Energy & Environment Update - July 21, 2014

ENERGY AND CLIMATE DEBATE

The House Appropriations Committee approved July 15 a fiscal year 2015 spending bill for the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies after Republicans opposed Democratic attempts to remove 24 legislative riders. The measure would increase Interior Department funding for oil and gas permitting and inspections on Bureau of Land Management land, as well as funding for fighting and preventing wildfires. The package would reduce the Environmental Protection Agency's budget by $717 million, about nine percent. The overall bill would amount to $30.2 billion, a $162 million increase from the fiscal year 2014 enacted level. The riders are designed to halt some agency initiatives, including greenhouse gas regulations, a new definition of Clean Water Act jurisdiction, revised water pollution rules for surface coal mining, and the possibility of an Endangered Species Act listing next year of the greater sage grouse.

Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) filed an amendment early last week to strip out the 24 riders, but it failed on a 29-19 vote. He then offered an amendment to remove the bill's provision to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing greenhouse gas regulations for power plants, but that failed also.

With just two weeks to go before the August recess, the Senate will try to make progress on a short-term highway funding bill that would replenish funds for highway and mass-transit projects through next May. The House plans floor action on a series of education measures. Issues that may also garner congressional attention between now and the end of the month include a conference negotiation on a provision (H.R. 3230) to reduce waiting times for veterans in need of medical care; the influx of Central American children crossing the United States-Mexico border; various tax issues; and additional appropriations negotiations. Committee work on energy issues this week is outlined below.

CONGRESS

FERC Nominees Approved The Senate confirmed July 15 the nominations of Cheryl LaFleur and Norman Bay to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Ms. LaFleur will continue to lead the commission for nine more months while Mr. Bay gets some experience serving on the commission. At that time, Mr. Bay will assume the chairmanship, while Ms. LaFleur serves out the remainder of her five-year term as commissioner.

Ex-Im Bank Timeline Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) said July 16 that legislation to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank might be brought to the Senate floor without a provision from Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) that would reverse bank policy limiting the financing of overseas coal projects. The bank's charter expires September 30. The bill is likely to be brought to the floor clean, with a separate vote to be held on Senator Manchin's coal measure.

Legislation Introduced Representative Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced July 10 the American Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act (H.R. 5072). The measure would establish a Federal renewable electricity standard for retail electricity suppliers and a Federal energy efficiency resource standard for electricity and natural gas suppliers.

Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 (S. 2613) July 16 to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating regulations or assessments based upon science that is not transparent.

The same day, Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA) introduced the Country of Origin Labeling for Fuels Act (H.R. 5123) to require gas stations to post the fuel's country of origin on the pump.

Upcoming Hearings

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing July 22 to discuss the benefits to states and local governments from further development of the nation's natural resources.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will meet July 22 to consider the domestic security implications of the United States' energy and climate policies.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing July 23 to consider the Clean Power Plan. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy will testify.

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will hold a hearing July 23 on modernizing environmental regulations and protections.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will consider July 24 the nomination of Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall as deputy secretary of Energy, replacing Daniel Poneman.

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing July 24 on the impacts of United States' energy policies as they relate to encouraging democracy.

ADMINIS...