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576 records in US in 2011
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2011
Elects specified named Members to the following House Committees: (1) Energy and Commerce; (2) Homeland Security; and (3) Small Business.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2011
New Manhattan Project for Energy Independence - Requires the President to convene a summit to review the progress and promise of, the interrelationship of, and the additional funding needed to accelerate the progress of: (1) developing alternative technology vehicles that are not more than 10% more expensive than comparable model year vehicles; (2) developing and building energy efficient buildings that use no more than 50% of the energy of buildings of similar size and type; (3) constructing a large scale solar thermal power plant or solar photovoltaic power plant capable of generating 300 megawatts or more at a cost of 10 cents or less per kilowatt-hour; (4) developing and producing biofuel that does not exceed 105% of the cost for the energy equivalent of unleaded gasoline; (5) developing and implementing a carbon capture and storage system for a large scale coal-burning power plant that does not increase operating costs more than 15% compared to a baseline design without carbon capture and storage while providing an estimated chance of carbon dioxide escape of no greater than 1% over 5,000 years; (6) developing both a process to remediate radioactive waste so that it is not harmful for at least 5,000 years and a model that accounts for the effects of nuclear waste in that process; and (7) developing a sustainable nuclear fusion reaction capable of providing a large-scale sustainable source of electricity for residential, commercial, or government entities. Requires the Secretary of Energy to implement: (1) a program to support such technologies; and (2) a program to competitively award cash prizes to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application necessary to advance such technologies. Establishes the New Manhattan Project Commission on Energy Independence and sets forth its duties, including recommending to Congress steps to achieve 50% energy independence within 10 years and 100% energy independence within 20 years and assessing the impact of foreign energy dependence on national security.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2011
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a program to provide zero-interest loans to covered institutions (i.e., an institution of higher education, an elementary or secondary school, or a hospital) for capital costs for converting to the use of biomass for energy generation; and (2) ensure that an institution receiving such a loan will use woody biomass for not less than 75% of the energy generation resulting from such conversion. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving fund for such program. Requires the Secretary to: (1) deposit amounts received as payment on loans provided under such program into such revolving fund; and (2) make available $100 million of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to such revolving fund.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2011
Renewable Energy Applied Partnerships (REAP) Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish a research pilot program for awarding grants to certain partnerships to improve education and training in support of applied sciences in renewable energy as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction at the secondary school and undergraduate levels of education.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2011
Northern California Ocean and Coastal Protection Act - Prohibits oil and gas preleasing, leasing, and related activities in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf located off the coast of Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte Counties in the state of California. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exclude such areas from a mandatory inventory of reserves in the Outer Continental Shelf.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2011
Rural Energy Equity Act of 2011- Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions requiring a reduction in the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources by grants and other credits to exempt certain loan guarantees or grants issued by the Secretary of Agriculture under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (i.e., Rural Energy for America (REAP) Program).
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2011
Elects specified named Members to the following House Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Energy and Commerce; (4) Financial Services; (5) Rules; and (6) Transportation and Infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2011
No New Drilling Act of 2011 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the issuance of any lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil, gas, or any other mineral on the outer Continental Shelf.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2011
Elects specified named Members to the following House Committees: (1) Appropriations; (2) Energy and Commerce; (3) Ethics; and (4) Ways and Means.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2011
Cut Unsustainable and Top-Heavy Spending Act of 2011 or CUTS Act - Rescinds 15% of the budget authority provided for any discretionary account in appropriations to the legislative branch for FY2011, except for the Capitol Police. Prohibits the total amount of funds appropriated to the Executive Office of the President for FY2012-FY2013 from exceeding the total amount for FY2011 after applying the rescission. Eliminates automatic cost-of-living adjustments for Members of Congress during FY2012-FY2014. Freezes the total costs for salaries of federal employees (including Department of Defense [DOD] civilian employees, but not members of the Armed Forces) for FY2011-FY2013 at the FY2010 level. Directs each federal agency head to reduce the number of full time federal employees (FTEs) by 10% by FY2020. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to take specified steps to reduce federal printing and travel costs. Rescinds 20% of amounts made available to the General Services Administration (GSA) for acquiring new vehicles for the federal fleet for FY2011, and limits federal vehicle costs and new vehicle purchases for FY2012 and subsequent fiscal years. Requires the Director of OMB to dispose of a quantity of real property worth at least $15 billion that is unused, and will not be used, to meet federal government needs for FY2010-FY2015. Authorizes the transfer of such property to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) if it is suitable to assist the homeless. Prohibits the use of federal funds to pay unemployment compensation to millionaires. Prescribes requirements for eliminating duplicative government programs. Requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to coordinate with the Department of Treasury and the hiring agency of any federal employee with a seriously delinquent tax debt in order to collect such taxes by withholding a portion of the employee's salary over a certain period. Prohibits federal voluntary contributions to the United Nations (UN) out of FY2011 funds from exceeding 10% less than the amount provided in FY2010. Terminates the authority of the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out low-priority construction projects. Rescinds all preexisting unobligated amounts made available for such projects. Reduces FY2011 funding for international development and humanitarian assistance by 10% of FY2010 funding. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESE Act of 1965) to repeal the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program. Rescinds all unobligated balances held for the Program before enactment of this Act. Rescinds: (1) all unobligated amounts made available for programs, activities, and grants of the Economic Development Administration (of the Department of Commerce), (2) 5% of all unobligated balances held by the Attorney General, and (3) all unobligated amounts made available for the Hollings Manufacturing Partnership Program and the Baldridge Performance Excellence Program. Terminates the authority of Secretary of Energy (DOE) to carry out fossil fuel applied research. Rescinds all unobligated amounts made available for it. Rescinds all federal unobligated amounts made available for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of federal appropriations by the Corporation. Reduces DOD FY2011 funding for: (1) procurement by 15%; and (2) research, development, test, and evaluation by 10%. Requires the Secretary of DOD to reduce obligations or expenditures in support of military installations through the reduction or elimination of related waste, fraud, and abuse. Rescinds 10% of funding for State Department diplomatic and consular programs. Amends the ESE Act of 1965 to repeal authority to pay institutions of higher education for administrative expenses relating to the student aid program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held by the Secretary for such program. Eliminates grants to large and medium hub airports under the Airport Improvement Program. Rescinds any unobligated funds made available for such grants. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to consolidate all fire management programs. Reduces by at least 10% the amounts made available for such programs. Rescinds any remaining unobligated funds. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to repeal the high-energy cost grant program. Rescinds any unobligated funds made available for the program. Terminates the authority to carry out the resource conservation and development program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture. Rescinds any unobligated funds made available for the program. Amends the ESE Act of 1965 to repeal the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP). Rescinds any unobligated balances held for LEAP. Amends the Higher Education Amendments (HEA) of 1992 to repeal the B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for the program. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for the Program. Amends the ESE Act of 1965 to repeal the Educational, Cultural, Apprenticeship, and Exchange Programs for Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Their Historical Whaling and Trading Partners in Massachusetts. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for such Programs. Amends the HEA of 1998 to repeal the Underground Railroad educational and cultural program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for such program. Prohibits the HUD Secretary from making competitive economic development grants for Brownfields redevelopment projects. Rescinds any unobligated amounts made available for such grants. Terminates the: (1) authority to make requirements payments to states under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, and (2) the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) established under such Act. Rescinds any unobligated amounts for such payments and the EAC. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to repeal the emergency operations center grant program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for such program. Rescinds unobligated balances held by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for health care facilities and construction. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to repeal the authorization and funding for specified high priority surface projects. Rescinds such unobligated funds. Amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to repeal the Save America's Treasures Program and the Preserve America Program. Rescinds any unobligated funds for such Programs. Terminates the Targeted Watershed Grants Program and the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Rescinds any unobligated funds for such Programs. Terminates the authority for Department of the Interior Challenge Cost Share Program grants. Rescinds any unobligated funds for such Program. Rescinds all unobligated balances held by the Secretary of HHS to carry out the Delta Health Initiative. Terminates the authority to carry out any health care services grant program of the Department of Agriculture. Rescinds any unobligated funds for such program. Amends the HEA of 1965 to repeal the student loan Repayment for Civil Legal Assistance Attorneys program. Rescinds all unobligated balances held for the program. Terminates the EPA Targeted Air Shed Grant Program. Rescinds all unobligated funds for such Program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2011
21st Century Energy Independence Act of 2011 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to seek to ensure: (1) the availability of 200% of the volume of renewable fuels required to be available in the United States by 2013 under the Energy Policy Act of 2005; and (2) the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from the production and use of renewable fuels by 25%. Directs the Secretary to establish a loan guarantee program for up to 80% of the cost of a project for: (1) the harvesting, storing, and delivery of agriculture residues for use in cellulosic or traditional ethanol production plants; (2) cellulosic ethanol production technologies that will reduce the initial capital cost to $2.50 per annual gallon, and operation and maintenance costs to 125% of those at traditional corn ethanol plants; (3) advanced biomass gasifiers that can provide specified thermal input requirements for traditional ethanol plants to produce syngas; and (4) scaled catalytic conversion projects to convert syngas to liquid fuels. Permits such loan guarantees for: (1) a traditional ethanol plant only if the agriculture residue products are used as feedstock to replace thermal input requirements otherwise provided by fossil fuels; and (2) an existing ethanol plant only if the applicant demonstrates the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions related to ethanol production by at least 75%. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants for up to 50% of the capital costs of the initial commercialization for certain cellulosic ethanol production technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2011
Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include within the meaning of the term “member of the Special Exposure Cohort” a Department of Energy (DOE) employee, DOE contractor employee, or atomic weapons employee who was so employed for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days before January 1, 2006, at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California. Provides that a claim that an individual qualifies for compensation or benefits under such Act shall be considered notwithstanding any denial of any other claim for compensation with respect to such individual.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2011
EEOICPA Ombudsman Extension and Enhancement Act of 2011 - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA) to: (1) make permanent the authority of the Office of the Ombudsman of the Department of Labor; and (2) increase the duties of the Ombudsman under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program, including to assist in making claims for benefits for Department of Energy (DOE) contractor employees who have contracted a covered illness through exposure at a DOE facility and to act as an advocate for such employees in appropriate cases.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2011
Protect America's Energy and Manufacturing Jobs Act of 2011 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), during the two-year period beginning after this Act's enactment, from taking any action under the Clean Air Act (CAA) with respect to any stationary source permitting requirement or requirement concerning standards of performance for new stationary sources relating to carbon dioxide or methane. Exempts from such prohibition: (1) any action relating to the preparation of a report or the enforcement of a reporting requirement; or (2) any action relating to the provision of technical support at a state's request. Provides that no action taken by the Administrator before the end of such period (including any action before enactment of this Act) shall be considered to make carbon dioxide or methane a pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA for any source other than a new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Ensuring Affordable Energy Act - Prohibits any funds appropriated or otherwise available for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from being used to implement or enforce: (1) a cap-and-trade program; or (2) any statutory or regulatory requirement pertaining to emissions of one or more greenhouse gases from stationary sources that is issued or becomes applicable or effective after January 1, 2011. Defines: (1) "cap-and-trade program" as any regulatory program established after the date of enactment of this Act that provides for the sale, auction, or other distribution of a limited amount of allowances that permit the emission of one or more greenhouse gases; and (2) "greenhouse gas" to include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or any other designated anthropogenic gas.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
National Strategic Gasoline Reserve for Purposes of National Security Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Strategic Gasoline Reserve system with a total capacity of 10 million barrels of regular unleaded gasoline. Directs the Secretary to: (1) transmit to Congress, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the governor of each state in which a Gasoline Reserve will be sited a plan for the transportation of its contents to wholesale or retail markets in the event of an emergency sale; (2) complete the process of filling the Gasoline Reserve to a minimum of 90% within two years after submitting a transportation plan to Congress; (3) review the gasoline supply annually to ensure the reserves in the Gasoline Reserve do not exceed their shelf life; and (4) have in place a plan for ensuring that the inventory is sold and replaced in a manner that ensures the integrity of the product at all times. Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell gasoline from the Gasoline Reserve if the governor of an affected state submits a written request and the President issues an Executive order requiring immediate release from any or all Gasoline Reserves after determining that certain emergency conditions are satisfied.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to: (1) develop recommendations for evaluation measures and criteria for programs under this Act; and (2) evaluate the feasibility of prize and best practices award programs as tools to promote self-powered farms. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an award program for up to 30 state agricultural research programs for self-powered farm demonstrations; (2) provide low-cost revolving loans and loan guarantees to eligible entities for the commercial application of energy or other technologies that will contribute to establishing self-powered farms, with highest preference given to applicants who propose to meet their energy needs from biobased feedstocks or other renewable energy sources produced on that farm; and (3) enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a review of the programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Housing, Employment, and Living Programs for Veterans Act of 2011 or HELP Veterans Act of 2011 - Changes the standard of visual acuity required for eligibility for veterans' specially adapted housing assistance provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Authorizes the VA to guarantee a veterans' housing loan regardless of whether such loan is subordinate to a lien created in favor of a public entity that provides assistance in response to a major disaster. Extends through 2016 VA authority to issue and guarantee certificates or other securities evidencing an interest in a pool of mortgage loans. Increases the authorized amount of the veterans' educational assistance allowance for flight training. Increases authorized payments to veterans pursuing internships or on-job training under VA educational assistance programs. Reauthorizes through June 30, 2020, certain qualifying VA work-study activities that lapse as of June 30, 2013. Expands the VA's work-study allowance program to allow student veterans to conduct certain veterans' outreach activities in congressional offices. Provides, through FY2013, a reduction in the percentage of wages to be provided by employers under VA on-job training programs. Reauthorizes through 2020 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education. Directs the Secretary to: establish a team of individuals to review new technologies, processes, and products and determine those that may be beneficial to the VA or to veterans served by the VA. Directs the Secretary to provide limited reimbursement for the cost of child care provided by a licensed provider to a veteran who: (1) is participating in a VA vocational rehabilitation program; (2) is the sole caretaker of the child; and (3) would not otherwise be able to afford such care. Increases the amount of reporting fees payable to educational institutions that enroll veterans receiving VA educational assistance. Revises the way the VA charges a veteran's entitlement in the case of advance payment of an educational or subsistence allowance. Increases the monthly subsistence allowance payable to service-disabled veterans participating in VA training and rehabilitation. Directs the Secretary to pay a subsistence allowance, for up to three months, to a rehabilitated service-disabled veteran pursuing a VA program of employment services. Authorizes the Secretary to hold an annual veterans entrepreneurial development summit. Increases the maximum annual amount of VA specially adapted housing assistance. Includes under VA authority to guarantee certain housing loans to veterans a loan for the construction of a new dwelling and the cost of making energy efficiency improvements to such dwelling. Prohibits assistance provided under the VA's temporary residence adaptation program from counting toward the dollar limits under veterans' specially adapted housing assistance programs, but limits such exemption to the first 25 grants made during FY2012.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources on the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against leasing or other development leading to 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 up to 45,000 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, as well as terms and conditions, including: (1) environmental protection; (2) federal and state distribution of revenues; (3) rights-of-way; and (4) local government impact aid and community service assistance. Sets forth: (1) a "no significant adverse effect" standard to govern Coastal Plain activities; and (2) guidelines for expedited judicial review of complaints. Establishes the ANWR Alternative Energy Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Better Use of Light Bulbs Act - Repeals provisions of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 concerning lighting energy efficiency, including provisions that: (1) prescribe energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, rough service lamps, and other designated lamps; (2) direct the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to conduct and report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on an annual assessment of the market for general service lamps and compact fluorescent lamps; (3) direct the Secretary to carry out a proactive national program of consumer awareness, information, and education about lamp labels and energy-efficient lighting choices; (4) prohibit a manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or private labeler from distributing in commerce specified adapters for incandescent lamps; (5) authorize the Secretary to carry out a lighting technology research and development program; (6) set forth minimum energy efficiency standards for incandescent reflector lamps; (7) set forth requirements for the use of energy efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs in public building construction, alteration, and acquisition; and (8) require metal halide lamp fixtures and energy efficiency labeling for designated consumer electronic products to be included within the Energy Policy and Conservation Act's (EPCA) regulatory oversight. Provides that EPCA shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Oil Pollution Environmental Review Act or OPERA - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require the head of any federal agency to treat the issuance of any exploration plans, development production plans, development operation coordination documents, and lease sales required under federal law for offshore drilling activity on the outer Continental Shelf as a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and requiring detailed environmental analysis of proposed actions and reasonably foreseeable subsequent actions. Defines "offshore drilling activity" as drilling for oil or gas under a lease, or conducting a major geophysical seismic survey, under such Act, including for exploration, development, or production of oil or gas. Repeals a provision requiring the Secretary of the Interior to approve a plan for geological and geophysical exploration in the outer Continental Shelf within 30 days of its submission.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Waste-to-Energy Technology Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 30% energy tax credit for investment in qualified waste-to-energy property. Defines "qualified waste-to-energy property" as property comprising a system that uses municipal solid waste or sewage sludge as the feedstock for producing solid, liquid, or gas fuel, or for producing energy, and that is certified by the Secretary of the Treasury as eligible for a credit under this Act. Excludes certain landfill facilities from such definition. Requires the Secretary to establish criteria for awarding certifications for waste-to-energy projects, which shall include: (1) the commercial viability of such projects, (2) whether such projects use the least amount of recyclable materials and will provide the greatest net impact in avoiding or reducing air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, (3) whether such projects will have the lowest levelized cost of generated or stored energy or of measured reduction in energy consumption or greenhouse gas emission, and (4) whether such projects pose the fewest risks (other than climate risks) to environmental and human health.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that, in order to keep energy costs affordable, curb our environmental impact, and safeguard economic prosperity, including our trade deficit, the United States must move rapidly to: (1) increase the productivity with which it uses fossil fuel; and (2) accelerate the transition to renewable fuels and a sustainable, clean energy economy. Urges the United States, in collaboration with other international allies, to establish an energy project with the magnitude, creativity, and sense of urgency of the "Man on the Moon" project to develop a comprehensive plan to address the challenges presented by Peak Oil.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Requires each of the following House Committees to report to the House legislation, within its jurisdiction, proposing specified changes to existing law (including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act): (1) the Committee on Education and the Workforce; (2) the Committee on Energy and Commerce; (3) the Committee on the Judiciary; and (4) the Committee on Ways and Means.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Elects specified Members to the House Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) the Budget; (5) Education and the Workforce; (6) Energy and Commerce; (7) Ethics; (8) Financial Services; (9) Foreign Affairs; (10) Homeland Security; (11) House Administration; (12) the Judiciary; (13) Natural Resources; (14) Oversight and Government Reform; (15) Rules; (16) Science, Space, and Technology; (17) Small Business; (18) Transportation and Infrastructure; (19) Veterans' Affairs; and (20) Ways and Means.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Elects specified Members to the House Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) the Budget; (5) Education and the Workforce; (6) Energy and Commerce; (7) Ethics; (8) Financial Services; (9) Foreign Affairs; (10) Homeland Security; (11) House Administration; (12) the Judiciary; (13) Natural Resources; (14) Oversight and Government Reform; (15) Rules; (16) Science, Space, and Technology; (17) Small Business; (18) Transportation and Infrastructure; (19) Veterans' Affairs; and (20) Ways and Means.