March. In particular, the Skinny Budget … 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 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 Proposed Rules for Vehicles to Control GHG The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation have announced proposed rules to create a “comprehensive Phase 2 Heavy-Duty National Program” intended to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel consumption for new on-road heavy-duty vehicles. The program focuses on phasing in new technology … 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 Deepwater Horizon Spill Restoration The Department of the Interior’s draft Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessments regarding the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill currently proposes 10 early restoration projects. The Department is extending the public comment period on its draft until July 6. Greenhouse Gas On Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council has announced a two-step application process for entities seeking funding for council-selected projects “to restore and protect the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region” as a result of the Deepwater Horizon … 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
Regulatory Activity Upcoming Ground-Level Ozone Hearings The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold three upcoming public hearings located in Texas, California and Washington, D.C. to address issues related to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Ozone. The hearings will be held on January 29 in Texas and Washington, D.C. and on February 2 … 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 Greenhouse Gas Pursuant to President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon propose to prohibit certain chemicals contributing to emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of greenhouse gases. According to EPA, the “proposed action would change the status of certain high-global warming potential (GWP) HFCs that were previously listed … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Greenhouse Gas The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Clean Power Plan” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from existing power plants will fundamentally shift the nation’s energy economy for generations to come. Broadly speaking, the proposal would require state governments to implement plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) from existing power plants by … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Greenhouse Gas Rule The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) anticipated Proposed Rule concerning greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for existing coal and natural gas fired power plants will be released to the public on Monday, June 2, at 10:30 am. To advance public awareness of the proposed rule, the President devoted his Saturday radio address … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Greenhouse Gas Emissions The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a panel to consider proposed rule changes to amend and extend the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards beyond the model year 2018. According to the EPA, the proposed changes are likely to include “more stringent engine and vehicle GHG … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity EPA To Propose New GHG Emissions Rule for Oil and Gas Facilities The EPA is proposing revisions to the greenhouse gas reporting rule for oil and gas facilities that will revise calculation methods, monitoring and data reporting requirements, terms and definitions including confidentiality determinations. Affected parties are likely to include: pipeline transportation of … Continue Reading