Energy

Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009

Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify and promote water efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services (products, facilities, and services) so as to: (1) reduce water use and the strain on water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure; (2) conserve energy used to pump, heat, transport, and treat water; and (3) preserve water resources through voluntary labeling of, or other forms of communications about, products, facilities, and services that meet the highest water efficiency and performance criteria. Sets forth the duties of Administrator of the EPA under the program, including to: (1) establish a WaterSense label and certification procedures and to promote labeled products, facilities, and services for reducing water use and ensuring performance; (2) review and update WaterSense criteria for categories of products, facilities, and services; (3) estimate and make available the production and relative market shares of, and the savings of water, energy, and capital costs of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure attributable to, labeled products, facilities, and services; (4) notify the public of any changes on the adoption of a new or revised WaterSense category, specification, installation criterion, or other criterion and explain such changes; (5) implement other voluntary approaches in commercial, institutional, residential, industrial, and municipal sectors to encourage recycling and reuse technologies to improve water efficiency or lower water use; and (6) apply the WaterSense label as appropriate to water-using products that are labeled by the Energy Star program. Requires the Administrator to: (1) allocate funds to establish and implement a program of financial incentives for consumer purchase and installation of water-efficient products, facilities, and services; and (2) make grants to owners or operators of specified water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted climate-related impact on the water quality or quantity of a region of the United States for the purposes of mitigating or adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Water Efficiency via Carbon Harvesting and Restoration (WECHAR) Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009

Water Efficiency via Carbon Harvesting and Restoration (WECHAR) Act of 2009 - Requires the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct resources assessments that collect and synthesize interagency and state data to quantify: (1) invasive plant species and excess biomass (plant matter targeted for removal from public land to promote ecosystem health) in the form of dangerous fuel loads on public land that can be used for feedstock (plant matter or materials that serve as the raw material for the production of biochar and bioenergy); (2) estimated carbon content in that feedstock; (3) estimated potential biochar (charcoal or black carbon derived from organic matter through pyrolysis) and bioenergy (hydrocarbons derived from organic matter through pyrolysis) producible from that feedstock; and (4) potential water savings resulting from removal of invasive plant species and excess biomass on public land, by watershed. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to each: (1) establish a program to provide guarantees of loans by private institutions to develop and optimize commercially and technologically viable biochar production units, to produce, respectively, four and two units for deployment to remote landscapes, and for the construction or acquisition of biochar production facilities, provided the loan applicants will be dedicated primarily to contract restoration work with the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, or Forest Service using pinyon pine and juniper feedstock in the Great Basin, tamarisk feedstock in the Mojave Desert, or excess biomass feedstock, such as trees killed by bark beetle infestations in the Intermountain West; and (2) initiate three-year programs to employ such biochar production units in pilot applications in various U.S. climates and ecosystems. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide competitive grants to conduct research and analysis: (1) to identify attributes and composition profiles of biochar and bioenergy for various uses; (2) to identify potential uses and markets for biochar and bioenergy; (3) relating to environmental benefits and impacts of biochar and bioenergy use; and (4) regarding potential uses of biochar in landscape restoration.

Small Business Early-Stage Investment Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009

Small Business Early-Stage Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish and carry out a program to provide equity investment financing to support early-stage small businesses in the following targeted industries: (1) agricultural technology; (2) energy technology; (3) environmental technology; (4) life science; (5) information technology; (6) digital media; (7) clean technology; and (8) defense technology. Directs the Administrator to make grants to participating investment companies under the program and limits to $100 million the aggregate amount of all grants made to a participating investment company under the program. Requires, as a condition of receiving a grant under the program, all of the investments of participating investment companies to be in small businesses, and at least 50% to be in early-stage small businesses in the targeted industries. Establishes a separate Treasury fund for such grants.

Water Efficiency and Conservation Investment Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009

Water Efficiency and Conservation Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow, through 2014, individual taxpayers a tax credit for 50% of the cost, up to $750 per year, of installing qualified water efficiency property in a residence; (2) allow building contractors, through 2014, a $1,500 tax credit for each qualified, new, water efficient home constructed and sold to a homeowner; (3) allow the issuance of tax-exempt water conservation bonds; and (4) exempt prepayments under a qualified electricity supply contract from tax-exempt bond arbitrage rules.

Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2647) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, to provide special pays and allowances to certain members of the Armed Forces, expand concurrent receipt of military retirement and VA disability benefits to disabled military retirees, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2647) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, to provide special pays and allowances to certain members of the Armed Forces, expand concurrent receipt of military retirement and VA disability benefits to disabled military retirees.

Bonneville Unit Clean Hydropower Facilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009

Bonneville Unit Clean Hydropower Facilitation Act - Declares that, in order to facilitate hydropower development on the Diamond Fork System (Utah), a certain amount of reimbursable costs allocated to project power in the Power Appendix of the October 2004 Supplement to the 1988 Bonneville Unit Definite Plan Report shall be considered final costs, as well as specified costs in excess of the total maximum repayment obligation, subject to the same terms and conditions. States that: (1) this Act does not obligate the Western Area Power Administration to purchase or market any of the power produced by the Diamond Fork power plant; and (2) none of the costs associated with development of transmission facilities to transmit power from the Diamond Fork power plant shall be assigned to power for the purpose of Colorado River Storage Project ratemaking. Prohibits any hydroelectric power generation or transmission facility on the Diamond Fork System from being financed or refinanced with any obligation: (1) whose interest enjoys federal tax-exempt status; or (2) which enjoys certain federal tax credits. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to certain congressional committees if hydropower production on the Diamond Fork System has not commenced 24 months after enactment of this Act, stating the reasons such production has not commenced, and presenting a detailed timeline for future hydropower production.

Community College Energy Training Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009

Community College Energy Training Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, to create a program awarding grants to community colleges to provide workforce training and education in sustainable energy industries and practices, such as: (1) alternative energy; (2) energy efficient construction, retrofitting, and design; (3) sustainable energy technologies; (4) water and energy conservation; (5) recycling and waste reduction; and (6) sustainable agriculture and farming. Requires at least one-half of the grant funds to be awarded to community colleges with existing sustainability programs leading to certificates or degrees in one or more of the industries or practices listed above.

Drinking Water Adaptation, Technology, Education, and Research (WATER) Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009

Drinking Water Adaptation, Technology, Education, and Research (WATER) Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist the utilities in adapting to the effects of climate change. Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) water quantity impacts and solutions; (4) infrastructure impacts and solutions for water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities and underground pipelines; (5) desalination, water reuse, and alternative supply technologies; (6) energy efficiency and greenhouse gas minimization; (7) regional and hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions; (8) utility management, decision support systems, and water management models; (9) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and improvement of energy demand management; (10) water conservation and demand management; and (11) communications, education, and public acceptance.

Enhanced New Markets and Expanded Investment in Renewable Energy for Small Manufacturers Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009

Enhanced New Markets and Expanded Investment in Renewable Energy for Small Manufacturers Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to require (under current law, authorizes) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to participate in the new markets venture capital program (program) (a program under which investment companies provide capital financing to small businesses). Requires the Administrator, in selecting companies for program participation, to approve at least one company from each SBA geographic region. Provides for new market capital venture investment in, as well as operational assistance to, small businesses located in low-income geographic areas and engaged primarily in manufacturing. Makes the SBA definition of "low-income geographic area" the same as the definition of "low-income community" under the Internal Revenue Code. Expands SBA operational assistance to conditionally-approved companies. Directs the Administrator to grant each such company two years to satisfy capital and other requirements for such assistance. Provides: (1) a streamlined application process for new market venture capital companies; and (2) a simplified formula for operational assistance grants. Increases amounts allocated for investment in small businesses located in low-income geographic areas and engaged primarily in manufacturing. Redesignates (thereby expanding) the SBA's renewable fuel capital investment program as the renewable energy capital investment program. Makes such program permanent (currently a pilot program). Makes eligible under such program all small businesses (under current law, only smaller enterprises). Requires (under current law, authorizes) the Administrator to participate in such program. Increases amounts allocated for operational assistance grants for renewable energy purposes.

Expressing the support of the House of Representatives regarding the merits and benefits of the Laundry Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) program, which improves the environment through textile services industry wide conservation of water and energy, reducing pollutants, and using safer surfactants.

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009

Commends LaundryESP (the Laundry Environmental Stewardship Program) and the textile services industry for their voluntary industry wide commitments to use less water and energy, use more environmentally friendly wash formulas, and significantly reduce pollutants.

INVESTIGATING THE NATURE OF MATTER, ENERGY, SPACE, AND TIME

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 October 2009

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the rehabilitation credit, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009

Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to the building rehabilitation tax credit to: (1) allow an increased 30% credit for projects involving $7.5 million or less in rehabilitation expenditures; (2) allow rehabilitated buildings used for lodging to qualify for such credit; (3) establish a 50-year placed-in-service requirement for non-historic rehabilitated buildings; (4) allow such credit for certain tax-exempt use property; (5) provide for the transferability of such credit; (6) increase the energy efficiency tax credit allowed to rehabilitated buildings; and (7) exempt from taxation refunds attributable to state historic tax credits.

Community Restoration and Revitalization Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009

Community Restoration and Revitalization Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to the building rehabilitation tax credit to: (1) allow an increased 30% credit for projects involving $7.5 million or less in rehabilitation expenditures; (2) allow rehabilitated buildings used for lodging to qualify for such credit; (3) establish a 50-year placed-in-service requirement for non-historic rehabilitated buildings; (4) allow such credit for certain tax-exempt use property; (5) provide for the transferability of such credit; (6) increase the energy efficiency tax credit allowed to rehabilitated buildings; and (7) exempt from taxation refunds attributable to state historic tax credits.

RELIEF Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009

Removing Excess Litigation Involving Energy on Federal Lands Act or the RELIEF Act - Establishes judicial procedures for causes and claims relating to any action or decision by a federal official regarding the leasing of federal lands (including submerged lands) for the exploration, development, production, processing, or transmitting of oil, natural gas, or any other source or form of energy. Grants the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction to hear all causes and claims that arise from any covered energy project.

To make certain adjustments to the price analysis of propane prepared by the Secretary of Commerce.

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009

Amends the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 to revise requirements for the annual report by the Secretary of Commerce to the Propane Education and Research Council, the Secretary of Energy, and the public analyzing changes in the price of propane relative to other energy sources. Requires the analysis to compare indexed changes in the average price of consumer grade propane to all end users to an equally weighted composite of indexed changes in the price of residential electricity, residential natural gas, and refiner price to end users of No. 2 fuel oil on an annual national average basis. (Currently, the comparison is to be made of indexed changes in the price of consumer grade propane to a composite of indexed changes in the price of residential electricity, residential natural gas, and refiner price.) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, within 60 days after enactment of this Act, to prepare and make available to the public an updated propane price analysis reflecting the amendment made by this Act.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 30 September 2009

Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3183) making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2009

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3183) making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010.

Building Energy Tax Credit Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009

Building Energy Tax Credit Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 35% of the cost of energy conservation commercial building property installed as part of a commercial building energy project within the jurisdiction of a state energy credit agency. Requires a building, to be eligible for such credit, to achieve an energy consumption rate of not more than 60% of the rate established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.11-2207 for commercial buildings.

Fuel Cell Tax Parity Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009

Fuel Cell Tax Parity Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures to: (1) increase to $1,500 the maximum dollar amount of the credit for fuel cell property expenditures; and (2) allow fuel cell property eligible for such credit to be installed in any residence of the taxpayer (currently, restricted to a principal residence).

Demanding that the Government of Iran immediately disclose the existence of any additional nuclear-related facilities and provide unfettered access to its Qom enrichment facility.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009

Demands that the government of Iran immediately disclose the existence of any additional nuclear-related facilities. Urges the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to proceed as soon as possible with inspections of the Qom enrichment facility. Insists that Iran provide IAEA inspectors immediate and unfettered access to its Qom facility and any other such facilities not yet disclosed.

Transportation Low Emissions Energy Plan 2020 Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009

Transportation Low Emissions Energy Plan 2020 Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT), in coordination with the Secretary of Energy (DOE) and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to establish a stakeholder-driven process to develop a national transportation low emissions energy plan. Requires such plan to: (1) project the near- and long-term need for and location of electric drive vehicle refueling infrastructure at strategic locations across all major national highways, roads, and corridors; (2) identify infrastructure and standardization needs for electricity providers, infrastructure providers, vehicle manufacturers, and electricity purchasers; (3) establish a goal of achieving strategic deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure by 2020; (4) prioritize the development of standardized public charge access ports with wireless or smart card billing capability and level I and level II charge port systems (that charge an electric vehicle over a period of 8 to 14 hours and 4 to 8 hours, respectively) that will meet the energy requirements of the majority of plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles; (5) examine the feasibility of level III charge port systems that can charge over a period of 10 to 20 minutes; and (6) focus on infrastructure that provides consumers with the lowest cost while providing convenient charge system access. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate within DOT a LEEP coordinator to oversee Plan development and the implementation of regional pilot projects; and (2) establish four pilot projects to demonstrate electric drive vehicles and infrastructure in rural locations and in commercial use.

Water Efficiency via Carbon Harvesting and Restoration (WECHAR) Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2009

Water Efficiency via Carbon Harvesting and Restoration (WECHAR) Act of 2009 - Requires the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct resources assessments that collect and synthesize interagency and state data to quantify: (1) invasive plant species and excess biomass (plant matter targeted for removal from public land to promote ecosystem health) in the form of dangerous fuel loads on public land that can be used for feedstock (plant matter or materials that serve as the raw material for the production of biochar and bioenergy); (2) estimated carbon content in that feedstock; (3) estimated potential biochar (charcoal or black carbon derived from organic matter through pyrolysis) and bioenergy (hydrocarbons derived from organic matter through pyrolysis) producible from that feedstock; and (4) potential water savings resulting from removal of invasive plant species and excess biomass on public land, by watershed. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to each: (1) establish a program to provide guarantees of loans by private institutions to develop and optimize commercially and technologically viable biochar production units, to produce, respectively, four and two units for deployment to remote landscapes, and for the construction or acquisition of biochar production facilities, provided the loan applicants will be dedicated primarily to contract restoration work with the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, or Forest Service using pinyon pine and juniper feedstock in the Great Basin, tamarisk feedstock in the Mojave Desert, or excess biomass feedstock, such as trees killed by bark beetle infestations in the Intermountain West; and (2) initiate three-year programs to employ such biochar production units in pilot applications in various U.S. climates and ecosystems. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide competitive grants to conduct research and analysis: (1) to identify attributes and composition profiles of biochar and bioenergy for various uses; (2) to identify potential uses and markets for biochar and bioenergy; (3) relating to environmental benefits and impacts of biochar and bioenergy use; and (4) regarding potential uses of biochar in landscape restoration.

Water Efficiency and Conservation Investment Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2009

Water Efficiency and Conservation Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow, through 2014, individual taxpayers a tax credit for 50% of the cost, up to $750 per year, of installing qualified water efficiency property in a residence; (2) allow building contractors, through 2014, a $1,500 tax credit for each qualified, new, water efficient home constructed and sold to a homeowner; (3) allow the issuance of tax-exempt water conservation bonds; and (4) exempt prepayments under a qualified electricity supply contract from tax-exempt bond arbitrage rules.

Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2009

Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Adaptation Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify and promote water efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services (products, facilities, and services) so as to: (1) reduce water use and the strain on water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure; (2) conserve energy used to pump, heat, transport, and treat water; and (3) preserve water resources through voluntary labeling of, or other forms of communications about, products, facilities, and services that meet the highest water efficiency and performance criteria. Sets forth the duties of Administrator of the EPA under the program, including to: (1) establish a WaterSense label and certification procedures and to promote labeled products, facilities, and services for reducing water use and ensuring performance; (2) review and update WaterSense criteria for categories of products, facilities, and services; (3) estimate and make available the production and relative market shares of, and the savings of water, energy, and capital costs of water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure attributable to, labeled products, facilities, and services; (4) notify the public of any changes on the adoption of a new or revised WaterSense category, specification, installation criterion, or other criterion and explain such changes; (5) implement other voluntary approaches in commercial, institutional, residential, industrial, and municipal sectors to encourage recycling and reuse technologies to improve water efficiency or lower water use; and (6) apply the WaterSense label as appropriate to water-using products that are labeled by the Energy Star program. Requires the Administrator to: (1) allocate funds to establish and implement a program of financial incentives for consumer purchase and installation of water-efficient products, facilities, and services; and (2) make grants to owners or operators of specified water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted climate-related impact on the water quality or quantity of a region of the United States for the purposes of mitigating or adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Green Gaming Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2009

Green Gaming Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE): (1) to study video game console energy use and opportunities for energy savings; (2) to determine whether minimum energy efficiency standards for video game console energy use should be established; and (3) within three years after determining that such standards should not be established, to conduct a follow-up study.

Energy Security Through Transparency Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2009

Energy Security Through Transparency Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) the establishment by foreign governments of requirements that companies under their jurisdiction publicly disclose any payments made to a government relating to the commercial development of oil, natural gas, and minerals; (2) the U.S. commitment to global leadership of transparency in extractive industries by supporting multilateral pro-transparency efforts, bilateral good governance efforts through U.S. missions and activities abroad, implementation of extractive industries reporting requirements for companies under U.S. jurisdiction, and efforts to persuade members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to adopt uniform legislation to ensure a coordinated regulatory approach; and (3) the need for the President to commit the United States to become a Candidate Country of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to disclose to the public any payment relating to the commercial development of oil, natural gas, and minerals on federal land made by any person to the government. Includes as a "payment" taxes, royalties, fees, licenses, production entitlements, bonuses, and other material benefits, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require the SEC to issue rules requiring each resource extraction issuer (an issuer that engages in the commercial development of oil, natural gas, or minerals) to include in its annual report information relating to any payment made by the issuer, a subsidiary or partner, or an entity under its control to a foreign government for the purpose of such commercial development. Requires such rules, to the extent practicable, to support the U.S. commitment to international transparency promotion efforts relating to such commercial development. Requires the SEC, to the extent practicable, to make publicly available online a compilation of the information required to be submitted under the disclosure rules issued pursuant to this Act.

To amend the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to provide funding for successful claimants following a determination on the merits of Pigford claims related to racial discrimination by the Department of Agriculture.

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009

Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to make it unlawful for a person to knowingly commit specified fraudulent acts relating to a Pigford claim (relating to racial discrimination by the Department of Agriculture). Subjects a violator to criminal fine and/or up to five years in prison. Provides for: (1) access to the permanent judgment fund for additional claims payments or debt relief after the expenditure of amounts otherwise made available for claims payments; and (2) reasonable attorney fees, administrative costs, and expenses to be paid from such fund.

Federal Exploration and Production Reform Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009

Federal Exploration and Production Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to revise requirements for review and approval of outer Continental Shelf (OCS) plans for geological and geophysical exploration on any area under an oil and gas lease. Repeals the requirement that approval be denied if: (1) any proposed activity under the plan would result in serious harm or damage to life (including fish and other aquatic life), to property, to any mineral, to the national security or defense, or to the marine, coastal, or human environment; and (2) such proposed activity cannot be modified to avoid such harm or damage. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to cancel the lease or permit if the plan is disapproved. Revises requirements for review and approval of OCS oil and gas development and production plans. Requires the Secretary to seek and accept the assistance of the Department of Defense in the review of any plan prepared for a lease containing military operating stipulations or other restrictions. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary require modification of a plan without adequate provision for safe operations on the lease area or for protection of the human, marine, or coastal environment. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise requirements for regulation of surface-disturbing activities, including preparation of exploration and development and production plans. Eliminates the requirement of an adequate bond, surety, or other financial arrangement before commencement of surface-disturbing activities on any lease to ensure reclamation of the lease tract, and restoration of any lands or surface waters adversely affected by lease operations after abandonment or cessation of oil and gas operations on the lease. Repeals the prohibition against issuance of a lease, or approval of its assignment, if reclamation requirements and other related standards have not been complied with.

Arun Majumdar, of California, to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy. (New Position)

United States · United States Senate · 21 September 2009

Energy and Water Research Integration Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009

Energy and Water Research Integration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy, in carrying out energy research, development, and demonstration programs of the Department of Energy (DOE), to: (1) seek to advance energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices that would minimize freshwater withdrawal and consumption, increase water use efficiency, and utilize nontraditional water sources with efforts to improve the quality of that water; (2) consider the effects climate change may have on water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel production; and (3) improve understanding of the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies throughout the United States. Requires the Secretary to incorporate specified considerations, including: (1) new advanced cooling technologies for energy generation and fuel production technologies; (2) innovative water reuse, recovery, and treatment in energy generation and fuel production; and (3) reduction of water resource impacts of fossil fuel resource development. Directs the Secretary, in coordination with other relevant federal agencies, to establish an Energy-Water Architecture Council to promote and enable improved energy and water resource data collection, reporting, and technological innovation. Requires the Council to: (1) adopt data collection and communication standards and protocols for the energy required to provide water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies; (2) make improvements to federal water use data to increase understanding of trends in power plant water use; (3) integrate existing monitoring networks to provide nationally uniform water and energy use and infrastructure data; and (4) conduct an annual technical workshop to facilitate information exchange among experts on technologies that encourage the conservation and efficient use of water energy.

H.R. 3534, ``THE CONSOLIDATED LAND, ENERGY, AND AQUATIC RESOURCES ACT OF 2009'' (PARTS 1 AND 2)

United States · United States House of Representatives · 16 September 2009

Defense Production Act Reauthorization of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009

Defense Production Act Reauthorization of 2009 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 (the Act) to reauthorize through FY2014 specified provisions of the Act. Amends the Act to: (1) require standards and procedures by which contracts and orders priorities allocations are used to promote the national defense under both emergency and nonemergency conditions; (2) remove a limitation on the authority of the President to engage in the production of energy other than synthetic fuel; and (3) repeal the requirement that the President identify critical components and technology items for each item on the Critical Items List. Authorizes the President to: (1) allow a guaranteeing agency to guarantee private loans in support of production capabilities or supplies determined necessary to create, maintain, expedite, expand, protect, or restore production and deliveries or services essential to the national defense; (2) provide for loans to private businesses for activities which reduce current or projected shortfalls of industrial resources, critical technology items, or materials essential for the national defense; and (3) take certain actions to create, maintain, protect, expand, or restore domestic industrial base capabilities necessary for the national defense. Establishes in the Treasury the Defense Production Act Fund to carry out such authorities. Extends from two to five years the maximum period of voluntary agreements and plans of action entered into by business and industry leaders to help provide for the defense of the United States through the development of preparedness programs and the expansion of productive capacity and supply beyond the levels needed to meet essential civilian demand. Establishes the Defense Production Act Committee to advise the President on the effective use of authority under the Act by the departments, agencies, and independent establishments of the federal government to which the President has delegated authority. Requires an annual report from the President to the congressional finance committees on the impact of offsets on U.S. defense preparedness, industrial competitiveness, employment, and trade.

Energy Development Program Implementation Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009

Directs the Secretary of Energy to develop and implement strategic plans for the energy development program consistent with title V of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 1978. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting: (1) such plans; and (2) expanding specified cooperative activities into an international cooperative effort which shall include an analysis of an Alternative Energy Corps to encourage technically trained volunteers to live and work in developing countries.

Solar Technology Roadmap Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009

Solar Technology Roadmap Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration for solar technology. Requires the Secretary to provide awards to: (1) academic institutions, national laboratories, government research agencies, nonprofit organizations, industrial entities, or consortia thereof for research, development, and demonstration activities; and (2) industry-led consortia for research, development, and demonstration of advanced techniques for manufacturing a variety of solar energy products. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide support for a Solar Technology Roadmap Committee, which shall develop a Solar Technology Roadmap that: (1) presents the best current estimate of the near-, mid-, and long-term research, development, and demonstration needs in solar technology; and (2) provides guidance to the solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities supported by the federal government for meeting national priorities in energy security, U.S. competitiveness, climate change mitigation, and energy diversification. Declares it to be U.S. policy that at least 75% of funding for Department of Energy (DOE) solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities after FY2014 support Roadmap activities. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate federal interagency activities identified in and related to the Roadmap. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide grants for demonstration projects to support the development of solar energy production, consistent with the Roadmap; (2) transmit to Congress the results of a study that analyzes the performance of photovoltaic installations in the United States; (3) award multiyear grants for research, development, and demonstration activities to create innovative and practical approaches to increase reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices; and (4) establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database of materials for use in photovoltaic devices.

National Oilheat Research Alliance Reauthorization Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009

National Oilheat Research Alliance Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 to extend the national oilheat research alliance program until February 6, 2011.

National Oilheat Research Alliance Reauthorization Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009

National Oilheat Research Alliance Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 to extend the national oilheat research alliance program until February 6, 2011.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3246) to provide for a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application in vehicle technologies at the Department of Energy.

United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3246) to provide for a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application in vehicle technologies at the Department of Energy.

BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH FOR ENERGY AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF SCIENCE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 10 September 2009

Healthy Housing Council Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2009

Healthy Housing Council Act of 2009 - Establishes in the executive branch an independent Interagency Council on Healthy Housing. Requires the Council to: (1) review federal programs and services that provide housing, health, energy, or environmental services to families and individuals; (2) monitor, evaluate, and recommend improvements in existing programs and services administered, funded, or financed by federal, state, and local agencies; (3) recommend ways to reduce duplication among federal programs and services; and (4) ensure collaboration among and within agencies in the provision and availability of such programs and services.

To direct the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a product carbon disclosure program to facilitate carbon content labeling, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2009

Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing a national program for measuring, reporting, publicly disclosing, and labeling products or materials sold in the United States for their carbon content, including regarding: (1) whether such a program would be effective in achieving greenhouse gas reductions; (2) criteria for identifying and prioritizing sectors, products, and processes that should be covered; (3) an identification of products, processes, or sectors whose inclusion could have a substantial carbon impact; (4) suggested methodology and protocols for measuring the carbon content of products across their entire carbon lifecycle; (5) options for educating consumers about product carbon content and the program; (6) an analysis of the associated costs and timelines; and (7) an evaluation of incentives to determine whether reductions in emissions can be accelerated through encouraging more efficient manufacturing or by encouraging preferences for lower-emissions products over higher-emissions products whose level of performance is no better. Requires the Administrator, upon concluding the study, to establish a national product carbon disclosure program, participation in which shall be voluntary and which may involve a product carbon label with broad applicability to the wholesale and consumer markets to enable and encourage knowledge about carbon content by producers and consumers and to inform efforts to reduce energy consumption nationwide.

Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2009

Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Department of the Interior the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing. Transfers to such Office certain functions of: (1) the Minerals Management Service; and (2) the Oil and Gas Management program of the Bureau of Land Management. Amends the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 to revise miscellaneous specified administrative requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to take specified actions regarding oil and gas royalties, including: (1) a pilot project assessing costs and benefits of automatic transmission of certain data produced under federal leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); (2) determination and reporting of BTU values of natural gas from federal leases; and (3) final regulations concerning required recordkeeping of natural gas measurement data. Modifies oil and gas leasing requirements under the Mineral Leasing Act, adding requirements for coal mine methane recovery. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to: (1) extend the Land and Water Conservation Fund through FY2040; (2) make $900 million available from the Fund each fiscal year without further appropriation; and (3) revise requirements for allocation of funds for federal purposes and financial assistance to states. Sets forth a public land leasing program for commercial wind or solar energy development. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to set forth a uranium leasing program on specified public lands. Designates specified OCS Regions for federal renewable and nonrenewable energy resources development. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Commerce to establish Regional Outer Continental Shelf Councils to: (1) coordinate siting and development of energy resources; and (2) prepare OCS Strategic Plans. Establishes in the Treasury the Ocean Resources Conservation and Assistance Fund (ORCA), from which grants shall be made to: (1) coastal states and affected Indian tribes; (2) the Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Grants Program (to be established under this Act); and (3) Regional Ocean Partnerships. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal: (1) royalty incentives for natural gas production from deep wells in shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) royalty relief for deep water production in the Gulf of Mexico. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an annual production incentive fee for specified leases of federal onshore and offshore lands for production of oil or natural gas under which production is not occurring in commercial quantities. Prohibits the following authorities from developing or approving a fishery management plan to permit or regulate offshore aquaculture: (1) the Secretary of Commerce; (2) the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; or (3) the Regional Fishery Management Councils. Declares invalid any permit issued for the conduct of offshore aquaculture.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT HEARING ON THE IMPACT OF ENERGY POLICY ON SMALL BUSINESSES HELD IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA

United States · United States House of Representatives · 25 August 2009

RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION, STRATEGIES, AND TECHNOLOGIES

United States · United States Senate · 22 August 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENSURING THAT AMERICA LEADS THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSFORMATION

United States · United States Senate · 6 August 2009

Jose W. Fernandez, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs), vice Daniel S. Sullivan, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 6 August 2009

Livable Communities Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009

Livable Communities Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) an Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC). Establishes in the executive branch an independent Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities. Requires the OSHC Director to establish a program to make comprehensive planning grants and sustainability challenge grants to eligible entities (partnerships between a consortium of units of general local government and an eligible partner, which may be a metropolitan planning organization, a rural planning organization, a regional council, or a state). Requires the use of a comprehensive planning grant to carry out a project to: (1) coordinate land use, housing, transportation, and infrastructure planning processes across jurisdictions and agencies; (2) identify potential regional partnerships for developing and implementing a comprehensive regional plan; (3) conduct or update housing, infrastructure, transportation, energy, and environmental assessments to determine regional needs and promote sustainable development; (4) develop or update a comprehensive regional plan or goals and strategies to implement an existing comprehensive regional plan; and (5) implement local zoning and other code changes necessary to implement a comprehensive regional plan and promote sustainable development. Requires the use of a sustainability challenge grant to: (1) promote integrated transportation, housing, energy, and economic development activities carried out across policy and governmental jurisdictions; (2) promote sustainable and location-efficient development; and (3) implement projects identified in a comprehensive regional plan. Directs the OSHC Director to study and report to specified congressional committees on incentives for encouraging lenders to make, and homebuyers and homeowners to participate in, energy-efficient mortgages and location-efficient mortgages.

IMPACT Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009

Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology Act of 2009 or the IMPACT Act of 2009 - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to states to establish revolving loan funds to provide loans to small and medium-sized manufacturers for producing clean energy technology and energy efficient products and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing facilities; and (2) include within the activities of Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology the establishment of a clean energy manufacturing supply chain initiative.

Cleaner, Secure, and Affordable Thermal Energy Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009

Cleaner, Secure, and Affordable Thermal Energy Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit for residential energy property expenditures to convert a home heating system using oil fuel to a system using natural gas boilers and furnaces and biomass heating appliances; (2) allow bonus depreciation of property used to convert a home heating system; (3) allow the use of tax-exempt energy conservation bonds to finance conversions of fuel oil heating systems; and (4) extend through 2012 accelerated depreciation for natural gas distribution facilities.

Expanding Building Efficiency Incentives Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009

Expanding Building Efficiency Incentives Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase and extend for three years the new energy efficient home tax credit; (2) increase the rate of the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; (3) allow a $200 tax credit through 2011 for the cost of a home energy rating; and (4) allow a $500 tax credit for the cost of training and certifying home performance auditors to conduct home energy ratings.

Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009

Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing any new lease for exploration or production of oil or natural gas unless the lessee: (1) certifies for each existing lease that the lessee has diligently developed the lands in order to produce oil or natural gas, or is producing oil or natural gas from such lands; or (2) has relinquished all federal oil and gas leases that are not being diligently developed. Instructs the Secretary to promulgate diligent development regulations that: (1) include benchmarks for oil and gas development to ensure that leaseholders produce oil and gas from each lease within the five-year original term of the lease; and (2) require each leaseholder to submit a diligent development plan showing how the lessee will meet the benchmarks. Establishes a civil penalty for noncompliance with this Act.