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 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
Regulatory Activity Ozone The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a proposed rule to further consider cross-state air pollution and its potential impact on the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Comments are due January 19. Legislative Activity Oil On Thursday, December 10, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House To Move Energy Bill This week, the House intends to hold a floor vote on H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015. The bill addresses energy use and efficiency in the U.S. An all-Texan, bipartisan contingent of Congressmen including Representatives Joe Barton (R-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Michael McCaul … 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 Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Last week, pursuant to a request by Congress in 2010, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft report on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities on drinking water resources in the United States. The activities covered in the assessment include: water acquisition, chemical mixing, well … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Waters of the U.S. Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers announced the issuance of their final rule defining “Waters of the U.S.” However, according to the EPA, the rule could take up two weeks to be published in the Federal Register. Once published, the rule will … Continue Reading
Executive Branch Activity Wind Energy Expectations The White House has released its updated study by the Department of Energy on the future of U.S. wind energy titled, “The Wind Vision Report.” The report contains a revised expectation from 2008 with wind powering 10 percent of electricity in 2020, 20 percent in 2030, and 35 percent in … 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 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 Ozone A court order issued last week instructs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue its proposed rule concerning ozone by December 1, 2014, and a final rule by October 1, 2015. This action would finalize the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) that are expected to significantly impact cities, counties, transportation systems … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Clean Water Act The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have finally published for public comment their proposed rule defining the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act (CWA). As we previously noted in the Capital Thinking Report, the proposed rule is potentially likely to have … Continue Reading
Executive Branch Activity Climate Change Announcement The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has announced the creation and launch of www.data.gov/climate which is intended to collect information related to climate change in order to help cities and the business community prepare to become more resilient to climate change. Initially focusing on sea level rise … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity This Week’s Hearings: Tuesday, October 1: The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a full committee hearing titled “Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreement.” The committee will consider two bills: S. 812, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to implement the agreement between the United States and Mexico regarding transboundary hydrocarbon reservoirs … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity This Week’s Hearings: Tuesday, June 18: The House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, will hold an oversight hearing titled “Citizen and Agency Perspectives on the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.” Tuesday, June 18: The House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a full committee hearing concerning the … Continue Reading
