The world's political record
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151 records in 2009
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 6 October 2009
8 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate change will next meet. [30644/09]
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009
Drinking Water Adaptation, Technology, Education, and Research (WATER) Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist the utilities in adapting to the effects of climate change. Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) water quantity impacts and solutions; (4) infrastructure impacts and solutions for water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities and underground pipelines; (5) desalination, water reuse, and alternative supply technologies; (6) energy efficiency and greenhouse gas minimization; (7) regional and hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions; (8) utility management, decision support systems, and water management models; (9) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and improvement of energy demand management; (10) water conservation and demand management; and (11) communications, education, and public acceptance.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2009
Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act - Provides for the establishment of a cap and trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission allowances and sets goals of reducing U.S. emissions by 20% by 2020 and by 83% by 2050. Sets forth provisions concerning the establishment of: (1) economy-wide GHG emission reduction goals; (2) transportation-related GHG emissions reduction goals and standards; (3) a coordinated approach to certifying and permitting geological storage of carbon dioxide; (4) regulations for geological storage wells; (5) performance standards for new coal-fired power plants; (6) the Carbon Storage Research Corporation; (7) programs to research the safety and performance of nuclear power plants, train nuclear workers, and develop understanding of, and new technologies for, spent nuclear waste management; (8) water use efficiency programs, a research program to assist drinking water utilities in adapting to the effects of climate change, and a water system mitigation and adaptation partnership program to provide funds to states for water system adaptation projects; (9) an Office of Consumer Advocacy within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); (10) a national product carbon disclosure program; (11) a State Recycling Program; (12) a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Incentives Program to provide financial assistance to owners and operators of agricultural lands and forest land for projects that increase carbon sequestration or reduce GHG emissions; (13) the Economic Development Climate Change Fund for sustainable economic development; (14) efficiency standards for buildings; (15) a program to promote dispatchable power generation projects that can accelerate the reduction of power sector carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions; (16) the Strategic Interagency Board on International Climate Investment to develop and improve mitigation policies and actions that reduce deforestation and forest degradation or conserve and restore forests in developing countries; (17) programs to assist developing countries in reducing emissions from deforestation; (18) the International Clean Energy Deployment Program to assist developing countries in reducing, sequestering, or avoiding GHG emissions; (19) an International Climate Change Adaptation and Global Security Program to assist the most vulnerable developing countries in climate change adaptation programs; (20) a National Climate Change Adaptation Program within the United States Global Change Research Program to increase the effectiveness of climate change adaptation efforts; (21) to create within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a National Climate Service; (22) a Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Panel and strategies for making natural resources more resilient to the impacts of climate change; (23) a National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center within the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to provide assistance and tools for adaptation to climate change; (24) habitat and corridors information systems of geographical information system databases; (25) a Flood Control, Protection, Prevention and Response Program to provide assistance to states; and (26) a program to reduce the risk of wildfires in fire-ready communities. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) advancing or encouraging clean, renewable, alternative, innovative and/or efficient energy technology, projects, research and/or practices; (2) supporting the development of programs to aid workers in the fields of clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, and adaptation; (3) climate change adjustment assistance for workers displaced as a result of this Act; (4) implementing a strategic action plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the impacts of climate change on public health; (5) distributing funding to coastal states for projects addressing the impacts of climate change in the Great Lakes coastal watershed; and (6) reducing emissions of black carbon. Green Taxis Act of 2009 - Authorizes states to prescribe requirements for fuel economy for taxicabs if they are at least as stringent as federal standards. Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) promulgate regulations to cap and reduce GHG emissions, annually, so that GHG emissions from capped sources are reduced to 97% of 2005 levels by 2012, 80% by 2020, 58% by 2030, and 17% by 2050; (2) set aside a specified percentage of emission allowances to be used to achieve an additional 10% reduction from 2005 U.S. emission levels in 2020 by providing incentives to reduce emissions from international deforestation; and (3) establish a federal GHG registry. Designates carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from a chemical manufacturing process at an industrial stationary source, perfluorocarbons, and nitrogen trifluoride as GHGs. Authorizes the EPA Administrator to designate additional athropogenic GHGs. Requires EPA to establish specified emission allowances (tonnage limits) for each of 2012-2050. Authorizes the Administrator to either: (1) regulate the production of perfluorocarbon under such limits; or (2) subject such production to the best available control technology and regulations phasing down the consumption of perfluorocarbon and importation of products containing perfluorocarbon. Provides for the establishment and distribution of compensatory allowances for the destruction and conversionary use of fluorinated gases and the non-emissive use of petroleum-based or coal-based liquid or gaseous fuel, petroleum coke, natural gas liquid, or natural gas as a feedstock. Prohibits any person from manufacturing, introducing into interstate commerce, or emitting a significant quantity of certain fluorinated gas that is generated as a byproduct during the production or use of another fluorinated gas. Phases in prohibitions against covered entities (including electricity sources, fuel producers and importers, industrial gas producers and importers, nitrogen trifluoride sources, geological sequestration sites, industrial stationary sources, industrial fossil fuel-fired combustion devices, natural gas local distribution companies, resource and development facilities that emitted 25,000 tons per year or more of carbon dioxide equivalent, algae-based fuels, and fugitive emissions) exceeding allowable emission levels. Requires covered entities to demonstrate compliance through: (1) holding emission allowances at least as great as attributable emissions; or (2) using offset credits. Provides for trading, banking and borrowing, auctioning, selling, exchanging, transferring, holding, or retiring emission allowances. Sets forth provisions governing the disposition of emission allowances, including giving allowance values to: (1) benefit energy consumers and low income consumers, energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries, local distribution companies, merchant coal units, generators, refineries, and renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts; (2) address the impacts of climate change; and (3) reduce the deficit. Requires EPA to promulgate regulations to phase down the consumption of, and regulate the production of, HFCs. Specifies consumption allowances for: (1) each of 2012-2032; and (2) 2033 and thereafter. Provides for: (1) the distribution, auction, banking, exchange, and international transfer of such allowances; and (2) the issuance of offset credits for the destruction of chlorofluorocarbons.
Netherlands · House of Representatives · 29 September 2009
Beantwoording vragen tijdens het AO Ecofin betreffende het klimaatbeleid en over de Nederlandse inzet in de discussie over de werkgelegenheid
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2009
Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify and promote water efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services (products, facilities, and services) so as to: (1) reduce water use and the strain on water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure; (2) conserve energy used to pump, heat, transport, and treat water; and (3) preserve water resources through voluntary labeling of, or other forms of communications about, products, facilities, and services that meet the highest water efficiency and performance criteria. Sets forth the duties of Administrator of the EPA under the program, including to: (1) establish a WaterSense label and certification procedures and to promote labeled products, facilities, and services for reducing water use and ensuring performance; (2) review and update WaterSense criteria for categories of products, facilities, and services; (3) estimate and make available the production and relative market shares of, and the savings of water, energy, and capital costs of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure attributable to, labeled products, facilities, and services; (4) notify the public of any changes on the adoption of a new or revised WaterSense category, specification, installation criterion, or other criterion and explain such changes; (5) implement other voluntary approaches in commercial, institutional, residential, industrial, and municipal sectors to encourage recycling and reuse technologies to improve water efficiency or lower water use; and (6) apply the WaterSense label as appropriate to water-using products that are labeled by the Energy Star program. Requires the Administrator to: (1) allocate funds to establish and implement a program of financial incentives for consumer purchase and installation of water-efficient products, facilities, and services; and (2) make grants to owners or operators of specified water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted climate-related impact on the water quality or quantity of a region of the United States for the purposes of mitigating or adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 23 September 2009
155 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to use the overseas aid budget to pay for Ireland’s climate debt to poor countries; if he supports the position that 100% of the funds promised to support climate adaptation in developing countries, as part of the current UN climate negotiations, should be additional to official development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32647/09]
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 23 September 2009
147 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will ensure that the work of family resource centres is protected in the current economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32691/09]
Netherlands · House of Representatives · 23 September 2009
Motie Joldersma en Bouwmeester over handhaven van een streng, sober en stimulerend klimaat
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 22 September 2009
250 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has taken initiatives by way of policy directive to assist the tourism industry in view of the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32576/09]
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 22 September 2009
247 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the financial position of hotels, pubs and guest houses in the current economic climate; his proposals to address same in view of the need to promote and maintain the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32573/09]
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Healthy Borderlands Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement a comprehensive mitigation plan to address the ecological and environmental impacts of border security infrastructure, measures, and activities along the international land borders of the United States. Requires the plan to include measures to address and mitigate the full range of such impacts, including: (1) preserving, maintaining, and restoring wildlife migration corridors, key habitats, and the ecologically functional connectivity among key habitats sufficient to ensure that species remain viable and are able to adapt to the impacts of climate change; (2) addressing control of invasive species; (3) maintaining hydrological functionality; and (5) protection of cultural and historical resources. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the plan on any federal, state, private, or tribal lands, provided that activities are carried out in full consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the owner or entity with principal responsibility for the management of such lands. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to other federal agencies for: (1) expenditure under programs of such agencies that are designed to fund conservation-related activities on nonfederal lands; and (2) mitigation activities on federal lands managed by such agencies.
Austria · National Council · 18 September 2009
Antrag der Abgeordneten Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Wolfgang Pirklhuber, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Klimaschutz in der Landwirtschaft
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009
Energy and Water Research Integration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy, in carrying out energy research, development, and demonstration programs of the Department of Energy (DOE), to: (1) seek to advance energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices that would minimize freshwater withdrawal and consumption, increase water use efficiency, and utilize nontraditional water sources with efforts to improve the quality of that water; (2) consider the effects climate change may have on water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel production; and (3) improve understanding of the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies throughout the United States. Requires the Secretary to incorporate specified considerations, including: (1) new advanced cooling technologies for energy generation and fuel production technologies; (2) innovative water reuse, recovery, and treatment in energy generation and fuel production; and (3) reduction of water resource impacts of fossil fuel resource development. Directs the Secretary, in coordination with other relevant federal agencies, to establish an Energy-Water Architecture Council to promote and enable improved energy and water resource data collection, reporting, and technological innovation. Requires the Council to: (1) adopt data collection and communication standards and protocols for the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies; (2) make improvements to federal water use data to increase understanding of trends in power plant water use; (3) integrate existing monitoring networks to provide nationally uniform water and energy use and infrastructure data; and (4) conduct an annual technical workshop to facilitate information exchange among experts on technologies that encourage the conservation and efficient use of water energy.
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 September 2009
1057 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the economic climate and the absence of employment for architects, he will postpone the planned new system of registration of architects and particularly the imposition of a €4,000 interview fee, which would be beyond the means of an architect and would deprive them of a livelihood, in effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31611/09]
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 September 2009
223 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason, in the current economic circumstances, FÁS charges €120 per course in respect of on-line training courses, which would be available to self-employed people who have lost their jobs, and are looking at retraining as an option, and where in the circumstances a series of such courses in the software area might be necessitated, but because self-employed people are not registered as unemployed, or in receipt of jobseeker’s assistance, they are compelled to pay for same; her views on whether such on-line training would be a cost effective way of offering assistance to people who were self-employed and whose employment is gone; and if she will request that FÁS reconsider same in this context and in view of the economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31792/09]
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
Solar Technology Roadmap Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration for solar technology. Requires the Secretary to provide awards to: (1) academic institutions, national laboratories, government research agencies, nonprofit organizations, industrial entities, or consortia thereof for research, development, and demonstration activities; and (2) industry-led consortia for research, development, and demonstration of advanced techniques for manufacturing a variety of solar energy products. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide support for a Solar Technology Roadmap Committee, which shall develop a Solar Technology Roadmap that: (1) presents the best current estimate of the near-, mid-, and long-term research, development, and demonstration needs in solar technology; and (2) provides guidance to the solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities supported by the federal government for meeting national priorities in energy security, U.S. competitiveness, climate change mitigation, and energy diversification. Declares it to be U.S. policy that at least 75% of funding for Department of Energy (DOE) solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities after FY2014 support Roadmap activities. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate federal interagency activities identified in and related to the Roadmap. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide grants for demonstration projects to support the development of solar energy production, consistent with the Roadmap; (2) transmit to Congress the results of a study that analyzes the performance of photovoltaic installations in the United States; (3) award multiyear grants for research, development, and demonstration activities to create innovative and practical approaches to increase reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices; and (4) establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database of materials for use in photovoltaic devices.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2009
Abrupt Climate Change Research Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and carry out a program of extramural awards to conduct scientific research on abrupt climate change (defined as change in climate that occurs so rapidly or unexpectedly that human or natural systems have difficulty adapting).
European Union · European Commission · 10 September 2009
Netherlands · House of Representatives · 8 September 2009
Reactie op verzoek Vendrik over de financiering van internationaal klimaatbeleid
United States · United States Senate · 24 August 2009
United States · United States Senate · 6 August 2009
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009
Social Investment and Economic Development for the Americas Act of 2010 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, acting through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and working with governments and civil society in the Americas (all the countries of North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean), to provide assistance to reduce poverty, expand the middle class, and foster increased economic opportunity by promoting education, improving health and disease prevention, increasing access to income generating activities, reducing crime, generating rural development, reducing poverty and inequality, eliminating the exclusion of marginalized populations, and strengthening the rule of law, governance, and democracy through the establishment of independent judiciaries, efficient processes to adjudicate claims, and effective law enforcement institutions. Authorizes appropriations for debt and equity financing for a Microfinance Growth Fund for the Americas. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) establish an advisory group on the feasibility of establishing a new public-private Fund for Social and Economic Development in the Americas; (2) conduct a joint study to determine the best strategy for increasing the use of renewable energy sources in the Americas; and (3) work with interested governments in Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico (the Region) to study mechanisms to facilitate regional and hemispheric carbon trading. Authorizes appropriations to USAID: (1) for labor and environmental capacity building activities relating to the implementation of trade promotion agreements; (2) for programs in the Americas to reduce global warming; (3) to support activities in the Region involving adaptation to, and reduction in the negative impact of, environmental changes brought about by global warming and activities promoting sustainable forest management and reduction of deforestation. Expresses support for the establishment of an Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2009
Forest Carbon Incentives Program Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a carbon incentives program to achieve supplemental greenhouse gas emission reductions on private forest land of the United States. Directs the Secretary (subject to specified requirements) to provide to owners of eligible land financial incentive payments for: (1) eligible practices that measurably increase carbon sequestration and storage over a designated period, as specified through a climate mitigation contract; and (2) permanent avoided deforestation agreements (i.e., permanent conservation easements that cover eligible land that will not be converted for development). Directs the Secretary to: (1) specify requirements to address intentional or unintentional reversal of carbon sequestration during the contract period; (2) issue regulations that specify eligible practices and related compensation rates, standards, and guidelines; (3) establish and implement protocols that provide monitoring and verification of compliance with such contracts; (4) report on progress toward reaching specified levels of carbon sequestration and storage through such contracts; and (5) adjust (at least every two years) eligible practices and compensation rates for future contracts based on the results.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2009
Arctic Climate Adaptation Act - Establishes in the Department of Commerce an American Arctic Adaptation Grant Program. Directs the Denali Commission to: (1) be the Alaska Project Coordinator for the Program; (2) select, administer, and coordinate projects awarded grants under the Program; (3) establish an Adaptation Advisory Committee to advise the Commission on climate adaptation needs and investments and on the award of grants under the Program; and (4) publish an annual work plan for the Program. Permits the Commission to combine funds from the Program with awards from other appropriate federal or state infrastructure development, construction, or maintenance programs to provide funds to carry out an eligible project. Defines "eligible project" as a project to repair, replace, or maintain an element of public infrastructure in a coastal or remote Alaskan village damaged or threatened by the effects of climate change. Requires the Commission, during FY2010 and in collaboration with the state of Alaska, the University of Alaska, and relevant U.S. agencies, to conduct research on best practices for climate related adaptation that are being used or researched by other polar nations or foreign or domestic research institutions or institutions of higher learning and that could be used by Arctic communities in Alaska.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
American Energy Production and Price Reduction Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that at no time shall Congress enact legislation that will lead to the increase of domestic energy prices. Amends the Submerged Lands Act to: (1) revise the seaward boundaries of states from three geographical miles to 12 nautical miles; and (2) retain as federal property all oil and gas mineral rights for lands beneath the navigable waters located within such expanded offshore state seaward boundaries. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to revise requirements for: (1) the determination of Adjacent Zones and Planning Areas; (2) lease administration and granting of leases; and (3) treatment of receipts from tracts within specified miles of a state coastline. Revamps procedures for the reservation of lands and rights. Authorizes the President to revoke or revise prior withdrawals from leasing within certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Revises the OCS leasing program. Prescribes a program for approval of pipeline construction (including a petroleum products pipeline) within part of an Adjacent State's Adjacent Zone. Cites conditions under which leases and exploration activities are categorically excluded from the need to prepare an environmental assessment or impact statement. Prescribes procedures for federal repurchase of certain leases, including oil and gas leases. Permits offsite environmental mitigation. Sets forth procedures for the exchange of specified leases within the California or Florida Adjacent Zone. Repeals: (1) the coastal impact assistance program; and (2) the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to implement a competitive leasing program for oil and gas exploration, development, and production on the Alaska Coastal Plain. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against leasing or other development regarding production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Deems any oil and gas leasing programs and activities authorized by this Act to be in compliance with ANWR purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to designate specified acres of the Coastal Plain as a Special Area, after consultation with the state of Alaska, the city of Kaktovik, and the North Slope Borough. Permits directional drilling in the Special Area. Prescribes procedures governing Coastal Plain lease sales. Prescribes a "no significant adverse effect" standard to govern Coastal Plain activities. Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from denying a license application under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 on the grounds that sufficient capacity does not exist, or will not become available on a timely basis, for disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste from the facility for which the authorization is sought. Amends the Internal Revenue Code: (1) to prescribe an ASME Nuclear Certification credit of 15% of the qualified nuclear expenditures paid or incurred by the taxpayer; and (2) repeal the deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities. Amends the Clean Air Act to exclude from the term "air pollutant" carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride. Declares the Clean Air Act shall not be treated as authorizing or requiring the regulation of climate change or global warming. Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to set forth procedures for judicial review of federal agency compliance. Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal specified amendments to the renewable fuel standard. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009, to repeal the requirement to consult regarding impacts on global warming and the polar bear population. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal lighting energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps and other designated lamps. Emergency Solar Power Permit Act - Amends NEPA to exempt any action relating to a solar energy project on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from environmental impact statement (EIS) requirements. Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a five-year natural gas vehicle research and development program. Amends the IRC to: (1) make permanent alternative fuel credits for compressed or liquefied natural gas and the vehicles powered by such gas; (2) allow vehicle and infrastructure credits against regular and minimum tax and transferability of credits; (3) grant a credit for producing vehicles fueled by natural or liquefied natural gas; (4) grant a special allowance for coal-to-liquid plant property in the accelerated cost recovery system; and (5) extend permanently the credit for nonbusiness energy property and the credit for gas produced from biomass and for synthetic fuels produced from coal. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize appropriations for large-scale coal-to-liquid facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish a coal-to-liquid facilities loan and loan guarantee programs. Amends the IRC to: (1) provide for a seven-year depreciation for clean coal technology or for carbon sequestration technology installed or retrofitted at power-plants; (2) extend the 50-cent per gallon alternative fuels excise tax credit; and (3) allow a tax credit for 30% of the expenditures made by an individual or business for energy production and distribution facilities. Directs the Internal Revenue Service to treat the synthetic gas produced from coal-to-liquids with the same tax treatment as covered by the industrial gasification tax credit. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide clean coal technology loan guarantees and direct loans for research, development, and deployment of clean coal technology in order to build up to five commercial-scale coal-fired plants with carbon capture and sequestration capabilities. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a national assessment of carbon dioxide storage capacity. Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct and report to certain congressional committees on an efficiency audit, and quantify the operating efficiencies, of all coal-fired electric generation facilities in the United States. Amends the IRC to extend specified tax incentives for energy, among them credits for: (1) energy efficient appliances; (2) nonbusiness energy property; (3) residential energy efficient property; and (4) new energy efficient homes.
United States · United States Senate · 30 July 2009
United States · United States Senate · 30 July 2009
United States · United States House of Representatives · 29 July 2009
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2009
Black Carbon and Other Aerosols Research Act of 2009 - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to: (1) develop an observation, monitoring, modeling, and research plan for black carbon and other aerosols that contribute to climate-forcing and climate change, which shall analyze research gaps, identify federal research priorities, include a framework for modeling effects on climate, identify sources, monitor atmospheric concentrations, and provide for assets necessary to develop a monitoring and research program; and (2) establish a Black Carbon and Other Aerosols Advisory Panel to assist in development and implementation of such plan. Directs the Administrator to establish a black carbon and other aerosols monitoring and research program that combines observations, research, monitoring, modeling, and other activities within NOAA, consistent with such plan, and that includes: (1) coordinated monitoring and research activities to improve understanding of specified factors that influence the contribution of such substances to climate change processes; (2) strategic modeling activities to improve understanding of the transportation and transformation of such substances, their distributions and climate-forcing properties, and their roles in climate change and air quality; (3) educational opportunities that encourage an interdisciplinary and international approach to exploring such substances' associated sources and impacts; (4) public outreach activities; and (5) coordination of monitoring research with various agencies and entities. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to provide grants for critical research and projects that improve the ability to measure, monitor, model, and assess such substances with respect to atmospheric concentrations and deposited forms, including research that supports means of reducing their impacts on climate.
United States · United States House of Representatives · 23 July 2009
United States · United States Senate · 21 July 2009
United States · United States Senate · 21 July 2009
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2009
American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 - Establishes: (1) the Clean Energy Investment Fund, a revolving fund to develop clean energy technology; (2) the Clean Energy Deployment Administration in the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial support for deploying clean energy technologies; (3) the National Commission on Nuclear Waste to study issues concerning waste management, disposal, storage, and chemical reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (4) a Working Group on Energy Markets; and (5) a standard that requires utilities to obtain an increasing percentage of their base quantity of electricity that they sell to consumers from renewable energy or energy efficiency (3% in 2011-2013, 6% in 2014-2016, 9% in 2017-2018, 12% in 2019-2020, and 15% in 2021-2039). Requires DOE to: (1) establish a renewable energy credit trading program and an energy efficiency credit trading program, under which utilities will submit credits to comply with such standard; (2) conduct various studies and programs concerning clean energy, water use and energy savings, and energy efficiency in vehicles; (3) support manufacturers' use of clean energy and energy efficiency measures, including implementing the State Partnership Industrial Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Program and a sustainable manufacturing initiative; (4) implement a program to demonstrate the commercial application of integrated systems for the capture, injection, monitoring, and storage of carbon dioxide from industrial sources; (5) support programs to expand the domestic production of low-Btu gas and helium resources; (6) conduct a marine-based energy device verification program; (7) implement a grant program to develop and evaluate marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy; and (8) establish a task force to report on climate change in China and India. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) develop an interconnection-wide transmission plan for the electric grid; (2) require electric utilities to make available interconnection service to consumers with respect to facilities that generate up to 15 kilowatts; and (3) establish a model standard for the interconnection of certain small power production facilities. Provides for the protection of critical electric infrastructure from cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Gives the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing authority under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 over facilities that use an advanced fuel recycling process. Requires NRC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish standards regarding protection against radiation and radioactive material from facilities that use such a process. Sets forth provisions to: (1) establish energy efficiency standards for lights, appliances, and buildings and revise the Energy Star program; (2) require the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to include at least 30 million barrels of refined petroleum products; (3) provide for the production of geothermal energy on land with oil and gas leases; (4) repeal royalty relief for production from certain ultra deep gas wells in shallow water and oil and gas production sites in the Gulf of Mexico; (5) increase a federal loan guarantee for developing an Alaska natural gas pipeline; (6) prioritize and provide assistance for renewable energy development on brownfield sites; (7) authorize and extend appropriations for specified energy programs; (8) provide for the development of energy education and workforce training; and (9) establish requirements for the Energy Information Administration, including creating a Financial Market Analysis Office. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) develop a facility to operate the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility; (2) designate Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field offices in specified states to serve as Renewable Energy Permit Coordination Offices; (3) prepare a seismic inventory of oil and natural gas and a summary of such information for waters in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); (4) establish a wind and solar leasing program; (5) conduct assessments of helium gas and potash; (6) establish a regional joint OCS lease and permit processing office for Alaska; and (7) allow oil and gas leasing in specified areas of the Gulf of Mexico that are beyond 45 statute miles (current law limits such activity to areas beyond 125 miles) off the coastline of Florida.
United States · United States Senate · 14 July 2009
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2009
Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to support investments in clean water and drinking water infrastructure. Imposes through 2015: (1) an excise tax on the sale of containers of water-based beverages, water disposal products, and pharmaceutical products; and (2) a clean water tax on corporations. Appropriates revenues raised from such taxes to the Trust Fund. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allocate amounts from the Trust Fund for specified clean and safe drinking water programs. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act to: (1) expand the types of projects eligible for funding by state revolving loan funds; and (2) set forth additional criteria for states in developing priorities for assistance under such Acts; and (3) provide for technical assistance to community water systems and small water treatment works. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to: (1) increase the security of community water systems and water treatment works; (2) hire certified wastewater treatment operators; and (3) control sewer overflow. Requires the Administrator to make grants to: (1) support efforts by water systems to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the impacts of climate change; (2) establish a national water infrastructure research, development, and demonstration program and regional university water research centers; and (3) take back and dispose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs in an environmentally sound manner.
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 July 2009
646 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position, in view of the current economic climate and the financial circumstances which so many people who have mortgages find themselves in, regarding people who have mortgages and have been in receipt of mortgage supplement for at least 12 months; if she will confirm that mortgage interest supplement will be payable to people who qualify for periods in excess of 12 months, when their circumstances have not improved in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29894/09]
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 July 2009
449 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the Transport 21 capital costs may have reduced in the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29495/09]
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2009
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010 - Makes FY2010 appropriations for the Department of State (Department) for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the civilian stabilization initiative; (3) the Capital Investment Fund; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) educational and cultural exchange programs; (6) representation allowances; (7) protection of foreign missions and officials; (8) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (9) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (10) the buying power maintenance account; (11) the repatriation loans program account; (12) the American Institute in Taiwan; (13) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (14) international organizations, peacekeeping, and commissions; (15) the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico; (16) plan preparation and construction of authorized projects; (17) the International Joint Commission and the International Boundary Commission, United States and Canada; (18) international fisheries commissions; (19) international broadcasting operations; (20) the Asia Foundation; (21) the United States Institute for Peace; (22) the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund; (23) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (24) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; (25) the East-West Center; (26) the National Endowment for Democracy; (27) the Commission for Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (28) the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom; (29) the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (30) the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China; and (31) the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) operating expenses of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Office of Inspector General; (2) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (3) global health and child survival; (4) specified development assistance; (5) international disaster assistance; (6) transition initiatives; (7) emergency crises; (8) development credit authority; (9) the Economic Support Fund; (10) promotion of democracy; (11) assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia; (12) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (13) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, and demining; (14) migration and refugee assistance; (15) the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (16) the Peace Corps; (17) the Millennium Challenge Corporation; (18) the Inter-American Foundation; (19) the African Development Foundation; and (20) the Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance activities and debt restructuring. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) international military education and training; (2) foreign military financing grants; and (3) international peacekeeping operations. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) international organizations and programs; (2) the Global Environment Facility; (3) the International Development Association; (4) the Clean Technology Fund; (5) the Strategic Climate Fund; (6) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (7) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (8) the Asian Development Fund; (9) the African Development Fund; and (10) the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) the Export-Import Bank, including the Office of Inspector General, direct and guaranteed loan and insurance programs, and administrative expenses; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses, and for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Sets forth certain limits and prohibitions on the use of appropriations for specified activities.
United States · United States Senate · 8 July 2009
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 July 2009
220 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that some general medical practitioners and consultants have continued to increase their fees to non-medical card patients, despite the changed economic climate; her plans to discourage this trend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28363/09]
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2009
Prohibits the President from making contributions on behalf of the United States to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
United States · United States Senate · 7 July 2009
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 July 2009
288 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the bonuses paid to members of the Health Service Executive management for each of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008; the number and grade of persons who received such bonuses; and if she will confirm, in view of the current economic climate and the HSE’s budgetary situation, that no bonuses will be awarded in 2009 to members of senior HSE management. [27865/09]
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 2 July 2009
153 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the 3% annual reduction target in climate change in the programme for Government which he has failed to achieve to date; the changes proposed to address this failure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26952/09]
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 30 June 2009
452 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that will arise for businesses if the border inspection posts at Dublin and Shannon Airports are no longer approved for category O animals such as birds, fish, reptiles and so on; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that from August 2009 this category will have to be checked via an approved border inspection post in another member state; the reason for these changes; if he will examine alternatives to ensure businesses are not lost in the current economic climate through changes in regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26259/09]
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010 - Makes FY2010 appropriations for the Department of State (Department) for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the civilian stabilization initiative; (3) the Capital Investment Fund; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) educational and cultural exchange programs; (6) representation allowances; (7) protection of foreign missions and officials; (8) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (9) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (10) the buying power maintenance account; (11) the repatriation loans program account; (12) the American Institute in Taiwan; (13) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (14) international organizations, peacekeeping, and commissions; (15) the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico; (16) plan preparation and construction of authorized projects; (17) the International Joint Commission and the International Boundary Commission, United States and Canada; (18) international fisheries commissions; (19) international broadcasting operations; (20) the Asia Foundation; (21) the United States Institute for Peace; (22) the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund; (23) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (24) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; (25) the National Endowment for Democracy; (26) the Commission for Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (27) the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom; (28) the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (29) the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China; and (30) the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) operating and international development expenses of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Office of Inspector General; (2) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (3) global health and child survival; (4) specified development assistance; (5) international disaster assistance; (6) transition initiatives; (7) development credit authority; (8) the Economic Support Fund; (9) promotion of democracy; (10) the International Fund for Ireland; (11) assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia; (12) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (13) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, and demining; (14) migration and refugee assistance; (15) the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (16) the Peace Corps; (17) the Millennium Challenge Corporation; (18) the Inter-American Foundation; (19) the African Development Foundation; and (20) the Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance activities and debt restructuring. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) international military education and training; (2) foreign military financing grants; and (3) international peacekeeping operations. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) international organizations and programs; (2) the Global Environment Facility; (3) the International Development Association; (4) the Clean Technology Fund; (5) the Strategic Climate Fund; (6) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (7) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (8) the Asian Development Fund; (9) the African Development Fund; and (10) the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Makes FY2010 appropriations for: (1) the Export-Import Bank, including the Office of Inspector General, direct and guaranteed loan and insurance programs, and administrative expenses; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses, and for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Sets forth certain limits and prohibitions on the use of appropriations for specified activities.
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 25 June 2009
171 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she proposes to take to speed up the processing of applications for social welfare payments with particular reference to the alleviation of hardship in the current economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25601/09]
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 June 2009
85 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it is planned to proceed with a proposed 25% reduction in the training budget for Skillnets Limited; if, in view of the importance of upskilling workers in the current economic climate, she will ensure that the funding is maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25380/09]
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 June 2009
165 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the expectation to meet EU requirements in respect of climate change in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25330/09]
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 June 2009
34 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money to be spent by him on climate change awareness in 2009; the estimate in tabular form of the way that money is to be spent; the persons to whom payments are to be made; the amount of same which is for advertising and consultancy; if the moneys to be spent in 2009 on this area are committed in order that they cannot be diverted to other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25075/09]