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
Legislative Action Senate Energy Policy Modernization Act As the holds have been removed on S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, we now expect the bill to come to the Senate floor this week. Floor consideration will include 29 amendments by voice vote and eight by roll-call vote. Of note, Senators have agreed … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Lawmakers Schedule Markup of Transportation Bill Without Revenue Provisions Last week, on Friday, October 16, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released a six-year, $325 billion highway funding bill (the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015); a markup of the legislation is scheduled for Thursday, October 22. Notably, while the … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Waters of the U.S. Last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a joint hearing to discuss the “Impacts of the Proposed Waters of the United States Rule on State and Local Governments.” The hearing addressed concerns with the proposed rule including costs, definitions … 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
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 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
Legislative Activity Tuesday, April 8: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing to review the President’s nomination of Ms. Janet McCabe to lead EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. On Tuesday, April 8: The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a subcommittee markup to consider H.R. 6, the “Domestic Prosperity … 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
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
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
Regulatory Activity EPA Seeks Public Input on Climate Change The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a request for comment on its draft report concerning the impacts of climate change to human health. The agency is seeking input from the public on “proposed plans for scoping, drafting, reviewing, producing, and disseminating the Interagency Special Report on the Impacts … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Nominations for U.S. Department of the Interior and EPA On Tuesday, December 17, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will meet to consider the nomination of Neil Kornze to become the Director of the Bureau of Land Management at the Department of the Interior. The Committee will also consider at that time … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Transportation Appropriations Both the House (H.R. 2610) and Senate (S. 1243) Transportation-HUD appropriations bills are poised for floor consideration before the August recess. In the House, there has been delay in Rules Committee action and in bringing the bill to the floor, but the intention is to consider it before the month-long August … Continue Reading
