iLegislative Action
Comprehensive Energy Bill
While leadership continues its discussion, it is possible that the Senate may consider a vote to proceed to conference on the comprehensive House and Senate Energy bills before July 15. Should a vote for conference succeed, Senate conferees would need to be selected and conference would not begin until after Congress returns from its summer recess.
This Week’s Hearings:
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On Tuesday, July 12, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Energy, will hold a hearing to examine S. 3018, the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, which would establish a pilot program to address potential energy disruptions.
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On Tuesday, July 12, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a markup of the Western Water Supply and Planning Enhancement Act, S. 2902. The bill addresses potential changes to long-term water supplies, use of existing water supply infrastructure and existing water rights.
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On Tuesday, July 12, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, will hold a hearing to examine “Opportunities and Challenges of Developing the Mancos Shale Resource.”
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On Tuesday, July 12, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans, will hold a hearing regarding “Changing Demands and Water Supply Uncertainty in California.”
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On Wednesday, July 13, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, will hold a hearing on the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2015 (H.R. 2663).
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On Wednesday, July 13, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, will hold an oversight hearing on Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) implementation.
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On Thursday, July 14, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, will hold an oversight hearing on the status of the Ivanpah plant and other federal loan-guaranteed solar energy projects on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands.
Regulatory Action
Mid-Atlantic Resource Planning
The Department of Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, is seeking comment on its Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan. The plan will cover six states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Pursuant to the National Ocean Policy, the plan will address a “comprehensive, adaptive, integrated, ecosystem-based, and transparent ocean planning process for current and anticipated uses of ocean and coastal areas.” Comments are due September 6.
Future of Regional Haze 2018-2028
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking comment on a draft guidance document for industry to mitigate regional haze. According to the EPA, the document is intended “to provide background information and guidance to states on how to develop and submit regional haze state implementation plans (SIPs) for the second implementation period (2018–2028).” Comments are due August 22.
Climate Change
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is seeking comment on its proposed National Climate Assessment. The USGCRP is mandated under the Global Change Research Act of 1990 to conduct a quadrennial National Climate Assessment (NCA). This will be the fourth NCA assessment. Among other areas, the program is interested in receiving regional-specific information as well as “suggestions regarding overarching themes to be addressed in this assessment.” Comments are due July 29.
