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 infrastructure throughout the rest of the U.S. A full Congressional passage of the bill to ready for the President’s desk is possible between now and July 4th recess.

Fossil Fuels

On Wednesday, May 11, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy, will hold an oversight hearing on the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy. The Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Chris Smith, will testify.

Public Lands

On Thursday, May 12, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, will hold a hearing titled “Local and State Perspectives on BLM’s Draft Planning 2.0 Rule.” The Bureau of Land Management proposes to modernize the agency’s planning process and increase public involvement in the management of 245 million acres of public lands that the agency directs.

Department of Energy

On Thursday, May 12, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Susan Beard to become Inspector General at the Department of Energy.

Regulatory Action

Municipal Governments

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposed rule expected to affect local governments throughout the U.S. EPA has proposed changes under Clean Air Act to requirements for state plans in order to protect visibility. The changes would also affect how days are selected to account for air pollution events such as wildfires. EPA is holding a public hearing on the proposed rule on May 19 and comments are due July 5.