Energy

American Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

American Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act This bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require electric utilities to obtain a minimum percentage of the electricity they sell in 2019 through 2042 from renewable resources. The required annual percentage increases from 10% in 2019 to 35% for 2032 through 2042. The utilities must submit to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission a quantity of federal renewable electricity credits that is equal to at least the annual percentage requirement. However, they may submit alternative compliance payments in lieu of credits. The bill establishes requirements governing the issuance, tracking, verification, trading, banking, and retirement of federal renewable electricity credits. States may set the rates for a sale of electric energy by a facility generating electric energy from renewable energy sources pursuant to a state-approved, voluntary production incentive program. The Department of Energy (DOE) must establish a program under which each electric utility and natural gas utility must meet performance standards for 2019 through 2032 with respect to cumulative electricity savings and cumulative natural gas savings, respectively. The performance standard increases from 1% in 2019 to 20% in 2032 for electric utilities and from 0.5% in 2019 to 13% in 2032 for natural gas utilities. In addition, the bill establishes requirements for performance standards for 2033 through 2042, and for subsequent years. DOE must review the standards at 10-year intervals and increase the standards if additional cost-effective energy efficiency potential is achievable. Utilities may use electricity or natural gas savings purchased from another utility, a state, or a third-party efficiency provider to meet the standards. The bill provides for state administration of an energy efficiency program to meet the requirements of this bill.

Renewable Energy Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Renewable Energy Jobs Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to carry out a pilot program to train individuals for careers in renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, specifically: the energy-efficient building, construction, or retrofits industry; the renewable electric power industry, including the wind, solar, and geothermal energy industries; or the energy efficiency assessment industry that serves the residential, commercial, or industrial sectors. Labor must also award grants under the program to the five states with the highest installed alternative energy power capacity, which is the amount of wind, solar, and geothermal power generation installed in a state.

Reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and Canada, recognizing bilateral cooperation that advances United States national interests, and urging increased bilateral cooperation on security, economic issues, and energy, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to the U.S.-Canadian partnership. Supports: (1) stronger trade relations with Canada and the creation of more American jobs, and (2) an increased focus on energy security through greater energy infrastructure integration. Encourages greater security collaboration in the areas of defense, border security, cyber-security, and Arctic security.

State Mineral Revenue Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

State Mineral Revenue Protection Act This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to provide a mechanism for states to receive their entitled percentage of sales, bonuses, royalties, and rentals for all public land or deposits located in the state. The bill eliminates the 2% fee that the federal government currently deducts from a state's entitled share to cover administrative or other costs. On request of a state, the Department of the Interior must convey to the state their entitled percentage of all right, title, and interest for all public land or deposits located in the state. Interior must provide prompt notice of any such conveyance and the duty of the leaseholder to make direct payments to the state.

Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of Department of Defense (DOD) funds: (1) for procuring more than eight Columbia-class submarines; (2) to maintain more than 150 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles; or (3) through FY2024, for the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) or the procurement of the B-21 long-range penetrating bomber aircraft. The bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of DOD or Department of Energy (DOE) funds: to maintain more than 1,000 deployed strategic warheads, as counted under the New START Treaty; to make the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons; for extending the life of tactical versions of the B61 gravity bomb; for the RDT&E or procurement of a new air-launched cruise missile or for the W80 warhead life extension program; for the RDT&E or procurement of the ground-based strategic deterrent or any new intercontinental ballistic missile; for the IW-1 life extension program; for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility project at the Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina; or for the Uranium Processing Facility located at the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. DOD and DOE must report to Congress on the plans for, and the estimated cost savings from, carrying out this bill.

Nuclear Cruise Missile Reconsideration Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Nuclear Cruise Missile Reconsideration Act of 2017 This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of more than specified amounts by the Department of Defense (DOD) on development of the long-range standoff weapon or any other nuclear-capable air-launched cruise missile, or by the Department of Energy on the life extension program for the W80-4 warhead, until DOD submits to specified congressional committees a Nuclear Posture Review that includes an assessment of: the anticipated capabilities of the long-range standoff weapon to hold targets at risk beyond other already existing and planned nuclear-capable delivery systems; the anticipated ability of such weapon to elude adversary integrated air and missile defenses compared to the B-21 bomber; and the anticipated effect of such weapon on strategic stability relative to other nuclear-armed countries, on the offensive nuclear weapons capabilities and programs of other nuclear-armed countries, on the response of other nuclear-armed countries to proposals to decrease or halt the growth of their nuclear stockpiles, and on the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.

Public Engagement at FERC Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Public Engagement at FERC Act This bill amends the Federal Power Act to revise and expand the Office of Public Participation in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and rename it as the Office of Public Participation and Consumer Advocacy. The office may participate in FERC proceedings on rates, service, and infrastructure siting to represent the interests of the public and issue guidance for potential improvements to industry and FERC practices. Additionally, the office must establish a Public and Consumer Advocacy Advisory Committee to review rates, services, and disputes and make recommendations to the office.

State Mineral Revenue Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

State Mineral Revenue Protection Act This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to provide a mechanism for states to receive their entitled percentage of sales, bonuses, royalties, and rentals for all public land or deposits located in the state. The bill eliminates the 2% fee that the federal government currently deducts from a state's entitled share to cover administrative or other costs. On request of a state, the Department of the Interior must convey to the state their entitled percentage of all right, title, and interest for all public land or deposits located in the state. Interior must provide prompt notice of any such conveyance and the duty of the leaseholder to make direct payments to the state.

Dry Cask Storage Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Dry Cask Storage Act of 2017 This bill amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to require each licensee of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to submit a plan for: (1) transfer (including on-going additional transfers) to spent nuclear fuel dry casks of any spent nuclear fuel stored by the licensee for at least seven years in spent nuclear fuel pools, and (2) configuration of the remaining spent nuclear fuel in the pool in a manner that minimizes the chance of a fire if there is a loss of water in the pool. The NRC must approve or disapprove the plan within 90 days after its submission. The NRC may provide grants to any licensee with an approved plan to assist in the cost of transferring spent nuclear fuel to dry casks under the plan. The bill requires the emergency planning zone applicable to each civilian nuclear power reactor to be at least 10 miles in radius until all spent nuclear fuel at the reactor has been transferred to dry casks. The NRC must expand to 50 miles in radius the emergency planning zone applicable to each reactor not in compliance with an approved plan. The licensee is responsible for all costs associated with the expansion. The Department of the Treasury must transfer annually to the NRC, to pay the costs of the grant program, 10% of the interest generated during the preceding fiscal year from investments of the Nuclear Waste Fund.

Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act This bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit conducting geological or geophysical activities in support of oil, gas, or methane hydrate exploration and development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. The geological and geophysical activities are described in a final programmatic environmental impact statement by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management entitled "Atlantic OCS Proposed Geological and Geophysical Activities, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas."

Public Engagement at FERC Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Public Engagement at FERC Act This bill amends the Federal Power Act to revise and expand the Office of Public Participation in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and rename it as the Office of Public Participation and Consumer Advocacy. The office may participate in FERC proceedings on rates, service, and infrastructure siting to represent the interests of the public and issue guidance for potential improvements to industry and FERC practices. Additionally, the office must establish a Public and Consumer Advocacy Advisory Committee to review rates, services, and disputes and make recommendations to the office.

Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of Department of Defense (DOD) funds: (1) for procuring more than eight Columbia-class submarines; (2) to maintain more than 150 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles; or (3) through FY2024, for the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) or the procurement of the B-21 long-range penetrating bomber aircraft. The bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of DOD or Department of Energy (DOE) funds: to maintain more than 1,000 deployed strategic warheads, as counted under the New START Treaty; to make the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons; for extending the life of tactical versions of the B61 gravity bomb; for the RDT&E or procurement of a new air-launched cruise missile or for the W80 warhead life extension program; for the RDT&E or procurement of the ground-based strategic deterrent or any new intercontinental ballistic missile; for the IW-1 life extension program; for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility project at the Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina; or for the Uranium Processing Facility located at the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. DOD and DOE must report to Congress on the plans for, and the estimated cost savings from, carrying out this bill.

Safer Pipelines Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Safe and Accountable Federal Energy Review for Pipelines Act of 2017 or the Safer Pipelines Act of 2017 This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), before granting a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a proposed pipeline expansion project for which a challenge has been raised, to assign an administrative law judge to hold a full trial-type evidentiary hearing on the need for the expansion or conduct an evidentiary hearing after conducting limited discovery, and issue a staff report publishing the findings with respect to each factor which includes the data and analyses relied upon in reaching those findings. Additionally, FERC must (1) conduct a cumulative review of planned energy infrastructure projects in the region of the proposed expansion; (2) consider, in the case of interstate pipeline projects, the cumulative environmental impacts of other interstate or regional projects; and (3) monitor approved pipeline projects for five years to ensure that environmental mitigation steps have been implemented.

Vehicle Innovation Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Vehicle Innovation Act of 2017 This bill authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application of vehicles and related technologies for FY2018-FY2022. The bill requires DOE to: conduct a program of research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application activities (R&D activities) on materials, technologies, and processes with the potential to substantially reduce or eliminate petroleum use and the emissions of U.S. passenger and commercial vehicles; ensure that it continues to support R&D activities and maintains competency in mid- to long-term transformational vehicle technologies with potential to achieve reductions in emissions; carry out a research, development, and demonstration program on the secondary uses of electric vehicle batteries and develop guidelines for projects that demonstrate the secondary uses and innovative recycling of such batteries; carry out a program of R&D activities on advanced vehicle manufacturing technologies and practices; carry out a program of cooperative research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities on advanced technologies for medium- to heavy-duty commercial, vocational, recreational, and transit vehicles; conduct a competitive grant program to demonstrate the integration of multiple advanced technologies on Class 8 (heavy-duty) truck and trailer platforms; develop standard testing procedures and technologies for evaluating the performance of advanced heavy vehicle technologies under a range of representative duty cycles and operating conditions and evaluate heavy vehicle performance using work performance-based metrics other than those based on miles per gallon and appropriate metrics based on the work performed by nonroad systems; and undertake a pilot program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications of technologies to improve total machine or system efficiency for nonroad mobile equipment and seek opportunities to transfer relevant research findings and technologies between the nonroad and on-highway equipment and vehicle sectors. DOE may construct heavy-duty truck and bus testing facilities.

RISK Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2017

Reporting on Influence and Subversion by the Kremlin Act or the RISK Act This bill directs the Department of State to submit to Congress an assessment of subversive activities by the Russian Federation. The assessment shall be conducted by a federally funded research and development center or another appropriate independent entity with expertise in diplomatic and military developments in Europe and the Russian Federation. Such entity may use and incorporate information from previous studies and shall include assessments of: disinformation and propaganda activities of the Russian Federation; support by the Russian Federation for separatist activities and other aggressive actions aimed at undermining the sovereignty of foreign countries, particularly in Ukraine and the Baltic countries; cyber intrusions by the Russian Federation to influence the infrastructure and democratic processes in the United States and other countries; the use of energy exports by the Russian Federation for purposes of political or economic coercion and significant investment in energy infrastructure by the Russian government or Russian-controlled entities; and the deterioration of democratic conditions in the Russian Federation. The President is authorized to establish in the Department of the Treasury the Countering Russian Influence Fund to be used by the State Department for bilateral assistance to counter activities carried out in countries in Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia by the Russian Federation to support disinformation and propaganda, interfere in foreign elections, and undermine financial transparency and governance. Amounts in the fund may be made available to carry out its purposes through civil society and other organizations that seek to mitigate the expansion of Russian influence and aggression, including through public awareness campaigns and exchange activities.

Appalachian Ethane Storage Hub Study Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2017

Appalachian Ethane Storage Hub Study Act This bill directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce to study the feasibility of establishing an ethane storage and distribution hub in the Marcellus, Utica, and Rogersville shale plays located in the Appalachian region of the United States. The study must include potential locations for the hub, the economic feasibility and benefits of the project, infrastructure needs, and potential benefits of the hub to energy security.

Renew America's Schools Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2017

Renew America's Schools Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Energy to provide competitive grants for making energy improvements in schools. Specifically, grants may be awarded for: any improvement, repair, or renovation to a school that will result in a direct reduction in school energy costs; any improvement, repair, renovation, or installation that leads to an improvement in teacher and student health, such as indoor air quality; and the installation of renewable energy technologies (e.g., wind power) involved in the improvement, repair, or renovation to a school.

Clean Energy Grid Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2017

Clean Energy Grid Act This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to address the integration of clean distributed energy into electric grids. Clean distributed energy means energy (e.g., solar and wind energy) that is generated on customer sites and interconnected with the electric grid. Specifically, DOE must: study the status of integration of clean distributed energy into electric grids, identify issues requiring additional research or regulatory development, make grants for research proposals that address technical barriers identified in the study, and convene a working group of stakeholders to address regulatory barriers to deployment of intelligent grid integration of clean distributed energy technologies. DOE may make grants to implement integration demonstration projects.

ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTH AMERICA

United States · United States House of Representatives · 17 May 2017

21st Century Power Grid Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2017

21st Century Power Grid Act This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a financial assistance program to carry out eligible projects related to the modernization of the electric grid, including the application of technologies to improve observability, advanced controls, and prediction of system performance on the distribution system and related transmission system inter-dependencies. To be eligible for financial assistance, a project shall: (1) be designed to improve the performance and efficiency of the future electric grid, while ensuring the continued provision of safe, secure, reliable, and affordable power, and provide new options for customer-owned resources; (2) demonstrate secure integration and management of energy resources and secure integration and interoperability of communications and information technologies; and (3) include the participation of a partnership consisting of two or more entities. Each project shall include: (1) the development of a cybersecurity plan written in accordance with guidelines developed by DOE; and (2) a privacy impact assessment that evaluates the project against the five core concepts in DOE's Voluntary Code of Conduct (commonly known as the DataGuard Energy Data Privacy Program), or the most recent revisions to DOE's privacy program.

Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow's America Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2017

Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow's America Act This bill authorizes appropriations for the nation's infrastructure, including appropriations for: secure broadband internet access, with a prioritization on expanding broadband access in unserved areas; drinking water improvements, such as appropriations for the drinking water state revolving fund and programs for reducing lead in drinking water; the electric power grid, with a focus on grid modernization, security, resiliency, and efficiency; energy efficiency in buildings, including homes and schools; incentives for natural gas distribution companies to improve the public safety and environmental performance of the natural gas distribution system (e.g., pipeline replacements); the deployment of renewable energy systems; the incorporation of clean energy into community development and revitalization efforts; revitalization of brownfield sites (commercial properties that are hindered from reuse or redevelopment due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant); hospital infrastructure, with a prioritization given to projects that include cybersecurity; outpatient health care facilities in the Indian Health Service; and the improvement, renovation, or modernization of the infrastructure at clinical laboratories, teaching health centers, or behavioral health care centers. In addition, the bill reauthorizes funding for: (1) a diesel emissions reduction program for certain diesel vehicles or fleets, (2) ensuring the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is operated and maintained in an environmentally sound manner; and (3) establishing a Southeast Refined Product Reserve to mitigate the impacts of a severe energy supply interruption in the Southeast.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding grid modernization.

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2017

Urges the United States to promote and advance the modernization of its energy delivery infrastructure and bolster the reliability, affordability, diversity, efficiency, security, and resiliency of domestic energy supplies through advanced grid technology.

Authorizing and directing certain authorizing committees to review laws within their jurisdiction and submit to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform changes in such laws necessary to eliminate excessive Executive Branch discretion in the application of those laws.

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2017

Directs the following House Committees to review laws within their jurisdiction and submit to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform changes in them sufficient to eliminate excessive executive branch discretion in their application: Agriculture; Armed Services; the Budget; Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce; Financial Services; Foreign Affairs; the Judiciary; Natural Resources; Oversight and Government Reform; Science, Space, and Technology; Small Business; Transportation and Infrastructure; Veterans Affairs; Ways and Means; and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Requires the Committee, upon receiving all the recommendations, to expeditiously report legislation titled the "Article One Restoration Act" that carries out all such recommendations without any substantive revision.

BRIDGE Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2017

Building and Renewing Infrastructure for Development and Growth in Employment Act or the BRIDGE Act This bill establishes the Infrastructure Financing Authority (IFA) as a wholly-owned government corporation to provide direct loans and loan guarantees to eligible entities to facilitate the construction, consolidation, alteration, or repair of transportation, water, and energy infrastructure projects. Such projects shall have costs reasonably anticipated to equal or exceed $50 million ($10 million for rural infrastructure projects). The bill establishes an Office of Technical and Rural Assistance and an Office of Special Inspector General for the IFA. The bill prohibits IFA financing of a project if: it is private or does not create a public benefit, or the loan applicant is unable to demonstrate a sufficient revenue stream. The bill establishes within the IFA the Project Delivery Task Force to establish and coordinate a permitting timetable for the environmental review of a project. The Chief Executive Officer of the IFA shall: establish fees with respect to loans and loan guarantees that are sufficient to cover the IFA's administrative costs; and take actions to make the IFA a self-sustaining entity, with administrative and federal credit subsidy costs fully funded by fees and risk premiums on loans and loan guarantees. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $15 billion to $16 billion the aggregate amount of proceeds from tax-exempt facility bonds that the Department of Transportation shall allocate among qualified highway or surface freight transfer facilities.

A resolution congratulating Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory on 50 years of groundbreaking discoveries.

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2017

Congratulates the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) on its semicentennial. Wishes Fermilab success in continuing to help the people of the United States understand the mysteries of matter, energy, space, and time.

Dan R. Brouillette, of Texas, to be Deputy Secretary of Energy, vice Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall.

United States · United States Senate · 16 May 2017

J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Hydropower Extension Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2017

J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Hydropower Extension Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend by six years the time period during which construction must commence on the Red River Lock and Dam No. 3, 4, and 5 Hydroelectric Projects located on the Red River in Louisiana. The licensee is not required to pay an annual charge for administrative expenses until construction commences. FERC may reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

Seismic Moratorium Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2017

Seismic Moratorium Act This bill prohibits conducting geological or geophysical activities in support of oil or gas exploration and development in any area located within a specified exclusive economic zone located off the coastline of Florida. This moratorium shall only be terminated if the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determines that the reasonably foreseeable impacts of such activities are minimal to individuals or populations of marine mammals, sea turtles, or fish. These geological and geophysical activities are described in the final programmatic environmental impact statement of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management entitled "Atlantic OCS Proposed Geological and Geophysical Activities, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas," which was completed in February 2014.

Low-Income Solar Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2017

Low-Income Solar Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a loan and grant program for photovoltaic solar (a method of converting energy from the sun into electricity) installations in low-income and underserved areas for FY2018-FY2032. Loans must be provided for: (1) community solar facilities that provide solar energy to low-income households, or (2) solar installations at federally subsidized affordable housing at multi-family complexes. The community solar facilities must: (1) be owned by an organization of electricity consumers that own a share of the facility's solar electricity generation, (2) have a certain a nameplate rating (or power generation capacity), (3) be located in or near a community that uses the electricity generated by the facility, and (4) reserve at least 25% of the electricity generated for low-income households. Grants must be given for: (1) solar electricity generating facilities installed on properties of eligible, low-income home owners; or (2) new solar projects for low-income households and individuals, including the costs of equipment and job training associated with solar projects.

J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Hydropower Extension Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2017

J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Hydropower Extension Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend by six years the time period during which construction must commence on the Red River Lock and Dam No. 3, 4, and 5 Hydroelectric Projects located on the Red River in Louisiana. The licensee is not required to pay an annual charge for administrative expenses until construction commences. FERC may reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

Offshore WIND Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2017

Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development Act or the Offshore WIND Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax credit for investment in energy property to include a qualified offshore wind property until January 1, 2026. A "qualified offshore wind property" is a facility that: (1) uses wind to produce electricity; and (2) is 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 of the United States, the exclusive economic zone of the United States, and the outer Continental Shelf of the United States. The term excludes certain small wind energy property that uses a small wind turbine to generate electricity.

Offshore WIND Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2017

Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development Act or the Offshore WIND Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax credit for investment in energy property to include a qualified offshore wind property with construction that begins before January 1, 2026. A "qualified offshore wind property" is a facility that: (1) uses wind to produce electricity; and (2) is 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 of the United States, the exclusive economic zone of the United States, and the outer Continental Shelf of the United States. The term excludes certain small wind energy property that uses a small wind turbine to generate electricity.

Robert F. Powelson, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2020, vice Philip D. Moeller, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 10 May 2017

Neil Chatterjee, of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2021, vice Anthony T. Clark, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 10 May 2017

A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to review and update a report on the energy and environmental benefits of the re-refining of used lubricating oil.

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2017

This bill directs the Department of Energy to update its report on the energy and environmental benefits of re-refining used lubricating oil and submit to Congress a strategic plan to increase the beneficial reuse of lubricating oil.

Appalachian Ethane Storage Hub Study Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2017

Appalachian Ethane Storage Hub Study Act This bill directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce to study the feasibility of establishing an ethane storage and distribution hub in the Marcellus, Utica, and Rogersville shale plays located in the Appalachian region of the United States. The study must include potential locations for the hub, the economic feasibility and benefits of the project, infrastructure needs, and potential benefits of the hub to energy security.

Duplicative Green Building Program Evaluation Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2017

Duplicative Green Building Program Evaluation Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to report on and make public the outcomes of specified green building programs administered by DOE and listed in the Government Accountability Office's "2012 Annual Report: Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap and Fragmentation, Achieve Savings, and Enhance Revenue." DOE must conduct an analysis of whether any of the programs should be eliminated or consolidated and report on methods to improve the programs. Within a year, DOE must identify which programs were specifically authorized by Congress and which are carried out solely under DOE's discretionary authority.

Clean Energy for America Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2017

Clean Energy for America Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify or replace several existing energy-related tax incentives to provide consolidated tax deductions and credits for the production of or investment in clean electricity, the production of clean transportation fuels, and energy efficient homes and commercial buildings. The new tax incentives are technology-neutral and the amounts of the credits or deductions vary based on the levels of carbon emissions for the incentives for electricity and fuels or energy efficiency in the case of the incentives for energy efficient homes and commercial buildings. The bill also establishes tax credits for certain bonds issued by a governmental body, a public power provider, or a cooperative electric company for facilities producing clean electricity or clean transportation fuels. The bill phases out the new tax incentives when annual greenhouse gas emissions in the United States have been reduced by at least 35%. In order to provide for a transition period for the new tax incentives, the bill temporarily extends several existing energy-related tax provisions. With respect to the existing qualifying advanced energy project credit, the Department of the Treasury must establish an additional qualifying advanced energy project program to consider and award certifications for qualified investments eligible for credits.

THE THREAT POSED BY ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE AND POLICY OPTIONS TO PROTECT ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO IMPROVE CAPABILITIES FOR ADEQUATE SYSTEM RESTORATION

United States · United States Senate · 4 May 2017

To reauthorize the West Valley demonstration project, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

This bill reauthorizes for FY2017-FY2026 the West Valley Demonstration Project located in West Valley, New York. Additionally, all radioactive waste operations carried out under the West Valley Demonstration Project Act shall be considered to be waste derived from atomic energy defense activities.

Responsible Disposal Reauthorization Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

Responsible Disposal Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill amends the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 to extend through FY2048 authorization for the Department of Energy to operate the Cheney disposal cell in Mesa County, Colorado.

Western Area Power Administration Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

Western Area Power Administration Transparency Act This bill directs the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) to establish a pilot project to provide increased transparency for its customers. WAPA must publicly display on its website specific information dating back to FY2008, including rates charged by power systems to customers for power and transmission services, the amount of capacity or energy sold by power systems, and a detailed accounting at the functional and budget activity level of all its expenditures and capital costs by region and for the headquarters office. Additionally, WAPA must annually update the information it provides on the website, including the changes it publishes, the reasons for the changes, and the amount of the unobligated balances it retains at the end of the prior fiscal year within each marketing area and at headquarters. The pilot project shall terminate in seven years.

Energy Savings and Building Efficiency Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

Energy Savings and Building Efficiency Act of 2017 This bill amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to revise provisions regarding the technical assistance that the Department of Energy (DOE) provides to states, Indian tribes, local governments, or model building energy code-setting and standard development organizations (model organizations) with respect to building energy codes. DOE must provide technical assistance to implement technically feasible and cost-effective building energy codes. States and Indian tribes must measure their compliance with applicable building energy codes or with the associated model building energy code. Standards for compliance are established. DOE may not promote or discourage the adoption of a particular building energy code, code provision, or energy savings target to a state or Indian tribe. Information provided by DOE is "influential information" subject to Office of Management and Budget guidelines. DOE may submit to the model organizations timely model building energy code amendment proposals after considering the economic feasibility of achieving the amendment proposals and the potential costs and savings for consumers and building owners by conducting a return on investment analysis using a simple payback methodology over a three, five, and seven years. (Simple payback is the time in years that is required for energy savings to exceed the incremental first cost of a new requirement or code.) DOE may not propose or provide assistance for any code or amendment that has a payback greater than 10 years. DOE must provide grants to establish building training and assessment centers at institutions of higher education. Any DOE program that may enable the owner of a building to obtain a rating, score, or label regarding energy usage or performance of a building must be made available on a voluntary basis.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include fuel cells using electromechanical processes for purposes of the energy tax credit.

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for investments in energy property, to make qualified fuel cell property (certain fuel cell power plants) that uses an electromechanical process or includes a linear generator assembly eligible for the credit.

Dynamic Glass Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

Dynamic Glass Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that the use of electrochromic glass qualifies for the tax credit for investment in energy property. (Electrochromic glass is able to switch from clear to dark using a switch, sensor, timer, or similar controls.)

Florida Shores Protection and Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

Florida Shores Protection and Fairness Act This bill amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to include Florida in the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf revenue sharing program. (Currently, only Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas are included in the program.) Additionally, the bill extends the moratorium on oil and gas leasing to June 30, 2027, in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico.  

Climate Solutions Commission Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2017

Climate Solutions Commission Act of 2017 This bill establishes a bipartisan National Climate Solutions Commission that must: undertake a comprehensive review of economically viable actions or policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States; make recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the President, Congress, and the states; and use as its goals for emissions reductions those estimated rates of reduction that reflect the latest scientific findings of what is needed to avoid serious human health and environmental consequences of a changing climate. In order to be eligible for membership on the commission, an individual must be a representative from: (1) nongovernmental organizations with expertise in the economy, energy, climate, or public health; or (2) industry organizations from relevant sectors. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must conduct a study of programs, financial tools, and institutions that are focused on: (1) reducing the level of greenhouse gas emissions; or (2) encouraging the research, development, prototyping, and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The GAO must then report on: (1) the study results; and (2) an assessment of those financial tools, policies, and institutions that are most successful at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while protecting economic growth and employment.

Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2017

Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act of 2017 This bill repeals requirements of the Mineral Leasing Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 regarding the development of oil and gas deposits on certain lands within the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania.

Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2017

Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to establish a regional infrastructure accelerator (RIA) program to provide initial and subsequent grants to RIAs to facilitate investment in, and long-term financing of, economically viable covered infrastructure projects. An "RIA" is defined as a multi-jurisdictional organization dedicated to providing technical assistance, financing options, and resources for covered infrastructure projects within the represented jurisdictions. A "covered infrastructure project" is defined as a project sponsored by a state, local, or regional public entity that involves the construction, consolidation, alteration, or repair of rail, bus, or public transportation facilities or equipment, highway facilities (including bridges and tunnels), airports, port or marine facilities and equipment, pipelines, inland waterways, intermodal facilities and equipment, water treatment and solid waste disposal facilities, storm water management systems, dams and levees, and facilities or equipment for energy transmission, distribution, or storage. From applications received, Treasury shall select five RIAs from geographically diverse regions to receive initial grants. An RIA shall use such a grant to: assess regional approaches for advancing innovative investment in covered infrastructure projects; develop strategies for transparency in the analysis of such projects to ensure protection of the public interest, for the bundling of smaller scale and rural projects into larger covered infrastructure projects to facilitate transactions and investments, and for reducing transaction costs associated with investments in such projects; facilitate the creation of a catalog of covered infrastructure projects available for investment; and analyze and apply project procurement methods for covered infrastructure projects. Treasury shall review final reports submitted by RIAs and select four of them to receive subsequent grants. A selected RIA shall use such subsequent grant to make subgrants to public entities for costs associated with a covered infrastructure project.

A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to submit to Congress a report on certain hydropower projects.

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2017

This bill directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to submit to Congress a report on hydropower projects that: identifies each project licensed by FERC that is located at a nonpowered site that serves as storage to support downstream power generation; analyzes the value of electric power generation associated with each of these projects; describes the range of options that exist under current law with respect to surrender or transfer of a FERC license for these projects; identifies any barriers to the surrender or transfer of a FERC license for these projects; and identifies the costs incurred by project owners resulting from the requirements imposed by a FERC license, including applicable costs broken down by category.