Energy

Consumer Protection and Cost Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2008

Consumer Protection and Cost Accountability Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to consider whether a rate or charge made, demanded, or received by a Transmission Organization (TO) would enable the TO to provide or facilitate reliable service to consumers at the lowest reasonable cost. Instructs FERC, in determining whether a TO filing to establish or change a rate or charge is consistent with specified requirements, to consider whether the rate or charge would: (1) provide consumer benefits that outweigh any anticipated costs to consumers as demonstrated by a cost-benefit analysis submitted by the TO; or (2) have only a de minimis impact upon the total delivered costs to the consumer. Directs FERC to ensure that each TO is subject to biennial, independent audits.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2009

United States · United States House of Representatives · 14 February 2008

American Renewable Energy Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008

American Renewable Energy Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require that electric utilities that sell electricity to consumers generate or purchase a specified percentage (increasing from 2% in 2010 to 20% in 2024) of their electricity from renewable resources (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal, ocean, biomass, landfill gas, or incremental hydropower or geothermal energy). Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for investment in renewable energy sources and conversation, including by: (1) extending the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources, the energy tax credit, the small ethanol producer tax credit, and the tax credits for investment in clean new renewable energy bonds, biodiesel used as fuel, alternative fuel motor vehicles and refueling property, nonbusiness energy property, and new energy efficient homes, and the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; (2) allowing accelerated depreciation of qualified energy management devices and certain reuse and recycling property; and (3) allowing new tax credits for residential wind property, production of cellulosic biomass alcohol, fossil free alcohol production, and plug-in electric drive motor vehicles. Extends the tariff duty on ethanol until 2011. Denies major integrated oil companies the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, natural gas, and related products. Increases and extends through 2017 the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund tax. Imposes taxes on: (1) crude oil and natural gas produced from the outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) taxable fuels in foreign trade zones. Revises tax rules relating to: (1) penalties for sale of fuel failing to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations; (2) tax credits for fuels produced outside the United States and foreign oil and gas extraction income; (3) treatment of alcohol and biodiesel fuel mixtures as taxable fuels; (3) foreign corporation inversion transactions; (4) leasing of tax-exempt use property to foreign entities; and (5) taxation of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who revoke citizenship or resident status to avoid U.S. taxation (expatriates).

American-Made Energy Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008

American-Made Energy Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify and set forth provisions concerning tax credits for alternative and renewable energy, nuclear power facility construction, and an advanced coal project and deductions for energy efficient commercial buildings, qualified refinery property, and oil and gas well depletion. Establishes the American-Made Energy Trust Fund. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal a provision that prohibits federal agencies from procuring alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use unless its life cycle greenhouse gas emissions are less than those for fuel from conventional petroleum sources. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study the effects of state guaranteed profit laws and credit card processing fees on gasoline prices. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the Coastal Plain's oil and gas resources. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal a provision concerning the prohibition on leasing or other development leading to the production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Authorizes the Secretary to designate certain Coastal Plain lands as Special Areas requiring special management and regulatory protection, including the Sadlerochit Spring area. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to set forth provisions concerning: (1) studying the maintenance of coal-to-liquid products in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; (2) constructing specified storage facilities for the Reserve; (3) acquiring, storing, transporting, or exchanging coal-to-liquid fuel; (4) procuring biobased fuel or coal-to-liquid fuel; and (5) auctioning to the public coal-to-liquid fuel put option contracts. Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize funding for grants for cellulosic ethanol production for FY2009-FY2010. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make loan guarantees to entities to assist in paying the cost of development and construction of biorefineries and biofuel production plants to carry out projects to demonstrate the commercial viability of processes for converting biomass to fuels or chemicals; and (2) conduct a competitive research and development program to encourage new forest-to-energy technologies. Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to repeal provisions concerning biomass research and development. Authorizes persons who generate credits for renewable fuel that exceed their annual obligation for such fuel to retain such credits for the purpose of complying with obligations under the Clean Air Act with respect to advanced biofuel. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to terminate prohibitions on expenditures to conduct oil or natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) areas and to revoke withdrawals of federal submerged lands from the OCS. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from granting certain oil or natural gas leases for OCS areas that are located within a specified number of miles of the coastline of a state. Establishes the state seaward boundaries under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Authorizes the President to take steps to increase the share of electricity generated from nuclear power to 40% of the total domestic generation by 2050.

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to suspend, during calendar year 2008, petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) through the royalty-in-kind program or any other acquisition method. Authorizes resumption of such acquisition during calendar 2008 not earlier than 30 days after the Secretary notifies Congress that the weighted average price of petroleum in the United States for the most recent 90-day period is $50 or less per barrel.

Coastal State Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008

Coastal State Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2008 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize grants to eligible coastal states to support voluntary state efforts to initiate and complete surveys of portions of coastal state waters and federal waters adjacent to a state's coastal zone to identify potential areas suitable or unsuitable for the exploration, development, and production of renewable (wind, wave, current, tidal, or ocean thermal) energy that are consistent with the enforceable policies of coastal management plans. Requires suitable areas to be given priority consideration by federal agencies for the siting, licensing, leasing, or permitting of renewable energy facilities and requires unsuitable areas to be avoided by federal agencies to the maximum extent practicable.

Encouraging Americans to join others across the country in using their rebate checks to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products and services in order to save money, stimulate the economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008

Encourages: (1) Americans to use their rebate checks to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products and services in order to save money, stimulate the economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) retailers and service providers to offer promotions for such investments.

Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008

Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to: (1) require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inspector General's report to Congress on the management of the brownfields program to be submitted every four years; and (2) extend the authorization of appropriations for such program and for state response programs through FY2012. Includes among the criteria used to rank brownfield grant applications the extent to which the grant would implement green building standards, including the use of energy efficient building standards. Amends the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to authorize grants to be made for the training and education of workers who are or may be engaged in activities related to: (1) brownfields site characterization, assessment, or remediation; or (2) emergency response, rescue, recovery, or cleanup in connection with a natural or intentional disaster. Authorizes funding for worker training and education grants for FY2008-FY2012.

Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008

Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008- Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to renewable energy sources and energy conservation. Extends: (1) the tax credit for production of electricity from renewable resources through 2011; (2) the energy tax credit for solar energy and fuel cell property through 2016; (3) the special rule for treatment of gain from electronic transmission transactions by certain electric utilities through 2009; (4) the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures through 2014; (5) the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures through 2010; (6) the tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel through 2010; (7) the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property expenditures through 2009; and (8) the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings through 2013. Allows new tax credits for: (1) investment in new clean renewable energy bonds and qualified energy conservation bonds; and (2) the production of plug-in hybrid motor vehicles, cellulosic alcohol fuel, and electricity from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy sources. Revises the definition of "passenger automobile" for purposes of the limitation on depreciation deductions. Allows a tax exclusion for bicycle commuting reimbursements. Revises certain tax incentives for investment in the New York Liberty Zone. Revises tax credit amounts for certain energy efficient household appliances produced after 2007. Allows a five-year recovery period for the depreciation of qualified energy management devices. Places limits on the tax deduction for income attributable to the domestic production of oil, natural gas, and any related products. Revises tax rules relating to foreign oil and gas extraction income and foreign produced fuel used or sold outside the United States.

Consumer and Manufacturer Energy Efficiency Tax Credit Extension Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008

Consumer and Manufacturer Energy Efficiency Tax Credit Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2009 the tax credits for: (1) energy efficient appliances (i.e., dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators that meet certain energy conservation standards); and (2) nonbusiness energy property expenditures.

GREEN School Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008

Grants for Renewable and Energy Efficiency Needs School Improvement Act or the GREEN School Improvement Act - Requires the Secretary of Education to allocate funds to states to provide competitive grants to local educational agencies and eligible entities to make energy improvements to schools that result in a direct reduction in school energy costs, an improvement in teacher and student health, or the installation of renewable energy technologies. Requires a priority to be given to high-need local agencies and local agencies designated with a specified metrocentric locale codes. Sets forth grant application requirements, including a needs assessment for the schools involved and a description of the benefits and costs of the energy improvements to be made. Authorizes a state agency to require matching funds. Requires the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to states to develop guidelines and standards for energy improvements and new facility construction. Requires recipients of grants under this Act to report on their use of funds. Requires the Secretary to use report results to publish best practices: (1) for school energy improvement activities; and (2) to further the goal of developing nationwide and regional guidelines and standards for improvements, modernizations, renovations, and new construction. Directs the Comptroller General to carry out a study on: (1) the costs of repair, renovation, and construction for public elementary schools and secondary schools; (2) federal, state, local, and private expenditures for such costs; and (3) the potential of federal funding to address the repair, renovation, and construction needs of such schools with energy improvements.

Climate Change Center and Clearinghouse Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008

Climate Change Center and Clearinghouse Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish: (1) the Office of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change within the Small Business Administration (SBA); and (2) the Climate Change Center and Clearinghouse within such Office. Requires the Office to: (1) oversee and administer the Center; (2) promote energy efficiency efforts for, and efforts to reduce energy costs of, small businesses; and (3) oversee efforts by small businesses to develop renewable energy technologies. Requires the Center to: (1) provide information to small businesses on assessing and managing the impacts of climate change and on cost savings and revenue gains possible through carbon credit trading opportunities and federal and state renewable energy and energy efficiency tax relief programs, purchase incentives, and rebate programs; (2) ensure that such information is provided to small businesses on an accessible website and through nationwide workshops; (3) coordinate federal agency efforts to provide support to small businesses for the purpose of maintaining competitiveness while developing green products or services, implementing green business practices, or reducing pollution; (4) develop a baseline study that provides a broad analysis that aggregates small business energy consumption and emissions; (5) raise awareness among small businesses of the information, technical support, and network opportunities made available through the Energy Star Program to reduce energy waste and energy costs; (6) develop a carbon footprint website that contains information on how small business concerns can reduce their carbon footprint, links to other carbon footprint websites, and a calculator for obtaining an estimate of a small business's carbon emissions based on electricity usage, heating fuel usage, and fleet mileage; and (7) develop a marketing plan. Directs: (1) the President to establish an interagency working group to establish goals and priorities for the Center and to provide for interagency coordination of Center activities; and (2) the Administrator of SBA to specify a detailed definition for the terms "green products or services" and "green business practices."

RISE Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008

Recycling Investment Saves Energy or the RISE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a first-year tax deduction of 50% of the adjusted basis of qualified reuse and recycling property. Defines "qualified reuse and recycling property" as property placed in service after December 31, 2006, which has a useful life of at least five years and which is used exclusively to collect, distribute, or recycle certain scrap materials.

National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2008

National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2008 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers. Sets forth provisions concerning the Northern Mariana Islands. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the National Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996, the Reclamation and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003.

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer certain amounts to the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2008

Provides for the transfer from the Secretary of the Treasury to the state of Colorado of certain amounts derived from oil and gas development leases involving Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and 3, to be used by Colorado for: (1) conservation, restoration, and protection of land, water, and wildlife resources affected by oil or gas development; (2) repair, maintenance, and construction of state and county roads in development-affected areas; and (3) capital improvement projects to address impacts of such development.

GEAR Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2008

Greenhouse Gas Emission Atmospheric Removal Act or the GEAR Act - Declares that it is the policy of the United States to provide incentives to encourage the development and implementation of technology to permanently remove greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the atmosphere on a significant scale. Establishes within the Department of Energy (DOE) the Greenhouse Gas Emission Atmospheric Removal Commission. Requires the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Commission, to provide financial awards on a competitive basis to entities for the achievement of milestones in developing and applying technology that could significantly slow or reverse the accumulation of GHGs in the atmosphere by permanently capturing or sequestrating those gases without significant countervailing harmful effects. Requires the Commission to: (1) develop specific requirements for the competition, performance, monitoring and verification, and the scale of awards; (2) establish minimum levels for the capture or net sequestration of GHGs required to qualify for a financial award; (3) offer awards to entities that demonstrate achievement of specified technological goals; and (4) establish standards for required peer review of proposals seeking such awards. Vests title to intellectual property arising from such awards in U.S. entities. Bars title transfer to an entity not incorporated in the United States until the first obtained patent expires. Authorizes the United States to reserve a license to have such property practiced on its behalf.

ENERGY MARKET EFFECTS ON RECENTLY PASSED RFS

United States · United States Senate · 7 February 2008

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S FISCAL YEAR 2009 BUDGET PROPOSAL

United States · United States House of Representatives · 7 February 2008

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the transfer certain receipts derived from leases involving Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and 3 to the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008

Provides for the transfer from the Secretary of the Treasury to the state of Colorado of certain amounts derived from oil and gas development leases involving Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and 3, to be used by Colorado for: (1) conservation, restoration, and protection of land, water, and wildlife resources affected by oil or gas development; (2) repair, maintenance, and construction of state and county roads in development-affected areas; and (3) capital improvement projects to address impacts of such development.

BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

United States · United States Senate · 6 February 2008

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to suspend, during calendar year 2008, petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) through the royalty-in-kind program or any other acquisition method. Authorizes resumption of such acquisition not earlier than 30 days after the Secretary notifies Congress that the weighted average price of petroleum in the United States for the most recent 90-day period is $50 or less per barrel.

Renewable Biomass Facilitation Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008

Renewable Biomass Facilitation Act of 2008 - Amends the Clean Air Act to redefine the term "renewable biomass" as: (1) materials, precommercial thinnings, or exotic species that are removed as byproducts of preventive treatments to reduce hazardous fuels, to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation, or to restore ecosystem health, that would not otherwise be used for higher-value products, and that are harvested from National Forest System land or public lands in accordance with federal and state law, land management plans, and requirements for old-growth maintenance, restoration, management direction, and large-tree retention under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003; or (2) any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis from non-federal land or Indian land held in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, including renewable plant material (including feed grains, other agricultural commodities, other plants and trees, and algae) and waste material (including crop residue, other vegetative waste material, animal waste and byproducts, and construction, food, and yard waste).

To provide that no Federal or State requirement to increase energy efficient lighting in public buildings shall require a hospital, school, day care center, mental health facility, or nursing home to install or utilize such energy efficient lighting if the lighting contains mercury.

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008

Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to prohibit any federal or state requirement to increase energy efficient lighting in public buildings from requiring a hospital, school, day care center, mental health facility, or nursing home to install or utilize energy efficient lighting that contains mercury.

Clean Energy Investment Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008

Clean Energy Investment Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2015 the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources.

Ed Walker Memorial Act for Improvements to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2008

Ed Walker Memorial Act for Improvements to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include certain former nuclear weapons program workers in the Special Exposure Cohort under the energy employees occupational illness compensation program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) modify regulations and procedures to conform to amendments under this Act; and (2) initiate a petition to include workers employed at the Bethlehem Steel site in Lackawanna, New York, as a class to be included in the Special Exposure Cohort.

A bill to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit preleasing, leasing, and related activities in the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea Planning Areas unless certain conditions are met.

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008

Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from offering for leasing, preleasing, and specified related activity within the Chukchi or Beaufort Sea Planning Area until the following prerequisites have been met: (1) the Secretary enters into an agreement with the National Research Council to report to Congress upon specified missing information regarding the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea marine and coastal ecosystems, and the adequacy of environmental, public health and cultural studies; (2) the polar bear is listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and critical habitat is designated for it, or the Secretary publishes a determination that such a listing is not warranted; (3) the Secretary determines that specified deployable mechanical oil spill response technologies exist; and (4) the Secretary determines that oil and gas exploration and development can be conducted in the Planning Areas without risk of substantial adverse impact to wildlife or wildlife habitat and subsistence, and that risk avoidance measures are identified and their efficacy established.

National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008

National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to extend deadlines for development of a five-year strategic plan for the geologic mapping program and for appointment of the advisory committee. Removes from program objectives the development of a geophysical- and geochemical- map database. Directs that mapping priorities be based in part on the needs of the Department of the Interior land management agencies. Modifies the composition of the advisory committee and increases the number of members on such committee. Requires the advisory committee, at the request of the President, the President's designee, the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, or the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, to provide an overview report on the quality, utility, and appropriateness of geologic maps (including maps of geologic hazards) used or disseminated by federal agencies for regulation or land-use planning. Directs that the national geologic map database include all maps developed with funding provided by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, including under the federal, state, and education components. Authorizes appropriations for each of FY2008 through FY2017. Increases the percentages allocated for the state and education components.

Invest in Energy Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2008

Invest in Energy Security Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 governing petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to direct the Secretary of Energy to: (1) sell specified quantities of petroleum received under the royalty-in-kind program; and (2) suspend petroleum acquisition for the SPR under such program. Authorizes the Secretary to resume such acquisition upon notifying Congress that specified circumstances exist, and to suspend acquisition again if certain other circumstances arise. Establishes the Energy Independence and Security Fund to receive all proceeds from sales of SPR petroleum. Allocates amounts from such Fund for: (1) the Energy Transformation Acceleration Fund for university-based research projects and program direction expenses; (2) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account for rural wind energy systems; (3) solar energy technologies; (4) weatherization assistance for low-income housing; (5) ocean and wave energy, including hydrokinetic renewable energy; (6) technologies to improve the energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial processes and from buildings; (7) improvements to the energy efficiency of transportation and electric power; (8) geothermal research and development managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; (9) advanced geothermal drilling and resource characterization managed by National Energy Technology Laboratory; (10) carbon capture and storage; (11) Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Research Fund; (12) environmental research in support of small producers of domestic petroleum and natural gas, for regulatory analysis and for support for the stripper well consortium; and (13) the H-Prize Program of the Department of Energy.

COMBATING NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S INITIATIVES FOR PROLIFERATION PREVENTION (IPP) PROGRAM

United States · United States House of Representatives · 23 January 2008

J. Gregory Copeland, of Texas, to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy, vice David R. Hill.

United States · United States Senate · 22 January 2008