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 in contact with House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) about conferencing the comprehensive Senate bill with the more bare-bones House-passed bill, H.R. 8, which was carried largely on party lines. The two pieces of legislation are fairly far apart, and the White House issued a statement of administrative policy threatening a veto of  the House bill. Still, Chairman Murkowski is pressing for a completed bill prior to the summer recess. 

Methane

On Wednesday, April 27, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, will hold a hearing on the  Bureau of Land Management’s efforts regarding methane emissions.

Oil and Gas

On Tuesday, April 26, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold its rescheduled oversight hearing to examine oil and gas development in differing price environments.

Hydro

On Wednesday, April 27, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans, will hold a hearing to consider “Realizing the Potential of Hydropower as a Clean, Renewable and Domestic Energy Resource.”

WOTUS

On Wednesday, April 27, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee will hold a hearing concerning the Waters of the U.S. Rule and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The Committee will hear testimony from Darryl DePriest, Chief Counsel for the Office of Advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Federal Lands

On Thursday, April 28, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Federal Lands, will hold a hearing to discuss the proposed “Locally-Elected Officials Cooperating with Agencies in Land Management Act” (LOCAL Management Act). 

Pebble Mine

On Thursday, April 28, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee will hold a hearing it titles “Examining EPA’s Predetermined Efforts to Block the Pebble Mine, Part II.” The Committee will hear testimony from Dennis McLerran, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10.

Invasive Species

On Thursday, April 28, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, will hold a hearing to examine the impacts of invasive species on land and water resources. In addition, the Subcommittee will hear testimony from Senator Barrasso (R-WY) on his proposed bill, the Federal Land Invasive Species Control, Prevention, and Management Act (S. 2240).

Regulatory Action

Fuel and Fuel Additives

EPA has announced that it is planning to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) for approval concerning, “Registration of Fuels and Fuel Additives—Health-Effects Research Requirements for Manufacturers.” The development of health-effects data is the subject of this ICR. Comments are due June 13.

NAAQs

EPA has made available for public review and comment the agency’s plan for setting Particulate Matter (PM) standards in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The document titled “Draft Integrated Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter” contains the agency’s plans for the review of the air quality criteria. Comments are due by June 23.