Energy

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act of 2000 - Authorizes the Secretary to designate additional entities as beryllium vendors for purposes of coverage under this Act if such entities engage in activities relating to the production or processing of beryllium for sale to, or use by, DOE. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to specify the means of establishing the existence of a covered beryllium illness for purposes of this Act. Part A: Beryllium, Silicosis, and Radiation Compensation - Determines, in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary, a covered beryllium employee to have been exposed to beryllium in the performance of duties for purposes of this Act if such employee was: (1) employed at a DOE facility; or (2) present at a DOE facility, or a facility owned and operated by a beryllium vendor, because of employment by the United States, a beryllium vendor, or a contractor or subcontractor of the Department of Defense, during a period when beryllium dust, particles, or vapor may have been present at such facility. (Sec. 6) Determines a covered employee with chronic silicosis to have been exposed to silica in the performance of duty if such employee was present during the mining of tunnels at a DOE facility for tests or experiments related to an atomic weapon. Determines a DOE employee, contractor employee, or atomic weapons employee to have sustained a cancer in the performance of duty if such employee: (1) contracted cancer after beginning such employment; and (2) falls within certain guidelines established by the HHS Secretary which are based on radiation dosage received during such duty. Directs the HHS Secretary to: (1) establish methods for determining radiation dosage received by such employees; (2) provide to such employees an estimate of the dosage received; and (3) establish an independent review process to assess such dosage determinations and estimates. (Sec. 7) Directs the HHS Secretary to establish an Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health to advise the Secretaries of HHS, Energy, and Labor on: (1) the development of guidelines to be used to determine exposures to covered hazards; (2) the scientific validity and quality of dosage estimates and reconstruction efforts being performed to implement employee compensation programs; and (3) other matters relating to radiation and worker health at DOE facilities. (Sec. 8) Requires the Advisory Board, upon request, to advise the HHS Secretary whether there is a class of DOE employees who likely were exposed to radiation at a facility but for whom it is not feasible to estimate the dosage received. Allows such class of employees to be considered members of the Special Exposure Cohort if there is a reasonable likelihood that the radiation dose received may have endangered the health of members of that class. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary to Labor to pay compensation, and furnish certain other employee services and benefits, for the disability or death of covered employees under this Act. Requires such Secretary to provide appropriate assistance for claimants, including assistance in securing medical testing and diagnostic services to establish the existence of a covered illness or cancer. Directs the Secretary of Energy to inform and assist covered employees who are potential claimants of the availability of compensation, services, and benefits under this Act. (Sec. 10) Allows a covered employee, or a survivor of a deceased covered employee, to elect to receive compensation of $200,000 in lieu of any other compensation under this Act. Provides a conditional time limit for such election. (Sec. 11) Outlines procedures for the submission, adjudication, and administration of claims for compensation by covered employees, with time limits. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make awards for or against such compensation. Allows for decision appeals through Energy Employees' Compensation Appeals Panels. Part B: Exposure to Other Toxic Substances - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, through the Director of the Office of Workers' Compensation Advocacy, to enter into agreements with the Governor of a State to provide assistance to a DOE contractor employee filing a claim under the appropriate State workers' compensation system. Outlines procedures to be undertaken by such Director in assisting with such claims, including submitting claim applications to a physicians panel for determination whether or not the illness or death arose in the course of employment by DOE and exposure to a toxic substance at a DOE facility. Requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of this Part. Part C: General Provisions - Provides for the tax and insurance treatment of compensation or benefits paid or received under this Act. (Sec. 16) Requires forfeiture of benefits by individuals convicted of fraud in the application for or receipt of any benefit under this Title or any Federal or State workers' compensation law. (Sec. 17) Provides limitations on the right to receive benefits under this Act. (Sec. 18) Requires individuals eligible to receive compensation under both this and from a State workers' compensation system to elect which benefits to receive, unless: (1) at the time of the injury, workers' compensation coverage was secured by a policy or contract of insurance; and (2) the Secretary of Labor waives the election requirement. Requires the coordination of benefits under this Act with both Federal and State workers' compensation laws and requirements. (Sec. 21) Prohibits dual Federal compensation for employees covered by this Act, with exceptions. (Sec. 23) Provides for the exclusivity of remedies provided by this Act against the United States and its contractors and subcontractors, as well as against beryllium vendors and atomic weapons employers. (Sec. 25) Provides a Federal right of subrogation when a person or entity other than the United States is also responsible under a claim. (Sec. 26) Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Employees' Occupational Illness Compensation Fund for the payment of compensation claims under this Act. (Sec. 28) Establishes within DOE an Office of Workers' Compensation Advocate to provide information, research reports, and studies to support the implementation of this Act.

White House Conference on United States Energy Policy Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000

White House Conference on United States Energy Policy Act of 2000 - Directs the President to convene a White House Conference on United States Energy Policy to develop and recommend a national energy policy for the United States, under the joint planning and direction of the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Energy Efficient Buildings Incentives Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000

Energy Efficient Buildings Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish, for a limited time period, deductions and credits for commercial and residential properties using specified energy efficient construction or reconstruction materials or technologies, including solar energy. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) allocation of deductions for public property; and (2) property financed by subsidized energy financing. Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish specified certification and compliance procedures. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy.

HELP San Diego Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2000

Halt Electricity Price-gouging in San Diego Act, or HELP San Diego Act - Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue an order establishing the maximum price for electricity sold at wholesale in the Western System Coordinating Council after June 1, 2000. Prescribes guidelines governing: (1) maximum electricity prices; (2) mandatory refunds of prices paid in excess of such maximum; and (3) civil penalties for violations of this Act.

Fairness in Electricity Supply Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2000

Fairness in Electricity Supply Act of 2000 - Amends the Flood Control Act of 1944 to repeal the preference given to public bodies and cooperatives in the sale of power and energy generated at Federal facilities. Prohibits granting preference to any entity in connection with the purchase of electric power and energy generated at any federally owned facility or hydroelectric project.

Pipeline Integrity, Safety, and Reliability Research and Development Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2000

Pipeline Integrity, Safety, and Reliability Research and Development Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to develop and implement an accelerated cooperative research and development program to ensure the integrity of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Requires the Secretary to: (1) arrange with the National Academy of Sciences for the establishment of a Pipeline Integrity Technical Advisory Committee; and (2) prepare, along with the Committee, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, and submit to Congress a five-year research and development program plan. Authorizes appropriations.

Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2000

Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000 - Title I: Grain Standards - Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to eliminate the requirement that grain export inspection and weighing samples be taken from certain physical locations (spout or final carrier). (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to allow inspection and weighing agencies to perform services in other than their designated geographic area under specified conditions. (Sec. 103) Extends the Secretary's grain inspection and weighing fee authorities through September 30, 2005. (Sec. 104) Eliminates the annual equipment testing requirement. (Sec. 105) Extends administrative and supervisory cost limitations through FY 2005 at reduced (30 percent) rates. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Secretary to contract for inspection and weighing services. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Secretary to prohibit the use of grain additives to disguise grain quality. (Sec. 108) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2005 for grain inspection activities. (Sec. 109) Extends advisory committee authority through September 30, 2005. Title II: Warehouses - Amends the United States Warehouse Act to revise the Secretary's authority respecting the storage of warehoused agricultural products. Provides for the issuance of electronic warehouse receipts. Title III: Miscellaneous - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Secretary to make grants and loans for energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities in areas with specified high home energy costs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Applies specified carry forward adjustment provisions of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 beginning with undermarketings of the 2001 burley tobacco crop and marketings of the 2002 burley tobacco crop. (Sec. 303) Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to authorize the Secretary to assess and collect mediation or arbitration fees and penalties for disputes involving agricultural products in foreign commerce. (Sec. 304) Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants for the Federal share of community facilities in rural communities with specified levels of high unemployment or population loss. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 306) Amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to authorize appropriations through FY 2005 for State agricultural loan mediation programs. (Sec. 307) Amends the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 to extend authority through October 1, 2003, for reimbursement of State and local costs associated with the removal of potentially hazardous commodities. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1996 respecting the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to: (1) authorize the exclusion of cost-of-living allowances for members of the uniformed services on duty outside the contiguous States (currently continental) of the United States; and (2) limit to 20 the number of demonstration projects relating to the use of the WIC program for identification and enrollment of children in certain health programs. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to authorize, and set forth the conditions under which, a State agency may suspend without prior hearing a participating institution for false or fraudulent claims under the child and adult care food program.

Clean and Renewable Fuels Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Clean and Renewable Fuels Act of 2000 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to prohibit, effective January 1, 2001, a person from selling or dispensing to ultimate consumers any fuel or fuel additive containing methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in the United States other than in specified nonattainment areas required to meet the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline and in which MTBE was used to meet such requirement before January 1, 2000. Provides for phased reductions in the use of MTBE in fuel or fuel additives and for a trading program to allow persons to sell and purchase authorizations to sell or dispense MTBE. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations to require persons selling or dispensing gasoline that contains MTBE to label gasoline dispensing systems with a notice stating that the gasoline contains MTBE and that provides information concerning health and environmental risks. Prohibits, effective three years after this Act's enactment date, the manufacture, introduction into commerce, sale, or dispensing of a fuel or fuel additive containing MTBE or any other ether compound. Permits the Administrator to waive such prohibition with respect to an ether compound other than MTBE if the use of the compound will not pose a significant risk to human health or the environment. Authorizes the Administrator, if MTBE is contaminating or posing a substantial risk of contamination of soil, groundwater, or surface water in an area, to take necessary action to protect human health and the environment, including requiring a more rapid reduction (or immediate termination) of the quantity of MTBE sold or dispensed in a fuel or fuel additive in the area. Permits States to impose restrictions or prohibitions on the sale or use of MTBE as appropriate to protect human health and the environment. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the EPA Administrator to develop technical guidelines to assist in the investigation and cleanup of MTBE in soil or groundwater. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements with interested parties to establish voluntary pilot projects for the cleanup of MTBE and the protection of private wells from MTBE and provide technical assistance in carrying out such projects. Requires the Administrator to amend certain guidance to require State source water assessment programs to be revised to give high priority to groundwater areas and aquifers that have been contaminated, or are most vulnerable to contamination, by MTBE. (Sec. 3) Amends the CAA to require the Administrator to promulgate regulations that establish a procedure for submission of petitions for: (1) a waiver for an area of any per-gallon oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline; and (2) averaging of such requirement over a period of time of up to one year. Directs the Administrator to grant such a petition if necessary to: (1) avoid a shortage or disruption in supply of reformulated gasoline; (2) avoid the payment by consumers of excessive prices for such gasoline; or (3) facilitate the attainment by an area of a national primary ambient air quality standard. Requires the regulations to ensure that the human health and environmental benefits of reformulated gasoline are maintained during the period of any waiver. Permits the Administrator, if the Secretary of Energy finds that there is an insufficient domestic supply of oxygenates to meet the oxygen content requirement and upon State petition, to promulgate regulations temporarily reducing or waiving such requirement for an area to ensure an adequate supply of reformulated gasoline. Requires such regulations to ensure that the human health and environmental benefits of reformulated gasoline are maintained during the period of the temporary reduction in the oxygen content requirement. (Sec. 4) Limits the aromatic hydrocarbon content of reformulated gasoline to 22 (currently, 25) percent by volume. Prohibits the average aromatic hydrocarbon content of such gasoline from exceeding the average aromatic hydrocarbon content of such gasoline sold in covered areas (specified ozone nonattainment areas where the use of such gasoline is required) for use in baseline vehicles when using such gasoline during 1999 or 2000. Limits the maximum aromatic hydrocarbon content per gallon of reformulated gasoline to 30 percent. Limits the olefin content of reformulated gasoline to eight percent by volume. Bars the average olefin content of reformulated gasoline from exceeding the average olefin content of such gasoline sold in covered areas for use in baseline vehicles when using such gasoline during 1999 or 2000. Limits the maximum olefin content per gallon of reformulated gasoline to ten percent. (Sec. 5) Applies certain limitations on emissions of toxic air pollutants from baseline vehicles using reformulated gasoline to precursors of such pollutants as well. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator to revise performance standards regarding reformulated gasoline to ensure that: (1) the ozone-forming potential, taking into account all ozone precursors, of the aggregate emissions during the high ozone season from baseline vehicles when using reformulated gasoline does not exceed such potential of the emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with regulations that were in effect on January 1, 2000, and applicable to such gasoline sold in 2000 and subsequent calendar years; and (2) the aggregate emissions of specified pollutants or their precursors, including toxic air pollutants, from such vehicles when using such gasoline do not exceed such emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with the regulations described in (1). Provides for adjustments to the performance standard for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to account for emissions of carbon monoxide that are greater or less than a specified baseline for emissions achieved by reformulated gasoline containing two percent oxygen by weight and meeting other performance standards. Requires the Administrator to revise performance standards by redefining "baseline vehicles" to mean vehicles representative of vehicles (including off-road vehicles) in use as of January 1, 2000. (Sec. 8) Requires the Administrator, upon the application of a State Governor, to apply prohibitions on the sale of conventional gasoline in covered areas (areas requiring the use of reformulated gasoline), to any nonclassified areas (opt- in areas). (Sec. 9) Changes references to calendar year 1990 to 1999 or 2000 (whenever lower emissions occurred) in reformulated gasoline provisions concerning anti-dumping. Adds particulate matter, fine particulate matter, and precursor pollutants to the list of pollutants to which emissions limitations under such provisions apply. Updates the baseline from 1990 to 1999 or 2000 for purposes of such provisions. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations applicable to gasoline refiners, blenders, or importers to ensure that gasoline sold or introduced into commerce (other than reformulated gasoline) does not have an aromatic hydrocarbon or olefin content exceeding the content of gasoline sold or introduced into commerce in 1999 or 2000, in whichever occurred the lower of such content. (Sec. 10) Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for gasoline renewable source content requirements applicable to refiners, blenders, or importers. Increases such requirement annually to require a content of 1.3 percent in 2000 and 4.2 percent by 2010 and thereafter. Provides for credits for persons who refine, blend, or import gasoline that contains a quantity of fuel derived from such sources that exceeds applicable requirements. Authorizes the use or transfer of such credits for compliance purposes. Allows the Administrator to promulgate regulations governing such credits to prevent excessive geographical concentration in the use of fuel derived from renewable sources that would tend unduly to: (1) affect its price, supply, or distribution; (2) impede the development of the renewable fuels industry; or (3) otherwise interfere with this section's purposes. Permits the Administrator to waive renewable source content requirements with respect to an area on petition by a State and upon determining that: (1) implementation of the requirements would severely harm the area's economy or environment or there is an inadequate domestic supply or distribution capacity to meet such requirements; and (2) use of the credit program would not alleviate circumstances on which the petition is based. Terminates waivers on the earlier of the date on which the reason for the waiver no longer exists or one year after it is granted but authorizes renewals. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on reductions in emissions of criteria air pollutants listed under the Act and greenhouse gases that result from implementation of renewable source content requirements and on the impact of such requirements on demand for materials for producing renewable source fuels, adequacy of food and feed supplies, rural economic growth, and energy security. Requires the Administrator to promulgate renewable source content regulations applicable to diesel fuel and to establish a renewable source content program for diesel similar to the program for gasoline. Amends Federal highway provisions to provide that for purposes of determining the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users paid into the Highway Trust Fund, the amount paid into the Fund with respect to the sale of gasohol or other fuels containing alcohol by reason of taxes imposed on special fuels or gasoline shall be treated as equal to the amount that would have been imposed without regard to the reduction in revenues resulting from renewable source content regulations under the Clean Air Act, certain other regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act, and specified Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning alcohol fuels.

Electric Power Industry Tax Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Electric Power Industry Tax Modernization Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a governmental unit to make an irrevocable election to terminate certain tax-exempt financing for electric output facilities. Sets forth provisions concerning independent transmission companies. Provides for the exclusion from gross income as contributions to capital of certain amounts received by electric utilities. Revises the special rules concerning the tax treatment of nuclear decommissioning costs.

A bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of certain hydroelectric projects in the State of West Virginia.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend for three consecutive two-year periods the time period during which the licensees of specified hydroelectric projects in the State of West Virginia are required to commence construction. Provides for reinstatement of expired licenses.

To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of certain hydroelectric projects located in the State of West Virginia.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, upon licensee request, to extend for three consecutive two-year periods the time period required for commencement of construction of specified hydroelectric projects in the State of West Virginia.

Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000

Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited credit, for a limited time period, for producers of qualified energy efficient clothes washers and energy efficient refrigerators.

A bill to amend provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 relating to remedial action of uranium and thorium processing sites.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to extend: (1) from December 31, 2002, to December 31, 2007, the deadline for the Secretary of Energy to reimburse specified licensees for remedial action costs incurred at active uranium or thorium processing sites; and (2) from December 31, 2005, to July 31, 2008, the deadline for the Secretary to determine whether certain reimbursements exceed statutory limits.

Electric Power Industry Tax Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000

Electric Power Industry Tax Modernization Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a governmental unit to make an irrevocable election to terminate certain tax-exempt financing for electric output facilities. Sets forth provisions concerning independent transmission companies. Provides for the exclusion from gross income as contributions to capital of certain amounts received by electric utilities. Revises the special rules concerning the tax treatment of nuclear decommissioning costs.

Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000

Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited credit, for a limited time period, for producers of qualified energy efficient clothes washers and energy efficient refrigerators.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the depreciation of property used in the generation of electricity.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the accelerated cost recovery system, to: (1) add property used in the generation of electricity to the definition of seven-year property; and (2) with respect to the special rules for determining class life, deem such property to have a ten-year class life.

Heating Fuel Cost Relief Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000

Heating Fuel Cost Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit equal to 20 percent of the cost (up to a credit maximum of $1,000) of converting from the use of heating oil to the use of natural gas or a renewable energy source.

To designate the museum operated by the Secretary of Energy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as the "American Museum of Science and Energy", and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

Designates the museum operated by the Secretary of Energy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as the "American Museum of Science and Energy", and declares it to be the official museum of science and energy in the United States. Grants the Secretary certain implementation authority, especially for volunteer recruitment and training for Museum- related activities.

National Electric Reliability Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

National Electric Reliability Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to provide for the establishment and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards to ensure the reliable operation of the bulk-power system. Grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Corporation (FERC) jurisdiction, for purposes of approving and enforcing domestic compliance with standards controlling: (1) the electric reliability organization; (2) all Affiliated Regional Reliability Entities (entities to which authority has been delegated to enforce compliance with reliability standards); (3) all system operators; and (4) all users of the bulk-power system. Provides that, prior to the establishment of the Electric Reliability Organization (Organization), any person (including the North American Electric Reliability Council and its member Regional Reliability Councils) may file a proposed reliability standard, guidance, or practice which, subject to FERC approval, shall be mandatory and enforceable. Prescribes procedural guidelines for FERC approval of: (1) applications competing for status as the Electric Reliability Council; and (2) Organization standards. Requires all users of the bulk-power system to comply with such standards. Mandates that: (1) the Organization take all appropriate steps to gain recognition in Canada and Mexico; and (2) the United States use its best efforts to enter into international agreements with the governments of Canada and Mexico to effectuate compliance with Organization standards, and to provide for the effectiveness of the Organization's mission. Requires every system operator to be a member of the electric reliability organization, and of any Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity operating under an agreement applicable to the region in which the system operator operates or is responsible for the operation of a bulk-power system facility. Empowers the Organization to take disciplinary and enforcement action. Directs the Organization to assess periodically the reliability and adequacy of the inter-connected bulk-power system in North America, and to report its findings and recommendations annually to FERC and to the Secretary. Provides for the assessment and recovery of implementation and enforcement costs incurred by the Organization and each Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity, respectively. Directs the Commission to establish a regional advisory body on the petition of at least two-thirds of the States within a region that have more than one-half of their electric loan served within the region. Authorizes a regional advisory body to provide advice to the electric reliability organization, an affiliated regional reliability entity, or the Commission on: (1) the governance of an existing or proposed affiliated regional reliability entity; and (2) whether an organization standard, entity rule, variance, or assessment fees proposed to apply within the region is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest.

Energy Security Tax and Policy Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2000

Energy Security Tax and Policy Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, and other Federal laws to establish and revise programs and tax credits and deductions concerning both business and nonbusiness energy uses (as well as programs for Indian tribes), including those involving: (1) alternative fuels; (2) transportation; (3) clean coal technologies; (4) oil and gas production; (5) methane recovery; (6) renewable power generation; (7) energy efficiency; (8) steelmaking; (9) electricity; and (10) energy emergencies.

To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project in Pennsylvania.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000

Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, upon licensee request, to extend for three consecutive two-year periods the time period during which the licensee is required to commence construction of a specified hydroelectric project in Pennsylvania. Provides for reinstatement of such construction license if it has expired before the date of enactment of this Act.

Consumer Empowerment and Electricity Deregulation Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Consumer Empowerment and Electricity Deregulation Act of 2000 - Title I: Consumer Choice and Competition for Electric Suppliers - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to set forth retail electric competition parameters for State-regulated local distribution systems and for nonregulated local distribution systems, including the authority to recover stranded costs. (Sec. 101) Empowers the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)to enforce compliance with this Act. (Sec. 102) Terminates the requirement that electric utilities enter into new contracts for the sale or purchase of electric energy or capacity. Amends the Federal Power Act to: (1) declare that bundled and unbundled electric energy transmission service falls within the purview of the Act, including the sale of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce; and (2) grant FERC jurisdiction over facilities used to provide bundled and unbundled electric energy transmission services in interstate commerce, make sales of electric energy intended for resale, or establish and enforce bulk power system reliability standards implemented by a regional transmission organization. Title II: Public Utility Holding Companies - Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2000 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. (Sec. 205) Prescribes procedural guidelines for Federal and State access to records of a holding company (including subsidiaries, associates, and affiliates) of a public utility or natural gas company. (Sec. 206) Precludes such State access to any person that is a holding company solely by reason of ownership of one or more qualifying facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. (Sec. 207) Instructs FERC to promulgate a final rule to exempt such holding companies, as well as exempt wholesale generators and foreign utility companies, from such access requirements. Requires FERC also to exempt from such access requirements any person or class of transactions that is not relevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility or natural gas company. (Sec. 208) Retains the jurisdiction of FERC and State commissions to determine whether a public utility company or natural gas company may recover in rates any costs of affiliate transactions. (Sec. 209) Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the United States; (2) a State or its political subdivision; and (3) a foreign governmental authority not operating in the United States. (Sec. 211) Grants FERC certain Federal Power Act enforcement powers. (Sec. 214) Transfers from the Securities and Exchange Commission to FERC all books and records that relate primarily to the functions vested in FERC by this Act. (Sec. 215) Amends the Federal Power Act to repeal its conflict of jurisdiction guidelines. (Sec. 216) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code regarding tax-exempt bond financing of certain electric facilities, to exclude specified open access transactions from the definition of "private business use" (and thus from qualification for tax-exempt status) in connection with an electric output facility owned by a governmental unit. (Sec. 301) Permits certain bond issuers to make an irrevocable election to terminate certain tax-exempt financing for electric output facilities. (Sec. 302) Revises IRC special rules for nuclear decommissioning costs to repeal the limitation placed on deposits paid into the Nuclear Decommissioning Reserve Fund. (Sec. 303) Revises the 85-percent income test for qualification of a mutual or cooperative electric company for tax-exempt status, which requires that 85 percent or more of income consists of amounts collected from members for the sole purpose of meeting losses and expenses. Declares that, to meet such test, no income shall be taken into account from revenues received from nonmembers solely as a result of conforming transmission and distribution operations to meet provisions of a Federal or State plan designed to provide customer choice in electric power supply.

Electric Reliability 2000 Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Electric Reliability 2000 Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to provide for the establishment and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards to ensure the reliable operation of the bulk-power system. Grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Corporation (FERC) jurisdiction, for purposes of approving and enforcing compliance with standards in the United States, over: (1) the electric reliability organization; (2) all Affiliated Regional Reliability Entities (entities to which authority has been delegated to enforce compliance with reliability standards); (3) all system operators; and (4) all users of the bulk-power system. Provides that, prior to the establishment of the Electric Reliability Organization (Organization), any person (including the North American Electric Reliability Council and its member Regional Reliability Councils) may file a proposed reliability standard, guidance, or practice which, subject to FERC approval, shall be mandatory and enforceable. Prescribes procedural guidelines for FERC approval of: (1) applications competing for status as the Electric Reliability Council; and (2) Organization standards. Requires all users of the bulk-power system to comply with such standards. Mandates that: (1) the Organization take all appropriate steps to gain recognition in Canada and Mexico; and (2) the United States use its best efforts to enter into international agreements with the governments of Canada and Mexico to effectuate compliance with Organization standards, and to provide for the effectiveness of the Organization's mission. Requires every system operator to be a member of the Organization and of any Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity operating under an agreement applicable to the region in which the system operator operates or is responsible for the operation of a bulk-power system facility. Empowers the Organization to take disciplinary and enforcement action. Directs the Organization to assess periodically the reliability and adequacy of the inter-connected bulk-power system in North America, and to report its findings and recommendations annually to FERC and to the Secretary. Provides for the assessment and recovery of implementation and enforcement costs incurred by the Organization and each Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity, respectively. Sets forth antitrust defenses for activities undertaken by the Organization, its members, or members of an affiliated regional reliability entity. Instructs FERC to establish a regional advisory body on the petition of the Governors of at least two-thirds of the States within a region that have more than one-half of their electrical loads served within the region. Restricts such body to the 48 contiguous States.

Nuclear Fuel Reliability Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

The Nuclear Fuel Reliability Act of 2000 - Instructs the chief executive (Transition Manager) responsible for the daily operations of the United States Enrichment Enterprise (USEE), and the Secretary of Energy to submit a plan to the President for the total reacquisition of USEC Inc. (United States Enrichment Corporation). Mandates congressional review of the reacquisition plan. Authorizes the United States to take USEC Inc., upon plan implementation. Authorizes sums for deposit into the United States Enrichment Enterprise Fund in order to effectuate Federal ownership. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to terminate the Executive Agent Agreement between the United States and USEC, Inc. after USEE has been established. Sets forth implementation and transition guidelines. Establishes the United States Enrichment Enterprise as a Federal agency to: (1) operate as a self-financing business enterprise; (2) maintain a reliable, economical domestic source of uranium mining, enrichment, and conversion services; (3) lease Department of Energy uranium enrichment facilities and maintain continued operations of certain gaseous diffusion plant; (4) sell uranium and conversion services so as not to cause a material adverse impact upon domestic conversion or mining industries; (5) sell enriched uranium and related services to the Department of Energy to maintain a strategic reserve of low enriched uranium; (6) conduct research and development to deploy alternative uranium enrichment technologies; and (7) continue to meet objectives of ensuring the nation's common defense and security. Amends the USEC Privatization Act to subject the conversion component of the uranium hexaflouride delivered to the Russian Executive Agent to the restrictions applicable to equivalent amounts of uranium. Prescribes procedural guidelines for uranium transfers and sales. Authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to contract with USEE to operate gaseous diffusion plants on hot standby if a gaseous diffusion plant is closed. Directs DOE to: (1) assess the long term needs of the domestic nuclear utility industry with respect to low enriched uranium; and (2) establish adequate strategic reserves to assure reliable supply (100 percent of U.S. demand and 100 percent of U.S. obligations to any other country under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 1978) in the event a uranium enrichment plant is closed and the United States is dependent upon only one gaseous diffusion plant. Authorizes DOE to contract with USEE to purchase at cost the separative work unit (SWU, or the level of effort required to increase the concentration of U-235 in natural uranium) delivered under the Agreement between Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation Concerning the Disposition of Highly Enriched Uranium Extracted from Nuclear Weapons, dated February 18, 1993 (Russian HEU Agreement).

Great Smoky Mountain Clean Air Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000

Great Smoky Mountains Clean Air Act of 2000 - Amends the Clean Air Act to identify aggregate emission reduction objectives in connection with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) powerplants. Sets a modernization deadline for outdated TVA powerplants. Prohibits TVA from increasing hydroelectric energy generation in order to achieve such mandated objectives if the increase would require a drawdown of any contiguous lake or reservoir between Memorial Day and August 1.

Clean Power Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000

Clean Power Act - Instructs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate a final regulation to address interstate transport of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide pollution; (2) establish a program to issue, record the sale or exchange of, and track allowances of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide, and track and monitor emissions of nitrogen oxide; and (3) promulgate regulations regarding electric utility emissions of mercury that are based upon the protection of human health and the environment. Amends the Clean Air Act to revise sulfur dioxide allowances. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration in the Department of Energy (DOE) to specify the percentage of total domestic electric energy generation that the Administrator estimates to be supplied by renewable energy during a specified calendar year. Sets forth a statutory mechanism for mandatory submission of Renewable Energy Credits by retail electric suppliers to the Secretary of Energy. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to issue and track such credits. Requires each retail electric supplier to make net metering service available upon request of a retail electric consumer whom such supplier currently serves or solicits for service.

China Nonproliferation Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2000

China Nonproliferation Act - Directs the President to report annually to specified congressional committees on every person (with certain exceptions) with respect to whom there is credible information indicating that such person, on or after January 1, 2000, transferred, retransferred, sold, misused, or diverted from, or within, the People's Republic of China to a foreign person or Chinese national involved in the development or acquisition of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons or ballistic or cruise missiles any goods, services, or technology: (1) listed on the Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines for the Export of Nuclear Material, Equipment and Technology and Guidelines for Transfers of Nuclear-Related Dual-Use Equipment, Material, and Related Technology (both published by the International Atomic Energy Agency), the Missile Technology Control Regime Equipment and Technology Annex of June 11, 1996, the lists of items and substances relating to biological and chemical weapons the export of which is controlled by the Australia Group, the Schedules of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, or the Wassenaar Arrangement list of Dual Use Goods and Technologies and Munitions list of July 12, 1996; or (2) not identified on any of these lists, but would be if they were U.S. goods, services, or technology prohibited or controlled for export to China (or any tier IV countries as defined by the Bureau of Export Administration of the Department of Commerce), and have the potential to contribute to the development, improvement, or production of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or of ballistic or cruise missile systems, or advanced conventional weapons or munitions. (Sec. 3) Requires the President to include in the report information: (1) on any action taken by a person identified in a prior annual report that establishes that the person has discontinued, rectified, or mitigated a prior proliferation activity identified under this Act; (2) on measures taken against such persons or against China in response to proliferation activities; and (3) other specified information. Requires submission of such reports in unclassified form, with classified annexes as necessary. (Sec. 4) Directs the President to apply certain measures for at least 12 months to each person identified in the annual report. Includes among such measures: (1) those set forth Executive Order No. 12938; (2) prohibition of U.S. Government transfers or sales to such person of any item on the U.S. Munitions List, and termination of all sales and after-sale servicing to such person of any defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services under the Arms Export Control Act; (3) denial of licenses, suspension of existing licenses, and termination of all transfers or sales and after-sale servicing for the transfer to such person of any item the export of which is controlled under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the Export Administration regulations; (4) prohibition of U.S. Government procurement of any goods or services from such person; (5) prohibition of U.S. assistance to such person in the form of grants, loans, credits, guarantees, or otherwise; (6) immediate suspension of any agreements or efforts for the co-development or co-production with such person of any item on the U.S. Munitions List. Sets conditions for the lifting of such measures. (Sec. 5) Requires the President to apply additional specified tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 measures against China if certain circumstances exist. Requires one or more tier 2 measures if a person's proliferation activities are not rectified, or a person has engaged in additional proliferation activities, one year after imposition of section (4) measures, and one or more tier 3 measures if similar circumstances exist two years after imposition of section (4) measures. (Sec. 6) Sets forth procedures for congressional review of any presidential decision not to impose sanctions under this Act, or to exempt a person or China from such sanctions. Mandates imposition of such sanctions if Congress disapproves by joint resolution the President's decision. (Sec. 7) Requires transmittal to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the President's annual report under this Act. Requires the SEC to promulgate regulations to: (1) ensure that securities investors are notified of the identity of any person in the report the securities of which are listed, or authorized for listing, on a registered national securities exchange (or tier or segment) or by a registered national securities association; and (2) require each person included in such a report to provide notice of such inclusion in each written report, registration statement, or other filing or notice required from that person under the securities laws.

Kentucky National Forest Land Transfer Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2000

Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2001 - Title I: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) direct loans, loan guarantees, tied-aid grants, insurance, and administrative expenses under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Agency for International Development (AID) child survival and infectious disease programs, including basic education programs (earmarking amounts for child survival and maternal health, vulnerable children, HIV-AIDS, other infectious diseases, children's basic education, UNICEF, and U.S. contribution to the Global Fund for Children's Vaccines); (3) specified development assistance (allowing availability of limited amounts for the Inter-American Foundation and the African Development Foundation); (4) specified assistance for Lebanon for scholarships and direct support to the American educational institutions there; (5) international disaster assistance; (6) international disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to support transition to democracy and to long-term development of countries in crisis (provided AID reports to the Committees on Appropriations at least five days before the beginning of such program assistance); (7) micro and small enterprise development programs; (8) direct loans and loan guarantees under the development credit authority program for development assistance to foreign countries (provided such funds are made available only for urban and environmental programs); (9) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (10) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (11) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, and Mongolia); (12) the International Fund for Ireland; (13) ESF assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts for the Baltic States, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, subject to specified conditions); (14) assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union (subject to specified conditions, and earmarking amounts for Georgia and Armenia and for child survival, environmental health, and to combat infectious diseases); (15) the Peace Corps (with a bar on the use of such funds for abortions); (16) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (17) migration and refugee assistance; (18) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (19) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities (including U.S. contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), subject to specified conditions, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission, and the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund); (20) the Department of the Treasury international affairs technical assistance program; and (21) debt restructuring of concessional loans, guarantees, and credits made to eligible countries (including through the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Trust Fund under the enhanced HIPC initiative). Bars the use of development assistance funds for: (1) coercive abortions or involuntary sterilizations; (2) U.S. private and voluntary organizations which obtain less than 20 percent of annual funding from sources other than the U.S. Government; and (3) any activity contravening the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). Prohibits funds to Russia unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that the Russian Federation is in compliance with article V of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe regarding forces deployed in the flank zone in and around Chechnya. Withholds 50 percent of the funds allocated for the Government of the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that it has terminated arrangements to provide Iran with technology to develop a nuclear program or ballistic missile capability. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expanded international military education and training (IMET) to Indonesia and Guatemala; (2) foreign military financing grants and direct loans (earmarking amounts for Israel and Egypt); and (3) international peacekeeping operations (subject to certain conditions). Declares that none of the funds appropriated under this heading may be made available to support grant-financed military education and training at the School of the Americas unless: (1) the Secretary of Defense certifies that the instruction and training provided by the School is fully consistent with training and doctrine, particularly with respect to the observance of human rights, provided by the Department of Defense to U.S. military students at Department of Defense institutions whose primary purpose is to train U.S. military personnel; and (2) the Secretary of State, without delegation, certifies that such instruction and training is consistent with U.S. foreign policy objectives and helps support the observance of human rights in Latin America. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to a specified congressional committee by January 15, 2001, on the School's training activities and a general assessment regarding the performance of its graduates during 1998 and 1999. Urges Israel to terminate the existing contract to sell an airborne radar system to the People's Republic of China which could threaten both the forces of democratic Taiwan and the United States in the region surrounding the Taiwan Strait. Prohibits foreign military financing for: (1) Sudan, Liberia, and Guatemala; or (2) any non-NATO country participating in the Partnership for Peace Program except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the U.S. contribution to: (1) the Global Environment Facility of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) the International Development Association (IDA), subject to specified conditions; (3) the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; (4) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (5) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (6) the Asian Development Fund; (7) the African Development Bank; (8) the African Development Fund; (9) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and (10) the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for international programs and organizations. Sets certain restrictions on international organization funding, including prohibiting the use of funds for the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology, KEDO, or the IAEA. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including that no more than 15 percent of such appropriations shall be obligated during the last month of availability. (Sec. 502) Prohibits: (1) the use of funds for bilateral funding of international financial institutions; and (2) the transfer of such funds by AID directly to such an institution for the purpose of repaying a foreign country's loan obligations to it. (Sec. 503) Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including no more than specified maximums for official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances for AID, and for entertainment and representation allowances for the Inter-American Foundation and the Trade and Development Agency. Limits the use of funds for entertainment expenses of the Peace Corps, and of entertainment and representation allowances under the Foreign Military Financing Program. (Sec. 506) Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology (except for nuclear safety purposes); (2) direct assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, or Syria; (3) assistance to any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree; (4) certain transfers between appropriations accounts without prior presidential consultation with Congress; (5) assistance to any country in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan (except for any narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, or Peru); and (6) assistance (except in certain circumstances) for production of any commodity for export by a foreign country, if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets when the resulting productive capacity is expected to become operative, and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose any assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 516) Declares that funds appropriated for foreign operations, export financial, and related programs, that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs shall remain available for obligation until FY 2002. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the availability of assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union to a Government of such an Independent State, unless such Government is making progress in implementing comprehensive economic reforms based on market principles, private ownership, respect for commercial contracts, and equitable treatment of foreign private investment. Prohibits the availability of assistance also: (1) if such a Government applies or transfers U.S. assistance to any entity for the purpose of expropriating or seizing ownership of assets, investments, or ventures (unless the President determines such assistance is in the national interest); or (2) to enhance its military capability (except for demilitarization, demining, or nonproliferation programs). (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of development assistance funds for abortions or involuntary sterilizations as methods of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions, or provide any financial incentive to undergo sterilization. (Sec. 519) Limits to no more than five percent the amount of export financing funds (other than for administrative expenses) that can be transferred from one appropriation to another, with no appropriation being increased by more than 25 percent by such transfer. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds for Colombia, Haiti, Liberia, Serbia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 522) Makes funds available to AID for child survival, basic education, infectious disease activities and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) research and control in developing countries. (Sec. 523) Bars funding for indirect assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or China unless the President certifies that the withholding of such funds is contrary to the U.S. national security interest. (Sec. 524) Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to notify the Committees on Appropriations before providing excess DOD articles to certain NATO and major non-NATO countries. (Sec. 526) Authorizes the availability of ESF funds to provide general support and grants for nongovernmental organizations located outside China that have as their primary purpose fostering democracy in that country (including earmarking amounts to such organizations to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities). Earmarks ESF funds to the Jamestown Foundation (currently the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights) for a project to disseminate information and support research about China, and related activities. (Sec. 527) Prohibits bilateral assistance funds to any country which the President determines grants sanctuary from prosecution to any individual or group which has committed an act of international terrorism or otherwise supports such activities. Authorizes the waiver of this prohibition by the President for national security and humanitarian reasons, requiring notification to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 528) Directs the Secretary of State to report quarterly to the Committees on Appropriations on the use of supplemental appropriations for ESF assistance and military assistance to certain countries. (Sec. 529) Requires all AID contracts and subcontracts to include a clause requiring that U.S. insurance companies have a fair opportunity to bid for insurance when insurance is necessary or appropriate. (Sec. 530) Prohibits U.S. sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf region, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 531) Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which are AID grantees or contractors to place funds made available to them under this Act in interest bearing accounts in order to enhance their participation in economic activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including endowments and debt-for-development and debt-for- nature exchanges. (Sec. 532) Directs the Administrator of AID to require foreign countries that receive foreign assistance which results in the generation of local currencies to deposit such currencies in a separate account to be used to finance foreign assistance activities. (Sec. 533) Prohibits payments to any international financial institution while the U.S. Executive Director to the institution is compensated at a rate in excess of that for Level IV of the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 534) Bars assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iraq, unless the President certifies to Congress that such assistance: (1) is in the U.S. national interest; (2) will directly benefit the needy people in that country; or (3) will be humanitarian assistance for foreign nationals who have fled Iraq and Kuwait. (Sec. 535) Declares that provisions under this or any other Act authorizing appropriations for foreign operations or export financing shall not be construed to prohibit activities authorized by the Peace Corps Act, the Inter-American Foundation Act, or the African Development Foundation Act. Requires an agency to report to the Committees on Appropriations whenever it is conducting or proposing activities in a country for which such assistance is prohibited. (Sec. 536) Prohibits the use of funds to provide: (1) any financial incentive to a business for purposes of inducing it to relocate outside the United States if it will reduce the number of employees in the United States; (2) assistance for establishing or developing in a foreign country an export processing zone or other designated area in which a country's tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws do not apply to activities in the area, unless the President certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of U.S. jobs; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of internationally recognized workers rights in the recipient country. (Sec. 537) Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for the Republic of Serbia (except for Kosovo or Montenegro or for assistance to promote democratization). (Sec. 538) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Afghanistan, Lebanon, Montenegro, and for victims of war, displaced children, and displaced Burmese may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. Prohibits the use of funds made available to Cambodia for military or paramilitary purposes. Authorizes the use of foreign assistance funds to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation programs, and subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations, energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Authorizes AID to employ personal services contractors to administer programs for the West Bank and Gaza. Authorizes the President to waive certain prohibitions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organizations (PLO) if the President determines and certifies to Congress that it is in the national interest. (Sec. 539) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) immediate public renunciation by the Arab League countries of the boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997) and of American firms having commercial ties with Israel; (2) normalization of relations with Israel by such Arab countries; and (3) steps the President should take to encourage such renunciation. (Sec. 540) Authorizes the use of ESF funds to strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and in other regions. (Sec. 541) Declares that the restrictions on assistance to foreign countries contained in this Act or any other Act (except those relating to international terrorism or human rights violations) shall not be construed to restrict assistance: (1) in support of certain programs of nongovernmental organizations; or (2) under specified provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 542) Authorizes the reprogramming of earmarked appropriations for other programs within the same account, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 544) Prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States that were not authorized before the enactment of this Act. Earmarks specified amounts to private and voluntary organizations to deal with world hunger abroad. (Sec. 545) Declares that assistance under this Act should make full use of American resources, including commodities, products, and services, to the maximum extent possible. Declares the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all agricultural commodities, equipment, and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American- made. Requires Federal agency heads, in providing financial assistance to or entering into any contract with any entity using funds made available in this Act, to notify such entity of this intention. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually on the efforts of such agency heads and the U.S. directors of international financial institutions in complying with such requirements. (Sec. 546) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any UN member (including costs for attendance of another country's delegation at international conferences). (Sec. 548) Prohibits the provision of funds to a private voluntary organization that fails to provide any document, file, or record necessary to the auditing requirements of AID. (Sec. 549) Prohibits the provision of funds to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country that the Secretary of State has determined has a terrorist government, unless the President determines that the furnishing of such assistance is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 550) Withholds assistance from a foreign country in an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia. (Sec. 551) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO for the West Bank and Gaza unless the President has exercised certain authorities to suspend prohibitions on assistance to the PLO. (Sec. 552) Permits the President to provide up to a specified amount of commodities and services to the UN War Crimes Tribunal if doing so will contribute to a just resolution of charges regarding genocide or other violations of international law in the former Yugoslavia. (Sec. 553) Authorizes disposal on a grant basis in foreign countries of demining equipment used in support of the clearance of land mines and unexploded ordnance for humanitarian purposes. (Sec. 554) Prohibits the obligation of appropriations to create in Jerusalem a new U.S. agency office for the purpose of conducting U.S. business with the Palestinian Authority over Gaza and Jericho (or any successor Palestinian governing entity) provided for in the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles. (Sec. 555) Prohibits the obligation of certain funds appropriated for Informational Program activities to pay for: (1) alcoholic beverages; or (2) entertainment expenses for recreational activities. (Sec. 556) Authorizes the President to reduce amounts owed to the United States by eligible countries as a result of: (1) housing guarantees made pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) credits extended or guarantees issued under the Arms Export Control Act; or (3) any obligation to pay for purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Permits the exercise of such authority only: (1) to implement multilateral official debt relief and referendum agreements known as the Paris Club Agreed Minutes; and (2) with respect to countries with heavy debt burdens that are eligible to borrow from the IDA (but not from the World Bank) (IDA-only countries). Prescribes additional conditions for the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 557) Authorizes the President to engage in certain debt buybacks or sales. Authorizes the sale, reduction, or cancellation of certain loans to foreign governments, upon receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser that plans to use such loans only for the purposes of engaging in debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-development swaps, or debt-for nature swaps. Limits such authority to funds appropriated by this Act under the heading of debt restructuring. (Sec. 558) Bars funds appropriated by this Act or any previous appropriations Act for foreign operations, export financing and related programs to be made available for assistance for the Government of Haiti until: (1) the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that Haiti has held free and fair elections to seat a new parliament; and (2) the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such Government is fully cooperating with the US efforts to interdict illicit drug traffic through it to the United States. Earmarks a specified percentage of funds appropriated under this Act for bilateral assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean region. (Sec. 559) Requires a specified annual report of the Secretary of State containing the voting record of each foreign member country of the UN to include a side-by-side comparison of each country's overall support for the United States at the UN and the amount of U.S. assistance provided to it in FY 2000. (Sec. 560) Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary contribution to the UN, including the UN Development Program, unless the President certifies to Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the UN is not engaged in any effort to implement or impose any taxation on U.S. persons in order to raise revenue for itself or any of its specialized agencies. (Sec. 561) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase U.S. defense articles and services for its Coast Guard. (Sec. 562) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO unless the President certifies to Congress that it is in the U.S. national security interests. (Sec. 563) Prohibits the use of funds for the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State believes they have committed gross violations of human rights, unless the Secretary reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such country is taking steps to bring the responsible persons to justice. (Sec. 564) Provides for bilateral and multilateral assistance sanctions (with humanitarian, democratization, and certain infrastructure project exceptions) against countries harboring war criminals indicted with respect to the former Yugoslavia. Prohibits the provision of bilateral assistance for programs in which publicly indicted war criminals are known to have any financial interest or communities that are not in compliance with specified sections of the Dayton Agreement relating to war crimes and the Tribunal. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the location, if known, of publicly indicted war criminals, on country, entity and municipality authorities known to have obstructed the work of the Tribunal, and on sanctioned countries, entities, and municipalities. (Sec. 565) Prohibits the use of funds for the Government of the Russian Federation unless the President certifies to specified congressional committees that the Federation has not enacted laws or promulgated executive orders that discriminate against religious minorities in violation of international agreements on human rights and religious freedoms to which it is a party. (Sec. 566) Subjects the availability of funds in this Act to support programs or activities promoting country participation in the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 567) Bars funds to the Central Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Sec. 568) Earmarks specified foreign assistance funds for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group, the Multinational Force and Observers, the Middle East Regional Democracy Fund, Middle East Regional Cooperation, and Middle East Multilateral Working Groups. (Sec. 569) Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for the distribution of the assets of an Enterprise Fund before any distribution resulting from liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Fund. (Sec. 570) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions to oppose loans to Cambodia (except loans to support basic human needs). Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for assistance for the Government of Cambodia. (Sec. 571) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to report jointly to Congress on all overseas military training provided to, and proposed to be provided to, foreign military personnel under programs administered by the Defense and State Departments during FY 2000 and 2001. (Sec. 572) Earmarks specified funds for KEDO for administrative expenses and heavy fuel oil costs associated with the Agreed Framework (Joint Declaration on Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula). Earmarks other amounts to KEDO if the President certifies to Congress that North Korea is complying with the provisions of the Agreed Framework. (Sec. 573) Authorizes investment of funds made available to grantees of the African Development Foundation pending expenditure for project purposes when authorized by the President of the Foundation. (Sec. 574) Bars the use of funds appropriated under this Act to provide equipment, technical support, consulting services, or any other assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 575) Earmarks specified amounts of ESF funds for a political transition in Iraq, Iraqi opposition groups for political, economic, humanitarian, and other activities, and for groups and activities seeking the prosecution of Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi government officials for war crimes. Bars the use of such funds for administrative expenses of the State Department. (Sec. 576) Directs AID to submit an annual budget justification consistent with certain requirements of this Act to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 577) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to propose or issue rules, regulations, decrees, or orders for implementation, or in preparation for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol to the United States Framework Convention on Climate Change, which has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification pursuant to the U.S. Constitution, and which has not entered into force. (Sec. 578) Directs the Secretary of State, 30 days prior to the initial obligation of ESF funds for the bilateral West Bank and Gaza Program, to certify to the appropriate congressional committees that procedures have been established to assure the Comptroller General will have access to appropriate U.S. financial information in order to review the uses of such funds for the Program. (Sec. 579) Makes foreign military financing program funds available for Indonesia if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Indonesian government and the Indonesian armed forces are taking specified actions to: (1) bring to justice, and cooperate with investigations and prosecutions of, members of the armed forces and militia groups with respect to human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor; (2) allow safe passage for refugees returning home to East Timor from West Timor; and (3) not impede the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET). (Sec. 580) Bars the use of appropriated funds under this Act for the UN Man and the Biosphere Program or the UN World Heritage Fund for programs in the United States. (Sec. 581) Requires the Secretary of State to consult with the appropriate congressional committees and leadership of Congress to devise a mechanism to provide for congressional input before making any determination on the nature or quantity of defense articles and services to be made available to Taiwan. (Sec. 582) Urges funds appropriated by this Act for U.S. assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States to the maximum extent practicable to be used for the procurement of articles and services of U.S. origin. (Sec. 583) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act for assistance for the government of any country that has been determined to have: (1) provided lethal or non-lethal military support or equipment, directly or through intermediaries, within the previous six months to the Sierra Leone Revolutionary United Front (RUF), or any other group intent on destabilizing the democratically elected government of the Republic of Sierra Leone; or (2) aided or abetted, within the previous six months, in the illicit distribution, transportation, or sale of diamonds mined in Sierra Leone. (Sec. 584) Authorizes voluntary separation incentive payments to AID employees who voluntarily separate (whether by retirement or resignation) on or before December 31, 2001 to eliminate AID positions and functions contained in a mandatory strategic plan outlining such payments. (Sec. 585) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish a working capital fund for AID expenses of personal and nonpersonal services, equipment and supplies. (Sec. 586) Earmarks a specified amount of international organizations and program funds for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) (except for any country program in China). Conditions the availability of such funds to UNFPA on specified requirements, including that it does not fund abortions. (Sec. 587) Earmarks a specified amount of funds for population planning activities or other population assistance, with specified restrictions on assistance to foreign organizations that perform or actively promote abortions. (Sec. 588) Requires information relevant to the December 2, 1980, murders of four American churchwomen in El Salvador to be made public to the fullest extent possible. (Sec. 589) Declares that funds shall be appropriated to the HIPC Initiative only when the President of the World Bank and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) certify to the Secretary of the Treasury that such institutions will not include user fees or service charges through "community financing", "cost sharing", "cost recovery", or any other mechanism for primary education or primary healthcare, including prevention and treatment efforts for AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and infant, child, and maternal well-being in their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers or any other HIPC-related debt relief or economic reform program or plan or any other IMF or World Bank loan or reform program. (Sec. 590) Bars the use of funds under this Act for abortions or to lobby for or against abortion. (Sec. 591) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold ten percent of the U.S. payment to any international financial institution until the Secretary certifies that such institution has implemented certain procurement and financial management reforms. Title VI: Mozambique, Madagascar, and Southern Africa Rehabilitation and Reconstruction - Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 2000 for international assistance and rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for Mozambique, Madagascar, and southern Africa.

Midwest Clean Air Gasoline Reserve Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000

Midwest Clean Air Gasoline Reserve Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish and operate a Midwest Clean Air Gasoline Reserve, which shall not be a component of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, for acquisition and storage of reformulated gasoline. Authorizes the Secretary to release reformulated gasoline only in the event of a presidentially determined: (1) severe energy supply disruption; (2) severe price increase; or (3) other emergency affecting the Midwest. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the Midwest Clean Air Gasoline Reserve Account in the Treasury to accept receipts from the disposition of reformulated gasoline from the Reserve.

National Energy Security Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000

National Energy Security Act of 2000 - Title I: Energy Security Actions Required of the Secretary of Energy - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to report annually to the President and Congress on the progress the United States has made toward obtaining the goal of not more than 50 percent dependence on foreign oil sources by 2010. (Sec. 102) Sets a deadline for the Secretary to submit to the President a certain report of the National Petroleum Council, together with recommendations for administrative or legislative actions. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to establish within the National Economic Council an Interagency Work Group on Natural Gas (the Group), whose function shall be to develop a strategy and comprehensive policy for the use of natural gas as an essential component of overall national objectives of energy security, economic growth, and environmental protection. Title II: Amendments to Energy Policy and Conservation Act and Actions Affecting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to authorize drawdown and distribution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) if: (1) the President concurs in the determination of the Secretary of Defense that it will not impair national security; and (2) the Secretary of Energy finds that it will not have an adverse effect on the domestic petroleum industry. (Sec. 201) Extends through FY 2003 the availability of FY 2000 appropriations for SPR authorities. Extends the expiration date for authorities related to domestic supply availability from March 31, 2000, to December 31, 2003. (Sec. 202) Extends from FY 1997 through 2003 the authorization of appropriations for the interagency working group that coordinates Federal programs affecting exports of renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services. Extends the expiration date for standby energy authorities from March 31, 2000, to December 31, 2003. (Sec. 203) Instructs the President to establish immediately an Interagency Panel on the Strategic Petroleum Study to study and report to the President and Congress regarding oil markets and estimated future fluctuations in the price, supply, and demand for crude oil, and to determine appropriate SPR capacity and use. Title III: Provisions to Protect Consumers and Low Income Families and Encourage Energy Efficiencies - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to repeal: (1) the requirement that participating States share 25 percent of the cost of weatherization programs as a condition for receiving assistance grants; and (2) the mandate that forty percent of weatherization program funds be spent for weatherization program materials. Instructs the Secretary to establish energy audit procedures and techniques. Increases the financial assistance for labor and weatherization materials expenditures per dwelling unit. Includes among such weatherization materials heating and cooling modification costs, including replacement. (Sec. 301) Repeals the mandate for the Secretary to establish, pursuant to State application, a separate average per dwelling unit limitation. (Sec. 302) Amends the EPCA to direct the Secretary, upon State request, to provide information, technical assistance, and funding for specified actions (summer fill programs) to avoid severe seasonal price increases and supply shortages of kerosene, propane, and heating oil during summer months. (Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations for an Energy Efficiency Science Initiative, managed by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, for grants for energy efficiency research. Title IV: Provisions to Enhance the Use of Domestic Energy Resources - Subtitle A: Hydroelectric Resources - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of the Army, respectively, to inventory all dams, impoundments, and other facilities under their jurisdiction and to report to Congress on the potential of such facilities to generate hydroelectric power and on actions planned to do so. (Sec. 402) Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to report to Congress on expedited hydroelectric licensing procedures. Subtitle B: Nuclear Resources - Directs the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to report to Congress on: (1) domestic nuclear power generation and production; and (2) the potential for increasing nuclear generating capacity and production as part of the domestic energy mix. Subtitle C: Development of a National Spent Nuclear Fuel Strategy - Establishes an Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel Research within the Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology of the Department of Energy, headed by an Associate Director, to implement an integrated research and development program on technologies for the treatment, recycling, and disposal of high-level nuclear radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, under the general supervision of the Secretary. Confers upon the Secretary grant and contract making authority. Subtitle D: Coal Resources - Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress on the potential for increased generation from existing coal-fired power plants; and (2) provide grants for refinement and demonstration of new technologies for the conversion of coal to liquids. Title V: Improvements to Federal Oil and Gas Lease Management - Federal Oil and Gas Lease Management Improvement Act of 2000 - Emphasizes that this Act does not give a State a property right or interest in any Federal lease or land. Subtitle A: State Option to Regulate Oil and Gas Lease Operation on Federal Land - Permits a State to notify either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture (depending upon the appropriate jurisdiction) of its intent to accept authority for regulation of certain oil and gas lease operations on Federal land within such State. Declares an automatic transfer of regulatory authority over designated operations from the appropriate Secretary to the State effective 180 days following receipt of such notification. Bars a Federal agency from exercising authority formerly held by such Secretary with respect to oil and gas lease operations on Federal land. Subtitle B: Use of Cost Savings from State Regulation - Prescribes guidelines to compensate a State for the costs of implementing such transferred authority. Subtitle C: Streamlining and Cost Reduction - Bars the appropriate Secretary from recovering costs for applications and other documents relating to oil and gas leases. (Sec. 532) Requires the Secretary to ensure: (1) timely issuance of Federal agency decisions respecting oil and gas leasing and operations on Federal land; and (2) that unwarranted denials and stays of lease issuance and unwarranted restrictions on lease operations are eliminated from the administration of oil and gas leasing on Federal land. (Sec. 535) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish a national inventory of oil and gas reserves and potential resources underlying Federal land and the Outer Continental Shelf. Subtitle D: Federal Royalty Certainty - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Mineral Leasing Act pertaining to oil and gas leases to reformulate the payment of their respective lease royalties. Exempts Indian lands from such reformulation. Subtitle E: Royalty Reinvestment in America - Directs the appropriate Secretary, whenever certain crude oil or natural gas prices dip below a specified level, to allow as a credit against the payment of Federal oil and gas production royalties, a specified percentage of expenditures made for capital exploration and development on Federal oil and gas leases. (Sec. 551) Prohibits capital expenditures made on Outer Continental Shelf leases from being credited against onshore Federal royalty obligations. (Sec. 552) Instructs the appropriate Secretary to reduce the royalty rate for marginal oil and gas production following prescribed guidelines whenever certain crude oil or natural gas prices dip below a specified level. (Sec. 553) Prescribes procedural guidelines under which any operator of an oil well leased under specified statutes may notify the Secretary of the Interior of suspension of operation and production at the well. Title VI: Frontier Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Incentives - Frontier Exploration and Development Incentives Act of 2000 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act governing bidding procedures for oil and gas leases to set a certain net profit royalty share for oil and gas production in the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea Planning Areas of Alaska. (Sec. 602) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to reduce any future royalty or rental obligation by a specified percentage after an oil and gas lease has been granted pursuant to the statutory bidding system. Title VII: Tax Measures to Enhance Domestic Oil and Gas Production - Subtitle A: Marginal Well Preservation - Marginal Well Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to specify a tax credit for marginal domestic oil and natural gas well production. (Sec. 703) Authorizes taxpayer election to expense geological and geophysical expenditures and to delay rental payments for domestic oil and gas wells. Subtitle B: Independent Oil and Gas Producers - Amends the IRC to: (1) set forth a five-year net operating loss carryback for losses attributable to operating mineral interests of independent oil and gas producers; (2) suspend through 2004 the limitation on the total amount of the depletion allowance to 65 percent of taxable income; and (3) suspend through 2006 the taxable income limit with respect to marginal production. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Amends the IRC to: (1) repeal the mandate that certain approved terminals offer dyed diesel fuel and kerosene for nontaxable purposes; and (2) redefine qualified tertiary injectant expenses for purposes of the enhanced oil recovery credit. Title VIII: Tax Measures to Enhance the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, Improve Energy Efficiencies, Protect Consumers and Conversion to Clean Burning Fuels - Amends the IRC to: (1) set forth placed-in-service rules and special rules for biomass facilities; (2) deny renewable electricity production credit to electricity sold to utilities under certain contracts; (3) exclude from gross income as contributions to capital certain amounts received by electric energy, gas, or steam utilities; (4) extend the credit for electricity produced from steel cogeneration; (5) declare certain expense limitations on depreciable business assets inapplicable to a storage facility used in connection with home heating oil distribution; (6) establish a tax credit for certain percentages of residential solar energy photovoltaic and solar water heating property expenditures; and (7) allow an energy credit for 20 percent of the basis of certain fuel cell property and eight percent of the basis of combined heat and power system property placed in service during the taxable year for business uses. Title IX: Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2000 - Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2000 - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will: (1) result in an environmentally sound program; (2) not result in significant adverse effects upon fish and wildlife; and (3) ensure the receipt of fair market value by the public for the mineral resources to be leased. (Sec. 903) Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and any leasing or development leading to such production. States that Congress determines that the Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing program and activities authorized by this Act are compatible with the purposes for which the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established, and that no further findings or decisions are required to implement this determination. States this Act is the sole authority for Coastal Plain leasing, and that such Plain is considered "Federal land" for purposes of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate up to a specified total of Coastal Plain acreage as "Special Areas" and close them to leasing if the Secretary determines that these Areas require special management and regulatory protection; and (2) permit leasing in those Special Areas by setting lease terms that limit or condition surface use and occupancy by lessees but permit the use of horizontal drilling technology from sites on leases located outside the designated Special Areas. Declares that this Act constitutes the Secretary's sole authority to close Coastal Plain lands to oil and gas leasing and to exploration, development, and production. Instructs the Secretary to convey the surface estate of specified lands to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation and to the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation in order to remove clouds on title and clarify land ownership patterns within the Coastal Plain. (Sec. 905) Declares that the Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement on the Coastal Plain of April 1997 is adequate to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. (Sec. 906) States that lands may be leased to any person qualified to obtain a lease for oil and gas deposits under the Mineral Leasing Act. Requires the Secretary to prescribe lease procedures. (Sec. 907) Authorizes the Secretary to grant to the highest responsible qualified bidder by sealed competitive cash bonus bid any Coastal Plain lands upon payment of such bonus and a royalty which shall not be less than a certain amount. Prescribes lease terms and conditions. Sets forth bonding requirements to ensure financial responsibility of lessee and avoid Federal liability. (Sec. 912) Directs the Secretary to grant rights-of-way and easements across the Coastal Plain for oil and gas transportation. (Sec. 913) Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to provide for: (1) biannual scheduled onsite inspections for compliance of Coastal Plain facilities with environmental or safety regulations; and (2) annual nonscheduled onsite inspections of such facilities. Title X: Clean, Reliable and Affordable Electricity - Subtitle A: Accelerated Technology Research and Development Program for Advanced Clean Coal Technology for New and Existing Coal-Based Electric Generating Facilities - Part 1: National Coal-Based Technology Development and Applications Program - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) identify technology costs and associated performance goals that would permit continued cost-competitive use of coal for electricity generation, for chemical feedstocks, and for transportation fuel; and (2) implement research and development programs that include demonstration and commercial application of coal-based technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Part 2: Existing Plant Technology Applications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to develop economically and environmentally acceptable advanced technologies for utilization within current electricity generation facilities using coal as the primary feedstock; (2) transmit a detailed plan to Congress; and (3) solicit proposals for demonstrations designed to achieve such technical milestones. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Credit for Emission Reductions and Efficiency Improvements in Existing Coal-Based Electricity Generation Facilities - Amends the IRC to: (1) allow a tax credit for investment in a qualifying clean coal technology unit; and (2) set forth the formula for determining a tax credit for production from such a unit. (Sec. 1033) Provides for a debt repayment mechanism under which the owner of a qualified system of continuous emission control, or a qualified clean coal technology unit, may elect to have credits applied to the prepayment of any debt or obligation for investment in the retrofit, repowering, or replacement of existing coal-based generation with certain systems of continuous emission control and clean coal technology. Subtitle C: Incentives for Early Commercial Applications of Advanced Clean Coal Technologies - Sets forth: (1) a tax credit for investment in a qualifying advanced clean coal technology facility; and (2) a formula for determining a tax credit for production from such a facility. Provides for a debt repayment mechanism under which the owner of a such facility may elect to have such tax credits applied to prepayment of debt or obligations incurred under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

Gas Price Equity Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000

Gas Price Equity Act of 2000 - Requires any fine paid by a person to the United States as a result of any investigation into motor fuel prices to be rebated to consumers as provided by this Act. Reduces tax rates on motor vehicle fuel by the amount (and for the period) determined necessary by the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out this Act. Requires the fuel tax rate reduction to be the amount which will result in a reduction in revenues to the United States equal to the amount of fines paid. Directs the Secretary to provide for tax rate reductions in any region which are proportional to the extent of the conduct (to which the fine relates) which occurred in the region. Requires the Secretary to take steps to ensure that reductions under this Act are reflected in the retail price of the fuel.

Commission on Gasoline and Fuel Pricing Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2000

Commission on Gasoline and Fuel Pricing Act of 2000 - Establishes the Commission on Gasoline and Fuel Pricing to: (1) ascertain the reason for the increases in retail gasoline prices; (2) determine to what extent such increases are caused by market manipulation and anticompetitive practices; and (3) make recommendations as to how the United States can move toward domestic energy self-sufficiency in this decade.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4733) making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000

Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 4733 (energy and water development appropriations).

A bill to establish a commission to examine the efficacy of the organization of the National Nuclear Security Administration and the appropriate organization to manage the nuclear weapons programs of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000

Establishes the National Commission on Nuclear Security to review the efficacy of the organization of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and the organization and management of the nuclear weapons programs of the United States, under the current Presidential Administration and the Presidential Administration commencing in 2001, including: (1) whether the requirements and objectives of the National Nuclear Security Administration Act are being fully implemented by the Secretary of Energy and NNSA Administrator; (2) the feasibility and advisability of various means of improving the security and counterintelligence posture of NNSA programs; (3) the feasibility and advisability of various modifications of existing management and operating contracts for the laboratories under NNSA's jurisdiction; and (4) whether the national security functions of the Department of Energy, including NNSA, should be transferred to the Department of Defense, established as a semiautonomous agency within the Defense Department, established as an independent agency, or remain as a semiautonomous agency within the Energy Department. Requires the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to Congress and the Secretaries of Energy and Defense, including any recommendations for legislation and administrative action. Restricts the amount of certain previously authorized appropriations that shall be available for activities of the Commission.

Nuclear Secrets Safety Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000

Nuclear Secrets Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to report to specified congressional committees an inventory of each document or device at each national security laboratory that contains Restricted Data. Amends the National Nuclear Security Administration Act, with respect to procedures for ensuring that any individual is not permitted access to any classified area of a laboratory vault containing Restricted Data, to require such procedures, at a minimum, to provide that an individual shall not have access to any such vault unless, before each access, the individual's identity is verified by an attendant through direct visual observation. Requires the counterintelligence program at each such laboratory to include a polygraph program for individuals with access to any vault containing Restricted Data. Requires each such individual to undergo a polygraph examination within one year after having access to any such vault, in particular within 30 days after first access (or within 120 days after enactment of this Act, if first access occurred on or before enactment). Requires the Administrator for Nuclear Security to ensure that the combination of each lock to each laboratory vault containing Restricted Data is changed not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act.

Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000

Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2001 - Title I: Department of Defense - Civil - Makes appropriations to the Department of the Army and its Corps of Engineers for FY 2001 for: (1) authorized civil functions of the Department of the Army relating to rivers and harbors, flood control, beach erosion, and related purposes; (2) expenses necessary for the collection and study of information related to such purposes; (3) the prosecution of river and harbor, flood control, shore protection, and related projects; (4) certain flood control projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries; (5) the navigable waters and wetlands regulatory program; (6) formerly utilized sites remedial action program; and (7) general expenses. States that amounts in the Revolving Fund are available for relocating the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers headquarters to office space in the General Accounting Office headquarters building in Washington, D.C. (Sec. 101) Extends through FY 2001 the availability of certain appropriations to carry out the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act . (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of the Army to enter into an agreement with the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, wherein the City agrees to assume certain contractual responsibilities of the Trinity River Authority of Texas. Title II: Department of the Interior - Makes FY 2001 appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation, water and related resources; 3) Bureau of Reclamation Loan Program Account; (4) Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; and (5) general administrative expenses. (Sec. 201) Bars the use of funds under this Act to pay salaries and expenses of personnel to purchase or lease water in the Middle Rio Grande or the Carlsbad Projects in New Mexico unless specified statutory purchase requirements have been met. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to assess and collect annually a certain amount from Central Valley Project water and power contractors, and remit it to the Trinity Public Utilities District. Title III: Department of Energy - Makes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 2001: (1) energy supply programs; (2) non-defense environmental management; (3) maintenance and remediation of uranium processing facilities (4) general DOE science activities; (5) nuclear waste disposal activities; (6) DOE administration; (7) Office of the Inspector General; (8) atomic energy defense weapons activities; (9) atomic energy defense and defense nuclear nonproliferation activities; (10) naval reactors activities; (11) defense environmental restoration and waste management; (12) defense facilities closure projects; (13) defense environmental management privatization (14) other DOE defense activities; (15) defense nuclear waste disposal; (16) the various geographical power marketing administrations of DOE (including specified costs for the hydroelectric facilities at the Falcon and Amistad Dams under the Western Area Power Administration); and (17) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Sec. 301) Prohibits the use of appropriations under under this Act to: (1) award a management and operating contract without competitive procedures unless the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) grants a waiver on a case-by-case basis; (2) award, amend, or modify a contract in a manner that deviates from the Federal Acquisition Regulation unless the Secretary grants a waiver on a case-by-case basis; (3) develop or implement a workforce restructuring plan for DOE employees, or to provide them with enhanced severance payments or other benefits; (4) augment specified funds made available for severance payments and other benefits and community assistance grants under specified law; or (5) prepare or initiate Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for a program that has not been funded by Congress. (Sec. 307) Declares that no more than four percent of funds provided to government-owned, contractor-operated laboratories shall be available for Laboratory Directed Research and Development. (Sec. 309) Bars funds (with certain exceptions) to the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to enter into any agreement to perform energy efficiency services outside the legally defined Bonneville service territory, unless the Administrator certifies that such services are unavailable from private sector businesses. (Sec. 310) Prohibits the use of payments to the DOE Working Capital Fund for salaries and expenses of any Federal employee. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); (4) the NRC Office of the Inspector General; and (5) the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Title V: Rescissions - Rescinds specified amounts previously appropriated for interim storage of nuclear waste. Title VI: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that all equipment and products bought with funds under this Act should be American-made. Requires each Federal agency to give notice of this policy to any entity to which it provides financial assistance or contracts. Bars contracts funded under this Act from being awarded to any person determined by a court or Federal agency to have falsely labeled products as made in America. (Sec. 603) Prohibits the use of any funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to determine the final point of discharge for the interceptor drain for the San Luis Unit until the Secretary of the Interior and the State of California have developed a plan, which conforms to California water quality standards approved by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to minimize any detrimental effect of the San Luis drainage waters. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to classify the costs of the Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup and the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Programs as reimbursable or nonreimbursable and collected until fully repaid pursuant to the "Cleanup Program--Alternative Repayment Plan" and the "SJVDP--Alternative Repayment Plan" described in a specified report. (Sec. 604) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from September 30, 2000, through September 30, 2001, NRC authority to assess annual charges. (Sec. 605) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act for promulgations to implement a certain 1997 Kyoto Protocol regarding climate change which has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification. (Sec. 606) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to: (1) authorize appropriations for FY 2001; and (2) extend standby energy authorities from March 31, 2000 through September 30, 2001.

Foreign Trust Busting Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000

Foreign Trust Busting Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to permit U.S. courts to make a determination on the merits under U.S. antitrust laws with respect to cases asserting the manipulation of energy supplies or prices by foreign entities.

International Energy Fair Pricing Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000

International Energy Fair Pricing Act of 2000 - Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to international organizations and international financial institutions that support or recognize the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Directs the President to report to Congress with respect to: (1) any loan, guarantee, or technical assistance provided by any international financial institution that directly or indirectly supports any OPEC program or country, or any other cartel, engaging in production cutbacks or other market-distorting practices; (2) energy sector loans of, technical assistance provided by, and policies of each international financial institution, including an analysis of the extent to which they promote the complete dismantlement of international oil price fixing arrangements and the development of a market-based system for the exploration, production, and marketing of petroleum resources; (3) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) efforts to review market-distorting practices of international cartels, including OPEC, and specific actions that OECD member countries can undertake to combat such practices; and (4) U.S. actions to ensure that the OECD expands upon its activities and programs regarding the operation of international cartels. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, in providing assistance for the development of indigenous energy resources in developing non-OPEC countries, to ensure that such assistance is not used to support, directly or indirectly, OPEC programs or countries, or any other cartel, if OPEC or such cartel engages in oil price fixing.

Accountability to Congress for Nuclear Transfers to North Korea Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2000

Accountability to Congress for Nuclear Transfers to North Korea Act of 2000 - Amends the North Korea Threat Reduction Act of 1999 with respect to the prohibition against any agreement for cooperation between the United States and North Korea, or issuance of a license for the export, or approval for the transfer or retransfer, to North Korea of any nuclear material, facilities, goods, services, or technology that would be subject to such agreement, until the President reports to specified congressional committees that: (1) North Korea has come into full compliance with the Agreed Framework Between the United States of America and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (signed in Geneva on October 21, 1994) and other specified nuclear nonproliferation agreements; (2) has permitted the International Atomic Energy Agency full access to certain nuclear sites and material; (3) does not have uranium enrichment or nuclear reprocessing facilities; and (4) does not have nuclear weapons and is making no effort to acquire them. Prohibits any such agreement, export license, or transfer of any such items unless Congress approves the President's report by enactment of a joint resolution. Subjects to the same prohibition and approval requirements any export license for, or transfer or retransfer to North Korea of, any nuclear material, facilities, goods, services, or technology controlled under the Export Trigger List of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Declares that in supporting the provision of nuclear reactors to North Korea pursuant to the Agreed Framework, neither the President nor any U.S. agency may enter into any international agreement, contract, or other arrangement to impose liability on the U.S. Government for nuclear accidents that may occur at nuclear reactors provided to North Korea.

Tennessee Valley Authority Power Competition Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2000

Tennessee Valley Authority Power Competition Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to sell the fossil-fuel and nuclear power generation and electric power transmission facilities owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Prescribes procedural guidelines governing : (1) the sale of facilities; (2) competitive bidding; (3) cooperation of other Federal agencies; (4) retention of a financial and bid management advisor; (5) costs, proceeds and treatment of sales; and (6) legal obligations. Instructs the Secretary to report to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concerning the facilities to be sold under this Act. Places within FERC jurisdiction all rates and charges established for the wholesale sale of electric power from facilities sold under this Act. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement procedures to ensure that all power produced by TVA-owned hydroelectric dams is sold at market-based rates in the relevant bulk power supply market. Prescribes implementation guidelines governing: (1) bid and auction procedures; (2) use of revenue; (3) establishment of the Fund for Environmental Mitigation and Restoration; and (4) establishment of the Fund for Renewable Resources. Grants public bodies and cooperatives the right of first refusal to purchase power at market prices. Instructs TVA to terminate its long-term contracts with distributors and retail customers within one year after the date of enactment of this Act.

Energy Efficient Buildings Incentives Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2000

Energy Efficient Buildings Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish, for a limited time period, deductions and credits for commercial and residential properties using specified energy efficient construction or reconstruction materials or technologies, including solar energy. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) allocation of deductions for public property; and (2) property financed by subsidized energy financing. Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish specified certification and compliance procedures. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy.

A resolution encouraging and promoting greater involvement of fathers in their children's lives and designating June 18, 2000, as "Responsible Father's Day".

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2000

Declares that the Senate: (1) recognizes the need to encourage active involvement of fathers in the rearing and development of their children and that while there are millions of fathers who serve as a wonderful caring parent for their children, there are children on Father's Day who will have no one to celebrate with; (2) urges fathers to participate in their children's lives both financially and emotionally and to understand the level of responsibility required when fathering a child and to fulfill that responsibility; (3) encourages fathers to devote time, energy, and resources to their children; (4) is committed to assist absent fathers become more responsible and engaged in their children's lives; (5) designates June 18, 2000, as National Responsible Father's Day; and (6) calls on fathers around the country to use the day to reconnect and rededicate themselves to their children's lives, to spend such day with them, and to express their love and support for their children.

Advanced Technology Motor Vehicle Fuel Economy Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2000

Advanced Technology Motor Vehicle Fuel Economy Act of 2000 - Title I: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a credit for hybrid vehicles; and (2) extend the credit for qualified electric vehicles. Title II: Amendments to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to provide for studies of: (1) voluntary, mandatory, and other measures used to conserve energy in the transportation of goods and people; and (2) lean burn technology. Extends the manufacturing incentives for dual fuel vehicles and the maximum fuel economy increase for alternative fueled automobiles.

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2000

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Department of Labor for: (1) training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and other trust funds; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (8) the Employment Standards Administration; (9) certain special benefits; (10) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (11) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); (12) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (13) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (14) departmental management; (15) the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training; and (16) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 103) Prohibits the use of funds available in this Act by OSHA to promulgate or enforce any proposed, temporary, or final standard on ergonomic protection. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including amounts for the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, the Office of the Director, and buildings and facilities; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Health Care Financing Administration for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, and program management; (9) the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (10) the Administration for Children and Families for child support enforcement and family support programs; (11) low income home energy assistance; (12) refugee and entrant assistance; (13) the child care and development block grant; (14) the social services block grant; (15) children and families services programs; (16) promoting safe and stable families pursuant to a specified provision of the Social Security Act; (17) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (18) the Administration on Aging; (19) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (20) the Office of Inspector General; (21) the Office for Civil Rights; (22) policy research; (23) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers; and (24) the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. Rescinds FY 2001 funds for a sample study of child welfare. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 209) Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being made available under title X (population research and voluntary family planning) of the Public Health Service Act unless the award applicant certifies to the Secretary of HHS that it encourages family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning services and provides counseling to minors on resisting attempts to coerce them into engaging in sexual activities. (Sec. 210) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to carry out the Medicare+Choice program if the Secretary of HHS denies participation in such program to an otherwise eligible entity (including a Provider Sponsored Organization) because the entity informs the Secretary that it will not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or provide referrals for abortions. (Sec. 211) Requires allotments for States for substance abuse prevention and treatment under the Public Health Service Act to be no less than the amount a State received for such purposes for FY 2000 increased by 33.33 percent of the percentage by which the amount allotted to the States for FY 2001 exceeds the amount allotted for FY 2000. (Sec. 213) Prohibits funds in any Act from being used to obligate funds for NIH in excess of the total amount identified for NIH for FY 2001 in the President's budget request. Bars funds made available for each institute, center, office, or buildings and facilities from being reduced below the amounts shown in the budget request column of the table printed in the report accompanying the bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, HHS, Education, and related agencies for FY 2001. Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Department of Education for: (1) education reform; (2) education for the disadvantaged; (3) impact aid; (4) school improvement activities; (5) reading excellence; (6) Indian education; (7) bilingual and immigrant education; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) student financial assistance; (13) the Federal Family Education Loan program account; (14) higher education; (15) Howard University; (16) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (17) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (18) education research, statistics, and improvement; (19) departmental management; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; and (21) the Office of the Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 301) Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being used to: (1) transport teachers or students in order to overcome racial imbalance in any school or to carry out a racial desegregation plan; or (2) prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in public schools. (Sec. 304) Bars the use of funds made available under title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to a local educational agency or elementary or secondary school to purchase computers used to access the Internet, or pay direct costs of accessing the Internet, unless the agency or school has in place technology on such computers which filters material that is obscene or hurtful to minors and child pornography. (Sec. 305) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to carry out activities related to any federally sponsored national test in reading, mathematics, or any other subject that is not specifically and explicitly provided for in authorizing legislation enacted into law, with exceptions for specified international comparative assessments administered only to a representative sample of pupils in the United States and foreign nations. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service; (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) Office of Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (10) National Labor Relations Board; (11) National Mediation Board; (12) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (13) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (14) Social Security Administration for payments to the social security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (15) U.S. Institute of Peace. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this Act. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act for programs to distribute sterile needles or syringes for the injection of illegal drugs. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American requirements. (Sec. 508) Prohibits funds appropriated under this Act from being expended for abortions or for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion, except in cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or where a woman suffers from a physical condition that would, as certified by a physician, place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. (Sec. 510) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; or (2) research in which a human embryo is destroyed or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under Federal regulations and the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 511) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for activities to promote the legalization of a controlled substance unless there is significant medical evidence of a therapeutic advantage to the use of such substance or that federally-sponsored trials are being conducted to determine such advantage. (Sec. 514) Repeals a provision of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that designates the delivery date for SSI benefit payments under the Social Security Act for October 2000. (Sec. 516) Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to limit the amount of the FY 2001 State TANF supplemental grant for population increases in certain States to the amount of such grant for FY 1998. (Sec. 517) Amends the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act to apply a certain schedule for the delivery of SSI supplementation payments to months after September 2001 (currently, 2009).

Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2000

Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for FY 2001. Title I: Department of the Interior - Makes appropriations for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for: (1) land and resource management; (2) wildland fire management; (3) remedial action of hazardous waste substances; (4) construction; (5) payments in lieu of taxes to local governments; (6) land acquisition; (7) Oregon and California grant lands; (8) range improvements; (9) service charges, deposits, and forfeitures with respect to public lands; and (10) miscellaneous trust funds. Appropriates funds for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for: (1) resource management; (2) construction; (3) land acquisition; (4) expenses related to carrying out the Endangered Species Act of 1973; (5) the National Wildlife Refuge Fund; (6) expenses related to carrying out the North American Wetlands Conservation Act; (7) the Wildlife Conservation and Appreciation Fund; and (8) expenses related to carrying out the African Elephant Conservation Act, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994. Makes appropriations for the National Park Service (NPS) for: (1) the National Park System; (2) national recreation and preservation activities; (3) expenses related to carrying out the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996; (4) construction; and (5) land acquisition and State assistance from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Rescinds specified contract authority to obligate funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for FY 2001. Makes appropriations for: (1) the U.S. Geological Survey for surveys, investigations, and research; (2) the Minerals Management Service for royalty and offshore minerals management and oil spill research; (3) the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement for regulation and technology and the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund; (4) the Bureau of Indian Affairs for operation of Indian programs, construction, Indian land and water claim settlements and miscellaneous payments to Indians, and Indian guaranteed loans; (5) assistance to U.S. territories and for carrying out the Compacts of Free Association with respect to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau; (6) departmental management and the Offices of the Solicitor and the Inspector General; (7) trust programs for Indians; (8) a program for consolidation of fractional interests in Indian lands by direct expenditure or cooperative agreement; and (9) natural resource damage assessment. Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of specified funds. (Sec. 107) Prohibits the use of funds provided in this title for specified offshore leasing and related activities. (Sec. 112) Bars the NPS from developing a reduced entrance fee program to accommodate non-local travel through a unit. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide for and regulate local non-recreational passage through National Park System units, allowing each unit to develop guidelines and permits for activity appropriate to such unit. (Sec. 116) Requires the renewal of grazing permits and leases which expire or are transferred until the Secretary completes processing, at which time a permit or lease may be canceled, suspended, or modified to meet requirements of applicable laws and regulations. (Sec. 117) Provides that for purposes of reducing the backlog of Indian probate cases in the Department of the Interior, certain hearing requirements under provisions regarding descent and distribution of Indian lands are deemed satisfied by a proceeding conducted by an Indian probate judge appointed by the Secretary without regard to provisions governing competitive service appointments. (Sec. 118) Allows the Secretary to redistribute any Tribal Priority Allocation funds to alleviate tribal funding inequities by transferring funds to address identified, unmet needs, dual enrollment, overlapping service areas, or inaccurate distribution methodologies. Bars any tribe from receiving a reduction in such funds of more than ten percent in FY 2001. Makes such percentage limitation inapplicable under circumstances of dual enrollment, overlapping service areas, or inaccurate distribution methodologies. (Sec. 119) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to establish a new National Wildlife Refuge in the Kankakee River basin that is inconsistent with Army Corps of Engineers' efforts to control flooding and siltation in that area. Requires written certification of such consistency to be submitted to specified congressional committees prior to refuge establishment. (Sec. 120) Names the Great Marsh Trail at the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia the Joseph V. Gartlan, Jr. Great Marsh Trail. (Sec. 122) Bars the use of funds in this Act by the Fish and Wildlife Service to establish a National Wildlife Refuge in the Yolo Bypass of California. Title II: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service for: (1) forest and rangeland research; (2) State and private forestry; (3) the National Forest System; (4) wildland fire management; (5) capital improvement and maintenance; (6) land acquisition; and (7) range rehabilitation and improvement. Defers a certain amount of funds made available for obligation in prior years for Department of Energy (DOE) clean coal technology projects until FY 2002. Makes appropriations for DOE for: (1) energy conservation and fossil energy research and development activities; (2) naval petroleum and oil shale reserve activities; (3) payment to the State of California for the State Teachers' Retirement Fund from the Elk Hills School Lands Fund; (4) economic regulation activities of the Office of Hearings and Appeals; (5) the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (6) the Energy Information Administration. Rescinds a specified amount for alternative fuels production. Makes appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services for the Indian Health Service and Indian health facilities. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; (2) the Smithsonian Institution, including amounts for repair and restoration of facilities owned or occupied by the Smithsonian; (3) the National Gallery of Art, including an amount for repair and restoration of facilities owned or occupied by the National Gallery; (4) operations, maintenance, and construction expenses of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (5) carrying out the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968; (6) the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA); (7) the National Endowment for the Humanities; (8) the Institute of Museum and Library Services; (9) the Commission of Fine Arts; (10) national capital arts and cultural affairs; (11) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (12) the National Capital Planning Commission; (13) the Holocaust Memorial Council; and (14) the Presidio trust. Sets forth provisions regarding uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth limitations on the use of funds under this Act, including Buy American requirements. (Sec. 308) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act for: (1) planning or offering timber from giant sequoias on BLM or Forest System lands for sale in a manner different than such sales were conducted in FY 2000; (2) entering into a concession contract (by the NPS) which provides for the removal of the underground lunchroom at Carlsbad Caverns National Park; (3) the AmeriCorps program unless the relevant agencies of the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture follow appropriate reprogramming guidelines; (4) demolishing the bridge between Jersey City, New Jersey, and Ellis Island or preventing pedestrian use of such bridge; and (5) accepting or processing applications for a patent for mining or mill site claims located under the general mining laws, unless the Secretary of the Interior takes specified actions. (Sec. 314) Authorizes the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to limit competition for watershed restoration project contracts as part of the President's Forest Plan for the Pacific Northwest to individuals and entities in timber-dependent areas in Washington, Oregon, northern California, and Alaska that have been affected by reduced timber harvesting on Federal lands. (Sec. 317) Bars the use of funds made available in any Act to designate any portion of Canaveral National Seashore in Brevard County, Florida, as a clothing-optional area or area in which public nudity is permitted if such designation would be contrary to county ordinance. (Sec. 318) Requires the Chairperson of the NEA to: (1) award grants only for literature, National Heritage, or American Jazz Masters fellowships; and (2) establish procedures to ensure that no funding provided through a grant, except one made to a State or local arts agency or regional group, may be used to make a grant to any other individual or organization to conduct activities independent of the grant recipient. Prohibits NEA grants from being used for seasonal support to a group unless the application is specific to the contents of the season. (Sec. 320) Requires the Chairperson of the NEA to establish a grant category for programs that are of national impact or availability or are able to tour several States. Prohibits the Chairperson from making grants exceeding 15 percent, in the aggregate, of NEA funds appropriated by this Act, to any single State, excluding grants made under this section. (Sec. 329) Sets forth requirements for the sale of timber in Region 10 of the Forest Service, including those regarding the volume of western red cedar timber available for processors. (Sec. 330) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. (Sec. 332) Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to pilot test joint permitting and leasing programs, subject to annual congressional review, and promulgate special rules to test the feasibility of issuing unified permits, applications, and leases. (Sec. 333) Allows the Secretary of Agriculture to permit the Colorado State Forest Service to perform watershed restoration and protection services on National Forest System lands when similar and complementary watershed restoration and protection services are being performed by the State Forest Service on adjacent State or private lands. (Sec. 335) Prohibits the expenditure of funds provided in this Act, for agencies funded by this Act, for design, planning, or management of Federal lands as national monuments that are designated as national monuments under the 1906 Antiquities Act after 1999. Title IV: Fiscal Year 2000 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Makes additional FY 2000 appropriations for the BLM and the Forest Service for wildland fire management as emergency spending.

China Nonproliferation Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000

China Nonproliferation Act - Directs the President to report annually to specified congressional committees on every person (with certain exceptions) with respect to whom there is credible information indicating that such person, on or after January 1, 2000, transferred, retransferred, sold, misused, or diverted from, or within, the People's Republic of China to a foreign person or Chinese national involved in the development or acquisition of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons or ballistic or cruise missiles any goods, services, or technology: (1) listed on the Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines for the Export of Nuclear Material, Equipment and Technology and Guidelines for Transfers of Nuclear-Related Dual-Use Equipment, Material, and Related Technology (both published by the International Atomic Energy Agency), the Missile Technology Control Regime Equipment and Technology Annex of June 11, 1996, the lists of items and substances relating to biological and chemical weapons the export of which is controlled by the Australia Group, the Schedules of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, or the Wassenaar Arrangement list of Dual Use Goods and Technologies and Munitions list of July 12, 1996; or (2) not identified on any of these lists, but would be if they were U.S. goods, services, or technology prohibited or controlled for export to China (or any tier IV countries as defined by the Bureau of Export Administration of the Department of Commerce), and have the potential to contribute to the development, improvement, or production of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or of ballistic or cruise missile systems, or advanced conventional weapons or munitions. (Sec. 3) Requires the President to include in the report information: (1) on any action taken by a person identified in a prior annual report that establishes that the person has discontinued, rectified, or mitigated a prior proliferation activity identified under this Act; (2) on measures taken against such persons or against China in response to proliferation activities; and (3) other specified information. Requires submission of such reports in unclassified form, with classified annexes as necessary. (Sec. 4) Directs the President to apply certain measures for at least 12 months to each person identified in the annual report. Includes among such measures: (1) those set forth Executive Order No. 12938; (2) prohibition of U.S. Government transfers or sales to such person of any item on the U.S. Munitions List, and termination of all sales and after-sale servicing to such person of any defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services under the Arms Export Control Act; (3) denial of licenses, suspension of existing licenses, and termination of all transfers or sales and after-sale servicing for the transfer to such person of any item the export of which is controlled under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the Export Administration regulations; (4) prohibition of U.S. Government procurement of any goods or services from such person; (5) prohibition of U.S. assistance to such person in the form of grants, loans, credits, guarantees, or otherwise; (6) immediate suspension of any agreements or efforts for the co-development or co-production with such person of any item on the U.S. Munitions List. Sets conditions for the lifting of such measures. (Sec. 5) Requires the President to apply additional specified tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 measures against China if certain circumstances exist. Requires one or more tier 2 measures if a person's proliferation activities are not rectified, or a person has engaged in additional proliferation activities, one year after imposition of section (4) measures, and one or more tier 3 measures if similar circumstances exist two years after imposition of section (4) measures. (Sec. 6) Sets forth procedures for congressional review of any presidential decision not to impose sanctions under this Act, or to exempt a person or China from such sanctions. Mandates imposition of such sanctions if Congress disapproves by joint resolution the President's decision. (Sec. 7) Requires transmittal to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the President's annual report under this Act. Requires the SEC to promulgate regulations to: (1) ensure that securities investors are notified of the identity of any person in the report the securities of which are listed, or authorized for listing, on a registered national securities exchange (or tier or segment) or by a registered national securities association; and (2) require each person included in such a report to provide notice of such inclusion in each written report, registration statement, or other filing or notice required from that person under the securities laws.

Steel and Metal Consumers Radioactivity Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000

Steel and Metal Consumers Radioactivity Protection Act - Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to establish a standard that controls the free release of radioactively contaminated scrap metal from the Department of Energy or nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Prohibits the NRC and agreement States from taking any action to facilitate, implement, promulgate, or issue any administrative guidance that would allow the free release into commerce of radioactively contaminated scrap metal until such standard has been established. Mandates that: (1) radioactively contaminated equipment, devices, commodities, and other materials approved for release to persons exempt from NRC licensing requirements be released only pursuant to regulations governing the release of byproduct and source material under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; and (2) the Departments of Defense and of Energy and all other agencies that oversee or control the release of radioactively contaminated metals adopt standards no less stringent than those established by the NRC. Directs the U.S. Customs Service to monitor and enforce such standards at U.S. borders. Instructs the Secretary of State to work with international standard-writing bodies to adopt standards consistent with those of the NRC. Sets forth interim certification guidelines governing scrap metal imported into the United States. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act. Instructs the Secretary of Commerce to present an annual violations list to Congress.

Mildred Spiewak Dresselhaus, of Massachusetts, to be Director of the Office of Science, Department of Energy. (New Position)

United States · United States Senate · 23 May 2000

A bill to clarify that environmental protection, safety, and health provisions continue to apply to the functions of the National Nuclear Security Administration to the same extent as those provisions applied to those functions before transfer to the Administration.

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2000

Amends the National Nuclear Security Administration Act to direct the Administrator for Nuclear Security to ensure that the operations and activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration are executed in full compliance with Federal and State environmental, safety, and health laws and regulations (including any directives issued thereunder, and waivers of Federal sovereign immunity). States that all environmental protection, safety, and health requirements applicable to Department of Energy functions or facilities immediately before the effective date of this Act shall continue to apply to corresponding functions or facilities of the Administration.

Ute-Moab Land Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2000

Ute-Moab Land Restoration Act - Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to direct the United States to convey to the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation all Federal land within the exterior boundaries of NOSR-2 (Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 2), including surface and mineral rights. Prohibits such conveyance from including the following reservations of the United States: (1) a nine percent royalty interest in the value of any oil, gas, other hydrocarbons, and all other minerals from the conveyed land which are produced, saved, and sold; (2) the portion of the bed of Green River contained entirely within NOSR-2; (3) the land, including surface and mineral rights, to the west of the river within NOSR-2; and (4) a 1/4 mile scenic easement on the east side of the river within NOSR-2 (which shall not affect the Tribe's right to use and access the river). Declares that the United States relinquishes all management authority over such conveyed land, including tribal activities conducted on such land, on completion of such conveyance. Provides that such lands conveyed to the Tribe shall not revert to the United States for management in trust status. Revokes all withdrawals in effect on NOSR-2. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to administer the land and interests in land reserved from such conveyance and to submit to Congress a land use plan. Prohibits the royalty interest reserved from conveyance that is required to be paid by the Tribe from including any development, production, marketing, and operating expenses. Requires the United States to bear responsibility for and pay gross production taxes, pipeline taxes, and allocation taxes assessed against the gross production. Requires the Tribe to: (1) submit to the Secretary of Energy and Congress an annual report on resource development and other activities of the Tribe concerning such conveyance; and (2) obtain an audit of all such resource development activities every five years and include the results in the next annual report. Requires the Tribe: (1) to manage land adjacent to and within a 1/4 mile of the Green River in a in a manner that maintains the land's protected status and is consistent with a government-to-government agreement and a specified memorandum of understanding between the Tribe and the Secretary; and (2) in accordance with such agreement, to protect any endangered or threatened plant species located or found on the NOSR-2 land conveyed to the Tribe and to manage, protect, and assert control over any horse not owned by the Tribe or tribal members that is located or found on such land in a manner that is consistent with Federal law. Requires the Secretary of Energy: (1) to prepare a plan for the commencement of remedial action, including groundwater restoration, at the Atlas uranium milling site, Moab, Utah; (2) to retain the amounts received as royalties under this Act to carry out such remedial action; and (3) until funds authorized by this Act are made available, to use available funds to carry out such remedial action and any remediation activity being carried out at the site by the trustee appointed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Provides that if the site is sold after remedial action is completed, the seller shall pay to the Secretary of Energy the portion of the sale price attributable to such action. Amends the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 to designate such site as a processing site, with specified exceptions.