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Bill· SS. 980 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Advanced Materials Synthesis, Processing, and Commercialization Act of 1991 - Title I: National Advanced Materials Processing Plan and Program - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to direct the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, at least once every two years, to develop and implement a five-year National Advanced Materials Processing Plan. Requires that the Council: (1) serve as the lead Federal entity responsible for the development of the Plan and for facilitating interagency coordination; and (2) annually review the Federal budget regarding consistency with the Plan. Establishes the Advanced Materials Processing Advisory Panel. Title II: Advanced Materials Processing, Synthesis, and Commercialization Partnerships - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish four or more Advanced Materials Processing, Synthesis, and Commercialization Partnerships, comprised of one or more Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories, U.S. firms, and U.S. higher education institutions, with additional participants allowed. Mandates establishment of specified numbers of similarly-structured Partnerships associated with the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Department of Commerce (through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)), in each case using laboratories of that department or agency instead of DOE laboratories. Requires that each proposal for the establishment of a Partnership be submitted by the lead institution, selected by the proposed participants in the Partnership. Sets forth required contents of proposals. Requires non-Federal cost sharing. Requires Partnerships to be selected through a competitive process. Regulates disclosure of information. Title III: Other Advanced Materials Programs - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a competitive grants program known as the Advanced Materials Synthesis and Processing Principal Investigator Awards Program. Allows grant funds to be used for research and development related to advanced materials processing sciences conducted by the recipient within colleges and research institutions in the United States using, to the extent feasible, existing capital equipment, instrumentation, and facilities of U.S. firms and Federal laboratories. Requires the National Science Board of the NSF to establish a fellowship program for graduate and post-doctoral studies and research in advanced materials synthesis and processing, with grants awarded on the basis of academic merit. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the NIST Director, to: (1) establish and administer a comprehensive national data base for advanced materials, to be the central repository in the Federal Government for such information; and (2) provide for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of standard reference data for advanced materials. Title IV: Authorization of Appropriations and Other Provisions - Authorizes appropriations, to carry out responsibilities under this Act, for the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Commerce, the National Science Foundation, and the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology. Allows the head of a department or agency of the Federal Government to waive the application of this Act to any program or activity that is classified in the interest of the national security or foreign policy of the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 2098 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Nuclear Facilities Occupational Safety Improvement Act of 1991 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to apply it to certain Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear facilities (including specified defense, production, utilization, and waste storage or disposal facilities). Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate specific regulations and standards to govern the application of OSHA to such facilities. Requires the Secretary of Energy and each contractor operating such a facility to: (1) cooperate with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the conduct of an inspection or investigation under OSHA at such facility; (2) grant access to it to enable the conduct of such inspection or investigation; and (3) provide all information necessary for such inspection or investigation. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, to protect the confidentiality of information, to deny access to any person who has not been granted a security clearance or access authorization. Provides for transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel. Directs the Secretary of Labor, by specified deadlines, to promulgate interim regulations and propose and promulgate final regulations to provide for specified types of health and safety training of employees at such DOE nuclear facilities. Requires the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and its Director to: (1) perform functions authorized by OSHA at such facilities; and (2) conduct health hazard evaluations, including ionizing radiation evaluations, at such facilities. Requires medical examinations of employees at such DOE nuclear facilities. Requires all such employees to be given baseline medical examinations in accordance with guidelines developed by the Health Advisory Committee, and subsequent examinations, as recommended by the Committee, for their lifetime. Requires, where appropriate, such examinations for family members determined to be at high risk of disease because of an employee's exposure at the workplace. Requires that all former employees at such facilities and their families be offered participation in a medical surveillance program designed to focus on work-related exposure to toxic substances and radiation, including treatment for occupationally related illness. Requires all contractors with such facilities to maintain a full-time occupational health physician and supporting medical staff, in accordance with Committee guidelines. Establishes a Health Advisory Committee to: (1) review existing medical studies relating to the administration of such medical examination program; and (2) issue the aforementioned guidelines and standards for such program. Requires that all information from such medical examinations be available to individual employees and their representatives and that aggregate information from such examinations be available to the public. Requires that program costs be borne by DOE. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to promulgate necessary regulations. Requires each such DOE nuclear facility to establish a labor-management health and safety committee in accordance with specified guidelines.
Bill· SS. 922 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the value of any subsidy provided by a public utility to a customer for the purchase or installation of energy conservation measures.
Bill· SS. 928 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Energy Education Act of 1991 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide supplemental grants through the State energy conservation program for energy education projects. Authorizes appropriations.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 113 (102nd)passed
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Recognizes, on the bicentennial of his birth, the role of Samuel F. B. Morse in the development of electrical communications.
Bill· SS. 886 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Electric Energy Storage and Utilization Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 1991 - Title I: Energy-Related Research and Development for Advanced Electricity Storage Systems and More Energy Efficient Technologies Utilizing Electricity - Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) establish a cooperative program with selected private industry sectors to conduct joint research and development projects in specified advanced energy technology areas; (2) present to the Congress a comprehensive multiyear program plan to implement such projects; and (3) conduct a technology transfer program designed to accelerate wider application of advanced energy storage systems for both stationary and mobile sources, and to increase the utilization of energy efficient technologies that use electricity in various industrial processes. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Infrastructure Development and Data Acquisition Program to Support the Use of Energy Efficient Electric Technologies and the Use of Electric and Other Alternative Fueled Vehicles - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to ensure that annual Federal acquisition of alternative-fueled vehicles includes electric vehicles. Extends the authorization for appropriations for the Federal alternative-fueled vehicle program to FY 1996. Directs the Secretary to establish data collection programs to: (1) identify those industrial sectors that could benefit from energy efficient electric technologies; and (2) assist persons seeking to manufacture, distribute, or operate electric vehicles or other clean alternative fuel vehicles. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations establishing guidelines for comprehensive State energy infrastructure development plans to promote the use of electricity and other clean alternative fuels for vehicular use and general energy conservation. Directs the Secretary to invite State Governors to submit feasibility assessments and State plan proposals with respect to alternative fueled vehicles and electric vehicles. Outlines the criteria under which proposed State plans are eligible for Federal technical and financial assistance. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress regarding the status of Federal/State programs for alternative fuel use. Authorizes appropriations for such programs. Directs the Secretary to enter into joint ventures with non-Federal entities for cost-shared projects to: (1) support the infrastructure necessary to use electric vehicles and advanced technologies that are more efficient in the industrial uses of electricity; or (2) evaluate the prospects for advanced technologies' application. Outlines parameters for such joint ventures. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Electric Vehicle Energy Demonstration Program - Electric Vehicle Energy Demonstration Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals to demonstrate electric vehicles and associated equipment in eligible metropolitan areas. Outlines the proposal selection process and the prerequisites for any accepted final proposal. Sets forth a discount payment program under which the Secretary must reimburse a proposer for discounts provided to electric vehicle users. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding the promotion of electric vehicle use and development. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 907 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act to provide that coal lease royalty payments may be less than the statutory amount for coal with a calorific heating value of less than 7500 Btu/pound as received.
Bill· SS. 875 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1991
Military Construction Authorization Act, 1992 and 1993 - Subdivision 1: Fiscal Year 1992 - Title I: Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire military family housing units, to carry out architectural and engineering services and construction design, and to improve existing military family housing units in specified amounts at specified installations. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years beginning after 1991 for military construction projects, unspecified minor construction projects, architectural and engineering design services, the construction of defense access roads, military family housing functions within the Department, and for the homeowners assistance program. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to increase the authorization for a military construction project at Fort Riley, Kansas. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title II: Navy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire military family housing units, to carry out architectural and engineering services and construction design, and to improve existing military family housing units in specified amounts at specified installations. Authorizes appropriations to the Navy for fiscal years beginning after 1991 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Department. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title III: Air Force - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire military family housing units, to carry out architectural and engineering services and construction design, and to improve existing military family housing units in specified amounts at specified installations. Authorizes appropriations to the Air Force for fiscal years beginning after 1991 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Department. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title IV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to carry out military construction projects and acquire real property in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire military family housing units and to improve existing military family housing units in specified amounts at specified installations. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Infrastructure program, and authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for fiscal years beginning after 1991 for such contributions. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for fiscal years beginning after 1991 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Department. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to enter into contracts for the design and construction of military construction projects at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer excess NATO Infrastructure funds (if any) to fund authorized defense agency projects, or to transfer unobligated defense agency funds to the NATO Infrastructure program. Title V: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years beginning after 1991 for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities for the Guard and Reserve forces in specified amounts. Title VI: Expiration of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles I through IV of this Subdivision on October 1, 1993, or the date of enactment of the Military Construction Authorization Act for FY 1994, whichever is later, with specified exceptions. Subdivision 2: Fiscal Year 1993 - Title I (SIC): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out architectural and engineering services and construction design, and to improve existing military family housing units in specified amounts at specified installations. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years beginning after 1992 for military construction projects, repair of real property, unspecified minor construction projects, architectural and engineering design services, and military family housing functions. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title II: Navy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out architectural and engineering services and construction design, and to improve existing military family housing units in specified amounts at specified installations. Authorizes appropriations to the Navy for fiscal years beginning after 1992 for military construction projects, unspecified minor construction projects, repair of real property, architectural and engineering design services, and military housing functions. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title III: Air Force - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire military family housing units, to carry out architectural and engineering services and construction design, and to improve existing military family housing units in specified amounts at specified installations. Authorizes appropriations to the Air Force for fiscal years beginning after 1992 for military construction projects, unspecified minor military construction projects, repair of real property, architectural and engineering design services, and military family housing functions. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title IV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the NATO Infrastructure program, and authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for fiscal years beginning after 1992 for such contributions. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for fiscal years beginning after 1992 for military construction, repair of real property, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer excess NATO Infrastructure funds (if any) to fund authorized defense agency projects, or to transfer unobligated defense agency funds to the NATO Infrastructure program. Title V: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1992 for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, repair of real property, and construction of facilities for the Guard and Reserve forces. Title VI: Expiration of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles I through IV of this Subdivision on October 1, 1994, or the date of enactment of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995, whichever is later, with specified exceptions. Subdivision 3 - Title VII: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to contribute amounts to States for the acquisition or construction of facilities for use by the reserve forces. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain facilities projects that cost $300,000 or less (currently, $200,000) using operation and maintenance funds. Extends through FY 1993 (currently, 1991) the authority of the Secretary concerned to enter into: (1) long-term facilities contracts; and (2) contracts for the leasing of military family housing facilities. Authorizes the heads of defense agencies (currently, only the Secretaries of the military departments) to use one-step turn-key selection procedures to enter into contracts for the construction of authorized military construction projects. Repeals provisions which: (1) prohibit the Secretary of Defense from entering into any more than three such contracts during a fiscal year; and (2) terminate the authority to enter into such contracts after October 1, 1991. Provides that certain defense contract limitations shall not apply to the acquisitions of military or family housing projects obtained through governments of NATO subsidiary bodies for elements of the armed forces deployed in Europe and adjacent waters. Increases the amounts authorized to be expended for minor military construction projects not otherwise authorized by law. Excludes up to 300 square feet from the applicable maximum net floor space allowances permitted for certain military pay grades for military housing for the provision of recreation space within existing space at locations in Alaska. Extends permanently (currently, terminates as of FY 1991) the authority to expend funds under the homeowners assistance program. Extends benefits under such program to military personnel with dependents (currently, must be unaccompanied by dependents) and to personnel who are transferred due to a base closure within three years of such closure (currently, within fifteen months). Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to carry out a military construction project not otherwise authorized by law if the Secretary determines that the project: (1) is vital to the protection of the quality of the environment, health, or safety; and (2) is so urgent that deferral of such project until the next Military Construction Authorization Act would be inconsistent with the protection of health, safety, and environmental quality. Requires the Secretary concerned to report to the appropriate congressional committees when a decision is made to carry out a construction project under this section. Limits the maximum amount to be obligated by a Secretary in any fiscal year on such projects. Directs the Secretary of Energy to convey to the Secretary of Defense jurisdiction and control of a tract of land in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Empowers the Secretary of a military department to lease a property (currently, only acquisitions or options to acquire are permitted) for a military project. Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act, 1984 to authorize the Secretary of a military department to enter into agreements for up to 2,000 family housing units under the Military Housing Rental Guarantee program, such units being in addition to the acquisition of any units currently permitted under the program. Extends the authority to enter into such agreements through FY 1993 (currently, 1991). Repeals a Federal provision requiring the Secretary of a military department to provide a member of the armed forces with notice of and an opportunity for a hearing and record inspection before being permitted to withhold amounts from such member's pay for a breach of a rental housing lease or for damages caused to such housing by such member.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 105 (102nd)passed
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1991
Recognizes the important contributions of the Hugoton Gas Field to the Nation.
Bill· SS. 836 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1991
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with respect to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to: (1) to consider any State that is an island as a separate Federal Energy Administration Region; and (2) establish a Regional Petroleum Reserve in Hawaii.
Bill· HRH.R. 1834 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1991
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act - Withdraws from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the general land laws and from location and patent under the mining laws the public lands in Eddy County, New Mexico, which surround WIPP and transfers jurisdiction and control of the withdrawn lands to DOE. Describes the lands to be withdrawn. Revokes specified public land orders made inconsistent by this Act. Makes the Secretary of Energy responsible for the management of WIPP and the withdrawn lands. Requires the Secretary to develop a management plan for the use of the withdrawn lands until WIPP has been decommissioned, requiring any use for activities not associated with WIPP to be subject to conditions and restrictions that may be necessary to permit the conduct of WIPP activities. Requires the management plan to permit domestic livestock grazing, hunting and trapping, maintenance of wildlife habitat, the disposal of salt tailings remaining on the surface, and mining, subject to prescribed guidelines. Authorizes the Secretary to close to the public any part of such withdrawn lands if required for public health and safety. Directs the Secretary to submit the management plan to appropriate congressional committees and the State of New Mexico. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with specified officials and agencies, to develop and update a performance assessment plan that includes experiments needed to assess compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for disposal of transuranic waste and other experiments which the Secretary considers necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to place transuranic waste in WIPP during the performance assessment phase and to begin permanent disposal of transuranic waste after such phase is completed if he determines, after an EPA review, that WIPP complies with relevant environmental standards and has submitted to the Congress plans for decommissioning WIPP and managing such withdrawn lands afterwards. Directs the EPA Administrator to issue final standards for disposal of transuranic wastes within two years after the enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary to demonstrate compliance with such standards notwithstanding any court order requiring repromulgation or reissuance of the standards or any injunction relating to health and safety aspects of the standards directly applicable to WIPP. Requires the Secretary to demonstrate compliance with disposal standards in effect on November 18, 1985, if the EPA Administrator fails to issue standards for disposal of transuranic wastes. Subjects WIPP to EPA management and storage standards applicable to transuranic waste. Bans high-level radioactive waste from being placed in WIPP by DOE. Requires the Secretary to continue to encourage WIPP related business and employment opportunities within the State of New Mexico. Provides for payments to the State of New Mexico to assist in the mitigation of the impacts on the State and on local governments resulting from WIPP. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to submit to the State of New Mexico, the Secretary of the Interior, the EPA Administrator, and appropriate congressional committees within five years after enactment of this Act a plan for decommissioning WIPP. Directs the Secretary to develop within such period a plan for the management and use of the withdrawn lands following the WIPP decommission.
Bill· SS. 804 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Establishes the Spark M. Matsunaga Renewable Energy and Ocean Technology Center at Keahole Point, Hawaii. Provides that such center is to be administered through the University of Hawaii and is authorized to conduct research, development, and techology transfer on: (1) solar and renewable energy; (2) energy storage, including the production of hydrogen from renewable energy; (3) materials applications related to energy and marine environments; and (4) other environmental and ocean resource concepts, including sea ranching and global climate change. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994 for ocean resource and renewable research, development, and technology transfer at the center.
Bill· SS. 812 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require applicants for Federal permits (for potential discharges into navigable waters), in the case of hydroelectric projects under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to provide a certification from the State in which the discharge originates that such projects will comply with applicable State water quality standards and allow for protection, achievement, and maintenance of designated uses included in such standards.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 98 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate that neither the President nor the Congress should impose fees, levies, or diversion requirements on imported crude oil and refined petroleum products.
Bill· HRH.R. 1745 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to change from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary of the Interior's authority to cancel a lease or permit within such lands in specified circumstances. Revises the condition that the Secretary must determine that continued activity would probably cause serious harm or damage. States that lease or permit cancellation shall occur if the activity has resulted in or poses a threat of serious harm or damage to life, property, and other specified things, and that the environmental or other resources harmed or placed at risk are of substantial value. Prohibits the cancellation of a lease or permit unless its operation has been suspended or temporarily prohibited by the Secretary or pursuant to an Act of the Congress. (Present law provides for suspension by the Secretary alone.) Decreases the due extension of such suspended lease term from five years to one. Allows the compensation for a cancelled lease to be made in the form of currency, forgiveness of the lessee's obligation to pay rents or royalties on another issued lease, or against bonus payments for future lease purchases. Changes the administrative procedure of the Secretary for processing comments received from a Governor modifying a proposed Outer Continental Shelf leasing program that affects his or her State. Requires the national interest of lands within the Outer Continental Shelf to be determined by application of a balancing process that gives equal weight to obtaining oil and gas supplies and protection of the environment, while permitting the consideration of other factors. Directs the Secretary to accept a Governor's recommendation providing a reasonable balance between the national interest and the well-being of the citizens of such affected State, unless found to be based on a material error of fact or arbitrary or capricious. Requires completion (subject to peer review) and publication within 180 days before an oil and gas lease sale of any environmental impact study of any area or region included in the lease sale.
Bill· HRH.R. 1712 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1991
Offshore Lease Buyback Act of 1991 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to change from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary of the Interior's authority to cancel leases or permits in specified circumstances. Prohibits the cancellation of a lease or permit unless operations under it have been suspended or temporarily prohibited by the Secretary or pursuant to an Act of the Congress. (Present law provides for suspension by the Secretary alone.) Decreases the extension of such suspended lease from five years to one. Allows the compensation for a cancelled lease to be made in the form of a credit against bonus, rent, royalty, or permit fee payments. Requires the national interest of lands within the Outer Continental Shelf to be determined by application of a balancing process that gives weight to obtaining oil and gas supplies and protection of the environment, while allowing for consideration of other factors. Requires completion (subject to peer review) and publication within 180 days before an oil and gas lease sale of any environmental impact study of any area or region included in the lease sale.
Bill· HRH.R. 1688 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1991
Omnibus Insular Areas Act of 1991 - Title I: Insular Areas Disaster Survival and Recovery Act of 1991 - Insular Areas Disaster Survival and Recovery Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for the construction of facilities to protect public health and safety and to enhance the survivability of essential infrastructure in the event of disasters in insular areas. Requires the President to provide technical assistance to insular areas which lack specific capabilities in responding to disasters. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the status of recovery efforts in insular areas declared to be disasters by the President. Title II: Insular Areas Water, Sewerage, and Power Needs - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to study how the long-term water, sewerage, and power needs of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands can be resolved. Authorizes appropriations for grants to insular areas governments to carry out projects to evaluate the feasibility of, develop options for, and encourage the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures which reduce the dependency of such areas on imported fuels, and improve the quality of life in the area. Establishes guidelines to determine the amount to be provided.
Bill· SS. 790 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
Motor Fuel Consumer Protection Act of 1991 - Prohibits any oil producer or refiner from: (1) requiring any retail motor fuel dealer to purchase more than 70 percent of its monthly retail sales of motor fuel from such producer or refiner; (2) restraining the dealer from purchasing any or all of his or her motor fuel requirements from a wholesaler of the motor fuel produced by such producer or refiner; or (3) contracting, combining, or conspiring with any other producer or refiner to violate the provisions of this Act. Prohibits with a specified exception any dealer at a service station displaying a name or other identifying symbol of a refiner or producer from selling fuel not provided by such refiner or producer without providing notice at the point of sale. Prohibits producers or refiners from operating any service station in the United States. Permits them from owning all or part of a service station, provided they do not engage in selling fuel at such service station through any employer, agent, or representative. Provides for the enforcement of this Act. Provides that this Act shall not supersede any comparable State law.
Bill· SS. 785 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
Minerals Policy Review Commission Act of 1991 - Establishes the Minerals Policy Review Commission to implement a comprehensive review of the law relating to the location and disposition of minerals on public lands and the effect of that law on national policy. Directs the Commission to report to the President and the Congress on the review. Expresses the sense of the Congress that no amendment shall be made to the law relating to the location and disposition of minerals on public lands until the Commission has reported to the Congress. Terminates the Commission within six months after such report or on June 30, 1994, whichever is earlier. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1667 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from preparing for or conducting any activity under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act with respect to certain submerged lands off the State of Florida. Mandates that all leases in such area issued before enactment of this Act be cancelled. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the status of such cancellations. Provides for compensation to entitled lessees. Prohibits any activities other than environmental or oceanographic studies in a certain part of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area off the western boundary of Florida. Directs the Secretary to undertake certain environmental studies. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 768 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
National Electric Vehicle Act of 1991 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to establish within the Department of Transportation a program to provide financial support to electric vehicle demonstration projects. Requires the Secretary to request proposals to demonstrate electric vehicles or electric vehicles and associated equipment in one or more eligible metropolitan areas. Authorizes the Secretary to select one or more proposals (not to exceed ten) to receive such support for each electric vehicle purchased or leased and included in a demonstration project. Sets forth criteria to be used in selecting a proposal. Requires the Secretary to provide a discount payment reimbursing a proposer for a discount provided to purchasers or users of electric vehicles if the proposer makes a specified certification to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress each fiscal year with respect to the progress of demonstration projects to accelerate the development and use of electric vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a data collection program to be conducted in at least five geographically and climatically diverse regions in the United States which would be useful to persons seeking to manufacture, sell, own, or operate electric vehicles or other clean alternative fuel vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake a program of joint ventures with non-Federal persons to accelerate the infrastructure development required to support the use of such vehicles. Requires the Secretary to select no more than five different proposals for such joint ventures. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to prescribe guidelines for State electric vehicle and other clean alternative fuel vehicle incentives and implementation plans designed to accelerate the use of such vehicles. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to such State plans. Authorizes the Secretary to provide Federal assistance to States whose Governors have determined introduction of such vehicles feasible. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to include electric vehicles among the alternative fuel passenger automobiles and light trucks the Secretary must ensure that the Federal Government acquires annually. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Department of Energy to establish a multiyear research and development program for the accelerated development of electric vehicles with special attention to: (1) high efficiency electric power trains; (2) light-weight body structures; (3) advanced battery technology for electric vehicles; and (4) primary batteries and fuel cells for hybrid vehicles. Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a cooperative program with the electric utility industry, the automobile industry, and such other persons or industries to conduct joint cooperative research and development projects with attention focused on the above-mentioned areas. Requires the Secretary of Energy to prepare and submit to the Congress a comprehensive multi-year program plan. Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a program designed to accelerate wider application of advanced electric vehicle technology, including advanced battery technologies. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into joint ventures with public entities and private firms. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1636 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into 30-year agreements with private contractors for the construction, ownership, and operation of specified waste cleanup and modernization facilities if the facilities: (1) are provided at the contractors' expense; (2) are near a Federal site under the Secretary's jurisdiction; and (3) support defense waste cleanup, research, or modernization efforts. Prescribes agreement guidelines. Precludes the Secretary from entering into an agreement without prior submission to the Congress of a needs justification with respect to the engagement of a private contractor, and a demonstration that the proposed agreement is in the best economic interests of the United States. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the benefits of the agreements entered into, and recommendations for possible extension of the agreement authority.
Bill· HRH.R. 1652 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend for five years, through 1996, the investment tax credit in connection with depreciable solar energy property and geothermal property; and (2) permit this credit against the taxpayer's entire regular tax liability and minimum tax liability.
Bill· SS. 734 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from preparing for or conducting any activity under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act with respect to certain submerged lands off the State of Florida. Mandates that all leases in such area issued before enactment of this Act be cancelled. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the status of such cancellations. Provides for compensation to entitled lessees. Prohibits any activities other than environmental or oceanographic studies in a certain part of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area off the western boundary of Florida. Directs the Secretary to undertake certain environmental studies. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 736 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to revise the environmental standards under which Outer Continental Shelf leases or permits shall be cancelled. Provides that any compensation for a cancelled lease may be in any combination of cash, forgiveness of rents of royalties, or credits against future bonus bids. Limits the criteria according to which the Secretary of the Interior may deny requests by Governors of affected States concerning proposed modifications of Outer Continental Shelf leasing programs. Provides that, with respect to proposed lease sales, the Secretary shall determine the national interest by a balancing process that gives equal weight to obtaining oil and gas supplies and to environmental protection. Requires the Secretary to accept a Governor's recommendations as to whether a particular lease sale will provide a reasonable balance between the national interest and the well-being of the State's citizens, except in specified circumstances. Requires that environmental studies with respect to proposed lease sales be subjected to peer review by scientists not employed or compensated by the Secretary and published by a specified date before the lease sale is announced.
Bill· SS. 741 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
National Energy Efficiency and Development Act of 1991 - Title I: Energy Policy Initiatives - Subtitle A: National Energy Strategy - Requires the first National Energy Policy Plan submitted by the President to the Congress after enactment of this Act to include a least-cost energy strategy prepared by the Secretary of Energy (Secretary). Requires such strategy to contain: (1) a comprehensive inventory of available energy and energy efficiency resources and their costs; (2) a proposed two-year program for assuring adequate supplies of such resources, along with identification of actions possible under existing Federal law; and (3) recommendations for any new Federal authority needed to achieve the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Director of Climate Protection - Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of Climate Protection to: (1) serve as the Secretary's representative for interagency and multilateral policy discussions of global climate change; (2) monitor domestic and international policies for their effects on the generation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases; and (3) have the authority to participate in departmental planning activities. Title II: Measures to Improve the Energy Efficiency of the United States Economy - Subtitle A: Research and Development - Amends the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (REEETCA) to authorize appropriations for energy efficiency research and development. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress triennially on energy efficiency policy options. Subtitle B: Industrial Energy Efficiency - Directs the Secretary to pursue a research and development program and enter into cost-shared joint ventures to improve efficiency in energy intensive industries (such as steel, chemicals, glass, paper, and aluminum). Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to develop, directly or by contract, a voluntary national program to devise standards for energy audits and the installation of insulation in industrial facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish (and report to the Congress on): (1) a reporting system for industry to supply annual energy use and energy intensity information; and (2) voluntary energy efficiency improvement targets for energy-intensive industries. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to expand the scope and frequency of the data it collects on energy use in the United States; and (2) report annually to the Congress on such data. Subtitle C: Efficiency in Commercial and Residential Buildings and Other Products - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to direct the Secretary to establish a program to provide technical assistance to States and localities in updating energy efficiency provisions of residential and commercial building codes. Requires each State or locality, by four years after enactment of this Act, to certify that it has reviewed and updated such codes so that they meet or exceed the requirements of the Council of American Building Officials' Model Energy Code (CABO-MEC). Requires each State or locality, by three years after such certification, to further certify that all new residential commercial buildings built during such period meet updated code requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to promulgate procedural guidelines for, and provide technical assistance to, States which adopt residential energy efficiency rating systems. Requires all residential buildings, by five years after enactment of this Act, to have numerical energy efficiency ratings. Requires disclosure to potential purchasers of such ratings. Makes any residential building which fails to meet CABO-MEC standards ineligible for Federal mortgage financing programs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to advise the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on energy standards for manufactured housing; and (2) test the performance and cost-effectiveness of manufactured housing built to such standards. Creates in the Treasury the State Energy Efficiency Project Fund to provide for grants to States to undertake energy efficiency projects in State- and locally-owned buildings. Requires an annual report to the Congress on Fund activities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to support the voluntary development of a national window rating program to establish energy efficiency ratings for windows and window systems. Requires the Secretary to establish such a system if no voluntary program succeeds within two years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe labeling rules for such rating system, unless labeling is not technologically or economically feasible or is not likely to help consumers make purchasing decisions. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to set minimum energy efficiency standards for certain types of lamps, appliance motors, commercial air conditioning and heating equipment, utility distribution transformers, showerheads, and commercial office equipment. Requires: (1) the FTC to prescribe labeling for such products; and (2) manufacturers to provide labeling meeting FTC requirements. Provides for enforcement of such labeling requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish, for a five-year period, a program to train and certify energy efficiency contractors. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Federal Energy Management - Amends NECPA to require all Federal agencies to install all energy conservation measures which are cost-effective on a ten-year life-cycle cost basis. Permits such agencies to accept gas or electric utility incentives designed to encourage cost-effective energy demand management or energy conservation. Requires the Secretary to develop a simplified method of contracting for shared energy savings contract services that will reduce the administrative effort and cost on the part of the government as well as the private customers. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to analyze significant energy consuming products in the Federal Supply Schedule and develop and implement a method to identify products which offer cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for the transfer of up to $1,000,000 per project to encourage Federal agencies to undertake energy efficiency projects in federally owned facilities. Requires annual reports to the Congress on such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a financial bonus program to reward outstanding facility energy managers in Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the President to promulgate rules prohibiting each executive agency from acquiring any automobile with a fuel economy that is not greater than the average fuel economy for that particular model type for the previous model year. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress, and update every two years, a plan for demonstrating energy efficiency and renewable energy resource technologies in federally owned facilities. Amends REEETCA to require the Secretary to finance at least one joint venture for the demonstration of fuel cell technology in Federal facilities in order to accelerate commercial application of such cells. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to study and report on the use of Federal purchasing power to encourage the development of more energy efficient products. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Utility Energy Efficiency - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to direct States to require State-regulated utilities to employ a planning and selection process for new energy resources that evaluates the full range of existing and incremental resources in order to meet expected future demand at the lowest possible cost to society. Declares that the rates allowed to be charged by a State-regulated utility shall be such that: (1) the utility's investments in and expenditures for energy conservation, energy efficiency resources, and other demand-side management resources are at least as profitable as those for the construction of new generating equipment or the acquisition of other new supply-side resources; and (2) the utility is encouraged to make investments and expenditures for all cost-effective improvements in the energy efficiency of power generation and supply. States that the full cost of an energy resource shall include specified external costs associated with its use. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress and certify which States have complied with such requirements. Declares that, beginning four years after enactment of this Act, energy efficiency measures shall be considered as "qualifying facilities" eligible for certain PURPA programs in States that have not adopted procedures to meet the requirements of this Act. Directs the Western, Southwestern, and Southeastern Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) to ensure that they and their customer utilities acquire all cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. Requires each long-term firm power contract between a PMA and a customer utility to require the utility to develop and implement an energy efficiency and renewable energy program. Requires such PMAs to implement programs directly to acquire cost-effective conservation and renewable energy resources in the region in conjunction with such utility programs. Requires the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to: (1) develop a similar least-cost plan; and (2) execute similar long-term firm contracts with its customer utilities. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) develop an office of energy efficiency to coordinate FERC's energy conservation and efficiency activities; and (2) establish procedures for expedited review of any interstate power sales conducted in accordance with the purchasing utility's least-cost energy plan. Subtitle F: Used Oil Energy Production Act of 1991 - Used Oil Energy Production Act of 1991 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require a producer or importer of 100,000 gallons or more per year of lubricating oil to increase annually the percentage (set by the Secretary) of recycled oil either: (1) by refining, rerefining, or reprocessing it into petroleum products (including fuels); or (2) by purchasing certain oil recycling credits. Exempts certain facilities from such requirements. Requires annual reports to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to list or identify used oil as a hazardous waste for certain purposes. Subtitle G: Tire Recycling Incentives - Tire Recycling Incentives Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require tire producers or importers to increase annually the percentage (set by the EPA Administrator) of scrap tires recycled either: (1) by retreading or processing new tire products; or (2) by purchasing certain tire recycling credits. Requires the EPA Administrator to report to the Congress on scrap tire recycling. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this subtitle. Directs the EPA Administrator to: (1) publish in the Federal Register minimum requirements for State scrap tire management and procedures under which such requirements shall be incorporated into State solid waste management plans; (2) provide for expedited review of State plans which include specified scrap tire recycling measures; and (3) establish standards to minimize health and environmental damages from the improper disposal and storage of tires. Requires such standards to provide for: (1) bans on the disposal of tires in land disposal facilities and on the intentional infliction of damage on tire casings to preclude casings from being used in retreading; (2) State inventories of scrap tire collection facilities, tire advisory boards, and scrap tire abatement plans; (3) agreements between facilities which distribute more than 1,000 tires annually and licensed tire haulers for the exclusive hauling of scrap tires by licensed haulers; and (4) prohibitions on the transportation of scrap tires by transporters without transportation identification numbers. Specifies exceptions. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines for States for the issuance of permits to scrap tire collection facilities. Requires the Administrator to promulgate guidelines for States for facility emergency plans. Requires facility owners or operators to notify the State immediately in the event of an emergency with potential offsite impacts. Requires all regulated facilities to have appropriate financial responsibility or insurance to maintain the facility for at least five years after closure. Exempts specified persons from permit requirements. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the State to use to issue permits to scrap tire recycling facilities. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, together with the heads of agencies responsible for public lands or military installations, to implement a plan to remediate tire piles. Directs the Administrator to develop a guideline for procuring items that make use of scrap or used tires. Requires Federal departments, if the Administrator fails to promulgate such guideline, to procure items containing at least 75 percent of post-consumer scrap rubber from scrap tires if the rubber is available within a reasonable time at a reasonable price and meets performance standards. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to publish standards to determine the life-cycle costs and benefits of items that make use of rubber from scrap or used tires as compared with items that make use of rubber other than from scrap or used tires. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to the Congress on: (1) direct worker environmental health effects relating to asphalt made from crumb rubber from scrap tires; (2) the recyclability of asphalt road surfaces made from crumb rubber from scrap tires; and (3) the estimated life of existing asphalt road surfaces made from crumb rubber from scrap tires. Permits States to: (1) enter into consent agreements with owners and operators of scrap tire collection facilities for proper management and abatement of scrap tires; and (2) levy fines on facilities for noncompliance. Imposes fines on tire facilities and landfills for specified violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle H: Insular Areas Energy Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to grant financial assistance to Insular area governments to carry out energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Measures to Promote the Use of Renewable Energy - Subtitle A: Renewable Energy Technology Transfers - Amends REEETCA to authorize appropriations for: (1) renewable energy research and development programs; (2) State conservation programs; (3) State research and applied technology transfer programs; (4) Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory information and publications; (5) four pilot programs to demonstrate model technology transfer and design assistance programs; (6) an advanced research and development information computer network; and (7) at least ten photovoltaic demonstration projects of at least ten megawatts in size to supply electric power to a power grid. Directs the Secretary to develop a Strategic Technology Transfer Implementation Plan for the national and international transfer of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology information. Amends the Federal Power Act and PURPA to: (1) make small biomass and hydropower production facilities specifically "eligible facilities" under such Act; and (2) define "alternative power production facility." Subtitle B: Amendments to the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) to promote the development and application in lesser-developed countries of specified renewable energy and energy efficiency resource technologies. Authorizes CORECT to establish renewable energy industry outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and in the Caribbean Basin. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the range of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies available to meet the energy needs of lesser-developed countries. Authorizes appropriations. Earmarks funds to assist U.S. manufacturers of renewable energy and energy efficient technology in exporting their products to lesser-developed countries. Title IV: Measures to Promote the Use of Alternative Motor Vehicles and Fuels - Subtitle A: Alternative Transportation Fuels - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements and joint ventures to demonstrate the feasibility (including safety of specific vehicle design) of using natural gas or other alternative fuels for mass transit. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide financial assistance to encourage the development and commercialization of natural gas and other alternative fuel use in passenger fleets, light duty, and heavy duty trucks. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a training and certification program for technicians who are responsible for vehicle installation of equipment that converts gasoline or diesel-fuel vehicles to the capability to run on natural gas or other alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of research, development, and demonstration on techniques related to improving natural gas and other alternative fuel vehicle technology. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) institute an awareness program to educate potential purchasers of the costs, emission characteristics, and other features of alternative fuels; (2) report to the Congress on Federal purchasing policies which inhibit Federal purchase of alternative-fuel vehicles; (3) report to the Congress on how Federal, State, and local traffic control measures could promote the use of alternative-fuel vehicles; and (4) develop a plan for establishment of Federal and State trust funds to provide loans to convert vehicles to operate on alternative fuels or purchase alternative-fuel vehicles. Amends the Natural Gas Act to exclude the sale of natural gas as a vehicle fuel from the price regulation jurisdiction of FERC. Declares that a company shall not be considered a natural gas company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 solely because it distributes or sells natural gas as a motor vehicle fuel. Exempts from State regulation as a public utility (unless otherwise primarily engaged in business as such) any person or entity transporting or selling alternative vehicle fuels. Directs the Secretary to establish a fund to provide 50 percent of the cost of establishing offices of alternative fuels in State governments, as well as alternative fuel programs launched by such offices. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to study whether the use of alternative fuels in nonroad vehicles and engines would contribute substantially to reduced reliance on imported energy sources. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations requiring, where feasible, nonroad vehicles and engines to use alternative fuels if such study concludes that such use could reduce reliance on imported energy sources by ten percent nationwide within a ten-year period. Subtitle B: Alternative Fuel Fleet Requirement - Requires every person who owns, operates, leases, or otherwise controls a motor vehicle fleet of specified composition in a metropolitan statistical area of over 250,000 population which is also an EPA-classified nonattainment area to increase the percentage of alternative-fueled vehicles in such fleet by specified increments annually until it reaches 90 percent in the year 2000. Directs the Secretary to allocate credits to covered persons who exceed the required quota of alternative-fueled vehicles. Establishes administrative and civil penalties (together with appropriate enforcement procedures) for violations of the requirements or prohibitions of this subtitle. Subtitle C: Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration - Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to identify EPA-classified nonattainment areas in the United States in which the use of conventionally fueled vehicles contributes significantly to that nonattainment and in which the use of electric vehicles could contribute to attainment of applicable National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Directs the Secretary, after identifying such areas, to request applications from, and eventually select, manufacturers to develop, demonstrate, certify, manufacture, sell, warranty, and service electric vehicles in one or more of them. Requires: (1) the selected manufacturers to offer electric vehicle purchasers certain discounts; and (2) the Secretary to reimburse them the amount of such discounts. Requires annual reports to the Congress on such program. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Transportation and Energy Efficiency - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to establish average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and automobiles other than passenger automobiles (light trucks) for model years 1996 and thereafter. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to modify such standards, in response to a petition, according to a specified procedure. Requires the EPA Administrator to report annually to specified congressional committees on a study which: (1) examines the accuracy of fuel economy testing of passenger automobiles and light trucks; and (2) assesses the extent to which fuel economy deteriorates during the lifetime of such vehicles. Directs the Secretary of Energy to distribute at least 100 explanatory booklets each year to every dealer and additional numbers if requested. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide for a review and report to the Congress by the National Academy of Sciences on the current state of research and development in light truck fuel economy and passenger automobile fuel economy and an assessment of the potential for improving the fuel efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of passenger automobiles and light trucks. Requires the Secretary of Energy to study and report to the Congress on the future options for regulating the fuel efficiency of such vehicles beyond 2001. Provides for the judicial review of average fuel economy standards (including modifications thereof) established under this Act. Doubles the civil penalty for repeated violations of the fuel economy standard. Requires such penalty to be adjusted for inflation. Title VI: Measures to Displace Petroleum as a Vehicle Fuel - Replacement Fuels and Alternative Fuels Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) establish a program to promote the development and use of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels; and (2) prescribe the minimum percentage of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels, on an energy equivalent basis, to be sold in calendar years 1996 and 1997 by any refiner for use as a motor fuel. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to authorize the Secretary of Transportation, if the average fuel economy standard for passenger automobiles is increased above 27.5 miles per gallon for any model year, to increase the maximum increase in average fuel economy for a manufacturer attributable to dual energy and natural gas dual energy automobiles until alternative and replacement motor fuel sales indicate that such fuels are displacing conventional petroleum as a motor fuel. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act and a procedure for appealing such penalties. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Measures to Promote the Use of Natural Gas - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration of cofiring (of natural gas and pulverized coal), including gas reburn technologies (which reduce nitrogen oxide emissions), in electric utility units and large industrial boilers in order to determine optimal natural gas injection levels for both environmental and operational benefits. Provides for financial assistance to or cooperative agreements with public or private entities under such program. Sets the Federal shares of costs at 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to expand the program for research, development, and demonstration for natural gas and electric heating and cooling technologies for residential and commercial buildings. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Natural Gas Act to direct FERC to develop an incentive formula for rates and charges for the sale or transportation of natural gas. Sets as the development goals for such formula: (1) allowing natural gas companies to earn a fair rate of return; (2) providing proper price signals to the marketplace; and (3) rewarding pipeline efficiency. Repeals FERC's authority to delay decision-making on ratemaking orders beyond the 30-day rehearing requirement without cause. Requires FERC to take final action on a rehearing application within 60 days after it is filed. Permits natural gas companies to file for FERC approval joint rates negotiated by them for the transportation of natural gas through each of their pipelines in sequence on the way to market. Exempts such rates from coverage under specified antitrust law. Declares that, in the setting of natural gas company rates, a plant shall be recognized so long as it is used and useful in discharging the company's utility business (even if it is already completely depreciated). Declares that pipeline sales rates shall be presumed just and reasonable if workably competitive alternatives exist for such sales. Sets forth conditions under which new natural gas company services (where competitive, certified services already exist) do not need a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Amends the Natural Gas Act to provide automatic abandonment of the sales obligation upon contract expiration, subject to a pipeline's right to extend. Declares that any fixed charge paid by an interstate pipeline to a first seller for gas supply security shall be recoverable on an "as-billed basis" in the pipeline's demand charges, unless FERC determines, after a hearing, that the pipeline does not offer a reasonably competitive alternative to its sales service. Requires the Secretary to condition the approval of any natural gas import application upon FERC action to redress any anti-competitive impacts on U.S. gas producers, including competitive disparities resulting from different rate designs applied to the transportation of domestic gas and imported supplies. Directs the Secretary to expand and continue, through joint ventures, a program of research, development, and demonstration on techniques to increase: (1) intensive recovery of natural gas in place in discovered reservoirs or formations; and (2) economic recovery from nonconventional sources, including tight formation, Devonian shales, and geopressurized brines. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1968 to exempt from Natural Gas Act coverage and FERC jurisdiction the construction or operation of any facilities if the natural gas company constructing such facilities: (1) holds a certificate pursuant to which it has agreed to provide open access transportation service; and (2) the company agrees that such certificate shall apply to any transportation service through the new facilities. Requires all such facilities to be constructed in accordance with applicable environmental protection and safety laws and regulations, except the National Environmental Policy Act of 1978 (NEPA). Directs FERC to create an environmental review process under NEPA providing that pipeline construction projects which are confined to existing utility or highway corridors, and do not involve construction in high value wetland areas, shall be afforded a rebuttable presumption of no significant impact. Makes FERC the lead agency with primary authority for compliance with NEPA in any case where FERC authorization of the construction or operation of facilities or projects under the Natural Gas Act may be deemed a major Federal action. Amends the Natural Gas Act to grant FERC the power to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity in a two-phase process: (1) the first phase, which shall constitute a final order, involving all matters requiring FERC review and approval except environmental matters; and (2) the second phase, addressing required environmental matters only. Directs FERC to revise its environmental review procedures to allow pipelines to submit Environmental Assessments (EAs) at the time of filing for approval of proposed facilities, using general standards specified by FERC. Requires the revised procedures to presume EAs valid subject to FERC review for compliance with its own standards. Requires FERC to permit a certificate applicant to elect a contractor, consultant or other FERC designee to prepare the environmental impact statement at the applicant's expense. Requires FERC to develop procedures to ensure against conflicts of interest in such contracting. Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the global trends of production, usage, and transportation of natural gas and the ways in which these trends can affect domestic energy policy and the U.S. natural gas industry; and (2) State and locally imposed institutional and regulatory barriers to increase national natural gas usage. Title VIII: Tax Treatment of Energy Resources - Subtitle A: Renewable Energy Production Incentive - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a renewable energy production credit for electric power plants that operate on solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Sets the credit at two cents (inflation-adjusted annually) per kilowatt hour produced and sold by the taxpayer to an unrelated person. Applies such credit only to facilities built during taxable years 1991 through 1996. Sets forth decreasing credit allowances for 1997 through 2001. Sets the credit for geothermal properties at half the credit for other renewable energy properties. Subtitle B: Transportation - Limits the exclusion from gross income of parking provided by the taxpayer's employer to parking located on the employer's premises only. (Currently the parking may be located on or near the premises.) Requires the employer to operate such facility and restrict substantially all its use to employees. Expands the working condition fringe exclusion from gross income to include up to $75 per month of any van pooling or reimbursement for public mass transit use provided by the taxpayer's employer. Subtitle C: Buildings and Housing Tax Credits - Allows an individual a tax credit of up to $100 of qualified oil retrofit conservation expenditures ($50 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return) for the taxpayer's principal residence. Defines oil retrofit component to include: (1) flame retention burners; (2) insulation measures and water-heater wraps; (3) automatic thermostat controls; and (4) window insulation measures. Subtitle D: Utilities - Excludes from gross income the amount (if in cash) or value (if in kind) of any subsidy (rebate) provided by a public utility to a customer in connection with the purchase, installation, use, or maintenance of any energy or water conservation measure or for energy savings delivered by such measures. Denies any deduction or credit to the extent of any such subsidy excluded from gross income. Declares that this tax exclusion does not apply to any payment to a qualified cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility under PURPA. Subtitle E: Automobiles and Trucks - Safe and Efficient Vehicles Incentives Act of 1991 - Establishes: (1) taxes on the sale of each new motor vehicle whose fuel economy is less, or whose composite safety factor is less, than the respective sales-weighted average fuel economy or average composite safety factor of all new motor vehicles within the same class; and (2) rebates for the purchase of each new motor vehicle whose fuel economy is greater, or whose composite safety factor is greater, than the respective sales-weighted average fuel economy or composite safety factor of all new motor vehicles within the same class. Sets forth formulae for the calculation of such taxes and rebates. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publish in the Federal Register and notify each manufacturer or importer of such formulae annually. Requires labeling boldly displaying such taxes and rebates on all vehicles for sale. Provides for collection of taxes and disbursement of rebates. Sets forth formulae for the calculation of sales-weighted average fuel economies and composite safety factors. Subtitle F: Domestic Oil and Gas Production Incentives - Removes the net income limitation on the percentage depletion allowance deduction for oil and gas wells. Allows a tax credit for up to ten percent of the qualified cost of each barrel of crude oil produced from an economically marginal well (including certain stripper wells) or recovered through a tertiary recovery method. Provides for carryback or carryforward of unused credit. Allows a tax credit for specified percentages of the taxpayer's qualified investment in crude oil and natural gas exploration and development wells. Eliminates intangible drilling costs as tax preference items. Allows deduction of specified drilling costs from the Alternative Minimum Tax calculation. Repeals the taxable income limitation on the percentage depletion allowance. Allows the carryforward of excess depletion allowances. Repeals a specified Revenue Ruling with respect to mineral sharing arrangements. Allows the nonconventional source fuels credit to offset the Alternative Minimum Tax liability. Repeals the January 1, 1993, termination date for such credit, thus making it permanent.
Bill· SS. 743 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
National Energy Efficiency and Development Tax Act of 1991 - Subtitle A: Renewable Energy Production Incentive - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified technologies properties (power plants) that use solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Applies such credit to electricity produced by power plants: (1) placed in service after December 31, 1991, and before January 1, 2002, for which an energy credit has not been allowed; and (2) sold after December 31, 1991, and before January 1, 2009. Subtitle B: Transportation -Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income qualified employer-provided commuter services between an employee's residence and workplace. Includes as qualified services: (1) transportation furnished in a commuter highway vehicle (such as a van); and (2) transportation on public buses, trains, or subways that is paid for or reimbursed by the employer. Limits the exclusion from gross income for parking to parking on (not "on or near," as under current law) the employer's premises, with further specified qualifications. Subtitle C: Buildings and Housing Tax Credits - Allows a tax credit for qualified oil retrofit conservation expenditures in the principal residence of a taxpayer. Describes such expenditures as: (1) flame retention replacement burners; (2) insulation measures, including insulation of water heaters; (3) automatic thermostat controls; and (4) window insulations. Subtitle D: Utilities - Excludes from gross income the amount or value of any subsidy provided by a public utility to a customer in connection with the purchase, installation, use, or maintenance of any energy or water conservation measure or for energy savings delivered by such measures. Denies the use of any tax credit or deduction to the extent such subsidy is excluded from gross income. Subtitle E: Automobiles and Trucks - Safe and Efficient Vehicles Incentives Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law to establish: (1) taxes on the sale of any new motor vehicle (light-duty and medium-duty vehicles and trucks) whose fuel economy is less than the sales-weighted average fuel economy or whose composite safety factor is greater (sic) than the sales-weighted average composite safety factor of all new motor vehicles within the same class; and (2) rebates for the purchase of any new motor vehicle whose fuel economy is greater than the sales-weighted average fuel economy or whose composite safety factor is greater than the sales-weighted average composite safety factor of all new motor vehicles within the same class. Sets forth formulae for determining the fuel economy tax (or rebate) and the safety tax (or rebate). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publish in the Federal Register and send to each manufacturer or importer of motor vehicles the applicable formulae for each class of vehicle in the next model year. Requires each manufacturer or importer of new light-duty or medium-duty motor vehicles to calculate according to the applicable formulae the fuel economy and safety taxes and rebates for each vehicle. Requires them to include such information on labels affixed to such vehicles. Provides for the collection of such taxes and the disbursement of such rebates. Authorizes appropriations. Requires, not later than July 1, 1992, and each July 1, thereafter, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to calculate the sales-weighted average fuel consumption and the Secretary of Transportation to calculate the composite safety factor and the sales-weighted average composite safety factor for all light-duty and medium-duty vehicles and trucks with respect to the determination of fuel economy and safety taxes and rebates. Requires each manufacturer or importer of such vehicles to conduct crash tests necessary to determine the composite safety factor of such vehicle whenever such crash test data does not result from the Secretary of Transportation's crash tests. Subtitle F: Domestic Oil and Gas Production - Excludes oil or gas wells from the net income limitation on the percentage depletion allowance. Establishes a marginal production income tax credit for producers who maintain economically unproductive oil wells. Applies the credit to domestic crude that is: (1) from stripper well property; (2) heavy oil; or (3) oil recovered through a tertiary recovery method. Fixes the credit at ten percent of the qualified cost (determined in accordance with a formula set forth in this Act) of each barrel of such oil produced by the producer during the tax year. Establishes a crude oil and natural gas exploration and development tax credit. Allows a ten percent credit for qualifed investments exceeding $1,000,000, 20 percent for those of $1,000,000 or less. Permits the credit as an offset against both minimum tax liability and regular liability. Repeals provisions that identify intangible drilling costs as a tax preference item for purposes of determining alternative minimum tax liability and corporate preference reductions. Allows 50 percent of the marginal production depletion preference (currently the alternative tax energy preference deduction) as a deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Increases from 65 to 100 percent (and thus eliminating) the taxable income limitation on the percentage depletion deduction for oil and gas property. Permits a taxpayer to elect to carry forward to the next succeeding taxable year any portion of excess depletion allowances. Provides that the tax imposed on mineral sharing arrangements shall be determined: (1) without regard to a specified revenue ruling, and similar ruling, concerning the operating interest in oil and gas property received for drilling the well; and (2) with regard to the rules in effect before such ruling. Allows the nonconventional source fuels credit to offset the alternative minimum tax liability. Repeals the restriction applying such credit only to fuels produced after December 31, 1979, and before January 1, 1993 (thus extending the credit through December 31, 2002).
Bill· SS. 731 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
National Energy Strategy Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (2) extend the energy credit through 1992. (Currently such energy credit expires at the end of 1991.)
Law· SS. 725 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Persian Gulf Conflict Supplemental Authorization and Personnel Benefits Act of 1991 - Title I: Authorization of Fiscal year 1991 Supplemental Appropriations for Operation Desert Storm - Authorizes supplemental appropriations for FY 1991 to the Department of Defense (DOD) for its current and future balances in the Defense Cooperation Account (Cooperation Account). Requires Cooperation Account funds to be used for: (1) incremental costs associated with Operation Desert Storm; and (2) replenishment of the working capital account for DOD to be known as the Persian Gulf Working Capital Account (Capital Account). Authorizes appropriations to the Capital Account for FY 1991. Requires Capital Account funds to be used for incremental costs associated with Operation Desert Storm, but only to the extent that funds for such use are not available in the Cooperation Account. Requires Cooperation Account funds to replenish funds used from the Capital Account. Reverts Capital Account balances to the Treasury upon its termination. Authorizes funds from both Accounts to be transferred to appropriation accounts of DOD as necessary to meet Operation Desert Storm incremental costs. Increases the transfer authority provided in current law for DOD transfers to accomodate such increased transfer authority. Requires all such transfers to comply with a congressional notice-and wait requirement. Requires monthly reports through FY 1992 on such transfers to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees (the defense committees) and to the Comptroller General. Title II: Waiver of Personnel Ceilings Affected by Operation Desert Storm - Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to waive any military personnel end strength in such department as prescribed in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991. Allows certain grade strength limitations to be suspended. Requires such Secretary to certify to the defense committees that the exercise of such authority is necessary because of personnel actions relating to Operation Desert Storm. Authorizes additional appropriations to DOD from the Cooperation Account for increases in military personnel costs for FY 1991 through 1995 resulting from the exercise of such waiver and suspension authorities. Title III: Benefits for Persons Serving in the Armed Forces During the Persian Gulf Conflict - Part A: Military Compensation and Benefits - Increases, as of August 1, 1990, the rate of special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger. Terminates such increase 180 days after termination of the Persian Gulf War. Increases from $60 to $75 the monthly family separation allowance for the period beginning January 15, 1991, and ending at the beginning of the first month after a 180-day period after the end of the Persian Gulf conflict. Requires that the variable housing allowance being paid to reserve members called to active duty in the Persian Gulf be calculated using the rate to which the member is entitled in the area of the member's principal place of residence in lieu of a permanent duty location. Authorizes the payment of active duty special pay to reserve optometrists, veterinarians, nurse anesthetists, and certain other non-physician health care providers called or ordered to active duty in connection with activities in the Persian Gulf. Authorizes the payment of such special pay to physicians, dentists, optometrists, veterinarians, nurse anesthetists, and other non-physician health care providers who are: (1) involuntarily retained on active duty; (2) recalled to active duty; or (3) agreeing to remain on active duty for less than one year in connection with the Persian Gulf Conflict. Authorizes continued payment of board certification pay to physicians, dentists, and other health care providers who have completed residency training and were scheduled for board certification or recertification, but were unable to complete such process due to a duty assignment in connection with the Persian Gulf conflict. Conditions such payments upon the completion of such certification or recertification requirements within 180 days after release from such duty assignment or such additional time thereafter as determined necessary by the Secretary of Defense. Requires foreign language proficiency pay to be paid to members assigned to duty in connection with the Persian Gulf Conflict who meet all eligibility criteria for such pay except that they have not been certified by the Secretary concerned to be proficient in a foreign language necessary for national defense purposes. Conditions such payment upon the completion of such certification within 180 days after release from such duty assignment or such additional time thereafter as determined necessary by the Secretary. Establishes a death gratuity of $6,000 for all deaths resulting from injury or illness incurred during the Persian Gulf Conflict or 180 days after such conflict. Directs the Secretary to pay a death gratuity to each Servicemen's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) beneficiary of each deceased member of the armed forces who died after August 1, 1990, and before the date of enactment of this Act. Makes the amount of such death gratuity an amount equal to the SGLI coverage at the time of death. Requires the appropriate SGLI recipient to make application to the Secretary for the payment of such death gratuity within one year after the enactment of this Act. Entitles survivors of members who die as a result of injury or illness sustained while on active duty during the Persian Gulf War to payment for all accrued leave of such member. (Currently, there are limitations to the authorized build-up of such leave.) Removes the ceiling on savings deposit for service members carried in a missing person status during the Persian Gulf Conflict. Requires the payment of a basic allowance for quarters to reserve members without dependents called to active duty in connection with the Persian Gulf Conflict who are unable to occupy the primary residence owned or rented by such member because of such active duty. Part B: Military Personnel Policies and Programs - Allows a retired member of the armed forces who is ordered to return to active duty in connection with Operation Desert Storm to be ordered to such active duty in the highest grade in which the member previously satisfactorily served on active duty. States that a member ordered to active duty in a grade higher than his or her retired grade shall be deemed to have been promoted to such grade. Delays until October 1, 1991, the implementation of a required increase in the annual deductible for services provided under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) in the case of dependents of active duty personnel serving or who have served in connection with the Persian Gulf Conflict. Allows any health care provider furnishing health care under CHAMPUS to dependents of military personnel serving on active duty in the Persian Gulf to waive any required copayment from such dependents during the Persian Gulf Conflict. Requires the provider to certify to the Secretary of Defense that the amount charged to the Government under such waiver was not increased above the amount the provider would have charged the Government had the payment not been waived. Provides certain transitional health care benefits under CHAMPUS to reservists called to active duty in connection with the Persian Gulf Conflict, and to active duty personnel involuntarily retained on active duty or voluntarily agreeing to remain on active duty for less than one year in connection with Operation Desert Storm. Provides such transitional health care for 30 days after release from active duty or the date on which the member and his or her dependents are covered by an employer-sponsored health plan. Provides such coverage for dependents of such reservists or active-duty personnel. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to remove certain fiscal year restraints in such Act concerning spending in support of the Persian Gulf Conflict. Directs the Secretary to carry out a study of DOD policies relating to the family interests and responsibilities of reserve members called to active duty and of active and reserve members deployed overseas. Requires a report on study results. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to extend to October 1, 1991, the effective date for certain reductions in inpatient mental health services to be implemented under such Act. Provides funding from the Cooperation Account to pay for the costs incurred in delaying such reductions in services. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that armed forces policy should provide that mothers of newborn children under six months of age shall not be: (1) deployed on active duty; or (2) activated if such activation requires separation from such child, or deployed, in the case of a mother serving in the reserves. Part C: Veterans Benefits and Programs - Persian Gulf War Veterans' Benefits Act of 1991 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to include the Persian Gulf War within the definition of "period of war" for purposes of eligibility for general veterans' benefits, veterans' pensions, and survivors' benefits for a veteran's spouse and dependents. Requires, in the case of pension eligibility of the surviving spouse of a Persian Gulf War veteran, that such spouse marry the veteran before January 1, 2001. Extends the eligibility for one-time dental care for dental conditions found to have been incurred while on active duty to those who served at least 90 days on active duty during the Persian Gulf War. Extends to such veterans a presumption of service-connection for psychosis that becomes manifest within two years from discharge from active duty and before the end of the two-year period beginning on the last day of the Persian Gulf War. Makes veterans of the Persian Gulf War and subsequent wars eligible for drugs and medicine required due to being permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish readjustment counseling to any veteran who served on active duty after May 7, 1975, in an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in such area. Defines "hostilities" as an armed conflict comparable to the danger members are subjected to in combat with enemy forces during a period of war. Requires the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to each submit two reports to the Congress concerning the need for rehabilitative services for military personnel participating in the Persian Gulf War who experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Increases from $50,000 to $100,000 the maximum amount of life insurance coverage available to servicemen and veterans under the SGLI and Veterans' Group Life Insurance programs. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that persons insured under either program are notified of such increase and given an opportunity to increase their coverage. Increases the monthly educational assistance benefits available to active-duty military personnel under the Montgomery GI Bill to: (1) $350 for those serving on active duty for three years or more; and (2) $275 for those serving two years on active duty. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after FY 1993, to continue such increased rates and to further increase such rates to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index. Increases in FY 1992 and 1993 the monthly educational assistance benefits available to reserve members serving at least six years in the reserves to: (1) $170 for full-time study; (2) $128 for three-quarter-time study; and (3) $85 for half-time study. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, after FY 1993, to continue such increased rates and to further increase such rates to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index. Authorizes veteran representatives of the Persian Gulf War to be included on the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education. Revises veterans' reemployment rights with respect to disabled veterans to state that a person shall be considered qualified for an employment position if such person, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of such position. Requires the employer to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the individual disabled, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on its business. Excludes employers employing less than a certain number of personnel as of a specified date from such requirements. Requires an employer to make reasonable efforts to requalify a service member returning to his or her employment position held before such service. Makes each veteran who served on active duty for 90 days or more during the Persian Gulf War eligible for housing loan benefits under the veterans' home loan program. Part D: Federal Employee Benefits - Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish a leave bank program under which: (1) employees of any executive agency may donate any unused annual leave to a leave bank established by OPM; (2) the total donated annual leave is divided equally among the annual leave accounts of employees who have been members of the armed forces serving on active duty during the Persian Gulf War and who return to civilian employment with their agencies; and (3) such participants may use such donated annual leave in the same manner as any other annual leave to their credit. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a similar program for the benefit of health-care professionals returning to employment within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Part E: Higher Education Assistance - Persian Gulf Conflict Higher Education Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to ensure that men and women serving on active duty during the Persian Gulf War who are borrowers of student loans under such Act are not placed in a worse position financially in relation to those loans because of such service. Requires the Secretary to publish such waivers or modifications in the Federal Register. Expresses the sense of the Congress that all institutions offering postsecondary education should provide a full refund or credit to any reserve member serving on active duty in the Persian Gulf for the portion or period of instruction such member was unable to complete because the individual was called up for such service. Directs the Secretary of Education to report to the Congress on the implementation of this provision. Amends the Public Health Service Act to exempt members of the armed forces from required payments on loans under such Act for the training of professional health personnel for the duration of active duty during the Persian Gulf conflict. Terminates the provisions concerning student loan modifications and waivers, and interrupted education refunds or credits, as of the end of FY 1997. Part F: Programs for Farmers and Ranchers - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary, for purposes of this part), with respect to a producer on a farm who is an activated reservist (called or ordered to active duty in the Persian Gulf) during a crop year, to provide for the protection of the producer's crop acreage base for any crop to the extent necessary to provide fair and equitable treatment. Allows producers on a farm to be eligible for payments for rice or upland cotton under the Agricultural Act of 1949 without regard to minimum planting requirements of such Act if: (1) one or more of the producers is an activated reservist during any part of the crop year; and (2) the producers satisfy all other appropriate requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for a temporary waiver or modification of the application of subtitles A through E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (erodible land conservation requirements): (1) for the period during which the producer is an activated reservist; (2) if necessary to prevent undue hardship caused as a result of the producer's active duty during the Persian Gulf War or to provide equitable treatment; and (3) if the waiver or modification will not significantly detract from the purposes and objectives of such subtitles. Requires a report from the Secretary concerning temporary waivers and modifications so granted. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide relief to any borrower under any farmer program loan under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act if the borrower is an activated reservist. Directs the Secretary to modify the terms and conditions of such loans in order to alleviate conditions of distress and to assist in keeping the farm or ranch of an activated reservist in operation until his or her return. Allows the Secretary to modify loans or to take other specified action in order to maintain a farm or ranch until the reservist returns. Requires the Secretary to notify persons operating a farm or ranch of an activated reservist who is a farmer program borrower of these relief provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for procedures by which the spouse or other close relative of an activated reservist may participate in, or make decisions related to, a program administered by the Secretary under the Agricultural Act of 1949 or other specified Acts concerning the operation of the activated reservist's farm or ranch. Allows the Secretary to rely on the representations of the spouse or close relative made under such procedures, under certain conditions. Directs the Secretary to conduct outreach projects in order to inform households of which a member is serving on active duty in the armed forces of possible eligibility for participation in the Food Stamp Program authorized under the Food Stamp Act of 1977. Requires the Secretary to report on the effectiveness of the outreach projects. Part G: Budget Treatment - Authorizes supplemental appropriations from the Cooperation Account for the payment of new or enhanced benefits authorized under title III of this Act for FY 1991 through 1995, with specified spending prohibitions. Authorizes appropriations from the Cooperation Account for title III costs accruing after FY 1995. Provides that certain title III benefit costs are to be considered incremental costs associated with Operation Desert Storm. Prohibits the payment of any title III benefit payable during FY 1991 through 1995 unless funds are specifically appropriated from the Cooperation Account for transfer to the applicable appropriations. Prohibits payment of Montgomery GI Bill rate increases during FY 1992 or 1993 unless a specific appropriation from the Cooperation Account for such purpose occurs. Title IV: Reports on Foreign Contributions and the Costs of Operation Desert Storm - Requires the Director of OMB to prepare periodic reports on the incremental costs associated with Operation Desert Storm and the contributions made to the United States by foreign countries to offset these costs. Requires each such report to include periodic and cumulative costs, as well as nonrecurring costs and cost offsets. Requires the Secretaries of State and the Treasury to jointly prepare periodic reports on the contributions made by foreign countries as part of the international response to the Persian Gulf Crisis. Outlines specific types of contributions to be included in such report. Requires both of the above series of reports to be submitted in unclassified form, to the extent practicable. Title V: Report on the Conduct of the Persian Gulf Conflict - Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional defense committees on the conduct of the hostilities in the Persian Gulf, including a discussion of the accomplishments and shortcomings of the armed forces in such conflict, as well as casualty information. Requires a preliminary and final report on such matters. Title VI: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide assistance to ensure that families of military personnel serving on active duty obtain needed child care services, with special focus on children of personnel serving in the Persian Gulf or otherwise deployed in connection with Operation Desert Shield. Authorizes appropriations from the Cooperation Account for such purpose. States that such funds are in addition to other funds used for child care programs for members of the armed forces. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to ensure that families of military personnel serving on active duty receive educational assistance and family support services necessary to meet the needs arising out of Operation Desert Storm. Outlines provisions concerning the types of assistance, areas of assistance, and the types of educational and family support assistance to be provided. Authorizes appropriations from the Cooperation Account. Directs the Secretary of the Army to convey to Caroline County, Virginia, or the Commonwealth of Virginia all rights and interest to a parcel of land located at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Directs the Secretary to identify the size and location of the property to be so conveyed. Outlines property conveyance conditions, and requires reversion to the United States if such property is not used for the construction and operation of a regional correctional facility. Prohibits housing certain prisoners in such correctional facility. Repeals a provision of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 made inconsistent by such provision. States that the Congress: (1) supports and endorses national, State, and local grassroots efforts to support our servicemen and women who participated in Operation Desert Storm, as well as their families at home; (2) encourages Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private business and industry, to organize task forces intended to provide support for the families of military personnel deployed in the Persian Gulf region and to organize celebrations for returning servicemen and women; and (3) encourages those governments, businesses, and industries to include Vietnam Veteran organizations in all activities conducted for the benefit of the troops returning home from Operation Desert Storm. Amends a provision of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 relating to the filing of financial disclosure statements by certain senior Government officials to extend the time for such filing, in the case of an individual serving in the armed forces or in support of the armed forces, to a date that is the later of 180 days after the last day of the individual's: (1) service in an area; or (2) hospitalization as a result of injury received or illness contracted while serving in such area. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Army Corps of Engineers and other Federal agencies should award contracts for the rebuilding of Kuwait, and should encourage the Government of Kuwait to award such contracts, according to the following priority: (1) to U.S. firms that are committed to employing U.S. workers under the contract; (2) to other U.S. firms; and (3) to firms from allied nations that committed troops to the liberation of Kuwait during the Persian Gulf Conflict. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any U.S. firm that receives such a contract should: (1) employ U.S. citizens under such contract; and (2) provide a preference to veterans in hiring for work under such contract. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should take steps to provide assistance to U.S. small and minority-owned businesses seeking to be awarded contracts for the rebuilding of Kuwait; (2) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration should conduct a public information campaign to advise such businesses about becoming so involved; and (3) U.S. firms that are awarded such contracts should award subcontracts under such contracts to U.S. small and minority-owned businesses. Directs the President to submit quarterly reports with respect to contracting for the rebuilding of Kuwait. Expresses the sense of the Congress that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by any provision of law may be obligated or expended, directly or indirectly, for rebuilding Iraq while Saddam Hussein remains in power there. Directs the Secretary of Defense, as of six months after enactment of this Act, to withhold payments normally provided to a foreign nation for expenses of indirect-hire civilian DOD personnel in that nation if such nation has pledged to make contributions to the United States to assist in defraying the cost of Operation Desert Shield and has not paid the full amount so pledged. Releases amounts so withheld upon payment of the full amount pledged. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such withholding upon certification to the Congress that such waiver is in the national security interest. Requires the Secretary, in allocating to defense installations and facilities the defense acquisition workforce reductions required for FY 1991, to use considerable flexibility in order to respond to the influx of work expected to enter the defense acquisition system as a result of Operation Desert Storm. States that any installation or facility that will experience a significant workload increase during FY 1991 as a result of Operation Desert Storm activities is not required to make defense acquisition workforce reductions during FY 1991. Title VII: Miscellaneous Technical Amendments - Makes various technical, clarifying, or conforming amendments to Federal armed forces provisions, military pay and allowances provisions, National Guard provisions, and various public laws and specified Acts. Title VIII: Authorization of Supplemental Appropriations for Department of Energy National Security Programs for Fiscal Year 1991 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 for: (1) operating expenses incurred in carrying out national security programs for weapons activities production and surveillance; and (2) carrying out environmental restoration and waste management programs necessary for national security programs. States that provisions contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 concerning the applicability of recurring general provisions shall apply in the same manner to this title. Directs the Secretary of Energy to develop a program to relocate within ten years operations performed at the Rocky Flats Plant in Golden, Colorado, to a replacement facility at which public health and safety can be assured. Requires a report concerning implementation of such relocation.
Bill· SS. 750 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Technical Corrections Act of 1991 - Title I: Revenue Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make technical corrections to amendments made by the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Title XI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) with respect to: (1) individual income tax provisions; (2) excise taxes; (3) certain revenue increases; (4) the extension of certain expiring tax provisions; (5) energy incentives; (6) small business incentives; and (7) the repeal of expired or obsolete provisions. Makes technical corrections to amendments made by Title XII (Pensions) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 concerning: (1) treatment of hedge bond rules; (2) treatment of dispositions of U.S. real property interests; and (3) treatment of passive activity credits. Title II: Medicare Miscellaneous and Technical Amendments - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to make technical amendments with respect to the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) concerning: (1) excluding distinct psychiatric and rehabilitation units from adjustment to payments for hospitals exempt from the prospective payment system; (2) the DRG payment window expansion; (3) physician payment provisions; (4) nursing home reform; (5) services furnished in ambulatory surgical centers; (6) durable medical equipment and orthotics and prosthetics, including a required study; and (7) other specified Medicare services. Makes technical corrections related to Medicare supplemental insurance policies. Title III: Corrections Relating to Social Security, Income Security and Human Resources, and Tariff and Customs - Amends the Social Security Act to make technical corrections related to provisions concerning old-age, survivors and disability insurance in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. Amends such Act to make technical corrections related to income security and human resources provisions. Makes technical amendments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, and the Customs and Trade Act of 1990.
Bill· SS. 742 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
National Energy Efficiency and Development Act of 1991 - Title I: Energy Policy Initiatives - Subtitle A: National Energy Strategy - Requires the first National Energy Policy Plan submitted by the President to the Congress after enactment of this Act to include a least-cost energy strategy prepared by the Secretary of Energy (Secretary). Requires such strategy to contain: (1) a comprehensive inventory of available energy and energy efficiency resources and their costs; (2) a proposed two-year program for assuring adequate supplies of such resources, along with identification of actions possible under existing Federal law; and (3) recommendations for any new Federal authority needed to achieve the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Director of Climate Protection - Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of Climate Protection to: (1) serve as the Secretary's representative for interagency and multilateral policy discussions of global climate change; (2) monitor domestic and international policies for their effects on the generation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases; and (3) have the authority to participate in departmental planning activities. Title II: Measures to Improve the Energy Efficiency of the United States Economy - Subtitle A: Research and Development - Amends the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (REEETCA) to authorize appropriations for energy efficiency research and development. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress triennially on energy efficiency policy options. Subtitle B: Industrial Energy Efficiency - Directs the Secretary to pursue a research and development program and enter into cost-shared joint ventures to improve efficiency in energy intensive industries (such as steel, chemicals, glass, paper, and aluminum). Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to develop, directly or by contract, a voluntary national program to devise standards for energy audits and the installation of insulation in industrial facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish (and report to the Congress on): (1) a reporting system for industry to supply annual energy use and energy intensity information; and (2) voluntary energy efficiency improvement targets for energy-intensive industries. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to expand the scope and frequency of the data it collects on energy use in the United States; and (2) report annually to the Congress on such data. Subtitle C: Efficiency in Commercial and Residential Buildings and Other Products - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to direct the Secretary to establish a program to provide technical assistance to States and localities in updating energy efficiency provisions of residential and commercial building codes. Requires each State or locality, by four years after enactment of this Act, to certify that it has reviewed and updated such codes so that they meet or exceed the requirements of the Council of American Building Officials' Model Energy Code (CABO-MEC). Requires each State or locality, by three years after such certification, to further certify that all new residential commercial buildings built during such period meet updated code requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to promulgate procedural guidelines for, and provide technical assistance to, States which adopt residential energy efficiency rating systems. Requires all residential buildings, by five years after enactment of this Act, to have numerical energy efficiency ratings. Requires disclosure to potential purchasers of such ratings. Makes any residential building which fails to meet CABO-MEC standards ineligible for Federal mortgage financing programs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to advise the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on energy standards for manufactured housing; and (2) test the performance and cost-effectiveness of manufactured housing built to such standards. Creates in the Treasury the State Energy Efficiency Project Fund to provide for grants to States to undertake energy efficiency projects in State- and locally-owned buildings. Requires an annual report to the Congress on Fund activities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to support the voluntary development of a national window rating program to establish energy efficiency ratings for windows and window systems. Requires the Secretary to establish such a system if no voluntary program succeeds within two years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe labeling rules for such rating system, unless labeling is not technologically or economically feasible, or is not likely to help consumers make purchasing decisions. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to set minimum energy efficiency standards for certain types of lamps, appliance motors, commercial air conditioning and heating equipment, utility distribution transformers, showerheads, and commercial office equipment. Requires: (1) the FTC to prescribe labeling for such products; and (2) manufacturers to provide labeling meeting FTC requirements. Provides for enforcement of such labeling requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish, for a five-year period, a program to train and certify energy efficiency contractors. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Federal Energy Management - Amends NECPA to require all Federal agencies to install all energy conservation measures which are cost-effective on a ten-year life-cycle cost basis. Permits such agencies to accept gas or electric utility incentives designed to encourage cost-effective energy demand management or energy conservation. Requires the Secretary to develop a simplified method of contracting for shared energy savings contract services that will reduce the administrative effort and cost on the part of the government as well as the private customers. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to analyze significant energy consuming products in the Federal Supply Schedule and develop and implement a method to identify products which offer cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for the transfer of up to $1,000,000 per project to encourage Federal agencies to undertake energy efficiency projects in federally owned facilities. Requires annual reports to the Congress on such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a financial bonus program to reward outstanding facility energy managers in Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the President to promulgate rules prohibiting each executive agency from acquiring any automobile with a fuel economy that is not greater than the average fuel economy for that particular model type for the previous model year. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress, and update every two years, a plan for demonstrating energy efficiency and renewable energy resource technologies in federally owned facilities. Amends REEETCA to require the Secretary to finance at least one joint venture for the demonstration of fuel cell technology in Federal facilities in order to accelerate commercial application of such cells. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to study and report on the use of Federal purchasing power to encourage the development of more energy efficient products. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Utility Energy Efficiency - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to direct States to require State-regulated utilities to employ a planning and selection process for new energy resources that evaluates the full range of existing and incremental resources in order to meet expected future demand at the lowest possible cost to society. Declares that the rates allowed to be charged by a State-regulated utility shall be such that: (1) the utility's investments in and expenditures for energy conservation, energy efficiency resources, and other demand-side management resources are at least as profitable as those for the construction of new generating equipment or the acquisition of other new supply-side resources; and (2) the utility is encouraged to make investments and expenditures for all cost-effective improvements in the energy efficiency of power generation and supply. States that the full cost of an energy resource shall include specified external costs associated with its use. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress and certify which States have complied with such requirements. Declares that, beginning four years after enactment of this Act, energy efficiency measures shall be considered as "qualifying facilities" eligible for certain PURPA programs in States that have not adopted procedures to meet the requirements of this Act. Directs the Western, Southwestern, and Southeastern Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) to ensure that they and their customer utilities acquire all cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. Requires each long-term firm power contract between a PMA and a customer utility to require the utility to develop and implement an energy efficiency and renewable energy program. Requires such PMAs to implement programs directly to acquire cost-effective conservation and renewable energy resources in the region in conjunction with such utility programs. Requires the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to: (1) develop a similar least-cost plan; and (2) execute similar long-term firm contracts with its customer utilities. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) develop an office of energy efficiency to coordinate FERC's energy conservation and efficiency activities; and (2) establish procedures for expedited review of any interstate power sales conducted in accordance with the purchasing utility's least-cost energy plan. Subtitle F: Used Oil Energy Production Act of 1991 - Used Oil Energy Production Act of 1991 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require a producer or importer of 100,000 gallons or more per year of lubricating oil to increase annually the percentage (set by the Secretary) of recycled oil either: (1) by refining, rerefining, or reprocessing it into petroleum products (including fuels); or (2) by purchasing certain oil recycling credits. Exempts certain facilities from such requirements. Requires annual reports to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to list or identify used oil as a hazardous waste for certain purposes. Subtitle G: Tire Recycling Incentives - Tire Recycling Incentives Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require tire producers or importers to increase annually the percentage (set by the EPA Administrator) of scrap tires recycled either: (1) by retreading or processing new tire products; or (2) by purchasing certain tire recycling credits. Requires the EPA Administrator to report to the Congress on scrap tire recycling. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this subtitle. Directs the EPA Administrator to: (1) publish in the Federal Register minimum requirements for State scrap tire management and procedures under which such requirements shall be incorporated into State solid waste management plans; (2) provide for expedited review of State plans which include specified scrap tire recycling measures; and (3) establish standards to minimize health and environmental damages from the improper disposal and storage of tires. Requires such standards to provide for: (1) bans on the disposal of tires in land disposal facilities and on the intentional infliction of damage on tire casings to preclude casings from being used in retreading; (2) State inventories of scrap tire collection facilities, tire advisory boards, and scrap tire abatement plans; (3) agreements between facilities which distribute more than 1,000 tires annually and licensed tire haulers for the exclusive hauling of scrap tires by licensed haulers; and (4) prohibitions on the transportation of scrap tires by transporters without transportation identification numbers, with specified exceptions. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines for States for the issuance of permits to scrap tire collection facilities. Requires the Administrator to promulgate guidelines for States for facility emergency plans. Requires facility owners or operators to notify the State immediately in the event of an emergency with potential offsite impacts. Requires all regulated facilities to have appropriate financial responsibility or insurance to maintain the facility for at least five years after closure. Exempts specified persons from permit requirements. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the State to use to issue permits to scrap tire recycling facilities. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, together with the heads of agencies responsible for public lands or military installations, to implement a plan to remediate tire piles. Directs the Administrator to develop a guideline for procuring items that make use of scrap or used tires. Requires Federal departments, if the Administrator fails to promulgate such guideline, to procure items containing at least 75 percent of post-consumer scrap rubber from scrap tires if the rubber is available within a reasonable amount of time at a reasonable price and meets performance standards. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to publish standards to determine the life-cycle costs and benefits of items that make use of rubber from scrap or used tires as compared with items that make use of rubber from other sources. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to determine and report to the Congress on: (1) direct worker environmental health effects relating to asphalt made from crumb rubber from scrap tires; (2) the recyclability of asphalt road surfaces made from crumb rubber from scrap tires; and (3) the estimated life of existing asphalt road surfaces made from crumb rubber from scrap tires. Permits States to: (1) enter into consent agreements with owners and operators of scrap tire collection facilities for proper management and abatement of scrap tires; and (2) levy fines on facilities for noncompliance. Imposes fines on tire facilities and landfills for specified violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle H: Insular Areas Energy Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to grant financial assistance to Insular area governments to carry out energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Measures to Promote the Use of Renewable Energy - Subtitle A: Renewable Energy Technology Transfers - Amends REEETCA to authorize appropriations for: (1) renewable energy research and development programs; (2) State conservation programs; (3) State research and applied technology transfer programs; (4) Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory information and publications; (5) four pilot programs to demonstrate model technology transfer and design assistance programs; (6) an advanced research and development information computer network; and (7) at least ten photovoltaic demonstration projects of at least ten megawatts in size to supply electric power to a power grid. Directs the Secretary to develop a Strategic Technology Transfer Implementation Plan for the national and international transfer of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology information. Amends the Federal Power Act and PURPA to: (1) make small biomass and hydropower production facilities specifically "eligible facilities" under such Act; and (2) define "alternative power production facility." Subtitle B: Amendments to the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) to promote the development and application in lesser-developed countries of specified renewable energy and energy efficiency resource technologies. Authorizes CORECT to establish renewable energy industry outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and in the Caribbean Basin. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the range of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies available to meet the energy needs of lesser-developed countries. Authorizes appropriations. Earmarks funds to assist U.S. manufacturers of renewable energy and energy efficient technology in exporting their products to lesser-developed countries. Title IV: Measures to Promote the Use of Alternative Motor Vehicles and Fuels - Subtitle A: Alternative Transportation Fuels - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements and joint ventures to demonstrate the feasibility (including safety of specific vehicle design) of using natural gas or other alternative fuels for mass transit. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide financial assistance to encourage the development and commercialization of natural gas and other alternative fuel use in passenger fleets, light duty trucks, and heavy duty trucks. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a training and certification program for technicians who are responsible for vehicle installation of equipment that converts gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicles to the capability to run on natural gas or other alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of research, development, and demonstration on techniques related to improving natural gas and other alternative fueled vehicle technology. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) institute an awareness program to educate potential purchasers of the costs, emission characteristics, and other features of alternative fuels; (2) report to the Congress on Federal purchasing policies which inhibit Federal purchase of alternative-fueled vehicles; (3) report to the Congress on how Federal, State, and local traffic control measures could promote the use of alternative-fueled vehicles; and (4) develop a plan for establishment of Federal and State trust funds to provide loans to convert vehicles to operate on alternative fuels or purchase alternative-fueled vehicles. Amends the Natural Gas Act to exclude the sale of natural gas as a vehicle fuel from the price regulation jurisdiction of FERC. Declares that a company shall not be considered a natural gas company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 solely because it distributes or sells natural gas as a motor vehicle fuel. Exempts from State regulation as a public utility (unless otherwise primarily engaged in business as such) any person or entity transporting or selling alternative vehicle fuels. Directs the Secretary to establish a fund to provide 50 percent of the cost of establishing offices of alternative fuels in State governments, as well as alternative fuel programs launched by such offices. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to study whether the use of alternative fuels in nonroad vehicles and engines would contribute substantially to reduced reliance on imported energy sources. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations requiring, where feasible, nonroad vehicles and engines to use alternative fuels if such study concludes that such use could reduce reliance on imported energy sources by ten percent nationwide within a ten-year period. Subtitle B: Alternative Fuel Fleet Requirement - Requires every person who owns, operates, leases, or otherwise controls a motor vehicle fleet of specified composition in a metropolitan statistical area of over 250,000 population which is also an EPA-classified nonattainment area to increase the percentage of alternative-fueled vehicles in such fleet by specified increments annually until it reaches 90 percent in the year 2000. Directs the Secretary to allocate credits to covered persons who exceed the required quota of alternative-fueled vehicles. Establishes administrative and civil penalties (together with appropriate enforcement procedures) for violations of this subtitle. Subtitle C: Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration - Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to identify EPA-classified nonattainment areas in the United States in which the use of conventionally fueled vehicles contributes significantly to that nonattainment and in which the use of electric vehicles could contribute to attainment of applicable National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Directs the Secretary, after identifying such areas, to select manufacturers to sell and service electric vehicles in such areas. Requires: (1) the selected manufacturers to offer electric vehicle purchasers certain discounts; and (2) the Secretary to reimburse them the amount of such discounts. Requires annual reports to the Congress on such program. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Transportation and Energy Efficiency - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to establish average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and light trucks for model years 1996 and thereafter. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to modify such standards, according to a specified procedure. Requires the EPA Administrator to report annually to specified congressional committees on a study which: (1) examines the accuracy of fuel economy testing of passenger automobiles and light trucks; and (2) assesses the extent to which fuel economy deteriorates during the lifetime of such vehicles. Directs the Secretary of Energy to distribute at least 100 explanatory booklets each year to every dealer and additional numbers if requested. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide for a review and report to the Congress by the National Academy of Sciences on the current state of research and development in light truck fuel economy and passenger automobile fuel economy and an assessment of the potential for improving the fuel efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of passenger automobiles and light trucks. Requires the Secretary of Energy to study and report to the Congress on the future options for regulating the fuel efficiency of such vehicles beyond 2001. Provides for the judicial review of average fuel economy standards (including modifications thereof) established under this Act. Doubles the civil penalty for repeated violations of the fuel economy standard. Requires such penalty to be adjusted for inflation. Title VI: Measures to Displace Petroleum as a Vehicle Fuel - Replacement Fuels and Alternative Fuels Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) establish a program to promote the development and use of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels; and (2) prescribe the minimum percentage of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels on an energy equivalent basis, to be sold in calendar years 1996 and 1997 by any refiner for use as a motor fuel. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to authorize the Secretary of Transportation, if the average fuel economy standard for passenger automobiles is increased above 27.5 miles per gallon for any model year, to increase the maximum increase in average fuel economy for a manufacturer attributable to dual energy and natural gas dual energy automobiles until alternative and replacement motor fuel sales indicate that such fuels are displacing conventional petroleum as a motor fuel. Sets forth civil penalties for violation of this Act and a procedure for appealing such penalties. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Measures to Promote the Use of Natural Gas - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration of cofiring (of natural gas and pulverized coal), including gas reburn technologies (which reduce nitrogen oxide emissions), in electric utility units and large industrial boilers in order to determine optimal natural gas injection levels for both environmental and operational benefits. Provides for financial assistance to or cooperative agreements with public or private entities under such program. Sets the Federal shares of costs at 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to expand the program for research, development, and demonstration for natural gas and electric heating and cooling technologies for residential and commercial buildings. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Natural Gas Act to direct FERC to develop an incentive formula for rates and charges for the sale or transportation of natural gas. Sets as the development goals for such formula: (1) allowing natural gas companies to earn a fair rate of return; (2) providing proper price signals to the marketplace; and (3) rewarding pipeline efficiency. Repeals FERC's authority to delay decision-making on ratemaking orders beyond the 30-day rehearing requirement without cause. Requires FERC to take final action on a rehearing application within 60 days after it is filed. Permits natural gas companies to file for FERC approval joint rates negotiated by them for the transportation of natural gas through each of their pipelines in sequence on the way to market. Exempts such rates from coverage under specified antitrust law. Declares that pipeline sales rates shall be presumed just and reasonable if workably competitive alternatives exist for such sales. Sets forth conditions under which new natural gas company services (where competitive, certified services already exist) do not need a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Amends the Natural Gas Act to provide automatic abandonment of the sales obligation upon contract expiration, subject to a pipeline's right to extend. Declares that any fixed charge paid by an interstate pipeline to a first seller for gas supply security shall be recoverable on an "as-billed basis" in the pipeline's demand charges, unless FERC determines, after a hearing, that the pipeline does not offer a reasonably competitive alternative to its sales service. Requires the Secretary to condition the approval of any natural gas import application upon FERC action to redress any anti-competitive impacts on U.S. gas producers, including competitive disparities resulting from different rate designs applied to the transportation of domestic gas and imported supplies. Directs the Secretary to expand and continue, through joint ventures, a program of research, development, and demonstration on techniques to increase: (1) intensive recovery of natural gas in place in discovered reservoirs or formations; and (2) economic recovery from nonconventional sources, including tight formation, Devonian shales, and geopressurized brines. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1968 to exempt from Natural Gas Act coverage and FERC jurisdiction the construction or operation of any facilities if the natural gas company constructing such facilities: (1) holds a certificate pursuant to which it has agreed to provide open access transportation service; and (2) the company agrees that such certificate shall apply to any transportation service through the new facilities. Requires all such facilities to be constructed in accordance with applicable environmental protection and safety laws and regulations, except the National Environmental Policy Act of 1978 (NEPA). Directs FERC to create an environmental review process under NEPA providing that pipeline construction projects which are confined to existing utility or highway corridors, and do not involve construction in high value wetland areas, shall be afforded a rebuttable presumption of no significant impact. Makes FERC the lead agency with primary authority for compliance with NEPA in any case where FERC authorization of the construction or operation of facilities or projects under the Natural Gas Act may be deemed a major Federal action. Amends the Natural Gas Act to grant FERC the power to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity in a two-phase process: (1) the first phase, which shall constitute a final order, involving all matters requiring FERC review and approval except environmental matters; and (2) the second phase, addressing required environmental matters only. Directs FERC to revise its environmental review procedures to allow pipelines to submit Environmental Assessments (EAs) at the time of filing for approval of proposed facilities, using general standards specified by FERC. Requires the revised procedures to presume EAs valid subject to FERC review for compliance with its own standards. Requires FERC to permit a certificate applicant to elect a contractor, consultant or other FERC designee to prepare the environmental impact statement at the applicant's expense. Requires FERC to develop procedures to ensure against conflicts of interest in such contracting. Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the global trends of production, usage, and transportation of natural gas and the ways in which these trends can affect domestic energy policy and the U.S. natural gas industry; and (2) State and locally imposed institutional and regulatory barriers to increase national natural gas usage.
Bill· SS. 732 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Independent Nuclear Safety Board Act of 1991 - Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to establish the Independent Nuclear Safety Board. Directs the Board to: (1) investigate events under Nuclear Regulatory Commission jurisdiction which could adversely affect public health and safety; and (2) recommend to the Commission and to the Congress measures to minimize threats to public safety. Requires the Commission to respond in writing to such recommendations, and to provide explanations for its inaction on recommendations it chooses to reject. Authorizes the Board to hold hearings and to issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses. Directs the Board to issue periodic reports to the Congress and various government agencies affected by activities subject to Commission jurisdiction. Requires such reports to contain: (1) specific recommendations to reduce the likelihood of nuclear events similar to those investigated by the Board; and (2) recommended corrective measures to improve safety conditions at nuclear facilities. Transfers to the Board all functions of the Office for the Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data which relate to the Board's functions and authorities, including such personnel as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines are necessary. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1997. Terminates such Board at the end of FY 1997.
Bill· HRH.R. 1593 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Federal Alternative Fuel Fleet Act - Requires a certain percentage of motor vehicles acquired by the Federal Government for use in a metropolitan or consolidated metropolitan statistical area with a 1990 population of more than 250,000 to be alternative fuel vehicles by specified dates. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from considering the fuel economy of such alternative fuel vehicles with respect to the enforcement of fuel economy standards under such Act. Prescribes circumstances under which alternative fuels shall be offered for sale to the public. Mandates that the incremental costs of alternative fuel vehicles shall not be applied to any calculation with respect to a limitation under law on the maximum cost of individual vehicles which may be acquired by the United States. Requires the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of increasing the use of alternative fuel vehicles in the Department of Defense's motor vehicle fleet. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1543 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Comprehensive Energy Policy Act of 1991 - Title I: Conservation and Energy Efficiency in the Electricity Sector - Subtitle A: Electricity and Utilities - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to declare that the rates charged by a State-regulated electric utility shall be such that its net income after implementation of cost effective conservation measures is at least as high as it would have been if such measures had not been implemented. Directs the Tennessee Valley Authority to use least-cost planning in its decision-making regarding increased electric power demand. Requires unregulated utilities to initiate or expand efforts to ensure that cost-effective energy efficiency is pursued by customer utilities. Sets forth energy efficiency guidelines for unregulated utilities. Requires unregulated utilities to submit an annual energy efficiency status report to the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary). Authorizes the Secretary to provide energy efficiency and conservation grants to State regulatory authorities upon their submission of an energy efficiency and conservation plan. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Residential, Commercial, and Federal Energy Use - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to direct the Secretary to establish a technical assistance program for States and localities to update the energy efficiency provisions of residential and commercial building codes. Mandates certification by each State that it has updated its residential and commercial building energy codes. Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to advise in the development of the energy efficiency update program. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to promulgate procedures that may be used by governmental entities and the private sector to assign efficiency ratings to residential buildings. Requires the Secretary to implement a technical assistance program utilizing energy efficiency rating systems based on such promulgated procedures. Directs the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress on such procedures and State actions to implement them. Authorizes appropriations. Sets a deadline by which each Federal agency must: (1) install energy conservation measures in Federal buildings with a specified payback period; (2) submit a list of projects to the Secretary which meet such payback criterion; and (3) have substantially completed at least 25 percent of such projects or as many as would account for 25 percent of total energy savings. Directs the Secretary to develop guidelines for the selection of energy service contractors by Federal agencies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish the Federal Energy Efficiency Fund to provide grants to Federal agencies to enable them to meet energy conservation requirements in Federal buildings; and (2) report annually to the Congress on progress. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes Federal agency participation in energy conservation programs conducted by gas or electric utilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a financial bonus program to reward outstanding facility energy managers in Federal agencies; (2) study the monetary value of the environmental benefits resulting from energy efficiency improvements in Federal buildings; (3) establish a program to install in Federal buildings commercial energy efficiency technologies developed by entities receiving Federal financial research and development assistance; and (4) disseminate an evaluation of each energy efficiency technology included in the program. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration to: (1) issue guidelines to Federal Product Schedule users to encourage their purchase of preferred energy efficient models based upon a life-cycle-cost-benefit analysis; (2) provide assistance to manufacturers whose energy efficient products are not listed on the Federal Product Schedule to encourage inclusion of their products on it; and (3) submit a status report to the Congress on manufacturers on the Schedule. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Standards and Information - Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide financial assistance to support a voluntary national window rating program to develop energy ratings and labels for windows and window systems; (2) develop voluntary national standards for industrial insulation; (3) review and report to the Congress on energy audit procedures in commercial, agricultural, and industrial sectors; (4) establish test procedures and develop energy conservation standards for lamps, appliance motors, and small package air conditioners; (5) evaluate for the Congress the feasibility of requiring electric lights and utility distribution transformers to meet minimum energy efficiency levels (and the possible replacement of existing transformers); and (6) submit to the Congress a program plan for promoting the early introduction of high-efficiency appliances by utilities and appliance manufacturers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude from gross income the value of energy and water conservation subsidies provided by a public utility to a customer; and (2) restore the tax credit for energy conservation expenditures on oil-heated homes. Title II: Conservation in the Transportation Sector - Subtitle A: Alternative Fuels - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation when amending fuel economy standards: (1) not to consider the fuel economy of alcohol-powered automobiles or natural gas-powered automobiles; but (2) to consider dual energy automobiles and natural gas dual energy automobiles to be operated exclusively on gasoline or diesel fuel. Sets forth acquisition and credit allocation guidelines for owners, operators and lessees of fleets of alternative fuel vehicles. Prescribes civil and administrative penalties for noncompliance with this Act. Subtitle B: Natural Gas as a Transportation Fuel - Amends the Natural Gas Act to state that its provisions shall not apply to a person solely because such person sells or transports natural gas for subsequent use as a fuel in transportation vehicles. Preempts any State regulation prior to January 1, 1989, with respect to natural gas transportation in closed containers, or the sale of natural gas for use as a fuel in transportation vehicles. Declares that a company shall not be considered a gas utility company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 solely because it distributes or sells natural gas as a fuel for transportation vehicles. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to define a "high-priority user" as any person who uses natural gas as a fuel in transportation vehicles. Subtitle C: Fuel Economy - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to amend the average fuel economy standard to levels which the Secretary determines are the maximum feasible average fuel economy level for model years beginning after model year 1996. Extends from ten to 30 days the period during which the Secretary of Energy may provide the Secretary of Transportation with written comments on the level of proposed amended fuel economy standards. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to determine by rule an appropriate fuel economy credit to be given to electric vehicle manufacturers. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an employee the value of any qualified transportation benefit provided by the employer. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue regulations providing for appropriate credits for complying with the Clean Air Act to persons who operate programs for the scrapping of older, less fuel efficient vehicles. Directs the Secretary of Energy to study whether consumers use automotive fuel octane ratings higher than needed to operate their vehicles, and, if so, to take appropriate consumer education steps to reduce the excess use of premium gasoline. Declares certain conservation requirements under the Clean Air Act applicable to all employers of 100 or more persons in standard metropolitan statistical areas of 250,000 or more people. Declares it is U.S. policy that by 2000 at least ten percent of the Nation's vehicle transportation needs shall be served by domestic non-petroleum fuels. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an electric vehicle research and development grant program to fund joint venture demonstrations of electric vehicles, and to develop an electric vehicle infrastructure. Authorizes appropriations. Declares that for purposes of the Natural Gas Act, vehicular natural gas, including gas sold wholesale or transported by persons with service area determinations, shall be deemed to be ultimately consumed in the State in which physical delivery of a natural gas sale occurs, whether or not physical combustion occurs in another State. Directs the Administrator of EPA to approve use of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) in unleaded gasoline in amounts up to .03125 grams per gallon. Title III: Renewable Energy Sources - Subtitle A: PURPA Size Cap and Co-Firing Reform - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to prescribe rules requiring electric utilities to offer to purchase electric capacity from alternative power production facilities only through competitive acquisition. Subjects alternative power production facilities to current cogeneration and small power production rules. Subtitle B: Hydroelectric Power Regulatory Reform - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct FERC to require hydroelectric power project license applicants to consult with certain Federal and State agencies and Indian tribes and file a plan and schedule for conducting studies as part of the licensing process. Sets forth guidelines for additional licensing procedures. Directs FERC to coordinate a single, consolidated licensing review (including review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969) of a hydropower project license application by all interested Federal and State agencies and Indian tribes. Removes from FERC jurisdiction hydropower projects with installed capacities of five megawatts or less that have not received a license by the date of enactment of this Act. Permits such projects with licenses to petition for their surrender. Subtitle C: Credit for Electricity Generated Using Solar, Wind, or Geothermal Energy - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for electricity generated using solar, wind, or geothermal energy (renewable electricity generating credit). Extends the period allowing existing solar and geothermal energy credits. Subtitle D: Study of Tax and Rate Treatment of Renewable Energy Projects - Directs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to the Congress on the tax and rate treatment of renewable energy projects. Subtitle E: Encouragement of Energy Recovery From Waste - Requires each Federal agency to adopt policies and institute regulatory changes to encourage and remove regulatory obstacles to the burning of high-BTU secondary materials as a fuel substitute. Title IV: Electric Power - Subtitle A: Public Utility Holding Company Act Reform - Sets forth regulatory guidelines for the treatment of public utility holding companies as exempt wholesale generators. Subtitle B: Miscellaneous - Amends the Federal Power Act to mandate that FERC, as a prerequisite to approving a rate or charge filed as the result of an agreement between a public utility and a wholesale seller, require the purchasing utility to certify that the charge conforms to its least-cost planning as approved by a regulatory authority, or, if no such plan exists, that the charge is less than, or equal to, the utility's avoided cost. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Energy for electronic switching research. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on legislative and regulatory reforms and incentives to provide improved electric transmission transfer capability between the councils comprising the North American Electric Reliability Council. Title V: Natural Gas Regulatory Reform - Directs FERC to: (1) issue regulations to expedite pipeline certifications; and (2) report to certain congressional committees on recommended reforms to facilitate increased deliverability of natural gas to consumers. Amends the Natural Gas Act to provide that, for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, a FERC certificate of public convenience and necessity for a natural gas facility construction or extension is the only Federal action requiring a detailed environmental impact statement. Directs FERC to permit natural gas facility construction on operation applicants to prepare such statements. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to authorize an interstate pipeline to construct facilities incidental to transportation service upon 30 days notice to the affected State commission. Amends the Natural Gas Act to declare that a natural gas transportation rate mutually agreed-upon by a natural-gas company and the customer is deemed just and reasonable and in compliance with this Act. Sets forth expedited certification procedures for natural gas transportation and related facilities construction. Provides for the construction and operation of natural gas transportation facilities with an option not to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity (thus taking such facility out of the jurisdiction of the Act). Sets forth deadlines for a rehearing under the Natural Gas Act. Declares that facilities repair or replacement does not require a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Sets forth certification procedures for priority natural gas facility. Title VI: Oil and Gas Production - Subtitle A: Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Leasing - Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Leasing Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the Coastal Plain Study Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. States that this Act shall be considered the primary land management authorization for all exploration and production activities on the Coastal Plain. Provides that no land management review shall be required except as specifically authorized by this Act. Mandates that all receipts from sales, rentals, bonuses, and royalties on leases under this Act be deposited into the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that oil and gas exploration and transportation activities are conducted to achieve the reasonable protection of animal and environmental resources (including subsistence uses of the Coastal Plain). States that the "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Coastal Plain Resource Assessment," prepared by the Secretary, satisfies all legal requirements for such promulgation and that no further studies or assessments shall be required. Directs the Secretary to provide impact aid and other assistance to communities on the North Slope and elsewhere in Alaska in order to ensure the public services needed to accommodate oil and gas production and transportation activities on the Coastal Plain. Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow as an income tax credit 15 percent of: (1) any qualified investment in crude oil and natural gas exploration activities; and (2) the qualified cost of each barrel of eligible crude oil (marginal production credit). Declares that intangible drilling and development costs with respect to oil and gas wells shall also apply to surface casting costs and geological and geophysical costs for ascertaining the existence, location, extent or quality of domestic oil or gas deposits (thus qualifying them for deduction). Repeals the taxable income limitation on oil and gas well depletion allowances. Defines tar sands for IRC purposes. Removes from the alternative minimum tax purview oil and gas well depletion allowances and intangible drilling costs. Declares that the tax treatment with respect to mineral sharing arrangements shall be determined without regard to Revenue Ruling 77-176. Subtitle C: Oil Pipeline Deregulation - Oil Pipeline Regulatory Reform Act - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to terminate FERC jurisdiction over oil and other pipelines except the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Authorizes the Attorney General to petition the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) for an adjudication of whether Commission rate regulation of an existing pipeline in any market is in the public interest. Prescribes adjudication guidelines. Provides that pipeline rates for service to markets which are not identified in a mandatory published adjudications list will no longer be subject to FERC regulatory jurisdiction. Prescribes adjudication guidelines under which the Secretary shall find that regulation of a pipeline is in the public interest only if it is demonstrated that such regulation is necessary to constrain the exercise of substantial market power in the supply and demand of products transported by the pipeline in that market. States that new pipelines shall not be subject to existing Commission regulatory jurisdiction or rate regulation, but shall be subject to common carrier regulation under such Act. States that Commission rate regulation shall be prospective only. Prohibits terminated Commission regulatory jurisdiction from reverting to any other Federal agency. Confers exclusive, original jurisdiction over any petition for judicial review upon the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Precludes from such judicial review any action of the Attorney General under this Act, including adjudication petitions. Outlines the parameters within which pipelines are required to operate as common carriers. Requires pipelines to file terms of carriage schedules (except carriage rates) with the Commission. Sets forth guidelines for maximum rates, on a market by market basis, subject to price cap regulation based on base rates and cumulative changes in a Competitive Pipeline Price Index. Precludes a pipeline from conditioning its services upon entering into other transactions or on taking or refraining from any action. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the results of this Act five years after the conclusion of all adjudications. Retains the applicability of antitrust laws to pipeline transportation of crude oil or refined oil products. Subtitle D: Leasing of Naval Petroleum Reserve - Naval Petroleum Reserve Leasing Act - Authorizes the President to lease Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 (California) if it is not necessary for national defense purposes. Sets forth leasing and antitrust guidelines. Mandates the use of competitive leasing procedures, minimum royalty payments, and crude oil set asides for sale to small refiners by Reserve lessees. Authorizes the President to take certain steps to arrange and conduct a leasing action. Authorizes the President to acquire privately owned lands or physical improvements within a Naval Petroleum Reserve if a lease of Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 cannot be arranged. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to authorize the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to store within the Strategic Petroleum Reserve a Defense Petroleum Inventory of petroleum products (in addition to any other acquisition and storage for such Reserve required by law). Directs the Secretary to obligate the United States share of funds available in the Naval Petroleum Reserve Lease Proceeds Special Account (created by this Act) for the acquisition of 10,000,000 barrels of petroleum products for the Defense Petroleum Inventory. Declares that upon request of the Secretary of Defense: (1) petroleum products acquired for or dedicated to the Defense Petroleum Inventory shall be drawn down and distributed by the Secretary of Energy for the Department of Defense for use, sale, or exchange; and (2) the Secretary of Energy shall replace in the Defense Petroleum Inventory those petroleum products drawn down on behalf of the Department of Defense. Requires the Department of Defense to reimburse the Department of Energy for services rendered under this Act. Establishes the Naval Petroleum Reserve Lease Proceeds Special Account in the Treasury to implement this Act. Funds such Special Account with amounts realized from the lease of any United States interest in Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1. Sets forth a payment scheme under which lease proceeds shall be used to make payments to the State of California. Declares that: (1) the authority to lease under this Act extends to specified sections within Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1; and (2) this Act does not affect the withdrawal of lands provided for in certain school land grants. Subtitle E: Outer Continental Shelf Local Impact Assistance - Coastal State and Community Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Act - Establishes the Coastal State and Community Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Fund whose revenues shall be paid to and used by coastal States, especially for subdivisions socially or economically impacted by mineral development on the Outer Continental Shelf. Subtitle F: Western Hemisphere Energy Policy - Directs the President to report to the Congress on actions taken to implement U.S. policy to focus attention in trade negotiations and international consultations on investment policies that expand worldwide production capacity and diversity of oil suppliers. Title VII: Coal and Coal Technology - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct (and report annually to the Congress regarding) an advanced coal-based technologies research and development program; and (2) submit to the Congress a domestic coal export expansion plan. Establishes the Clean Coal Technology Export Coordinating Council to: (1) expand the export and use of clean coal technologies with an emphasis on their use in lesser developed countries; and (2) provide certain congressional committees with a plan detailing actions to be taken to address specified recommendations of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit a status report to the Congress on commercialization of coal fuel mixtures; and (2) conduct a research and demonstration program for utilizing "ultra-clean coal-water slurry" in diesel locomotive engines. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore investment credits for pollution devices required by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Title VIII: Nuclear - Nuclear Standardization and Safety Reform Act of 1991 - Subtitle A: Licensing Reform - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue a combined construction and operating license to an applicant after holding a public hearing and determining that facility construction and operation will comply with NRC rules and regulations. Directs the NRC to propose implementing regulations regarding combined license applications. Subtitle B: Amendment of PUHCA - Amends the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) to require the Securities and Exchange Commission to exempt a public utility holding company from coverage under such Act if it controls utility assets pursuant to an NRC-approved management agreement and otherwise meets at least one of the other criteria for exemption. Permits the acquisition of securities of a public utility company controlling utility assets by an affiliate or an affiliate of another public utility or holding company if the control is pursuant to such an agreement. Subtitle C: Fast Flux Test Facility - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research, development, and production center known as the "Research Reactor User Complex" (RRC) at the Hanford Reservation in Richland, Washington. Mandates that a contractor under contract with the Department of Energy to operate the RRC maintain and operate the Fast Flux Test Facility for the Department's account. Establishes the "RRC Fund" from which the Secretary may make expenditures to offset the cost of operating the RRC. Subtitle D: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this title.
Bill· HRH.R. 1555 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Technical Corrections Act of 1991 - Title I: Revenue Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make technical corrections to amendments made by the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Title XI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) with respect to: (1) individual income tax provisions; (2) excise taxes; (3) certain revenue increases; (4) the extension of certain expiring tax provisions; (5) energy incentives; (6) small business incentives; and (7) the repeal of expired or obsolete provisions. Makes technical corrections to amendments made by Title XII (Pensions) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 concerning: (1) treatment of hedge bond rules; (2) treatment of dispositions of U.S. real property interests; and (3) treatment of passive activity credits. Title II: Medicare Miscellaneous and Technical Amendments - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to make technical amendments with respect to the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) concerning: (1) excluding distinct psychiatric and rehabilitation units from adjustment to payments for hospitals exempt from the prospective payment system; (2) the DRG payment window expansion; (3) physician payment provisions; (4) nursing home reform; (5) services furnished in ambulatory surgical centers; (6) durable medical equipment and orthotics and prosthetics, including a required study; and (7) other specified Medicare services. Makes technical corrections related to Medicare supplemental insurance policies. Title III: Corrections Relating to Social Security, Income Security and Human Resources, and Tariff and Customs - Amends the Social Security to make technical corrections related to provisions concerning old-age, survivors and disability insurance in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. Amends such Act to make technical corrections related to income security and human resources provisions. Makes technical amendments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, and the Customs and Trade Act of 1990.
Bill· HRH.R. 1560 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank Reestablishment Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to reestablish the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank. Vests such Bank with powers provided under specified laws. Amends the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank Act to authorize appropriations.
Bill· SS. 702 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Mid-Dakota Rural Water System Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for: (1) the planning and construction of a rural water system in portions of specified counties in South Dakota (to be known as the Mid-Dakota Rural Water System); (2) the South Dakota Wetland Trust; and (3) the Wetland Development and Enhancement Component of the System. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating any Federal funds for the construction of such System until the Secretary finds that non-Federal entities have implemented water conservation programs throughout the System's service area. Provides that mitigation for fish and wildlife losses incurred as a result of the construction and operation of the System shall be on an acre-for-acre basis, based on ecological equivalency, concurrent with project construction. Directs the Western Area Power Administration to make available, from power designated for future irrigation and drainage pumping for the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program and subject to certain conditions, the capacity and energy required to meet the pumping requirements of such System. Authorizes the use of and connection of facilities at the Oahe powerhouse and pumping plant for purposes of a water supply for the System. Provides for the establishment of a Wetland Trust, to be administered by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Foundation. States that the Trust shall be operated to preserve, enhance, restore, and manage wetlands in South Dakota. Sets forth authorized uses of Trust income.
Bill· SS. 716 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Replacement and Alternative Fuels Act of 1991 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to: (1) promote the development and use of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels to replace conventional petroleum motor fuels; and (2) ensure the availability of those replacement and alternative motor fuels which will have the greatest impact in improving air quality. Prescribes development plan and production goals. Sets a timetable by which the Secretary must prescribe the minimum percentage of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels on an energy equivalent basis to be sold in specified calendar years by any refiner for use as a motor fuel. Prescribes minimum percentages of domestically produced replacement fuel to be sold in specified calendar years. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations for the exchange of marketable credits among: (1) refiners; (2) distributors of alternative motor fuels sold in commerce for transportation purposes; and (3) manufacturers of electricity-powered automobiles. Requires each refiner to report annually to the Secretary the percentage of domestic-produced replacement fuel, on an energy equivalent basis, contained in the total quantity of motor fuel sold during the preceding calendar year, and the amount of alternative motor fuels, sold or credited to such refiner during such year. Requires each distributor of alternative fuel to report annually to the Secretary the amount of alternative fuel sold into commerce for transportation purposes, and the amount of credits sold to refiners. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report annually to the Secretary of Energy the number of dual fuel and dedicated alternative fuel vehicles manufactured and sold into commerce by each manufacturer each year. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to report to the Congress on the environmental impact potential of developing replacement fuels and alternative motor fuels. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to provide that if the average fuel economy standard applicable to passenger automobiles is increased above a specified level for any model year, the Secretary of Transportation may increase the maximum increase in average fuel economy for a manufacturer attributable to dual energy and natural gas dual energy automobiles to the extent that alternative and replacement motor fuel sales indicate that such fuels are being used to displace the use of conventional petroleum as a motor fuel. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring certain gasoline retailers to have available for sale, in addition to replacement motor fuels, other alternative motor fuels.
Bill· SS. 699 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Independent Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Act of 1991 - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize, after January 31, 1998, commercial nuclear utilities under contract with the Secretary of Energy to offset (through credits on certain fee payments) the expenses of providing storage of spent fuel until the date the Secretary first accepts such fuel for a Federal storage or disposal facility authorized by such Act.
Law· SJRESS.J.Res. 98 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Recognizes the role of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) in preserving a national rail passenger system and providing Americans with an energy efficient, environmentally preferable transportation alternative. Declares that the need for a balanced national transportation system dictates that transportation planners consider the many advantages of improved rail passenger services as they look to addressing national and regional transportation concerns.
Bill· HRH.R. 1538 (102nd)reported
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
National Electric Vehicle Act of 1991 - Title I: Electric Vehicle and Battery Research and Development Program - Defines "advanced battery technology" to mean electro-chemical storage devices, including fuel cells, and associated technology to charge such devices, for use as a power source in electric vehicles. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a cooperative program with the electric utility industry, the automobile industry, and such other persons or industries to conduct joint cooperative research and development projects in areas of: (1) high efficiency electric power trains; (2) light-weight body structures; (3) advanced battery technology for electric vehicles; (4) primary batteries and fuel cells for hybrid vehicles; and (5) photovoltaics for electric vehicles. Authorizes the Secretary to include in such program any projects that were entered into under the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 or the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976. Requires the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive multi-year program plan for implementation of this title. Requires the Secretary to conduct a program designed to accelerate wider application of advanced electric vehicle technology, including advanced battery technologies. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Transportation. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Electric Vehicle Commercial Demonstration Program - Subtitle A: Electric Vehicle Cost-Share Commercial Demonstrations - Requires the Secretary to request proposals to demonstrate electric vehicles and associated equipment in one or more eligible metropolitan areas. Sets forth specified information to be included in such proposal. Authorizes the Secretary to select one or more proposals (not to exceed ten) to receive financial assistance under this section. Sets forth criteria to be used by the Secretary in selecting a proposal. Requires the Secretary to provide a discount payment reimbursing a proposer for a discount provided to users of electric vehicles if the proposer makes a specified certification to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the progress of demonstration projects to accelerate the development and use of electric vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Data Acquisition Program - Directs the Secretary to establish a data collection program to be conducted in at least five geographically and climatically diverse regions in the United States which would be useful to persons seeking to manufacture, sell, own, or operate electric vehicles or other clean alternative fuel vehicles. Subtitle C: Federal Fleet Demonstration Program - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Secretary to ensure that the maximum number of passenger automobiles and light duty trucks acquired for use by the Federal Government be alcohol powered vehicles, dual energy vehicles, natural gas powered vehicles, natural gas dual energy vehicles, or electric vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development Program - Subtitle A: Infrastructure Joint Venture Program - Directs the Secretary to enter into joint ventures with one or more non-Federal persons for cost-shared research, development, or demonstration of an infrastructure program or system designed to support the use of electric vehicles. Requires the Secretary to solicit no more than five different proposals for such joint ventures. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: State and Local Incentives Programs - Directs the Secretary to issue regulations establishing guidelines for comprehensive State electric vehicle and other clean alternative fuel vehicle incentives and implementation plans designed to accelerate the use of such vehicles. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to such State plans. Authorizes the Secretary to provide Federal assistance to such States. Requires the Secretary to undertake a study to determine the means by which electric utilities may invest in, own, sell, lease, or service batteries used to power electric vehicles. Authorizes appropriations.
Law· HRH.R. 1476 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
San Carlos Indian Irrigation Project Divestiture Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer U.S. interests in the electrical system of the San Carlos Irrigation Project (SCIP) in Arizona to: (1) the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) and the San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCAT) for the portions of the system on their reservations; and (2) the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District (SCIDD) for remaining portions. Directs the Secretary to negotiate an agreement with GRIC, SCAT, and SCIDD for the transfer of associated assets and to distribute those assets in a manner that reflects the proportionate number of miles of distribution line to be transferred to GRIC, SCAT, and SCIDD. Requires the Secretary to retain ownership of the electric generating and maintenance facilities located in the power house and switchyard at Coolidge Dam. Directs the Secretary to establish the Environmental Protection Account, to be administered by SCIP in consultation with GRIC and SCAT, to fund the disposal of hazardous waste materials associated with the SCIP electrical system transferred to GRIC and SCAT and with those areas and components retained by the Secretary. Makes the Secretary responsible for unfunded disposals. Directs the Secretary of Energy, upon the request of the Secretary of the Interior, to enter into agreements to reallocate SCIP's allocation of Federal power resources. Directs the Secretary of Energy to treat GRIC, SCIDD, and SCAT as successors in interest to SCIP in reallocating SCIP's allocation of capacity and energy from the Parker Davis Project and the Colorado River Storage Project, including capacity and energy available pursuant to any agreement to provide preference power to SCIP prior to July 31, 1992. Assigns SCIP allocations of winter and summer capacity and energy to GRIC, SCIDD, and SCAT. Requires SCIP to assign its contract with the Arizona Power Authority for capacity and energy from the Boulder Canyon Project accordingly. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with GRIC and SCIDD to provide a long-term power supply to the irrigation wells and pumps installed by SCIP to provide water to SCIP lands on and off GRIC lands. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to allocate all SCIP funds to GRIC, SCIDD, and SCAT for specified uses. Requires SCIP debt obligations owed by GRIC and SCIDD to the United States to be deposited in the Environmental Protection Account. Entitles any Federal employee at SCIP whose position is terminated by this Act to elect to continue receiving workers' compensation, retirement, and health and life insurance benefits for his or her period of employment with the tribal authority, provided such authority deposits employee deductions and agency contributions in the appropriate funds. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a Departmental Priority Placement Program for SCIP employees who are involuntarily separated as a result of the divestiture of the SCIP electrical system.
Bill· HRH.R. 1488 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to direct the Secretary of Energy to promulgate regulations which prohibit a Department of Energy (DOE) contractor from discharging or otherwise discriminating against any employee with respect to compensation or terms and conditions of employment because such employee (or any person acting at the employee's request) discloses to an appropriate Government official information concerning a contract between the contractor and DOE which the employee reasonably believes evidences a violation of any Federal law or regulation relating to DOE procurement or the subject matter of the contract. Applies such prohibition to each contract relating to an atomic energy defense activity which DOE enters into for an amount greater than $500,000, except where the price is based solely on established catalogue or market prices of commercial items sold in substantial quantities to the general public. Requires the regulations to include specified provisions for the filing of a complaint and its investigation, administrative remedies, review of a final order, and enforcement.
Bill· HRH.R. 1474 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Public Interest Risk Allocation Act of 1991 - Requires the United States to hold harmless and indemnify any Government contractor which provides architectural or engineering services (a design professional) against any liability (for damages arising from personal injury, illness, or death or from damage to, or loss of use of, property) resulting from activities that have a substantial risk of injury to the extent such liability exceeds the amount of insurance required by this Act up to a limit of the greater of $5,000,000,000 or five times the value of the contract. Requires all claims for injury to be filed in a U.S. District Court within ten years of the date of public use occupancy, or control of the project for which the design professionals' services were undertaken, whichever first occurs. Includes court costs and attorney fees to defend such claims under such indemnification. Prohibits a design professional from being liable for damages unless the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the negligence of the design professional was the proximate cause of harm. Limits the liability of the design professional to the sum of: (1) the amount of the commercial insurance or self-insurance protection the design professional is required to carry; and (2) the amount of indemnification provided by the United States. Requires Federal agencies, before issuing a solicitation for each contract or a contract modification for design services: (1) to determine if such contract or modification carries a risk of injury in excess of reasonably available insurance; and (2) if so, to include a clause to that effect in the solicitation, the contract, and any covered contract modification as appropriate. Provides the exclusive relief available for professional liability against a design professional under a contract with such a clause. Prohibits such indemnification of a design professional firm for: (1) liability caused by the gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or bad faith of its director, officer, or managing official; and (2) the liability of any managing official or other employee of such a firm who acts in reckless disregard of public health and safety. Requires a design professional to secure insurance or self-insurance as: (1) agreed upon with the United States at the time of contracting; or (2) is reasonable under the circumstances, in the absence of such an agreement or in the event of loss of coverage through no fault of either party, provided that aggregate payments by the design professional shall not exceed the value of contract profits or the greater of $1,000,000,000 or one percent of the contract value and shall constitute payment in full of the design professional's share of liability. Requires a design professional to notify the United States within a reasonable period of any claim or action against it which may give rise to a claim for indemnification. Permits the United States to notify the design professional that the Government will assume control of the defense or settlement of any such claim or action. Requires the United States to assume the cost of such litigation. Requires a design professional seeking indemnification to present a claim to the contracting agency. Requires such claim to be determined under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978. Allows a design professional aggrieved by the agency's determination to appeal such determination under that Act. Permits the United States to discharge its indemnification obligation by making payments directly to the person to whom the design professional may be liable. Directs the Administrator for the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to: (1) establish guidelines for determining whether the amount of insurance maintained by the design professional is reasonable; and (2) provide that any such insurance premiums are recoverable as allowable costs under the contract, and that such guidelines are subject to periodic review. Declares that the provisions of this Act shall not: (1) apply with respect to any risks against which indemnification may be obtained under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; (2) limit or prevent the use of existing statutory authority to provide indemnification for liability, harm, or expense for which indemnification is not required under this Act; or (3) be construed to create any liability of the Government to any person other than to design professionals for indemnification. Authorizes a permanent judgment appropriation to pay indemnification claims.
Bill· HRH.R. 1483 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Electric and Magnetic Field Research and Public Information Dissemination Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish an electric and magnetic fields health research program to evaluate the effects of such fields upon human health; (2) report to the Congress on the status of such program; (3) evaluate whether existing electricity delivery systems and usage of electrical appliances cause significant exposures to electric and magnetic fields; and (4) report to the Congress regarding the need for engineering designs for electricity delivery systems and electrical appliances. Establishes within the Department of Energy an Electric and Magnetic Fields Information Center to serve as a clearinghouse and center for dissemination of public information on the impact of electric and magnetic fields upon the public health. Establishes an Electric and Magnetic Fields Research Advisory Committee to: (1) suggest issues, research priorities and Federal funding levels for the work required by this Act; and (2) report annually to the Secretary and the Congress regarding the research program's status. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1463 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Emergency Jobs Appropriations Act, 1991 - Title I: Meeting Our Economic Problems Coming from Changing Conditions with Essential Productive Jobs - Directs the appropriate congressional committees to study the current economic crisis, with emphasis on long-term recovery and and a strong private sector based on Government/industry partnership, and present their findings to the Congress by October 1, 1991, for appropriate action. Declares that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Open Market Committee should take necessary actions to achieve and maintain a level of interest rates low enough to achieve significant economic growth and reduce the current level of unemployment. Makes appropriations for FY 1991, in order to create productive jobs and protect public investment, for various activities relating to: (1) Federal buildings; (2) interstate highways; (3) mass transportation; (4) rehabilitation of highway bridges crossing over Northeast corridor rail transportation properties; (5) railroad infrastructure and rights-of-way improvement; (6) veterans' medical facilities and services; (7) public housing modernization; (8) community development; (9) international trade competition; (10) local economic development; (11) small business loans and investments; (12) small business oriented employment or national resources development programs; (13) parks and recreational areas and facilities; (14) the National Forest System; (15) Indian health facilities; (16) Fish and Wildlife Service facilities; (17) rural development and resource conservation, including rural water and waste disposal; (18) soil conservation, including watershed and flood prevention operations; (19) Federal, State, and local prison modernization; (20) water resource and hydroelectric power, flood control, shore protection, harbor channel and navigable waterway maintenance; (21) reclamation and irrigation projects; (22) Federal agricultural research facilities; (23) tree-planting and other natural resources development programs; (24) historic properties restoration; and (25) Bureau of Land Management facilities. Makes appropriations for FY 1991 to the Department of Labor to provide productive jobs for unemployed individuals under specified conditions, in various types of public service employment. Provides for allocation of such funds to eligible local governments, rural area concentrated employment program grantees, or States. Makes appropriations in additional amounts for FY 1991 for: (1) employment and training services; (2) grants to States for unemployment insurance and employment services; (3) higher education academic and research facilities; and (4) the Federal Emergency Management Agency's emergency food and shelter program. Makes appropriations for FY 1991 for: (1) construction and modernization of military family housing; (2) low-income energy conservation weatherization activities (in an additional amount) and (3) Federal motor vehicle procurement. Title II: Technical Provisions - Provides that no part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
Law· HRH.R. 1455 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1991
Intelligence Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1991 - Title I: Intelligence Activities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities in specified departments and agencies of the U.S. Government, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Declares that the authorized amounts and personnel ceilings for such intelligence activities are those specified in the classified schedule of authorizations. Authorizes the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to employ civilian personnel in excess of the ceiling for such personnel when necessary to the performance of important intelligence functions. Title II: Intelligence Community Staff - Authorizes appropriations for the Intelligence Community Staff for FY 1991. Establishes an end strength ceiling of 240 full-time Intelligence Community Staff employees, including 50 full-time personnel who are authorized to serve in the Security Evaluation Office. Provides that such staff shall be administered in the same manner as the CIA. Title III: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System and Related Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund for FY 1991. Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act of 1964 for Certain Employees to eliminate the statutory provisions requiring a 15-year career review and an election option for participants in the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System (CIARDS) and requires such participants to remain under CIARDS for the duration of their CIA service. Specifies that the five years of marriage spent outside the United States required to qualify for former spouse status must have been during periods of the participant's service with the CIA. Permits a retiree under CIARDS who was unmarried at the time of retirement to: (1) elect a reduction in an annuity for purposes of providing a survivor benefit upon marriage after retirement (currently, an election for a current spouse must be equal to the election made for a spouse to whom the participant was married at the time of retirement); and (2) irrevocably elect within one year of remarriage, where his or her annuity was not reduced to provide a survivor annuity at the time of retirement, to provide an annuity for the new spouse in the event such spouse survives the retired participant (in such case, the retired participant would be required to deposit an amount by which his or her annuity would have been reduced if the election had been in effect since the date of retirement or, if later, the date the previous reduction in the annuity was terminated). Reduces the remarriage age for purposes of entitlement to survivor and retirement benefits under CIARDS. Requires a surviving spouse who remarries a retiree and becomes entitled to a CIARDS survivor annuity to choose between such annuity and any other survivor annuity to which he or she may be entitled to be eligible to receive survivor annuity payments. Provides for the restoration of benefits of certain former CIA spouses whose benefits were terminated because of remarriage before the before the age of 55, and whose remarriage is later dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce. Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to restore health benefits of former spouses whose benefits were terminated because of remarriage before the age of 55, and whose remarriage is later dissolved by death, annulment, or divorce. Title IV: General Provisions - Permits appropriations authorized by this Act for benefits for Federal employees to be increased as may be necessary for increases in compensation or benefits authorized by law. Prohibits the authorization of appropriations by this Act from constituting authority for the conduct of any illegal intelligence activity. Authorizes the DCI to charge the entry of an alien against the numerical limitation for any fiscal year (beginning with FY 1991 and ending with FY 1996) notwithstanding that such alien's entry is not made to the United States in such fiscal year if the alien is an employee of the Foreign Broadcast Information Service in Hong Kong or the spouse or child of such alien. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to except from the competitive service all positions in the Department of Energy which the Secretary of such department determines are devoted to intelligence and intelligence-related Government activities. Requires the DCI to direct that elements of the intelligence community, whenever compatible with U.S. national security, consistent with operational and security concerns, and fiscally sound, award contracts in a manner that would maximize the procurement of products produced in the United States. Title V: Department of Defense Intelligence Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to grant the use of the DOD reimbursement rate for military airlift services provided by DOD to the CIA if such services are provided for activities related to national security objectives. Directs the Defense Mapping Agency to offer certain maps and charts for sale. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold from public disclosure any geodetic product under DOD control that: (1) is restricted pursuant to an international agreement; or (2) contains information that would, if disclosed, reveal sources and methods used to obtain material for geodetic products or military operational or contingency plans. Amends the National Security Agency Act of 1959 to authorize the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) to use appropriated funds for specified post-employment assistance for NSA employees who have been in sensitive positions but are found ineligible for continued access to sensitive information and continued employment with NSA, subject to specified conditions and reporting requirements. Permits the Secretary to authorize elements of DOD to engage in commercial activities to provide security for the conduct of authorized intelligence collection activities abroad. Prohibits such activities from being conducted after December 31, 1995. Sets forth provisions concerning the use, disposition, and auditing of funds generated by such activities. Authorizes the Secretary, if compliance with any Federal laws and regulations would create an unacceptable risk of compromise of an authorized intelligence collection activity, to permit the operation of the activity notwithstanding such laws and regulations. Permits personnel to conduct such activities in the United States only to the extent necessary to support intelligence activities abroad. Prohibits entities engaged in such activities from employing, assigning, or detailing U.S. persons to perform duties for such entities unless such persons are informed in advance of the intelligence security purposes of such activities. Requires the Secretary to ensure that the House and Senate Intelligence Committees are kept currently and fully informed of such activities. Directs the Secretary to provide to any Member of Congress, upon request, complete access to the Tighe Report (the classified report of the Defense Intelligence Agency relating to efforts to fully account for U.S. military personnel listed as prisoner, missing, or unaccounted for in military actions). Authorizes the Secretary to withhold from disclosure any material that would compromise sources and methods of intelligence.
Bill· SS. 661 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1991
American Energy Independence Act of 1991 - Title I: Energy Conservation - Subtitle A: Telecommuting Infrastructure Act of 1991 - Telecommuting Infrastructure Act of 1991 - Directs the Departments of Transportation (DOT) and of Energy (DOE) to study the costs and benefits, in their respective sectors, of telecommuting ("flex-place" working via telephone and computer, usually from home). Makes companies which offer or expand telecommuting flex-place programs eligible for certain Federal business tax credits. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a telephone exchange service carrier from providing video program service in its telephone exchange service area except through an affiliated video program subsidiary separate from such carrier. Requires any such carrier which provides telephone exchange service and the video program service of its subsidiary over an integrated broadband distribution system to establish a video gateway. Subtitle B: Other Conservation Measures - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to require Federal agency heads to adopt procedures to assure that the construction of any new Federal building meets or exceeds certain applicable energy efficiency performance standards. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to direct the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to promulgate guidelines for procedures to be implemented by State governments that would enable the assignment of energy efficiency ratings to residential buildings. Directs the Secretary to: (1) pursue a research and development (R & D) program to improve energy efficiency and productivity in energy intensive industries and industrial processes; and (2) undertake joint ventures to encourage the commercialization of technologies so developed. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish specified voluntary energy efficiency guidelines for industrial plants. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary to evaluate and report to the Congress on the feasibility of requiring electric lights, utility distribution transformers, and electric motors and pumps to meet minimum energy efficiency levels. Title II: Oil - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a variable excise tax on imported crude oil and refined petroleum products. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary to take all necessary steps to expedite the increase of Strategic Petroleum Reserve storage capacity to 1,000,000,000 barrels of petroleum product. Sets a new capacity goal of 2,000,000,000 by FY 2003. Title III: Natural Gas - Creates a defense to any Federal civil or criminal antitrust action brought against cooperative associations of independent natural gas producers with respect to any voluntary marketing agreements or plans of action undertaken out of market necessity and with no purpose to reduce competition. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) determine if the charges, classifications, or practices of other domestic pipelines serving the market which certain import facilities serve confer an unjust competitive disadvantage on domestic natural gas producers; and (2) fix charges, classifications, or practices which would not confer such a competitive disadvantage. Title IV: Coal - Subtitle A: Value-Added Coal Refinery Act of 1991 - Value-Added Coal Refinery Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to establish within DOE a research, development, demonstration, and commercialization program for coal refining technologies based on hydrocracking to produce a slate of value-added clean burning boiler and transportation fuels, fuel additives, lubricants, chemical feedstocks, and carbon-based manufactured products more economically and efficiently than currently available commercial technology. Subtitle B: National Clearinghouse for Coal Fuels Technology Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to establish within DOE a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information and data on coal and coal-derived fuel technology. Authorizes appropriations. Requires DOE to conduct a Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Proof of Concept Program leading to the design, construction, and operation of an MHD retrofit plant. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Electricity - Amends the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 to direct the Secretary to solicit proposals for, and provide financial assistance to, at least one joint venture for the demonstration of electric fuel cell technology. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to direct the Secretary to conduct a program to promote the early commercial application of electricity-producing fuel cell systems by the demonstration of such systems in Federal buildings. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Alternative Fuels - Alternative Fuels Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to establish a program to promote the development and use of domestic-produced replacement and alternative fuels. Requires the Secretary to prescribe the minimum percentage of such fuels a refiner must sell as a motor fuel in 1996 through 1998. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Renewable Energy - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a renewable energy production tax credit for specified energy technologies. Title VIII: General Effective Date - Makes this Act effective upon enactment.
Bill· SS. 679 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1991
Residential Energy Efficiency Policy Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the value of any financial assistance or service provided by a public utility to a residential customer for the purchase or installation of energy or water conservation measures.
Bill· SS. 662 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1991
Declares that for purposes of the Natural Gas Act: (1) any sale of natural gas for ultimate use as a motor vehicle fuel (VNG) shall be deemed "ultimately consumed" within the State in which its physical delivery occurs regardless of its physical combustion in another State; (2) certification from a State commission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that it has regulatory jurisdiction over a person who receives natural gas which is ultimately consumed within such State shall constitute conclusive evidence of such jurisdiction; (3) sales for resale of VNG by the holder of a service area determination shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State commission in the State in which physical delivery of such VNG occurs; (4) transportation of VNG by the holder of a service area determination shall deem the VNG to be consumed within the State in which physical delivery occurs; and (5) the sale for resale, or transportation of VNG by the holder of a service area determination shall be deemed subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State commission of the State in which such activity occurred. Requires the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) institute a government-sponsored public education program regarding alternative fuel costs and characteristics; (2) report to the Congress on Federal purchasing policies regarding alternative-fueled vehicles and on the promotion of such vehicles through preferential treatment under Federal, State and local traffic control measures; and (3) develop a plan for the establishment of a trust fund for loans to convert vehicles to use of alternative-fuels or to purchase vehicles that already use them. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements and joint ventures with governmental or regional transit authorities in certain-sized urban areas to demonstrate the feasibility of using alternative fuels for mass transit. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance and implement a program to encourage commercialization of alternative fuels for passenger fleets, light-duty trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to implement a technician training and certification program with respect to the conversion and maintenance of alternative-fueled vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to implement a research and demonstration program with respect to: (1) improved alternative-fueled vehicle technology; (2) cofiring of natural gas and pulverized coal in electric utility units and large industrial boilers in order to determine optimal natural gas injection levels for both environmental and operational benefits; (3) techniques to increase the availability of natural gas from specified sources; and (4) natural gas and electric heating and cooling technologies in residential and commercial buildings. Authorizes appropriations. Declares that for purposes of the Clean Air Act physical or operational changes in electric utility steam generating units undertaken for pollution control purposes shall not be treated as modifications for a specific regulated pollutant if such changes do not increase the potential emissions of such pollutant from such units above the potential emissions before the change. Outlines nitrogen oxide control requirements at an existing electric utility steam generating unit for purposes of the Clean Air Act. Amends the Natural Gas Act to set forth a statutory incentive scheme to expand natural gas production, pipelines and services. Deems rates to be just and reasonable if they meet one of three specified criteria, including falling within a FERC-prescribed zone of reasonableness whose upper limit shall be the rates yielded by incorporating a current market valuation of the natural gas company's investment, and whose lower limit shall provide for the minimum return on investment necessary to attract and retain capital. Sets forth a 60-day deadline within which FERC must take final action on rehearing applications. Prohibits FERC from deferring action on the merits of an application through issuance of an order during such period. Exempts from antitrust liability joint natural gas transportation rates negotiated by natural gas companies pursuant to FERC approval. Mandates that pipeline rates include investments made by a natural gas company which are used in rendering service. Sets forth FERC criteria under which any amount charged for a sale for resale by an interstate pipeline shall be deemed just and reasonable. Sets forth conditions under which certain new natural gas services shall either: (1) be authorized by the acceptance of tariff sheets and not require a certificate of public convenience and necessity; or (2) be exempt from the tariff and rate review provisions of the Natural Gas Act. Permits a natural gas company to abandon without FERC approval jurisdictional sales services to customers upon expiration of the underlying sales contract. Requires FERC approval of any such abandonment if the customer has previously converted jurisdictional sales services to jurisdictional transportation services and pays the just and reasonable non-discriminatory rate. Provides that fixed charges paid by an interstate pipeline to a first seller for gas supply security shall be recoverable on an "as-billed basis" in the pipeline's demand charges unless FERC determines that the pipeline does not offer reasonably competitive alternatives to its sales service. States that action by FERC to redress any anticompetitive impacts upon domestic gas producers shall be a prerequisite to the approval of an import application. Declares that the Natural Gas and FERC jurisdiction do not apply to a facility constructed by a natural gas company which would otherwise be subject to FERC jurisdiction by virtue of such construction if that company meets specified criteria. Declares that for purposes of required environmental review of natural gas pipeline projects there shall be a rebuttable presumption of a finding of no significant impact for any natural gas pipeline construction project which either utilizes existing utility or highway corridors, or does not involve construction in high value wetland areas. Makes FERC the lead agency for preparation of environmental assessments and environmental impact statements regarding interstate natural gas facilities. Sets forth a two-phase certification process the first phase of which shall involve all matters requiring FERC review over non-environmental matters, and the second phase of which shall address only required environmental matters. Makes FERC approval pursuant to each phase a final order on such matters. Outlines expedited procedures for Environmental Assessments submitted by pipelines. States such Assessments shall be presumptively valid if they use a FERC-prescribed format. Allows a certificate applicant to pay an outside environmental contractor, approved by FERC, to conduct an environmental review. Requires the Office of Technology Assessment to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the impact of global natural gas production, usage and transportation trends upon domestic energy policy and the United States natural gas industry; and (2) State and local regulatory barriers to increased natural gas usage. Requires the Office to make recommendations on the establishment of a uniform national policy to enhance natural gas usage.