Legislative Activity

Comprehensive Energy Legislation

Last week, the House passed H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015, which included an amendment that would authorize crude oil exports. Debate continues on whether to include a crude export authorization provision in the separate “must pass” all-encompassing appropriations bill to fund the government in 2016. The Senate has pending a fairly different energy bill, S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015.  That bill was favorably reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in September, but it continues to sit on the calendar while its sponsors wait for an opening on the floor.

This Week’s Hearings:

• On Monday, December 14, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resource, will hold a field hearing at the Colorado School of Mines to discuss HR. 3734, the “Mining Schools Enhancement Act.” The legislation would amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to provide support to mining schools.

Regulatory Activity

Conservation Easements

The National Forest Service has issued a proposal that would allow grant recipients “to issue conservation easements to funding entities” and “to convey community forest land to other eligible entities.” Comments on the proposal are due March 7.