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151 records in US in 2017
United States · United States Senate · 19 September 2017
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2017
Coordinating Interagency Review of Natural Gas Infrastructure Act of 2017 This bill expands the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to act as the lead agency for the purpose of coordinating all applicable federal authorizations and environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 with respect to authorizing a natural gas pipeline project under the Natural Gas Act. FERC must invite and designate other participating agencies involved in the authorization process. The bill requires concurrent reviews when multiple agencies are involved in the authorization process.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2017
Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish, maintain, and operate a Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve of no more than 1 million barrels as part of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (The Northeast means the states of New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and any other contiguous state that DOE determines appropriate.) The bill authorizes DOE to sell refined petroleum products from the reserve if the President finds that there exists, or is likely to exist within the next 30 days, a severe energy supply interruption.
United States · United States Senate · 12 September 2017
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2017
Energy Technology Maturation Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a funding program to facilitate the commercialization of energy and related technologies that exhibit promising commercial potential and are developed at DOE facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2017
Energy Technology Maturation Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a funding program to facilitate the commercialization of energy and related technologies that exhibit promising commercial potential and are developed at DOE facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2017
Agricultural Energy Programs Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill amends the Farm Security Rural Investment Act of 2002 to reauthorize through FY2023 several Department of Agriculture (USDA) energy programs, including: the Biobased Markets Program; the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program; the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels; the Rural Energy For America Program (REAP); the Biomass Research and Development Initiative; the Feedstock Flexibility Program; and the Community Wood Energy Program. The bill modifies and reauthorizes the Biomass Crop Assistance Program to: rename it the Biofuels and Biobased Product Feedstock and Wildland Fire Protection Program; require USDA to provide assistance under the program for hazardous woody fuel reduction projects; and expand the definition of eligible materials to include algae and animal waste byproducts, including fat, oil, grease, and manure. The bill provides mandatory funding through FY2023 for several of the reauthorized programs. The bill modifies the Biobased Markets Program to: (1) include producers of renewable chemicals in the voluntary labeling program, and (2) require USDA and the Department of Commerce to jointly develop North American Industry Classification system codes for renewable chemical manufacturers and biobased products manufacturers. The bill modifies REAP to prohibit more than 30% of the funds from being used each year for: (1) any one form of renewable energy, or (2) technologies to improve the efficiency of energy usage.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2017
ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill amends the AMERICA Competes Act to declare that the following categories of information collected by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) from recipients of ARPA-E financial assistance awards are considered privileged and confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act: plans for the commercialization of technologies that have been developed under the award, investments provided to an awardee from third parties, additional financial support that the awardee plans to invest or has invested into the technology developed under the award or that the awardee is seeking from third parties, and revenue from the licensing or sale of new products or services resulting from the research that was conducted under the award. The bill reauthorizes the ARPA-E through FY2022.
United States · United States Senate · 5 September 2017
United States · United States Senate · 5 September 2017
United States · United States Congress · 1 September 2017
Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act This bill transitions away from fossil fuel sources of energy to clean energy sources (e.g., energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy). By 2027: (1) 80% of electricity sold must be generated from clean energy resources, (2) 80% of new vehicle sales from manufacturers must be sales of zero-emission vehicles, and (3) 80% of train rail lines and train engines must be electrified. By 2035: (1) 100% of electricity must be generated from clean energy resources, (2) 100% of vehicle sales from manufacturers must be zero-emission vehicles, and (3) 100% of train rail lines and train engines must be electrified. The bill establishes a car allowance rebate system within the Department of Transportation to provide economic incentives for consumers to purchase new, clean energy vehicles. No federal permits for new major fossil fuel projects may be issued in 2018 and thereafter. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) terminate specified fossil fuel subsidies, (2) permanently extend renewable electricity production tax credits for electricity generated from wind, and (3) permanently extend a business energy investment tax credit for solar or wind energy technologies. A Community Assistance Fund is established for specified industrial and energy efficiency programs. The bill permanently reauthorizes the Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides energy efficiency retrofits of low-income homes. It prohibits exports of domestically produced crude oil and natural gas, including liquefied natural gas. The Center for Clean Energy Workforce Development is established within the Department of Labor.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2017
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 This bill authorizes for FY2018 the intelligence-related activities of the: Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); Department of Defense; Defense Intelligence Agency; National Security Agency; Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; Coast Guard; Departments of State, Treasury, Homeland Security, and Justice; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; National Reconnaissance Office; National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and Department of Energy (DOE). The bill also authorizes for FY2018 the CIA Retirement and Disability System. In addition, the bill: requires the ODNI to establish a Supply Chain and Counterintelligence Risk Management Task Force; requires DOE to establish a pilot program for securing energy infrastructure; directs various agencies to report to Congress on intelligence matters including security clearances, bug bounty programs, foreign-investment risks, geospatial commercial activities, Russian threats to U.S. elections, and specified intelligence-community employment matters; and otherwise modifies provisions regarding the intelligence community.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2017
Rebuild America Now Act This bill amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to expedite the environmental review and permitting process for projects undertaken or funded by the federal government that could have significant environmental consequences. The bill states as policy that when implementing a permitting law, including specified environmental laws, agencies should seek to issue permit decisions favorably to the maximum extent practicable. The bill includes provisions regarding: lawsuits involving challenges to agency actions concerning energy production, approval of gas pipeline projects, rights-of-way through national parks, assistance to areas where air pollution levels have not met national ambient air quality standards, and state authority to review certain transportation projects and agreements.
United States · United States Senate · 2 August 2017
United States · United States Senate · 2 August 2017
United States · United States Senate · 2 August 2017
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2017
Investing in State Energy Act This bill amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Department of Energy to distribute funds for the Weatherization Assistance Program and the state energy assistance program within 60 days of Congress making the funds available for such programs. (The Weatherization Assistance Program reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency. The State Energy Program supports state energy conservation plans and energy emergency planning and response.)
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2017
Heat Efficiency through Applied Technology Act or the HEAT Act This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish model rules and procedures for (1) interconnection and its associated costs; and (2) determining fees or rates for supplementary power, backup or standby power, maintenance power, and interruptible power supplied to facilities that operate combined heat and power technology and waste heat to power technology. ("Interconnection" means service to an electric consumer under which an on-site generating facility on the consumer's premises is connected to the local distribution facilities.) The bill also directs the Environmental Protection Agency to create a voluntary grant program to encourage states to update state or local air permitting procedures to incorporate output-based emission standards. ("Output-based emission standard" means a standard that relates emissions to the electrical, thermal, or mechanical productive output of a device or process rather than the heat input of fuel burned or pollutant concentration in the exhaust.)
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2017
Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit or repeal certain tax benefits for major integrated oil companies (certain companies with annual gross receipts over $1 billion and an average daily worldwide production of crude oil of at least 500,000 barrels), including: (1) the foreign tax credit for companies that are dual capacity taxpayers; (2) the tax deduction for income attributable to the production, refining, processing, transportation, or distribution of oil, natural gas, or primary products thereof; (3) the tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs; (4) the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (5) the tax deduction for qualified tertiary injectant expenses. The bill modifies the definition of "major integrated oil company" to include certain successors in interest that control more than 50% of the crude oil production or natural gas production of the company. The bill also amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal royalty relief (suspension of royalties) for: (1) natural gas production from deep wells in shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) deep water oil and gas production in the Western and Central Planning Area of the Gulf (including the portion of the Eastern Planning Area encompassing whole lease blocks lying west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes west longitude). Any net savings that occur as a result of this bill must be used for reducing the federal budget deficit or the federal debt.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2017
Water Efficiency Improvement Act of 2017 This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to codify the WaterSense Program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that allows water-efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services to bear a "WaterSense" label. The EPA must establish certification criteria for the WaterSense label, enhance public awareness regarding the label, preserve the label's integrity, and review, and if appropriate, revise the WaterSense label requirements. To the maximum extent practicable and no less than annually, the EPA must estimate and publish the aggregate production, aggregate market penetration, and savings of water, energy, and capital costs of water, wastewater, and stormwater attributable to the use of WaterSense-labeled products, buildings and building landscapes, facilities, processes, and services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2017
Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act of 2017 This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish and carry out a smart energy and water efficiency management pilot program to award grants to utilities, municipalities, water districts, Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages, and other water authorities for demonstrating advanced and innovative technology-based solutions that will: increase the energy efficiency of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems; improve those systems to help communities make significant progress in conserving water, saving energy, and reducing costs; support the implementation of innovative processes and the installation of advanced automated systems that provide real-time data on energy and water; and improve energy and water conservation, water quality, and predictive maintenance of energy and water systems, through the use of Internet-connected technologies. DOE must annually evaluate each grant project and make best practices identified in the evaluations available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2017
Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program that provides grants for energy efficiency improvement projects in the manufacturing sector. The following types of entities are eligible for grants: (1) state energy offices, (2) nonprofit organizations focused on providing energy efficiency or renewable energy services, (3) electric cooperative groups, or (4) entities with a public-private partnership under the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The entities that receive grants must then distribute subgrants to nongovernmental, small- or medium-sized manufacturers (employing no more than 750 employees) located in the state in which the entity is located to carry out projects that: (1) improve the energy efficiency of the manufacturer, and (2) develop technologies that reduce electricity or natural gas use by the manufacturers. The bill establishes labor requirements for projects that receive grant funding under this bill. In addition, the bill establishes a requirement that grant projects only use iron and steel products that are produced in the United States, unless DOE grants a waiver of the requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2017
Food Recovery Act of 2017 This bill provides funding and establishes requirements to reduce food waste and standardize date labeling on food. The bill authorizes grants or loans for: raising awareness about wasted food and food recovery efforts to reduce the quantity of wasted food; reducing food waste at schools and farms; and reducing food waste in accordance with the Food Recovery Hierarchy of the Environmental Protection Agency, including for a state organic waste reduction plan, food waste management infrastructure, and certain composting or anaerobic digestion food waste-to-energy projects. The bill provides funds for: (1) state storage and distribution costs under the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and (2) national media campaigns to decrease food waste. The bill also: establishes a Food Recovery Liaison within the Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifies that composting is eligible for support under USDA's conservation programs, expands the liability protections for the donation of food, and requires companies that receive federal food service contracts to donate surplus food to nonprofit organizations that assist food-insecure people. The bill requires date labels on food packaging to include the phrases "best if used by" to indicate food quality and "use by" to warn of food that may be unsafe to eat after a specified date. Labelers may include a quality date on packaging, but must include a safety date on ready-to-eat products. No one may prohibit the sale, donation, or use of a product based on passage of the quality date of the product.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2017
Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 30% tax credit for investment in a qualifying offshore wind facility (an offshore facility using wind to produce electricity), and (2) direct the Department of the Treasury to establish a qualifying credit for offshore wind facilities program to consider and award certifications for investments eligible for such a credit to qualifying offshore wind facility sponsors. The total amount of megawatt capacity for offshore facilities with respect to which credits may be allocated under the program may not exceed 3,000 megawatts. The bill requires Treasury to review credits allocated under this bill periodically and authorizes Treasury to make additional allocations and reallocations of such credits upon determining that: (1) the limit on the total amount of megawatt capacity for offshore facilities with respect to which credits may be allocated under the program has not been attained, or (2) scheduled placed-in-service dates of previously certified facilities have been significantly delayed and the applicant for certification will not meet the required timeline.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2017
Federal Land Freedom Act This bill authorizes a state with an oil and gas leasing program to take responsibility from the federal government for leasing and regulating the exploration and development of oil, gas, and other forms of energy on federal land in the state. A state must submit to the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture a regulatory program which demonstrates that it has the capability to take responsibility from the federal government, including that it has a state law which provides sanctions for violations of state laws, regulations, or conditions of permits concerning oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2017
Quadrennial Energy Review Act of 2017 This bill directs the President to establish once every four years a Quadrennial Energy Review Task Force to conduct and coordinate the Quadrennial Energy Review. The Secretary of Energy shall serve as the chairperson of the task force. Each review must (1) provide an integrated view of important national energy objectives and federal energy policy; and (2) identify the maximum practicable alignment of programs, incentives, regulations, and partnerships.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
Ceiling Fan Energy Conservation Harmonization Act This bill makes January 21, 2020, the compliance date for the amended energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits, which is also the compliance date for ceiling fan standards. Currently, the compliance date for the ceiling fan light kits is January 7, 2019.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
Food Recovery Act of 2017 This bill provides funding and establishes requirements to reduce food waste and standardize date labeling on food. The bill authorizes grants or loans for activities related to: raising awareness about wasted food and food recovery efforts to reduce the quantity of wasted food, reducing food waste at schools and farms, and installing facilities that include composting or anaerobic digesters that use food or crop waste to produce energy. The bill provides funds for: (1) state storage and distribution costs under the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and (2) national media campaigns to decrease food waste. The bill also: establishes a Food Recovery Liaison within the Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifies that composting is eligible for support under USDA's conservation programs, expands the tax deduction for charitable contributions to include contributions of food inventory for nonprofit retail sales, expands the liability protections for the donation of food, and requires companies that receive federal food service contracts to donate surplus food to nonprofit organizations that assist food-insecure people. The bill requires date labels on food packaging to include the phrases "best if used by" to indicate food quality and "use by" to warn of food that may be unsafe to eat after a specified date. Labelers may include a quality date on packaging, but must include a safety date on ready-to-eat products. No one may prohibit the sale, donation, or use of a product based on passage of the quality date of the product.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to expand community solar options to: (1) individuals, particularly individuals that do not have regular access to onsite solar, including low- and moderate-income individuals; (2) businesses; (3) nonprofit organizations; and (4) states and local and tribal governments. Community solar is a solar power plant, through which the benefits of the electricity produced is shared by electricity customers. In carrying out the program, DOE must: (1) provide technical assistance to states and local and tribal governments for projects to increase community solar; (2) assist such governments in the development of new and innovative financial and business models that leverage competition in the marketplace in order to serve community solar subscribers; and (3) use national laboratories to collect and disseminate data that assists private entities in the financing of, subscription to, and operation of community solar projects. The bill encourages the federal government to participate in community solar projects, including by subscribing to community solar facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
HVAC Expensing and Technology Act of 2017 or the HEAT Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow expensing and accelerated cost recovery for certain energy efficient heating and air-conditioning property. The bill applies to certain real property: (1) with respect to which depreciation (or amortization in lieu of depreciation) is allowable; (2) which is installed as part of the heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water systems; and (3) which is within the scope of specified standards of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings, to: (1) make the deduction permanent, (2) permit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and Indian tribal governments to allocate the deduction to the person primarily responsible for designing the property in lieu of the owner of the property, (3) allow partnerships and S corporations to receive the full benefit of a deduction allocated at the partner or shareholder level, and (4) exempt property placed in service in a qualified low-income building from the requirement to reduce the basis of the property by the amount of the deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2017
Farewell to Unnecessary Energy Lifelines Reform Act of 2017 or the FUEL Reform Act This bill repeals title IX (Energy) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, which authorized various energy programs that are administered by the Department of Agriculture and primarily provide support and incentives for renewable energy projects.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2017
American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 201 7 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose fees on: (1) fossil fuel products producing carbon dioxide emissions, including coal, petroleum products, and natural gas; (2) fluorinated greenhouse gases; (3) emissions of any greenhouse gas from any greenhouse gas emissions source; and (4) associated emissions (attributable to venting, flaring, and leakage across the supply chain). The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to: establish, implement, and report on a program to identify all major source categories of associated emissions and collect data on associated emissions from the coal, petroleum products, and natural gas supply chains; make specified adjustments to the new fees for importers and exporters of energy-intensive manufactured goods; make a specified payment each calendar year to certain Social Security beneficiaries, veterans, and disabled individuals; make cost mitigation grants to states to assist low-income and rural households and provide job training and worker transition assistance; and establish a website to make regular disclosures concerning revenue, tax savings, and benefits attributable to this bill. The bill also: (1) reduces the maximum income tax rate on corporations to 29% of taxable income over $75,000; and (2) allows a new carbon fee offset tax credit for the lesser of: 6.2% of earned income, or $550.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2017
State Sanctions Against Iranian Terrorism Act This bill amends the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to specify that a state may, in addition to limiting investment in Iran's energy sector, prohibit or limit any person from engaging in specified investment activities in Iran. A state may also enter into interstate compacts to prohibit or limit such financial activities. Enforcement of such measures may include the imposition of disclosure and transparency requirements. The description of "investment activities" is revised to: (1) reduce the threshold for financial involvement from $20 million to $10 million; and (2) include, in addition to the energy sector, involvement in a business enterprise in Iran, including an entity owned or controlled by the Iranian government. The bill declares that a state or local government measure authorized pursuant to the bill is: (1) authorized and not preempted by any federal law or regulation, or any policy, agreement, or exercise of waiver authority of the executive branch; and (2) is consistent with U.S. federal policy, including U.S. foreign policy. A state or local government may enforce a measure adopted before the enactment of this bill that: (1) provides for the divestment of state or local assets from, or prohibits the investment of those assets in, any person that engages in investment activities in Iran or other business activities in Iran identified in the measure; or (2) prohibits or limits any person from engaging in investment activities in Iran. State and local government authority to divest from certain companies that invest in Iran shall not terminate pursuant to a presidential certification if Congress, not later than 60 days after the date on which the President submits such certification, enacts a joint resolution disapproving such certification.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2017
Recreation Not Red-Tape Act This bill amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to require the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service to review the process for the issuance and renewal of special recreation permits, including for cross-jurisdictional trips, with respect to outfitters and guides. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall: (1) coordinate with states to allow the purchase of federal and state recreation passes at federal and state facilities in the same transaction, and (2) sell National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, and make payment of entrance and standard amenity recreation fees available, through federal websites. Interior and USDA should work with the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that service members and veterans have access to outdoor recreation and to outdoor-related volunteer and wellness programs. The Forest Service, BLM, and National Park Service may develop management plans for extending the recreation season or increasing recreation use during the offseason. The Forest Service and BLM shall evaluate land managers based on the achievement of applicable agency recreational and tourism goals. The Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Transportation shall consider how land and water management decisions can enhance recreation opportunities and the recreation economy. The bill amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to establish the Ski Area Fee Retention Account. A specified portion of rental charges for ski area permits on a Forest Service unit shall be deposited in such account, and a specified portion of such amounts shall be available to such unit for ski area administration, improvements, and visitor services. The bill establishes a National Recreation Area System to be comprised of existing National Recreation Areas and new units designated after enactment of this bill. Interior and USDA shall: (1) develop initiatives to enhance private-sector volunteer programs, actively promote private-sector volunteer opportunities, and provide outreach and coordination to the private sector to carry out projects and programs for the stewardship of federal land; and (2) establish an interagency trail management plan under which federal land management agencies shall coordinate so that trails that cross jurisdictional boundaries between those agencies are uniformly managed and maintained.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2017
American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 201 7 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose fees on: (1) fossil fuel products producing carbon dioxide emissions, including coal, petroleum products, and natural gas; (2) fluorinated greenhouse gases; (3) emissions of any greenhouse gas from any greenhouse gas emissions source; and (4) associated emissions (attributable to venting, flaring, and leakage across the supply chain). The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to: establish, implement, and report on a program to identify all major source categories of associated emissions and collect data on associated emissions from the coal, petroleum products, and natural gas supply chains; make specified adjustments to the new fees for importers and exporters of energy-intensive manufactured goods; make a specified payment each calendar year to certain Social Security beneficiaries, veterans, and disabled individuals; make cost mitigation grants to states to assist low-income and rural households and provide job training and worker transition assistance; and establish a website to make regular disclosures concerning revenue, tax savings, and benefits attributable to this bill. The bill also: (1) reduces the maximum income tax rate on corporations to 29% of taxable income over $75,000; and (2) allows a new carbon fee offset tax credit for the lesser of: 6.2% of earned income, or $550.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2017
Recreation Not Red-Tape Act This bill amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to require the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service to review the process for the issuance and renewal of special recreation permits, including for cross-jurisdictional trips, with respect to outfitters and guides. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall: (1) coordinate with states to allow the purchase of federal and state recreation passes at federal and state facilities in the same transaction, and (2) sell National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, and make payment of entrance and standard amenity recreation fees available, through federal websites. Interior and USDA should work with the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that service members and veterans have access to outdoor recreation and to outdoor-related volunteer and wellness programs. The Forest Service, BLM, and National Park Service may develop management plans for extending the recreation season or increasing recreation use during the offseason. The Forest Service and BLM shall evaluate land managers based on the achievement of applicable agency recreational and tourism goals. The Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Transportation shall consider how land and water management decisions can enhance recreation opportunities and the recreation economy. The bill amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to establish the Ski Area Fee Retention Account. A specified portion of rental charges for ski area permits on a Forest Service unit shall be deposited in such account, and a specified portion of such amounts shall be available to such unit for ski area administration, improvements, and visitor services. The bill establishes a National Recreation Area System to be comprised of existing National Recreation Areas and new units designated after enactment of this bill. Interior and USDA shall: (1) develop initiatives to enhance private-sector volunteer programs, actively promote private-sector volunteer opportunities, and provide outreach and coordination to the private sector to carry out projects and programs for the stewardship of federal land; and (2) establish an interagency trail management plan under which federal land management agencies shall coordinate so that trails that cross jurisdictional boundaries between those agencies are uniformly managed and maintained.
United States · United States Senate · 25 July 2017
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2017
License Natural Gas Now Act of 2017 or the LNG Now Act of 2017 This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to prohibit the federal government from imposing any restriction on the importation and exportation of natural gas. The bill does not limit the President's ability to restrict the importation or exportation of natural gas: (1) during national emergencies or disasters, and (2) to foreign countries if the President declares a national emergency with respect to such country.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2017
Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 This bill directs the President to impose sanctions against: (1) Iran's ballistic missile or weapons of mass destruction programs, (2) the sale or transfer to Iran of military equipment or the provision of related technical or financial assistance, and (3) Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated foreign persons. The President may impose sanctions against persons responsible for violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals in Iran. The President may temporarily waive the imposition or continuation of sanctions under specified circumstances. Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 The President must submit for congressional review certain proposed actions to terminate or waive sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation. Specified executive order sanctions against Russia shall remain in effect. The President may waive specified cyber- and Ukraine-related sanctions. The bill provides sanctions for activities concerning: (1) cyber security, (2) crude oil projects, (3) financial institutions, (4) corruption, (5) human rights abuses, (6) evasion of sanctions, (7) transactions with Russian defense or intelligence sectors, (8) export pipelines, (9) privatization of state-owned assets by government officials, and (10) arms transfers to Syria. The Department of State shall work with the government of Ukraine to increase Ukraine's energy security. The bill: (1) directs the Department of the Treasury to develop a national strategy for combating the financing of terrorism, and (2) includes the Secretary of the Treasury on the National Security Council. Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act The bill modifies and increases the President's authority to impose sanctions on persons in violation of certain United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea. U.S. financial institutions shall not establish or maintain correspondent accounts used by foreign financial institutions to provide indirect financial services to North Korea. A foreign government that provides to or receives from North Korea a defense article or service is prohibited from receiving certain types of U.S. foreign assistance. The bill provides sanctions against: (1) North Korean cargo and shipping, (2) goods produced in whole or part by North Korean convict or forced labor, and (3) foreign persons that employ North Korean forced laborers. The State Department shall submit a determination regarding whether North Korea meets the criteria for designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2017
Establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and sets forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027. Recommends levels and amounts for FY2018-FY2027 for: federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits (on-budget), debt subject to limit, debt held by the public, and the major functional categories of spending. Includes reconciliation instructions directing 11 specified House authorizing committees to submit deficit reduction legislation to the House Budget Committee by October 6, 2017. Sets forth budget enforcement procedures addressing: long-term direct spending; allocations for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism; changes in mandatory programs; estimates of debt service costs, credit programs, macroeconomic effects, and energy saving performance contracts; adjustments to spending levels; advance appropriations; transfers from the general fund of the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund; Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) guarantee fees; and Federal Reserve System surpluses. Establishes reserve funds for legislation relating to: the commercialization of air traffic control, investments in national infrastructure, comprehensive tax reform, or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Sets forth policy statements on several fiscal and domestic policy issues.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2017
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 Provides FY2018 appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and related agencies. Provides appropriations to Interior for: the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Provides appropriations to Interior for Departmental Offices, including: the Office of the Secretary, Insular Affairs, the Office of the Solicitor, the Office of Inspector General, and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. Provides appropriations to Interior for Department-Wide Programs, including: Wildland Fire Management, the Central Hazardous Materials Fund, the Natural Resources Damage Assessment Fund, the Working Capital Fund, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue, and Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT). Provides appropriations to the EPA. Provides appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service. Provides appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for: the Indian Health Service, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Provides appropriations to other related agencies, including: the Executive Office of the President for the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Environmental Quality; the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; the Smithsonian Institution; the National Gallery of Art; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Commission of Fine Arts; the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; the National Capital Planning Commission; the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission; the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission; and the World War I Centennial Commission. Sets forth permissible and prohibited uses for funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017
Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act of 201 7 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional tax deduction for the cost of installing mechanical insulation property. The bill: (1) limits the amount of such deduction to the lesser of 30% of the cost or the reduction in energy loss from the installed mechanical insulation property compared to property that meets the minimum requirements of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard 90.1-2007; and (2) allows the cost of mechanical insulation property that is placed in service to replace insulation property to be treated as a deductible business expense in the current taxable year. The bill defines "mechanical insulation property" as insulation materials, facings, and accessory products: (1) placed in service in connection with a mechanical system which is located in the United States and of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation; and (2) utilized for thermal requirements for mechanical piping and equipment, hot and cold applications, and heating, venting and air conditioning applications which can be used in a variety of facilities. The bill also allows a tax deduction for capital expenditures related to mechanical insulation property.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017
Building U.S. Infrastructure by Leveraging Demands for Skills or the BUILDS Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to award implementation or renewal grants, for up to three years and on a competitive basis, to eligible industry or sector partnerships to achieve certain strategic objectives with respect to targeted infrastructure industries (e.g., transportation, construction, energy, information technology, or utilities industries). Such strategic objectives must include: recruiting key stakeholders in the targeted infrastructure industries; identifying the training needs of multiple businesses in such industries; facilitating actions that lead to economies of scale by aggregating multiple businesses' training and education needs; helping grant recipients who provide career and technical education and training in aligning curricula, entrance requirements, and programs to the targeted infrastructure's needs and required credentials; providing information on grant activities to state agencies to enable them to inform unemployment compensation recipients of employment and training opportunities; and helping partner businesses to attract potential workers from a diverse jobseeker base.
United States · United States House of Representatives · 19 July 2017
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017
100 by '50 Act This bill calls for the United States to aggressively reduce carbon pollution as rapidly as practicable and achieve 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050. It provides financial support (e.g., grant programs and loans) for clean and renewable energy, including support for affordable zero-emission vehicle-based public transportation, solar energy, and energy efficiency retrofits in homes. The bill provides job training, unemployment compensation, health benefits, and pension and other benefits and services to adversely affected workers employed in the fossil fuel energy sector. The bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to create annual caps on fossil fuel electricity beginning in 2022 and ending in 2050 when it is phased out. The Department of Energy (DOE) must establish a grant program for energy storage and dispatchable energy technologies. The bill provides financial incentives (e.g., tax credits and grants) for clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency improvements, and energy storage. The bill amends the Clean Air Act to establish a zero-emission vehicle standard. In addition, it establishes: (1) a carbon fee to transition the commercial aviation, maritime transportation, and rail sectors away from fossil fuel usage; (2) grant programs for zero-emission vehicles; (3) a national highway decarbonization grant program; and (4) tax credits for electric vehicles, hybrid trucks, biofuels, and alternative fuels. DOE must also establish a zero-emission residential and commercial heating grant program. The bill: (1) terminates specified fossil fuel subsidies, and (2) creates a climate duty for carbon-intensive products imported from other countries. The Department of the Treasury must issue climate bonds. The proceeds of the bonds must be deposited in the Climate Fund, which may be used to carry out the bill.
United States · United States Senate · 18 July 2017
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2017
Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill provides that the share of the administrative expenses of the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, the Southwest Border Regional Commission, or the Northern Border Regional Commission to be paid by each state of such commission shall be determined by a majority (currently, unanimous) vote of the state members of such commission. A commission must include in the 40% of any economic and infrastructure development grant amounts provided to states or local governments, Indian tribes, or public or nonprofit organizations for the development of the transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, or telecommunications infrastructure amounts for the development of renewable and alternative energy sources in its region. Such economic and infrastructure development grants may be used to attract businesses to a region from outside of the United States. The bill reauthorizes each commission through FY2023.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2017
Helium Extraction Act of 2017 This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require that land leased by the Department of the Interior for the extraction of helium shall fall under the same lease terms as a federal oil and gas lease.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2017
Helium Extraction Act of 2017 This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require that land leased by the Department of the Interior for the extraction of helium shall fall under the same lease terms as a federal oil and gas lease.