Energy

Expressing disapproval of the House of Representatives with respect to the Department of Energy's motion with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to withdraw the license application for a high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain with prejudice.

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2010

Declares that the House of Representatives strongly believes that the decision to abandon the 23-year bipartisan project establishing Yucca Mountain as the nation's primary permanent nuclear waste storage site: (1) breaks a commitment made to certain states nearly three decades ago; and (2) goes against the will and intent of Congress by extending the length of time states will be forced to store nuclear waste at significant additional cost to the taxpayers. Calls upon the Administration to comply with the bipartisan commitment passed by Congress, and to cease and desist: (1) withdrawing the Yucca Mountain license application from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with or without prejudice; and (2) any action to move forward with terminating activities required to complete the Yucca Mountain license application, including the termination of employees supporting the project and termination of any leases housing employees. Calls upon the Administration to: (1) halt reprogramming of FY2010 funds appropriated by Congress for the Yucca Mountain license application; and (2) preserve all scientific and site-specific files and data related to Yucca Mountain in accordance with NRC document controls and quality assurance procedures.

Department of Energy Office of Science Authorization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2010

Department of Energy Office of Science Authorization Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out, through the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities in science in support of missions of DOE. Requires the Director of the Office of Science to: (1) carry out a basic energy sciences program to provide scientific foundations for new energy technologies; and (2) support construction of the National Synchrotron Light Source II and a Second Target Station at the Spallation Neutron Source. Requires the Director to carry out a grant program to provide awards for up to five years to multi-institutional collaborations or other appropriate entities for meeting energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application needs identified in: (1) the Grand Challenges report; (2) energy-related Grand Challenges for Engineering; or (3) other relevant reports identified by the Director. Requires the Director to carry out a biological, climate, and environmental systems science research program to support DOE energy and environmental missions. Provides for a biological systems science subprogram and a climate and environmental sciences research subprogram. Directs the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan of federally supported research and development activities to support energy and environmental missions of DOE and to accelerate the growth of a synthetic biology industry in the United States. Directs the Secretary to carry out an inertial fusion energy research and technology development program. Requires the Director to carry out: (1) an advanced scientific computing research program; (2) a fusion energy sciences research program; (3) a high energy physics program; (4) a nuclear physics research program; and (5) a program for improving infrastructure at Office of Science laboratories. Requires the Secretary to submit specified reports. Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to the Secretary for activities of the Office of Science for (1) basic science energy sciences; (2) biological and environmental research; and (3) advanced scientific computing research.

Energy Innovation Hubs Authorization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2010

Energy Innovation Hubs Authorization Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to: (1) implement a program to enhance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by making grants to nonprofit consortia for establishing and operating Energy Innovation Hubs to conduct and support multidisciplinary, collaborative research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of advanced energy technologies in areas not being served by the private sector; (2) designate for each Hub a unique advanced energy technology development focus; (3) ensure the coordination of the Hub activities with those of other Department of Energy (DOE) research entities; and (4) establish and maintain within DOE an Oversight Board to oversee the progress of Hubs. Requires each Hub to establish: (1) an advisory committee to provide guidance on scientific, technical, industry, financial, and research management matters; and (2) procedures to ensure that employees and consortia designees for Hub activities who are in decision-making capacities disclose all material conflicts of interest. Prohibits grant funding from being used for construction of new buildings or facilities for Hubs. Provides that construction of new buildings or facilities is not considered to be part of the non-federal share of a Hub cost-sharing agreement. Defines advanced energy technology to mean an innovative technology: (1) that produces energy from solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, wave, ocean, or other renewable energy resources; (2) that produces nuclear energy; (3) for carbon capture and sequestration; or (4) that generates, transmits, distributes, utilizes, or stores energy more efficiently than conventional technologies.

ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2010

ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends the America COMPETES Act to instruct the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of the Department of Energy (DOE) to achieve the goals of ARPA-E through energy technology projects which: (1) identify and promote revolutionary advances in applied sciences; and (2) promote the commercial application of advanced energy technologies. Includes as a responsibility of the Director of ARPA-E the research and development of advanced manufacturing process and technologies for the domestic manufacturing of novel energy technologies. Requires the Director to: (1) make awards through grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, cash prizes, and other transactions to carry out ARPA-E; and (2) establish within ARPA-E a staff to enable ARPA-E to carry out its responsibilities separately and distinctly from the operations of the rest of DOE. Includes as responsibilities of program directors the identification of: (1) innovative cost-sharing arrangements for ARPA-E projects; and (2) mechanisms for commercial application of successful energy technology development projects. Authorizes the Director to select exceptional early career and senior scientific, legal, business, and technical personnel to serve as fellows to work at ARPA-E for two-year terms. Extends the deadlines for submission of the strategic vision roadmaps to Congress. Instructs the Director to seek opportunities to partner with purchasing and procurement programs of federal agencies to demonstrate energy technologies resulting from activities funded through ARPA-E. Authorizes the Director to convene events that further ARPA-E objectives, including events that facilitate discussion of the commercial application of energy technologies. Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2020 to the Director to carry out the purposes of ARPA-E.

HOMESTAR: JOB CREATION THROUGH HOME ENERGY RETROFITS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 18 March 2010

Solar Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2010

Solar Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for residential energy efficient property, to permit solar electric property otherwise eligible for such credit to be located on a site apart from the dwelling unit for which the electricity generated from such property is used.

RESTART Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2010

Rare Earths Supply-Chain Technology and Resources Transformation Act of 2010 or the RESTART Act - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce, of Defense, of Energy, of the Interior, and of State to: (1) appoint an Executive Agent, at the Assistant Secretary level, to serve as a representative on an interagency working group to reestablish a competitive domestic rare earth supply chain; and (2) assess and report to Congress on the chain, determining which rare earth elements are critical to national and economic security. Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy also to appoint representation to such working group. Requires the Secretary of Defense to commence procurement of critical rare earth materials and place them in a national stockpile, and the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense National Stockpile Center to serve as Administrator of the stockpile. Authorizes the Administrator, if necessary to meet U.S. national security and economic needs, to purchase rare earth materials from the People's Republic of China. Instructs the USTR to: (1) initiate and report to Congress on a comprehensive review of international trade practices in the rare earth materials market; or (2) initiate an action before the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a result of the review. Directs the Secretaries of Commerce, of the Interior, and of State to report to the domestic rare earth industry about mechanisms for obtaining government loan guarantees to reestablish a domestic rare earth supply chain. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of Energy to issue guidance for the industry related to obtaining such loan guarantees. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding a prioritization of Defense Production Act projects with respect to the domestic rare earth supply chain.

Spending Reduction Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2010

Spending Reduction Act of 2010 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to establish nonsecurity discretionary category spending limits (spending caps) for FY2011-FY2015. Defines "nonsecurity discretionary category" as all discretionary appropriations except budget accounts within major functional category (050) National Defense, (150) International Affairs, (700) Veterans Benefits and Services, and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) within major functional category (270) Energy, and any appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Repeals the termination date for Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) enforcement mechanisms under such Act (thus making them permanent). Declares that, if for any fiscal year, legislation making appropriations for discretionary accounts includes a designation for emergency requirements, such measure may not be considered in either chamber as passed or agreed to unless by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Members.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2011

United States · United States House of Representatives · 16 March 2010

Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010

Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 100% exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale of qualified small business stock acquired after March 15, 2010, and before January 1, 2012; (2) limit the penalty for failure to disclose a reportable transaction (a transaction determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion) to 75% of the decrease in tax resulting from such transaction; (3) revise the definition of "qualified nonrecourse financing" to include qualified nonrecourse real property or Small Business Investment Company financing as amounts at risk for purposes of determining the deductibility of losses from certain investment activities, including farming, leasing, and energy exploration; (4) increase in 2010 and 2011 the tax deduction for business start-up expenditures; (5) extend through June 30, 2013, the period for issuing Build America Bonds; (6) exempt private activity bonds for sewage and water supply facilities from the state volume caps applicable to such bonds; (7) extend through 2011 the exemption from alternative minimum tax (AMT) treatment of interest on certain tax-exempt bonds; (8) allow elective payments in lieu of low-income housing tax credits for low-income buildings financed by tax-exempt bonds; (9) extend through 2011 the period for issuing recovery zone bonds; and (10) allow an full offset against the AMT for new market tax credit amounts. Sets forth revenue-raising provisions, including: (1) a prohibition of any reduction of tax withholding for payments made by a U.S. subsidiary of a foreign parent corporation to a related subsidiary in any country that has a tax treaty with the United States, except for payments made directly to the foreign parent corporation; (2) recognition of gain from the transfer of securities of a controlled corporation in a reorganization; (3) the repeal of tax treatment as foreign source income of interest and dividends paid by certain resident alien individuals and U.S. corporations; (4) treating rental income from real estate as a trade or business activity for tax reporting purposes; (5) expanding the continuous tax levy on payments to vendors for good and services to include payments for all property, goods, or services and for delinquent employment taxes owed by such vendors; (6) revising requirements for grantor retained annuity trusts to require a minimum 10-year period for payments from such trusts; and (7) increasing tax penalties for failure to file correct information returns and for the intentional disregard of reporting requirements. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to report by December 31, 2010, and then annually to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance on penalties relating to tax shelters and reportable transactions.

To increase the annual amount authorized for emergency assistance under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010

Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to increase from $600 million to $750 million the annual authorization of appropriations for the home energy assistance needs of states arising from a natural disaster or other emergency.

e-KNOW Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010

Electric Consumer Right to Know Act or the e-KNOW Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to grant an electric consumer the right to access the consumer's retail electric energy information in electronic machine-readable form, in conformity with nationally recognized open standards, free of charge, and in a timely and convenient manner that provides adequate protections for information security and the consumer's privacy. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue guidelines identifying minimum national standards to implement such right of access, including: (1) guidance on the timeliness and granularity of retail electric energy information; (2) appropriate nationally recognized open standards for data; and (3) protection of data security and electric consumer privacy. Empowers the attorney general, official, or agency of the state, as parens patriae, to bring a civil action against an electric utility in U.S. district court to compel compliance with such standards. Authorizes the court to award the costs of the action and reasonable attorney's fees to the party bringing a successful civil action to enforce the standards identified by the guidelines issued under this Act.

ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING RETROFITS

United States · United States Senate · 11 March 2010

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

United States · United States Senate · 11 March 2010

THE CLEAN ENERGY RECOVERY: CREATING JOBS, BUILDING NEW INDUSTRIES AND SAVING MONEY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 10 March 2010

ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF APPLIANCES

United States · United States Senate · 10 March 2010

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

United States · United States Senate · 10 March 2010

A bill to reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the American Falls Reservoir.

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2010

Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of the licensee for the project numbered 12423 (American Falls Reservoir, Idaho), to reinstate the license and extend for three years after enactment of this Act the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of project works.

Rural Energy Savings Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2010

Rural Energy Savings Program Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture (through the Rural Utilities Service) to make interest-free loans to eligible entities for loans to qualified consumers to implement energy efficiency measures. Directs the Secretary to make grants to such entities to defray related costs, including costs for equipment and labor. Directs the Secretary to contact with a qualified entity to provide: (1) verification and measurement activities for the Rural Utilities Service, including training; and (2) technical assistance and training for employees of eligible entities. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with eligible entities, or groups of eligible entities, that have specified energy efficiency programs for energy efficiency loan demonstration projects.

A bill to reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Little Wood River Ranch.

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2010

Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of the licensee for the project numbered 12063 (Little Wood River Ranch, Idaho), to: (1) extend for three years after enactment of this Act the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of project works; or (2) if the license for Project No. 12063 has been terminated, reinstate the license and extend for three years after enactment of this Act the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of project works.

FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES ON ENERGY MARKETS

United States · United States Senate · 9 March 2010

Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2014, vice Suedeen G. Kelly, term expired.

United States · United States Senate · 9 March 2010

Philip D. Moeller, of Washington, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2015. (Reappointment)

United States · United States Senate · 9 March 2010

HELP Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2010

Honest Expenditure Limitation Program Act of 2010 or HELP Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that includes any provision that would exceed specified non-security discretionary spending limits for FY2011-FY2020. Limits non-security discretionary spending limits for FY2011-FY2015 to the level provided in FY2010, but reduced each year on a pro rata basis so that the level for FY2015 does not exceed the level for FY2008. Limits the spending levels for FY2016-FY2020 to the FY2015 spending level. Defines "non-security discretionary spending" as discretionary spending other than spending for the Department of Defense (DOD), homeland security activities, intelligence-related activities within the Department of State, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and national security related activities in the Department of Energy (DOE). Requires the President to issue a sequestration order, effective on issuance, if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in its Final Discretionary Sequestration Report estimates that any sequestration is required. Subjects to permanent cancellation any budgetary resources sequestered from any account, except those in special fund accounts or offsetting collections sequestered in appropriation accounts. Applies the same percentage sequestration to all programs, projects, and activities within a budget account. Requires Discretionary Sequestration Preview Reports by: (1) OMB to the President and Congress; and (2) the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to Congress. Requires the OMB report to explain the difference between OMB and CBO estimates for each item. Requires the Final Discretionary Sequestration Reports to set forth estimates for: (1) the current year and each subsequent year through 2014; (2) the current year, if applicable, and, the budget year, the new budget authority and the breach, if any; (3) the sequestration percentages necessary to eliminate the breach; and (4) the level of enacted sequesterable budget authority, and resulting estimated outlays to be sequestered for each account. Sets forth sequestration enforcement mechanisms.

To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to certain entities that agree that the funds will be used to make loans to consumers to implement energy efficiency measures involving structural improvements and investments in cost-effective, commercial off-the-shelf technologies to reduce energy use, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2010

Rural Energy Savings Program Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), through the Rural Utilities Service, to make interest-free loans to eligible entities for loans to qualified consumers to implement energy efficiency measures. Directs the Secretary to make grants to such entities to defray related costs, including costs for equipment and labor. Directs the Secretary to contact with a qualified entity to provide: (1) verification and measurement activities for the Rural Utilities Service, including training; and (2) technical assistance and training for employees of eligible entities. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with eligible entities, or groups of eligible entities, that have specified energy efficiency programs for energy efficiency loan demonstration projects.

A resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2010

Reaffirms Senate support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Urges the President to work to: (1) ensure that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has the necessary oversight resources as they relate to the Treaty; and (2) achieve universality in Treaty adherence.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2011

United States · United States House of Representatives · 4 March 2010

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

United States · United States Senate · 4 March 2010

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

United States · United States Senate · 4 March 2010

Building Star Energy Efficiency Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010

Building Star Energy Efficiency Act of 2010 - Establishes in the Department of Energy (DOE) the Building Star Energy Efficiency Rebate Program of 2010. Directs the Secretary of Energy to issue rebates to building owners to offset a portion of the cost of purchasing and installing qualifying equipment or materials or undertaking qualifying services to enhance the energy efficiency of existing commercial buildings and multifamily residential buildings. Prescribes rebates for the purchase and installation of qualifying: (1) insulation, windows, and qualified high-efficiency window films and screens; (2) new energy efficient equipment, such as boilers, furnaces, and water heaters; (3) unitary air conditioners and unitary heat pumps; (4) variable speed drives for motors; and (5) interior lighting. Prescribes calculations for reductions in: (1) installed lighting power resulting from installation of qualified interior lighting; and (2) annual energy usage resulting from installation of qualified exterior lighting. Prescribes calculations also for rebates for qualified: (1) replacement chillers; (2) qualifying services to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings; (3) energy-efficient building operation and maintenance training; (4) service on space heating equipment and cooling systems, (5) energy monitoring and management systems with analog controls; and (6) HVAC testing, balancing, and duct sealing. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a Building Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program to make grants to states to support financial assistance provided by qualified program delivery entities for making energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to existing buildings that qualify under the Building Star energy retrofit program. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) direct the Secretary to make guarantees for energy efficiency projects, including projects to retrofit residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, facilities, and equipment; and (2) authorize the Secretary, in the case of programs that finance such retrofitting, to offer loan guarantees for portfolios of debt obligations, and to purchase or make commitments to purchase portfolios of debt obligations.

Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010

Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2011 bonus depreciation for certain depreciable business property; (2) extend through 2010 the election to accelerate the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and research tax credits in lieu of bonus depreciation; (3) increase in 2010, 2011, and 2012, the tax deduction for business start-up expenditures; (4) remove restrictions on the tax deduction for employee use of cellular telephones; (5) revise the definition of "qualified nonrecourse financing" to include qualified nonrecourse real property or Small Business Investment Company financing as amounts at risk for purposes of determining the deductibility of losses from certain investment activities, including farming, leasing, and energy exploration; and (6) allow a 100% exclusion from gross income in 2010 of gain from the sale of qualified small business stock.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the nonbusiness energy property credit to include insulated siding.

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonbusiness energy tax credit for the installation of any building cladding system (including vinyl siding) with integral insulating material that has a minimum thermal resistance of R-2.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FISCAL YEAR 2011 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUDGET PROPOSAL

United States · United States House of Representatives · 3 March 2010

THE PROTECTIVE FORCES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

United States · United States Senate · 3 March 2010

American Renewable Energy Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010

American Renewable Energy Jobs Act - Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to change from a requirement to discretionary the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to make a grant in lieu of tax credits to each person who places in service specified energy property. Subjects any such grants to Buy American requirements without regard to whether the specified energy property involves a public building or public work. Prohibits the Secretary from making any grant payment unless the Secretary analyzes and takes into consideration domestic job preservation and creation provided by a specified energy property, including domestic job preservation and creation related to: (1) production of equipment for the property; (2) installation of equipment for the property; and (3) operation of the property. Requires submission of a copy of such analysis to specified congressional committees.

Deepwater Offshore Wind Incentive Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010

Deepwater Offshore Wind Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a general business tax credit for the production of energy from a deep water offshore wind facility. Makes such credit equal to the product of 3.04 cents and the kilowatt hours of electricity produced at a facility during a 10-year period and sold by a taxpayer to an unrelated person during the taxable year. Defines "deep water offshore wind facility" as facility that uses wind to produce electricity, operates in 60 meters or more of water, is located within the internal or territorial waters of the United States, and is placed in service after the enactment of this Act and before January 1, 2030.

Thorium Energy Security Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010

Thorium Energy Security Act of 2010 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish, and provide funds to, an office for the regulation of thorium fuel cycle nuclear power generation within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and an office of thorium-based fuel cycle research within the Department of Energy. Directs the NRC Chairman to: (1) establish standards for the manufacture, testing, use, and management of spent thorium-based nuclear fuel; and (2) promulgate regulations for facilities and materials used in thorium-based fuel cycle nuclear power generation. Directs the Secretary to implement demonstration projects for thorium-based nuclear power generation. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress recommendations for: (1) strengthening international partnerships to advance nuclear nonproliferation through the design and deployment of thorium fuel cycle nuclear power generation; and (2) providing incentives to nuclear reactor operators to use proliferation-resistant, low-waste thorium fuels in lieu of other fuels.

A bill to extend credits related to the production of electricity from offshore wind, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits through 2019 for investment in an offshore facility using wind to produce electricity. Defines "offshore facility" to mean any facility located in the inland navigable waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, or in the coastal waters of the United States, including the territorial seas, exclusive economic zone, and the outer Continental Shelf of the United States.

Innovative Energy Systems Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010

Innovative Energy Systems Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an energy tax credit for highly efficient combined heat and power system property. Defines such property as property at an industrial, commercial, or institutional facility comprising a system that is placed in service before January 1, 2017, and that either: (1) uses the same energy source for the simultaneous or sequential generation of electrical power, mechanical shaft power, or both, in combination with the generation of steam or other forms of useful thermal energy and has a system design that provides an energy efficiency percentage of at least 70%; or (2) recovers waste energy from which electricity is generated through the modification or addition of an existing facility.

Clean Energy Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010

Clean Energy Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) revise provisions of the loan guarantee program for innovative technologies relating to the definition of commercial technology, subrogation, and fees; and (2) direct the Secretary of Energy, in carrying out the Nuclear Power 2010 Program, to offer to enter into cooperative agreements with reactor manufacturers and electric utilities to license certain small nuclear reactors. Expresses the sense of Congress supporting the convening by the President of a blue-ribbon panel for the development of a federal nuclear waste policy. Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2020 to carry out: (1) the education and training of a nuclear workforce; (2) nuclear reactor uprate and lifetime-extension research; and (3) clean energy research and development activities.

National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010

National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to set forth provisions concerning establishing standards for: (1) a minimum level of energy efficiency or a maximum quantity of water use for clothes washers and dishwashers; (2) the seasonal energy efficiency ratio of central air conditioners and central air conditioning heat pumps manufactured on or after January 1, 2015; (3) the annual fuel utilization efficiency of non-weatherized furnaces manufactured on or after May 1, 2013; (4) the energy conservation of heat pump pool heaters; and (5) the energy efficiency of pole-mounted outdoor luminaires and high light output double-ended quartz halogen lamps. Revises provisions concerning prescribing new or amended standards. Sets forth provisions concerning establishing regional energy efficiency standards for such: (1) central air conditioners and their heat pumps; and (2) non-weatherized furnaces. Requires the Secretary of Energy to publish rules that determine whether the Secretary should: (1) establish standards for through-the-wall central air conditioners, through-the-wall central air conditioning heat pumps, and small duct, high velocity systems; and (2) amend standards for weatherized furnaces. Amends the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles to: (1) revise exceptions from preemption requirements for certain building code requirements; (2) provide that No-Load Mode energy efficiency standards do not apply to specified external power supplies manufactured before July 1, 2017; and (3) revise labeling rules for "covered products." Prohibits the manufacture of general purpose mercury vapor lamps on or after January 1, 2016. Provides that state energy conservation standards that are adopted by January 1, 2015, pursuant to statutory requirements to adopt efficiency standards for reducing outdoor lighting energy use enacted prior to January 31, 2008, will not be preempted by federal standards. Authorizes the Secretary to incorporate smart grid technologies or capabilities into energy conservation standards. Requires sates to give notice to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about a state or local public comment period with respect to local laws prohibiting, limiting, or restricting the use of alternative refrigerants for specific end uses.

A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal a section of that Act relating to exportation and importation of natural gas.

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal provisions amending the Natural Gas Act to extend its jurisdiction to: (1) the exportation or importation of natural gas in foreign commerce and to persons engaged in it; and (2) liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals. States that the Natural Gas Act shall be applied and administered as if such provisions and attendant amendments had not been enacted.

A bill to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish efficiency standards for bottle-type water dispensers, commercial hot food holding cabinets, and portable electric spas.

United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2010

Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to include bottle-type water dispensers and compartment bottle-type water dispensers, commercial hot food holding cabinets, and portable electric spas as "covered products" under the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other than Automobiles. Sets forth requirements concerning: (1) test procedures for such dispensers, cabinets, and spas; (2) standby energy consumption standards for dispensers; (3) idle energy rate standards for cabinets; and (4) normalized standby power rates standards for spas. Excludes from the general rule of preemption for energy conservation standards before federal standards become effective for products a state regulation that establishes efficiency standards for such dispensers, cabinets, and spas. Excludes from the general rule of preemption when federal standards become effective for products a regulation that establishes standards for such products and is adopted by the California Energy Commission by January 1, 2013.

Postal Service Electric Motor Vehicle Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2010

Postal Service Electric Motor Vehicle Act - Directs the Postmaster General to: (1) replace at least 10% of the gasoline-powered motor vehicles in the Postal fleet with electric motor vehicles manufactured in the United States during each year in the five-year period beginning on the enactment of this Act; (2) ensure that at least 75% of the Postal fleet is comprised of such electric motor vehicles by the end of such five-year period; (3) ensure that manufacturers of such electric motor vehicles solicit competitive bids for electric drive components and storage devices from domestic manufacturers that participate in the Department of Energy's Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative (or successor program); and (4) report on expenditures made, savings realized, and revenues received by the Postal Service by implementing this Act.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the use of Yucca Mountain as the Nation's primary permanent nuclear waste storage site.

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2010

Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) strongly believes that the decision to abandon the 23-year bipartisan project establishing Yucca Mountain (Nevada) as the nation's primary permanent nuclear waste storage site breaks a promise made to certain states and violates the letter of the law by extending the length of time states will be forced to store nuclear waste; and (2) calls upon the President to honor the bipartisan commitment made to taxpayers to establish Yucca Mountain as the nation's primary permanent nuclear waste storage site.

Livable Communities Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010

Livable Communities Act of 2010 - Establishes in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) an Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC). Establishes in the executive branch an independent Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities. Requires the OSHC Director to establish a program to make comprehensive planning grants and sustainability challenge grants to eligible entities (partnerships between a consortium of units of general local government and an eligible partner, which may be a metropolitan planning organization, a rural planning organization, a regional council, or a state). Requires the use of a comprehensive planning grant to carry out a project to: (1) coordinate land use, housing, transportation, and infrastructure planning processes across jurisdictions and agencies; (2) identify potential regional partnerships for developing and implementing a comprehensive regional plan; (3) conduct or update housing, infrastructure, transportation, energy, and environmental assessments to determine regional needs and promote sustainable development; (4) develop or update a comprehensive regional plan or goals and strategies to implement an existing comprehensive regional plan; and (5) implement local zoning and other code changes necessary to implement a comprehensive regional plan and promote sustainable development. Requires the use of a sustainability challenge grant to: (1) promote integrated transportation, housing, energy, and economic development activities carried out across policy and governmental jurisdictions; (2) promote sustainable and location-efficient development; and (3) implement projects identified in a comprehensive regional plan. Directs the OSHC Director to study and report to specified congressional committees on incentives for encouraging lenders to make, and homebuyers and homeowners to participate in, energy-efficient mortgages and location-efficient mortgages.

HEATR Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010

Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief Act of 2010 or the HEATR Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income-based refundable tax credit for residential energy costs. Limits such credit to the lesser of 33% of such costs or $500.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2011

United States · United States House of Representatives · 24 February 2010

A bill to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to eliminate cost-sharing requirements in connection with economic adjustment grants made to assist communities that have suffered economic injury as a result of military base closures and realignments, defense contactor reductions in force, and Department of Energy defense-related funding reductions.

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010

Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to provide that the federal share of the cost of projects assisted by economic adjustment grants made to communities that have suffered economic injury as a result of a military base closure or realignment, defense contractor reduction in force, or Department of Energy (DOE) defense-related funding reduction shall be 100%.

Renewable Fuel Pipeline Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010

Renewable Fuel Pipeline Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to allow federally-guaranteed loans for renewable fuel pipelines in amounts equal to 80% of the project cost of the facility that is the subject of the guarantee, as estimated at the time the guarantee is issued. Defines "renewable fuel" to mean fuel that: (1) is produced from renewable biomass and that is used to replace or reduce the quantity of fossil fuel present in a transportation fuel; and (2) includes ethanol and biodiesel.