Energy

Let the States Innovate on Sustainable Energy Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Let the States Innovate on Sustainable Energy Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to allow a state legislature or regulatory authority to set the rates for a sale of electric energy by a facility generating electric energy from renewable energy sources pursuant to a state-approved production incentive program under which the facility voluntarily sells electric energy and an electric utility is required to purchase such energy at a specified rate.

SELF Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

States as Energy Leaders for the Future Act or SELF Act - Establishes in the Department of Energy (DOE) a program to provide grants to eligible entities, on a competitive basis, to develop and carry out clean energy and carbon reduction measures, such as renewable electricity standards, regional or statewide climate action plans, and participation in a regional greenhouse gas reduction program. Directs the Secretary of DOE, in establishing criteria for grants, to take into account: (1) regional disparities in the ways in which energy is produced and used; and (2) the clean energy resource potential of the measures. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the definition of "domestic production gross receipts" for purposes of the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production, the gross receipts of a major integrated oil company which are derived from oil related qualified production activities.

Oil Sands Energy Security Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Oil Sands Energy Security Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal the prohibition against any federal agency contract for procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel, including a fuel produced from nonconventional petroleum sources (such as oil sands), for any mobility-related use (other than for research or testing) unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel supplied under the contract must, on an ongoing basis, be less than or equal to greenhouse gas emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel produced from conventional petroleum sources. Makers a conforming amendment to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 to repeal the exception to such prohibition National Air and Space Administration (NASA) contracts to purchase a generally available fuel that is not an alternative or synthetic fuel or predominantly produced from a nonconventional petroleum source, if certain conditions are met.

Clean Energy Standard Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Clean Energy Standard Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to establish a standard that requires electric utilities to obtain an increasing percentage of their base quantity of electricity that they sell to consumers from clean energy or energy efficiency (13% in 2013-2014, 15% in 2015-2019, 20% in 2020-2024, 25% in 2025-2029, 30% in 2030-2034, 35% in 2035-2039, 40% in 2040-2044, 45% in 2045-2049, and 50% in 2050). Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish a clean energy credit trading program and an energy efficiency credit trading program, under which utilities will submit credits to comply with such standard. Provides for the issuance, borrowing of, trading, banking, tracking, and reporting of credits. Sets forth civil penalties for utilities that fail to meet such requirements. Allows the Secretary to delegate to: (1) a market-making entity the administration of a national clean energy credit market and a national energy efficiency credit market to create a transparent national market for the sale or trade of such credits, and (2) regional entities the tracking of dispatch of clean energy generation. Authorizes: (1) a state public utility commission or electric utility to request a variance from such clean energy and energy efficiency requirements, and (2) a utility to meet such requirements by submitting alternative compliance payments. Allows: (1) a governor to expend amounts in a state renewable energy escrow account solely for increasing the quantity of electric energy produced from a clean energy source in the state, promoting deployment and use of electric drive vehicles in the state, and offsetting the costs of carrying out this Act paid by consumers in the state through direct grants to electric consumers or energy efficiency investments; and (2) states to adopt or enforce laws concerning clean energy or energy efficiency or the regulation of electric utilities. Exempts from clean energy and energy efficiency requirements an electric utility that sold less than 4 million megawatt hours of electric energy to electric consumers during the preceding year or that is located in Hawaii. Requires the Secretary, when petitioned by the governor of a state or the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the case of TVA's power service area , to allow up to 25% of the clean energy and energy efficiency requirements associated with the sales of electricity of a utility to be met by submitting federal energy efficiency credits. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations regarding the measurement and verification of electricity savings. Requires the increment of electricity output of a new combined heat and power system that is attributable to the higher efficiency of the combined system, and the increment of electricity output attributable to incremental nuclear production and incremental fossil fuel production, to be considered electricity savings. Requires the Secretary to make loans available to electric utilities to: (1) construct a renewable energy generation facility, and (2) install an energy efficiency or electricity demand reduction technology. Terminates the authority provided by this Act on December 31, 2050.

A resolution designating October 15, 2010, as "National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day".

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Designates October 15, 2010, as National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day to promote programs and activities that will lead to the greater use of cleaner, more efficient transportation that uses new sources of energy. Urges the people of the United States to: (1) increase the personal and commercial use of, and promote public sector adoption of, clean and energy-efficient alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles; and (2) encourage the adoption of federal policies to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil through the advancement and adoption of alternative, advanced, and emerging vehicle and fuel technologies.

Restore American Jobs Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Restore American Jobs Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the special depreciation allowance for business and investment property and the election to accelerate the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and research tax credits in lieu of bonus depreciation; (2) increase the tax deduction for business startup expenditures in 2010, 2011, and 2012; (3) remove certain limitations on the tax deduction for employee use of cellular telephones; (4) revise the definition of "qualified nonrecourse financing" to include qualified nonrecourse real property or Small Business Investment Company financing as amounts at risk for purposes of determining the deductibility of losses from certain investment activities, including farming, leasing, and energy exploration; (5) exclude from gross income 100% of the gain from the sale of certain small business stock acquired during 2010 or 2011; (6) extend through 2011 the tax credit for increasing research expenditures; (7) eliminate the capital gains tax rate for individuals and corporations; (8) reduce to 12.5% the income tax rate on the taxable income of corporations; (9) eliminate the dollar limitations on the election to expense depreciable business assets; and (10) reduce the employment tax rate in 2010 for employers, employees, and self-employed individuals. Makes permanent the repeal of the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax. Rescinds all unobligated balances of the discretionary appropriations made available in Division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Repeals provisions of such Act relating to emergency payments, health care premium assistance, Medicare and Medicaid health information technology, state fiscal relief, broadband technology, and limits on executive compensation. Terminates the authority for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to sell all stock and warrants acquired under TARP. Repeals a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more. United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement entered into on November 22, 2006, with the government of Colombia, as amended by both governments on June 28, 2007. Prescribes implementing actions. Authorizes the President to establish or designate within the Department of Commerce an office responsible for administrative assistance to dispute settlement panels. Authorizes the President to proclaim specified tariff modifications. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to assess specified additional duties on safeguard agricultural goods. Prescribes formulae for the regional value-content of certain automotive goods under the Agreement. Authorizes the President to proclaim the addition to the list in Annex 3-B of the Agreement of fabrics and yarns which are not available in commercial quantities in the United States. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to prohibit the charging of customs user fees with respect to originating goods under this Act. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to: (1) penalty-free prompt correction by an importer of an incorrect claim that a good qualifies as an originating good; (2) prohibition of false certifications of origin; and (3) denial of tariff treatment under the Agreement. Authorizes the President to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to take certain appropriate actions while the government of Colombia conducts a verification of exporter or producer compliance with customs laws and regulations regarding trade in textiles or apparel goods. Prescribes procedures for: (1) petitions to the U.S. International Trade Commission for relief from imports benefiting from the Agreement; and (2) the provision of such relief. Amends the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 to make a product or service of a party to the Agreement eligible for U.S. government procurement. Declares the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) submit to Congress the United States-Panama Free Trade Agreement and the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement; and (2) work to ensure their approval and entry into force with respect to the United States. Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as of its enactment.

To establish a loan program to promote energy conservation in rural areas.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an initiative to promote energy efficiency by providing interest-free loans for purposes of making energy efficiency improvements and achieving energy conservation. Requires the Secretary to: (1) make interest-free loans to encourage eligible borrowers (entities that have received and cooperatives that are eligible to receive a loan or loan guarantee under such Act) to invest in and facilitate consumer energy efficiency improvements or to increase energy conservation; and (2) use fees collected from lenders who receive guarantees for bonds or notes issued for electrification or telephone purposes under such Act to provide such loans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) use only those fees that are collected for loans guaranteed after this Act's enactment; and (2) require the amount of the annual fee paid for the guarantee of a bond or note to be equal to 50 basis points of the amount of the unpaid principal of the bond or note guaranteed, with an additional loan origination fee equal to 50 such basis points to be paid at the time the guarantee is approved. Terminates such requirements on or after September 30, 2011. Directs the Secretary to approve $3 million in loan guarantees under this Act to qualified lenders for FY2010.

Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to revise the program of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technology research, development, demonstration, and commercial application, including by requiring the program to include specified activities, including: (1) determining the potential availability, extractability, and cost-effectiveness of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy generation in the United States; (2) designing and developing evaluation and performance standards domestically and with international partners; and (3) improving interagency collaboration to address challenges associated with the development of such technologies. Requires such program to be separate from the Department of Energy's (DOE) Wind and Hydropower Program. Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a competitive marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technology demonstration grant program to: (1) verify the performance, reliability, maintainability, environmental impact, and cost of technology components, devices, and system designs in an operating environment; and (2) facilitate the commercial application of technology components, devices, and systems at a variety of scales. Requires the Secretary to establish a competitive research, development, and demonstration grant program to identify and assess ways to avoid and minimize environmental impacts potentially arising from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, devices, and systems. Requires the Secretary to award competitive grants to support modifying or constructing three or more geographically dispersed marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technology research, development, and demonstration test facilities for the demonstration of multiple technologies in actual operating environments. Authorizes National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers to serve as technology test facilities.

To amend the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act with respect to certain requirements for construction job training program grants.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Amends the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act to repeal certain grant requirements under the Alaska pipeline construction job training grant program, including a request for the grant by the governor of Alaska, with concurrence by the Secretary of Energy (DOE).

Noise Reduction Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Noise Reduction Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 30% nonbusiness energy tax credit for the cost of installing noise abatement property in a taxpayer's principal residence that is located in an area of the United States which is determined by the Secretary of Transportation to be impacted by noise from trains or airplanes.

Clean, Renewable Jet Fuel Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Clean, Renewable Jet Fuel Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into a standby loan agreement with the owners or operators of not more than 10 qualifying jet fuel projects. Defines "qualifying jet fuel project" as a project located in the United States that produces at least 25 million gallons per year of liquid aviation turbine fuel or blending component that: (1) has at least 50% less lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum; (2) is produced from renewable biomass; and (3) meets, or can be blended to produce a fuel that meets, an American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard for aviation turbine fuels.

To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require a nuclear power facility licensee to notify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the State and county in which the facility is located within 24 hours of an unplanned release of radionuclides in excess of allowable limits, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require as a condition of each license issued for a commercial or industrial nuclear production or utilization facility that in the case of an unplanned release described in this Act, the licensee notify, not later than 24 hours after such release, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the governments of the state and county in which the facility is located of the release. Describes such incidents as unplanned releases of quantities of radionuclides that are: (1) in excess of allowable limits for normal operation established by the NRC or other applicable federal laws or standards; and (2) within allowable limits for normal operation established by the NRC and other applicable federal laws or standards, but occur more than twice within a two-year period originating from the same source, process, or equipment at the facility. Requires the NRC to establish and maintain on its website a database of all notifications received by it of such unplanned releases and allow the public to search the database for such notifications by licensee.

Used Oil Re-Refining Tax Credit Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Used Oil Re-Refining Tax Credit Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 30% of the investment in a project to process qualifying re-refined lubricating oil from used oil. Defines "qualifying re-refined lubricating oil" as a base oil which meets the American Society of Testing and Materials standard for hydrocarbon lubricating base oil (ASTM D6074) and which is manufactured from used lubricating oil. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to establish a qualifying used oil re-refining project program for the deployment of used oil re-refining technologies.

Stop Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Stop Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program Act of 2010 - Subjects a parent entity, with specified exceptions, to penalties for violations of certain sanctions regarding Iran committed by a subsidiary outside of the United States that would be subject to prohibitions if committed inside the United States or by a U.S. person. Prohibits with respect to Iran: (1) issuance of specified licenses to export or reexport civil aviation goods, services, or technology; and (2) such goods, services, or technology from being exported or reexported. Increases temporarily consular service fees for processing machine readable nonimmigrant visas and machine readable combined border crossing identification cards and nonimmigrant visas. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate amortization of geological and geophysical expenditure tax incentives if certain sanctions regarding the development of Iranian petroleum resources are imposed on any member of an expanded affiliated group whose common parent is a foreign corporation. Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to impose sanctions on a person that knowingly: (1) enters into an agreement with Iran to purchase or provide payment for future delivery of Iranian petroleum resources; or (2) purchases, subscribes to, or facilitates the issuance of Iranian sovereign debt. Directs the President to: (1) publish in the Federal Register the name of each foreign person or foreign entity for which there is credible information indicating that the person or entity is an agent, front, instrumentality, official, or affiliate of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); and (2) apply specified property sanctions to such person or entity. Directs the President to: (1) publish in the Federal Register the name of each foreign person or foreign entity for which there is credible information indicating that the person or entity is as an agent, front, instrumentality, official, or affiliate of the IRGC and has committed or assisted, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of violence threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the government of Iraq; and (2) apply specified property sanctions to such person or entity. Excludes an alien so identified from U.S. entry. Sets forth mandatory and discretionary measures to be taken against a foreign person or entity that provides material support to the IRGC. Requires additional measures (including foreign assistance, arms, import, and export restrictions) to be taken against a foreign government so identified. Amends the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act to include in the President's proliferation report to Congress identification of every foreign person who, on or after January 1, 2009, transferred to Iran, Syria, or North Korea goods, services, or technology that could assist efforts to extract or mill uranium ore within the territory or control of Iran, North Korea, or Syria. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to promote the divestment of investments in Iran or the Sudan by permitting the deferral of tax on gain from the sale of securities in any business that is engaged in certain discouraged activities in Iran or the Sudan if the holder of such securities purchases replacement securities from a business not engaged in such discouraged activities. Includes as discouraged activities in Iran: (1) investment of $20 million or more in Iran's energy sector or in a person who provides Iran with oil or liquefied natural gas tankers or pipelines; (2) an extension of credit of $20 million or more to a person who invests in Iran's energy sector; (3) investment that enhances Iran's ability to develop petroleum resources; (4) the sale of goods, services, technology, information, or support to Iran that allows it to maintain or expand its petroleum industry; or (5) providing Iran with refined petroleum resources. Includes as an Iran or Sudan discouraged activity business transactions with or charitable donations to any Iranian or Sudanese person designated as a terrorist or to any foreign terrorist organization. Directs the head of an executive agency to ensure that each contract with a company for the procurement of goods or services, agreement for the use of federal funds, or the provision of technical assistance requires the company to certify that it does not conduct specified business operations in Iran. Authorizes contract termination and federal contract suspension or debarment for submission of a false certification. Authorizes a state or local government to adopt and enforce measures to prohibit the state or local government from entering into or renewing a procurement contract with persons that conduct specified business operations in Iran. Directs the President to seek to terminate International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Bank) loan disbursements to Iran. Directs the President, if the Bank approves a Country Assistance Strategy for Iran or approves a loan to Iran, to: (1) terminate any U.S. contribution to the Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Corporation for the fiscal year in which the Country Assistance Strategy or loan is approved, or if loan disbursements have been made, for the following fiscal year; (2) prohibit the sale of Bank debt instruments in the United States; and (3) prohibit the purchase of any such debt instrument by a U.S. person or state or municipal governmental entity. Terminates such Bank-related restrictions 30 days after the date on which the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the government of Iran has ceased providing support for acts of international terrorism and no longer satisfies the requirements for designation as a state-sponsor of terrorism; and (2) Iran has ceased the pursuit, acquisition, and development of ballistic missiles and nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.

Rural Energy Communities Development Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Rural Energy Communities Development Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make water and waste facility loans to an eligible city, town, or incorporated area with a population of less than 20,000 that has, from January 1999 through December 2009, experienced energy sector job growth of not less than 20%. Makes such loans available for: (1) essential community facilities, including water conservation, waste disposal facilities, transportation facilities, and affordable housing; (2) land acquisition; (3) staff; and (4) comprehensive community or housing plan updates. Prohibits the Secretary from making or entering into a loan commitment after September 30, 2012. Directs the Secretary to waive income limitations for FY2011-FY2016 for certain: (1) rural housing loans, including Doug Bereuter single-family housing loan guarantees; (2) low- and moderate-income rural housing loans; and (3) multifamily rural rental housing loan guarantees.

To establish pilot projects for agriculture renewable energy systems.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish renewable energy pilot programs to provide eligible entities in a participating state with financial and technical assistance to implement renewable energy systems on farms. Requires a participating state to establish a net metering program that measures the difference between electricity supplied by an electric utility and the electricity generated by a net metering customer and fed back to the electric utility over an applicable billing period.

SHORE Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Securing Health for Ocean Resources and Environment Act or the SHORE Act - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to: (1) review the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) capacity to respond to oil spills; (2) be responsible for developing and maintaining oil spill trajectory modeling capabilities; (3) create and update NOAA's environmental sensitivity index products for each coastal area of the United States and for each offshore area that is leased or under consideration for leasing for offshore energy production; (4) review the current state of NOAA's capacity to monitor, map, and track subsea hydrocarbons; (5) establish a national information center on oil spills; (6) establish an initiative concerning the effects of oil spills resulting from aging and abandoned oil infrastructure; (7) develop an inventory of offshore abandoned or sunken vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone and identify priorities for potential preemptive removal of oil or other actions that may be effective to mitigate the risk of oil spills from such vessels; and (8) develop standard national protocols for oil spill response and clean up assessments and develop guidance and tools for oil spill responders. Amends the Oil Pollution Act to: (1) revise provisions concerning the uses of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund; (2) establish a Gulf of Mexico Regional Citizens' Advisory Council to oversee and monitor facilities and tank vessels and establish offices in Gulf States; and (3) revise limits on liability and removal costs of responsible parties with respect to discharge of oil into or upon the navigable waters or adjoining shorelines or the exclusive economic zone from single-hull and double-hull tank ships and barges. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to eligible coastal states to implement and revise specified policies and procedures for responding to oil spills. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary, to: (1) establish a long-term marine environmental monitoring and research program for the marine and coastal environment of the Gulf of Mexico to assess impacts of the oil spill caused by Deepwater Horizon on trust resources (defined as natural resources belonging to, managed by, held in trust by, appertaining to, or otherwise controlled by the United States, any state, an Indian Tribe, or a local government); and (2) direct research and take action to improve the ability of the United States to conduct oil spill prevention, response, and recovery in Arctic waters. Requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to: (1) assess and take action to reduce the risk of, and improve the capability of the United States to respond to, a maritime disaster in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi Seas; (2) identify areas in waters in which routing or other navigational measures are warranted to reduce the risk of oil spills and potential damage to natural resources; and (3) analyze data on oil transported as cargo on vessels in U.S. navigable waters. Requires the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to: (1) require response plans approved by the Coast Guard under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to be updated at least once every five years and to utilize the best commercially available technology and methods to contain and remove a worst case discharge and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of such discharge; and (2) establish a program to evaluate and validate oil pollution containment and removal methods and technologies. Amends the Clean Water Act to revise provisions concerning the national response system to discharges of oil and hazardous substances, including requiring the President to issue guidance for Area Committees to use with respect to the closing and reopening of fishing grounds following an oil spill. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) safety inspections of tank vessels that enter a U.S. port or place; (2) notices to states of transferring oil in bulk as cargo to, from, or within vessels; (3) notices to states and Indian tribes of marine casualties; and (4) publishing Incident Action Plans prepared and approved as a part of the response to an oil spill. Establishes the Federal Oil Spill Research Committee to coordinate a program of oil pollution research, technology development, and demonstration.

Clean Renewable Energy Investment Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Clean Renewable Energy Investment Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax-exempt new clean renewable energy bonds, to: (1) repeal the national limitation amount for such bonds; (2) allow such unlimited bonds to be issued until January 1, 2014; (3) eliminate the eligibility of governmental bodies for new clean renewable energy bond financing; (4) designate a tribal utility as a clean renewable energy bond lender; and (5) provide that any reimbursements with the proceeds of new clean renewable energy bonds are subject to reimbursement rules applicable to all tax-exempt bonds.

Kantishna Hills Renewable Energy Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Kantishna Hills Renewable Energy Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for a specified microhydro project in nonwilderness areas within the Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Defines "microhydro project" as a hydroelectric power generating facility with a maximum power generation capability of less than 100 kilowatts and includes any distribution or transmission line required to serve the Kantishna Hills area. Directs the Secretary to exchange approximately 18 acres of identified land within the boundary of the Park and Preserve for approximately 18 acres of land owned by Doyon Tourism, Inc. Requires the land acquired by the Secretary to be administered as part of the Park and Preserve.

LEVEL Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Leave Ethanol Volumes at Existing Levels Act or the LEVEL Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program, including by: (1) redefining "renewable fuel"; (2) reducing the percentage of renewable fuel that is required to be in gasoline sold or introduced into commerce in the United States (from 9% to 5.4% in 2008, 11.1% to 6.1% in 2009, 12.95% to 6.8% in 2010, 13.95% to 7.4% in 2011, and 15.2% to 7.5% in 2012); (3) revoking the renewable fuel standard for 2013-2022; (4) requiring the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to provide to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an estimate of the volumes of gasoline (currently of transportation fuel, biomass-based diesel, and cellulosic biofuel) projected to be sold or introduced into commerce in the following year; (5) making one gallon of cellulosic biomass ethanol or waste derived ethanol equivalent to 2.5 gallons of renewable fuel; (6) repealing provisions concerning cellulosic biofuel and biomass-based diesel; and (7) repealing a requirement that the Administrator of EPA promulgate fuel regulations to implement measures to mitigate adverse impacts on air quality as the result of renewable fuel requirements. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions requiring EPA to report to Congress on current and future impacts of the renewable fuel requirements on environmental issues, resource conservation issues, and the growth and use of cultivated invasive or noxious plants and their impacts on the environment and agriculture. Prohibits the Administrator from permitting or authorizing the introduction into commerce of an ethanol-gasoline blend containing greater than 10% ethanol by volume that is intended for general use in conventional gasoline-powered vehicles or engines. Requires the Administrator to study: (1) the effects of the introduction into commerce of an ethanol-gasoline blend on consumer products; (2) the impact of such blend on engine performance of conventional gasoline-powered vehicles and nonroad engines, emissions from the use of the blend, and materials compatibility and consumer safety issues associated with the use of such blend; and (3) the ability of wholesale and retail gasoline distribution infrastructure to introduce such blend into commerce without widespread misfueling by consumers.

National Environmental Education Reauthorization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2010

National Environmental Education Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Reauthorizes appropriations for, and revises, the National Environmental Education Act. Revises the duties of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Education, including by requiring the Office to: (1) develop and support programs to improve the understanding of the benefits of exposure to the natural environment and programs that educate the public on the benefits of reducing dependence on nonrenewable forms of energy promote efforts to prepare citizens for employment in environmentally friendly fields that contribute to healthy communities; and (2) promote research, development, and evaluation of effective approaches to achieving an environmentally literate population. Revises: (1) the Environmental Education and Training Program by expanding the program's functions and activities; (2) the Environmental Education Grants program by expanding its eligibility requirements; (3) environment internships and fellowships by limiting training opportunities to training with EPA staff (currently agency staff); (4) environmental education awards, including by removing requirements that specific awards be given; and (6) the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, including by renaming it as the National Environmental Education Foundation. Authorizes appropriations to the EPA Administrator for FY2010-FY2021 to carry out such Act and revises how funds shall be distributed.

National Environmental Education Reauthorization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2010

National Environmental Education Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Reauthorizes appropriations for, and revises, the National Environmental Education Act. Revises the duties of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Education, including by requiring the Office to: (1) develop and support programs to improve the understanding of the benefits of exposure to the natural environment and programs that educate the public on the benefits of reducing dependence on nonrenewable forms of energy promote efforts to prepare citizens for employment in environmentally friendly fields that contribute to healthy communities; and (2) promote research, development, and evaluation of effective approaches to achieving an environmentally literate population. Revises: (1) the Environmental Education and Training Program by expanding the program's functions and activities; (2) the Environmental Education Grants program by expanding its eligibility requirements; (3) environment internships and fellowships by limiting training opportunities to training with EPA staff (currently agency staff); (4) environmental education awards, including by removing requirements that specific awards be given; and (6) the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, including by renaming it as the National Environmental Education Foundation. Authorizes appropriations to the EPA Administrator for FY2010-FY2021 to carry out such Act and revises how funds shall be distributed.

Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2010

Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act of 2010 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program to guarantee loans of small businesses that manufacture a clean energy technology in the United States. Requires the Administrator, to the extent practicable, to carry out the program in a manner similar to the SBA 7(a) general business loan program.

THE GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY RACE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 22 September 2010

Kantishna Hills Renewable Energy Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2010

Kantishna Hills Renewable Energy Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for a specified microhydro project in nonwilderness areas within the Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Defines "microhydro project" (generally) as a hydroelectric power generating facility with a maximum power generation capability of less than 100 kilowatts. Directs the Secretary to exchange approximately 18 acres of identified land within the boundary of the Park and Preserve for approximately 18 acres of land owned by Doyon Tourism, Inc. Requires the land acquired by the Secretary to be administered as part of the Park and Preserve.

EEOICPA Amendment Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2010

EEOICPA Amendment Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to require the President to establish an Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health. Requires the Board to advise the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Energy (DOE), and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the review and approval of the site exposure matrix (SEM) used to determine the eligibility of DOE contractor employee claims for compensation for illnesses resulting from exposure to toxic substances. (The SEM is a Department of Labor database on the presence of toxic substances at DOE and Radiation Exposure Compensation Act [RECA] facilities, as well as of information on scientifically established links between toxic substances and illnesses.)

Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2010

Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization Act of 2010 - Establishes in the Department of Energy (DOE) a research, development, and commercial application program to assure the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of rare earth materials to satisfy the national security, economic well-being, and industrial production needs of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) support new or significantly improved processes and technologies (as compared to those currently in use in the rare earth materials industry); (2) encourage multidisciplinary collaborations and opportunities for students at institutions of higher education; (3) collaborate with the relevant directorates of the European Commission to coordinate activities; (4) establish a Research and Development Information Center to catalogue, disseminate, and archive information on rare earth materials; and (5) submit an implementation plan to Congress. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary to make loan guarantee commitments for the commercial application of new or significantly improved technologies for specified projects. Amends the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 to: (1) instruct the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate federal materials research and development through the National Science and Technology Council (instead of, as currently required, the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology); (2) modify the duties of the Secretary of Commerce regarding critical needs assessment; and (3) repeal specified duties of the Secretaries of Defense and of the Interior. Repeals the National Critical Materials Act of 1984.

Promoting Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2010

Promoting Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles Act of 2010 - Establishes within the Department of Energy (DOE) a Natural Gas Vehicle and Infrastructure Development Program. Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a rebate program for owners who convert or repower a conventionally fueled vehicle to a vehicle that operates on compressed or liquefied natural gas or to a mixed-fuel vehicle or a bi-fuel vehicle; (2) an infrastructure deployment program and a manufacturing development program to provide grants for installing natural gas refueling property and developing engines with reduced emissions, improved performance, and lower cost; and (3) a direct loan program to provide loans to manufacturers for the cost of reequipping, expanding, or establishing a facility that will be used for producing new alternative fuel motor vehicles or vehicle components. Establishes within DOE a national plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment program. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) provide technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments to create deployment programs for such vehicles; (2) make available to the public information regarding the cost, performance, usage data, and technical data regarding such vehicles and associated infrastructure; (3) carry out a national assessment and develop a national deployment plan; and (4) award grants for preparing a community deployment plan and for implementing programs that support such deployment. Directs the Secretary to develop and publish guidance for: (1) model building codes for charging infrastructure in new construction and major renovations of private residences, buildings, or other structures; (2) model construction permitting or inspection processes that allow for the expedited installation of charging infrastructure for purchasers of plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (3) model zoning, parking rules, or other local ordinances that facilitate the installation of, and allow for access to, publicly available charging infrastructure. Requires the Secretary to award grants to educational institutions to: (1) provide training and education for vocational workforce development to ensure that the workforce has the skills needed to work on and maintain plug-in electric drive vehicles and the infrastructure required to support them; and (2) establish programs to provide training and education in designing plug-in electric drive vehicles, components, and infrastructure to ensure U.S. leadership in this field. Directs: (1) the Federal Energy Management Program and the General Services Administration (GSA) to assess and report to Congress on the conversion of federal government fleets to plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (2) the Administrator of General Services to acquire plug-in electric drive vehicles and the requisite charging infrastructure to be deployed in a range of locations in the federal governmental fleets during a five-year period. Establishes within the national deployment program a targeted plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment communities program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to fund research and development in advanced batteries, plug-in electric drive vehicle components, plug-in electric drive infrastructure, and related technologies; (2) implement a study on recycling of materials from plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (3) establish the Advanced Batteries for Tomorrow Prize for a 500-mile vehicle battery. Establishes in the Treasury the 500-mile Battery Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to Congress on: (1) the raw materials needed for the manufacture of components for plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (2) the infrastructure needed to support such vehicles. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to require each electric utility to develop a plan to support the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles in its service area. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary of Energy to guarantee loans for the aggregate purchase of not fewer than 200 qualified automotive batteries in a calendar year that have a total minimum power rating of 1 megawatt and that use advanced battery technology. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary to make loan guarantees for charging infrastructure for plug-in drive electric vehicles if the infrastructure will be operational before December 31, 2016. Requires an advanced battery from a plug-in electric drive vehicle to be disposed of in accordance with the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Establishes the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Technical Advisory Committee. Directs the President to establish the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Interagency Task Force to ensure awareness, coordination, and integration of the activities of the federal government relating to plug-in electric drive vehicles. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate to 21 cents a barrel.

Renewable Electricity Promotion Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2010

Renewable Electricity Promotion Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to establish a standard that requires electric 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 2012-2013, 6% in 2014-2016, 9% in 2017-2018, 12% in 2019-2020, and 15% in 2021-2039). Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to 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. Provides for the issuance, duration, transfer, trading, tracking, and reporting of credits. Sets forth civil penalties for utilities that fail to meet such requirements. Allows the Secretary to delegate to: (1) a market-making entity the administration of a national renewable energy credit market and a national energy efficiency credit market to create a transparent national market for the sale or trade of such credits, and (2) regional entities the tracking of dispatch of renewable energy generation;. Authorizes: (1) a state public utility commission or electric utility to request a variance from such renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements, and (2) a utility to meet such requirements by submitting alternative compliance payments. Allows: (1) a governor to expend amounts in a state renewable energy escrow account solely for increasing the quantity of electric energy produced from a renewable energy source in the state, promoting deployment and use of electric drive vehicles in the state, and offsetting the costs of carrying out this Act paid by consumers in the state through direct grants to electric consumers or energy efficiency investments; and (2) states to adopt or enforce laws concerning renewable energy or energy efficiency or the regulation of electric utilities. Exempts from renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements an electric utility that sold less than 4 million megawatt hours of electric energy to electric consumers during the preceding year or that is located in Hawaii. Requires the Secretary, when petitioned by the governor of a state or the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the case of TVA's power service area, to allow up to 26.67% of the renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements associated with the sales of electricity of a utility to be met by submitting federal energy efficiency credits. Requires: (1) the Secretary to promulgate regulations regarding the measurement and verification of electricity savings; and (2) the increment of electricity output of a new combined heat and power system that is attributable to the higher efficiency of the combined system to be considered electricity savings. Requires the Secretary to make loans available to electric utilities to: (1) construct a renewable energy generation facility; and (2) install an energy efficiency or electricity demand reduction technology. Terminates the authority provided by this Act on December 31, 2039.

Gulf Security and Iran Sanctions Enforcement Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2010

Gulf Security and Iran Sanctions Enforcement Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to include in each lease issued after enactment of this Act that authorizes oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf a provision that requires: (1) the lessee to certify annually to the Secretary that it does not engage in any activity for which sanctions may be imposed under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996; and (2) the Secretary to cancel the lease if the lessee fails to make such a certification or makes a false one. Requires such a lease also to require the lessee to disclose to the Secretary any participation in any energy-related joint venture, investment, or partnership located outside Iran that involves: (1) any person whose property and property interests are blocked pursuant to Executive Orders 13224 (for transacting business with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism) or 13382 (because they are weapons of mass destruction proliferators or their supporters); or (2) any entity on a specified list relating to Iranian Transactions Regulations. Requires cancellation of any lease whose lessee has failed to make such a disclosure or makes a false disclosure. Allows a national interest waiver of these requirements.

Job Creation and Tax Cuts Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2010

Job Creation and Tax Cuts Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend expiring tax expenditure provisions relating to infrastructure financing, energy, individuals, housing, businesses, health care, and disaster relief. Requires a report to Congress on each tax expenditure extended by this Act. Makes technical corrections and other amendments to laws relating to pension funding. Sets forth tax rules for the treatment of partnership interests transferred in connection with the performance of services. Treats as ordinary income or loss net income or loss from an investment services partnership interest. Extends through 2020 the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate and increases such rate to 78 cents a barrel. Increases from $1 billion to $5 billion the per incident limitation on expenditures from such Trust Fund. Denies a tax deduction for the payment of punitive damages. Includes in taxpayer gross income punitive damages paid by an insurer. Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Social Security Act, and other statutes relating to health care assistance to individuals. Provides additional funding for: (1) grants to states for youth activities, including summer employment; and (2) the Housing Trust Fund for low-income housing programs. Individual Indian Money Account Litigation Settlement Act of 2010 - Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Class Action Settlement Agreement dated December 7, 2009, in the case entitled Elouise Cobell et al. v. Ken Salazar . Establishes in the Treasury the Trust Land Consolidation Fund and the Indian Education Scholarship Holding Fund to carry out terms of the Settlement Agreement. Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture to carry out the terms of a settlement agreement to resolve claims raised in the cases consolidated in In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation , including Pigford claims (relating to a racial discrimination action against the Department of Agriculture). Amends the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010 to authorize expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund for allocations of infrastructure funding to states. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend through 2013 duty suspensions on certain cotton fabrics. Authorizes transfers from the Treasury to restore payment levels from the Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund. Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 to extend through 2012 trade adjustment assistance programs. Extends through FY2011, and makes appropriations for, activities authorized by part A of title IV (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA), other than the Emergency Contingency Fund for State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Programs, in the manner authorized for FY2010, subject to the amendments made by this Act. Increases and extends through FY2011 grant funding to state courts to assess and improve handling of proceedings relating to foster care and adoption. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to unemployment compensation program integrity. Extends: (1) through December 31, 2019, fees for customs services in connection with processing of merchandise; and (2) through September 30, 2019, fees for custom services in connection with commercial vehicles. Foreign-Held Debt Transparency and Threat Assessment Act - Requires: (1) the President to report to Congress quarterly on the risks posed by foreign holdings of debt instruments of the United States; (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually on such risks; and (3) the Comptroller General to report annually on risks to the United States posed by the federal debt. Requires the President to formulate and implement a plan of action to reduce the risk posed by foreign holdings of debt instruments to U.S. long-term national security or economic stability. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Office of the Homeowner Advocate to assist homeowners, housing counselors, and housing lawyers in resolving problems with the Home Affordable Modification Program. Provides for compliance of the budgetary effects of this Act with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

Better Use of Light Bulbs Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2010

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) sets 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.

Upstate Works Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2010

Upstate Works Act - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to provide grants to states to establish revolving loan funds to provide loans to small and medium-sized manufacturers to finance the cost of reequipping, expanding, or establishing manufacturing facilities in the United States to produce clean energy technology and energy efficient products or of reducing the energy intensity or greenhouse gas production of a manufacturing facility; and (2) include as an activity of Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology (known as the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers) the establishment of a clean energy manufacturing supply chain initiative. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 50% tax credit for investment in value-added agricultural property; (2) allow a credit for 50% of the cost of property used to furnish broadband services in rural areas; (3) extend through 2019 the period for designation of empowerment zones and renewal communities; (4) expand the eligibility criteria for enterprise zone businesses and the use of tax-exempt enterprise facility bonds; and (5) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to award grants to state or local governments or nonprofit entities for the purpose of making businesses aware of benefits of empowerment zones and renewal communities. Directs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to improve job skills necessary for employment in specific industries.

Geothermal Energy Investment Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2010

Geothermal Energy Investment Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow through 2016 a 30% energy tax credit for investment in geothermal energy property.

Federal Electricity Cost Savings Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2010

Federal Electricity Cost Savings Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) direct the President, acting through the Secretary of Energy (DOE), to seek to ensure that the total amount of energy (currently, electric energy) that the federal government consumes during any fiscal year shall include specified amounts of renewable energy; and (2) define "renewable energy" to mean energy (currently, electric energy) generated from specified sources. Allows contracts for renewable energy for federal agencies to be made for a period of up to 20 years.

Green Workforce Development Through Community Colleges Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2010

Green Workforce Development Through Community Colleges Act - Directs the Secretaries of Labor, Energy, and Education to establish and convene an advisory commission to: (1) review and analyze the skill needs of the alternative energy and energy efficiency fields; (2) identify and define career pathways, including coursework, certification, and other training needed for career development in areas related to wind power, solar power, geothermal energy, training of energy auditors for residential and commercial structures, and energy efficient retrofit and renovation of residential and commercial structures; (3) recommend a curriculum framework and best practices for educational and workforce training programs related to such areas; and (4) report its findings and recommendations to the Secretaries. Directs such Secretaries to: (1) post such report on their department websites; and (2) jointly award grants to community colleges for the purposes of providing education and workforce training in the alternative energy and energy efficiency fields. Requires community college recipients to use grant funds to: (1) establish educational and training programs in such fields; (2) assist students and graduates of such programs in apprenticeship and employment placement in such fields; (3) coordinate with and assist area secondary and vocational schools in providing educational services in such fields; and (4) coordinate with local workforce investment boards to ensure program access to individuals participating in workforce investment activities in the local area, dislocated workers, workers who are transitioning into careers in such fields, underrepresented minorities, and low-income individuals. Directs the Secretaries to jointly award grants to up to 10 community colleges identified as leaders in education and workforce training in the alternative energy and energy efficiency fields to develop best practices regarding such education and training.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4785) to amend the miscellaneous rural development provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to certain entities that will use the funds to make loans to consumers to implement energy efficiency measures involving structural improvements and investments in cost-effective, commercial off-the-shelf technologies to reduce home energy use.

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2010

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4785) to amend the miscellaneous rural development provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to certain entities that will use the funds to make loans to consumers to implement energy efficiency measures involving structural improvements and investments in cost-effective, commercial off-the-shelf technologies to reduce home energy use.

Recovery Through Building Renovation Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2010

Recovery Through Building Renovation Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to provide credit support for debt or repayment obligations incurred in connection with financing the installation of efficiency or renewable energy measures (efficiency obligations) in commercial, industrial, municipal, university, school, and hospital facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for such credit support, including: (1) standards for assessing, and threshold levels for, the expected energy savings; (2) examples of financing mechanisms that qualify as efficiency obligations; (3) eligibility criteria; and (4) lien priority requirements. Requires the Secretary to prioritize: (1) the maximization of energy savings with the available credit support funding; (2) the establishment of a clear application and approval process; and (3) the distribution of projects receiving credit support across states or geographical regions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an initial minimum energy savings requirement for eligible projects that results in the greatest amount of energy savings on a per project basis; and (2) annually adjust that requirement and any other credit support terms deemed necessary taking into account market conditions and available funding. Limits credit support to 90% of the principal amount of the efficiency obligation or $10 million for any single project. Authorizes the Secretary to charge reasonable fees for such credit support. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) the MUSH Building Efficiency Program to provide grants to state revolving funds to finance energy efficiency retrofit projects for buildings that are owned or controlled by a municipality, a state or public university, a school or school district, or a publicly owned hospital; and (2) a program that provides grants to state or tribal governments to support property assessed clean energy bonds and other tax assessment-based financing mechanisms to support building retrofit projects expected to produce significant energy efficiency gains.

American Taxpayer and Western Area Power Administration Firm Power Customer Protection and Government Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2010

American Taxpayer and Western Area Power Administration Firm Power Customer Protection and Government Accountability Act - Amends the Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984 regarding the borrowing authority of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). Revises requirements for the mandatory certification by the WAPA Administrator before committing funds for any project in which the WAPA participates. Requires the Administrator, in addition to other things, to certify that: (1) appropriate agreements have been executed to ensure that project beneficiaries shall be solely responsible for repaying all capital and operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the project; and (2) no federal costs associated with construction, financing, facilitating, planning, operating, maintaining, or studying any project shall be allocated, assigned, or recovered from customers or rates of any other WAPA power and transmission facility.

Electricity Reliability Protection Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2010

Electricity Reliability Protection Act of 2010 - Prohibits the use of funds made available to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Corps of Engineers, or the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) of the Department of the Interior to implement, administer, or enforce any policy or procedure set forth in either the memorandum entitled "Enhanced Surface Coal Mining Pending Permit Coordination Procedures" or the EPA guidance entitled "Improving EPA Review of Appalachian Surface Coal Mining Operations under the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and the Environmental Justice Executive Order," until the EPA, the Corps of Engineers, or OSMRE promulgates regulations to implement it after providing notice and an opportunity for comment in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

Local Control for Energy and Environment Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2010

Local Control for Energy and Environment Act - Amends the Natural Gas Act and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal federal regulatory oversight over: (1) companies engaged in the importation or exportation of natural gas in foreign commerce; and (2) the persons engaged in such importation or exportation. Repeals: (1) the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve or deny applications for the siting, construction, expansion, or operations of liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals; (2) the requirement that FERC enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Defense (DOD) ensuring FERC coordination with DOD regarding the siting, construction, expansion or operation of LNG facilities that may affect an active military installation; and (3) the oversight functions of both FERC and the states concerning state and local safety considerations over LNG terminal construction. Requires any agency agreements, collaborations, or activities entered into by FERC concerning the environmental impact, public safety, or security of an LNG facility to: (1) include input by and consultation with the state in which such facility is located; and (2) make available to the public in print and on an Internet website reports and documents generated from such agreements, collaborations, and activities.

Renewable Energy Investment Incentive Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2010

Renewable Energy Investment Incentive Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until 2019: (1) the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources; and (2) the energy tax credits for solar energy, fuel cell, and qualified small wind property and geothermal heat pump systems. Allows until 2019 a 30% energy tax credit for equipment used to generate electricity by geothermal power. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 to extend beyond 2010 the grant program for alternative and energy property in lieu of the tax credits for such property.

Clean Renewable Energy Investment Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2010

Clean Renewable Energy Investment Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax-exempt new clean renewable energy bonds, to: (1) repeal the national limitation amount for such bonds; (2) allow such unlimited bonds to be issued until January 1, 2014; (3) eliminate the eligibility of governmental bodies for new clean renewable energy bond financing; (4) designate a tribal utility as a clean renewable energy bond lender; and (5) provide that any reimbursements with the proceeds of new clean renewable energy bonds are subject to reimbursement rules applicable to all tax-exempt bonds.

To amend part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act to require the Secretary of Energy to determine whether there are systemic impediments to carrying out the weatherization program under that part, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2010

Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to require an evaluation of the Department of Energy's (DOE) program that provides weatherization assistance for low-income persons to: (1) determine whether there are systematic impediments to carrying out such program; and (2) provide recommendations for how such impediments should be addressed. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to require any recipient of financial assistance under such program to provide reports or answers to specific questions, surveys, or questionnaires regarding such impediments, including reports or answers on the average time it takes to complete weatherization assistance for individual dwelling units and on the approval and disapproval of requests for such weatherization assistance. Requires each person responsible for the administration of a weatherization assistance project receiving financial assistance to keep records tracking: (1) the time it takes to complete weatherization assistance provided for by such project for each dwelling unit; and (2) approval and disapproval of requests for weatherization assistance, including reasons for such a disapproval and the form, of any follow-up that occurs regarding such a disapproval. Requires the Secretary, the Director of the Community Services Administration (with respect to community action agencies), and the Comptroller General of the United States to have access to such records. Requires the annual report by the Secretary and the Director to the President and Congress on such program to include any findings, determinations, and recommendations of the Secretary regarding such impediments.

Charging America Forward Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010

Charging America Forward Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2014 the tax credit for purchasing a new qualified hybrid motor vehicle, increase the the amount of such credit for certain hybrid and heavy vehicles, and provide for the transferability of such credit; (2) increase and extend through 2014 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property; (3) make refundable and provide for the transferability of the tax credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles; (4) allow accelerated depreciation of smart meters and smart grid systems; (5) allow a 50% tax credit for investment in qualified used energy storage property (30% for energy storage property used for onsite storage); and (6) allow a nonbusiness energy tax credit for qualified used energy storage property. Defines "qualified used energy storage property" as property comprised of pre-owned advanced large format automotive propulsion battery cells previously used in a qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicle which are reconditioned into: (1) property that is designed to receive and store electrical energy, convert it to electricity, and to deliver such electricity for support to the transmission or distribution grid or for sale to unrelated parties and that has the ability to store 50 kilowatt hours of energy or to attain a peak power output of 20 kilowatts; or (2) property that is primarily designed and used to receive and store intermittent renewable energy generated on-site and to deliver such energy for primarily on-site consumption, or which provides supplemental energy to reduce peak energy requirements on-site, and that has the ability to store the energy equivalent of 20 kilowatt hours of energy and to maintain an output of the energy equivalent of 5 kilowatt hours of electricity for 4 hours. .

Restoring Ecosystem Sustainability and Protection on the Delta Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010

Restoring Ecosystem Sustainability and Protection on the Delta Act - Amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to revise provisions concerning the meaning of outer Continental Shelf revenues and the allocation of such revenues among Gulf producing states. Sets forth provisions concerning exempting drilling activities from the requirements of the "Decision memorandum regarding the suspension of certain offshore permitting and drilling activities on the Outer Continental Shelf." Establishes in the Treasury the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Fund for the conservation, protection, and restoration of the Gulf Coast ecosystem. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into the Fund not less than 80% of any amounts collected as penalties, settlements, or fines under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) in relation to the blowout and explosion of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon and resulting hydrocarbon releases into the environment. Establishes the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to: (1) develop a proposed comprehensive plan for the long-term conservation, flood protection, and restoration of biological integrity, productivity, and ecosystem functions in the Gulf Coast ecosystem, which shall include a list of projects to be funded and carried out over three years; (2) update the project list annually; and (3) establish a Gulf Coast-based working group for recommending, coordinating, and implementing policies, programs, activities, and projects to accomplish Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration. Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 to require the Secretary of the Army to carry out any modifications to projects implemented under the coastal Louisiana ecosystem science and technology program that are necessary to address the impacts of the blowout. Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to: (1) make the party responsible for an offshore facility, except a deepwater port, from which oil is discharged into or upon navigable waters or adjoining shorelines liable for all discharge removal costs and damages for each incident (currently, for all removal costs plus $75 million); (2) prohibit the party responsible for an offshore facility (other than a pipeline or deepwater port) from asserting a claim for recovery of removal costs or damages; and (3) require the Interagency Committee to develop a program to provide for research, development, and demonstration of innovative technology to prevent or mitigate oil discharge from offshore oil facilities. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to establish the Offshore Facilities Oil Spill Mutual Insurance Fund for adjusting and paying damages and other claims asserted against an insured who is a responsible party for an incident that occurs after this Act's enactment at an offshore facility (other than a deepwater port or pipeline). Requires the Fund to be credited with any premiums collected for deepwater leases and shallow water leases and investment income earned from investments of premium payments. Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to provide technical assistance grants for use in assisting individuals and businesses affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Prohibits the use of grant funds to provide compensation for damages or removal costs relating to the spill.

A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to issue conditional commitments for loan guarantees under certain circumstances.

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 regarding the terms and conditions governing loan guarantees for innovative technologies. States that, if the Secretary of Energy submits a loan guarantee for review and comment to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Secretary may issue a conditional commitment to enter into such guarantee at least 30 days after that submittal, without further approval from the Director.

Coal Energy Bridge Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010

Coal Energy Bridge Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow seven-year amortization of mechanical or electronic systems that are installed on a coal-fired electric generation unit and that reduce carbon dioxide emissions; (2) allow a new 30% tax credit for investment in carbon dioxide capture, transport, and storage property which is part of a qualified coal-fired electric generation unit; (3) expand the tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration to allow for uses other than as tertiary injectants; and (4) allow a tax credit for investment in clean energy coal bonds.

Clean Energy Technology Leadership Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010

Clean Energy Technology Leadership Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase and extend through 2014 the tax credit for investment in a qualifying advanced energy project; (2) increase and extend the tax credit for energy-efficient appliances; (3) allow an enhanced tax deduction between 2011 and 2014 for income attributable to the domestic production of advanced alternative energy technology; (4) allow an elective payment for certain energy property placed in service before January 1, 2013; (5) increase the amount of the national limitation on the issuance of new clean renewable energy bonds; (6) increase in 2011 and 2012 the tax credit for energy research expenses; (7) extend through 2012 the tax credits for new energy efficient homes and the nonbusiness energy credit; (8) increase the rate of the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial building property installed on or in a certified historic structure; (9) allow a new tax credit for qualified natural gas motor vehicles; (10) allow the issuance of tax-exempt natural gas vehicle bonds; (11) allow expensing of the cost of any qualified natural gas vehicle manufacturing facility property; (12) extend through 2012 the parity provisions for transit and parking transportation fringe benefits; (13) extend the tax deduction for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures; (14) extend through 2012 the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel; and (15) include within the definition of "cellulosic biofuel," for purposes of the income tax credit for alcohol used as fuel, algae-based biofuel. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress by January 1, 2013, evaluating all temporary and permanent energy tax incentives in effect on the date of the report.

A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to improve the loan guarantee program of the Department of Energy under title XVII of that Act.

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPA) to prohibit federal loan guarantees for innovative technologies unless: (1) an appropriation for the cost of the guarantee has been made; (2) the Secretary of Energy (DOE) has received and deposited into the Treasury payment in full from the borrower for the cost of the guarantee; or (3) a combination of appropriations or payments from the borrower has been made that is sufficient to cover the cost of the guarantee. Authorizes the Secretary to waive requirements to provide a third-party credit report if: (1) such report, in the Secretary's opinion, is not relevant to the determination of the credit risk of a project; (2) the project costs are not projected to exceed $100 million; and (3) the applicant agrees to accept the credit rating the Secretary assigns. Authorizes the head of the loan guarantee program, if there is either a severe shortage of candidates or a severe hiring need for particular positions, to recruit and directly appoint into the competitive service highly qualified critical personnel with specialized knowledge important to program functions (direct hire authority). Amends the EPA and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to authorize the Secretary to: (1) retain agents and professional advisors in connection with guarantees and related activities; and (2) require loan guarantee applicants and recipients to pay all fees and expenses of such agents and advisors. Authorizes the Secretary to make energy efficiency loan guarantees for projects starting construction by September 30, 2011, to retrofit residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, facilities, and equipment.