Legislative Activity

Comprehensive Energy Legislation

We anticipate that the Senate will turn to 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. Based on remarks by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell(R-KY) we anticipate an open amendment process. In the past, energy bills like this one have stalled and then been pulled when they became a proposed vehicle for controversial or politically charged non-germane amendments.

RFS

• On Wednesday, January 27, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Interior, will hold a hearing to examine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Coal

• On Wednesday, January 27, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing to examine the management and disposal of coal combustion residuals.

Puerto Rico

• On Tuesday, January 26, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs, will hold a hearing titled, “The Need for the Establishment of a Puerto Rico Financial Stability and Economic Growth Authority.”

Regulatory Activity

Climate Change

The U.S. Department of the Interior is re-opening its recommendation period for members of the agency’s Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science. The 25-member Committee is composed of both government and non-governmental representatives. The re-opening of the recommendation period is for state government nominees only. Nominations must be received by February 22.

Fisheries

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will hold a three-day public meeting from February 9–11. The meeting is to discuss species and management alternatives; implementation activities for the Marine Recreational Information Program and Deep Sea Coral Protection Areas. The Council will hear updates from the Unmanaged Forage Fish Fishery Management Team, the Ecosystems and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel, and the Ecosystems and Ocean Planning Committee.