Energy

Biogas Investment Tax Credit Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2013

Biogas Investment Tax Credit Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) an energy tax credit through 2018 for investment in qualified biogas property, and (2) financing of qualified biogas property with new clean renewable energy bonds. Defines "qualified biogas property" as property comprising a system which uses anaerobic digesters or other processes to convert biomas into a gas which consists of not less than 52% methane and which captures such gas for use as a fuel. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to undertake a study of biogas and to submit a report to Congress on such study.

AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY AND INNOVATION: AN ASSESSMENT OF PRIVATE- SECTOR SUCCESSES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ENERGY EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 26 February 2013

American Family Economic Protection Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2013

American Family Economic Protection Act of 2013 - Title I: Budget Provisions - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to revise discretionary spending limits (spending caps) for security and nonsecurity categories in new budget authority for FY2013. Establishes discretionary spending limits for revised security and nonsecurity categories for FY2014-FY2021. Defines "revised security category" as discretionary appropriations in budget function 050 (defense function). Repeals certain sequestration requirements for enforcement of a specified budget goal. Decreases the mandatory total amount of deficit reduction calculated for FY2013 by $109.333 billion and for FY2014 by $25.500 billion. Amends the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) to postpone until January 2, 2014, for FY2014 the sequestration required starting March 1, 2012, for FY2013 under the Budget Control Act of 2011 if certain circumstances prevail. Repeals the ATRA treatment of sequester. Makes conforming amendments to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act. Title II: Agricultural Programs - Amends the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 to provide that payment acres for direct and counter-cyclical assistance shall be 0% of the base acres for crop year 2013 covered commodities and peanuts. Extends the existing conservation stewardship program acreage enrollment requirement for FY2013. Makes Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds available for FY2013 for: (1) the voluntary public access and habitat incentive program, and (2) the desert terminal lakes program. Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to increase FY2013 amounts available for supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program) employment and training. Makes CCC funds available for FY2013 for: (1) the organic agriculture research and extension initiative; (2) the specialty crop research initiative; (3) the beginning farmer and rancher development program; (4) the biobased markets program; (5) biorefinery assistance; (6) the bioenergy program for advanced biofuels; (7) the biodiesel fuel education program; (8) the Rural Energy for America Program; (9) biomass research and development; (10) the biomass crop assistance program; (11) the farmers' market promotion program; (12) the national clean plant network; (13) the national organic certification cost-share program, (14) organic production and market data initiatives; (15) outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; (16) the rural microentrepreneur assistance program; (17) livestock indemnity payments; (18) the livestock forage disaster program; (19) emergency assistance for livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish; and (20) the tree assistance program. Authorizes FY2013 appropriations for: (1) the rural microentrepreneur assistance program, and (2) value-added agricultural product market development grants. Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to reduce supplemental agricultural disaster assistance payment amounts. Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to authorize the Secretary to provide coverages based on individual yields (other than for value-loss crops) under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program equivalent to: (1) catastrophic risk protection, or (2) specified additional coverage. Makes ferns and tropical fish ineligible for program participation. Increases program service fees. Makes additional program coverage available at 50% to 65% of established yield and 100% of average market price. Reduces the premium for additional coverage by 50% for limited resource, beginning, and socially disadvantaged farmers. Makes assistance available as soon as possible to producers with 2012 fruit crop losses in counties declared a disaster due to freeze or frost. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to exempt from sequestration: (1) programs and activities of CCC and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, (2) agricultural programs and activities carried out under the Act of August 24, 1935, and (3) all other Department of Agriculture (USDA) direct spending accounts. Title III: Revenue Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum income tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year (tentative fair share tax). Establishes the amount of such tax as the excess (if any) of the tentative fair share tax over the excess of: (1) the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) amount, and the payroll tax for the taxable year; over (2) certain tax credits. Requires an inflation adjustment to the $1 million income threshold for taxable years beginning after 2013. Denies a tax deduction for specified outsourcing expenses. Defines "specified outsourcing expense" to mean business-related expenses and fees incurred in connection with the elimination of any business unit of the taxpayer located within the United States and the establishment of such business unit outside the United States. Expands the definition of "crude oil" for purposes of the excise tax on crude oil and petroleum products to include crude oil condensates, natural gasoline, any bitumen or bituminous mixture, and any oil derived from a bitumen or bituminous mixture. Modifies the definition of "domestic crude oil" to mean any crude oil produced in the United States (currently, any crude oil produced from a well located in the United States).

Freedom Fuels Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2013

Freedom Fuels Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to enter into one or more contracts for the procurement of liquid transportation fuel, including jet fuel, that: (1) meets requirements of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 relating to the procurement and acquisition of alternative fuels; (2) uses a feedstock produced within a state; and (3) is refined, manufactured, or produced in a state. Prohibits any contract options that extend the overall contract period beyond 10 years. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on performance under each contract.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2013

Authorizes expenditures by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013.

Energy Assistance for American Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2013

Energy Assistance for American Families Act - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations for FY2014-FY2018. Permits a state to use any allotment from such appropriations to assist households whose income does not exceed 75% of the state median income.

To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify the Pilot Project offices of the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project.

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2013

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise the list of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project offices. Replaces the Miles City, Montana, field office with the Montana/Dakotas State Office, Montana (Billings).

Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2013

Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act - Deems the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015 issued by the Secretary of the Interior to be approved as a final oil and gas leasing program under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Deems the Secretary to have issued a final environmental impact statement for the Program under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a lease sale in each outer Continental Shelf (OCS) planning area for which there is a commercial interest in purchasing federal oil and gas production leases; (2) prepare an inventory of U.S. offshore energy resources; and (3) promulgate regulations concerning the production of oil or gas resources of the OCS, including regulating the installation of surface facilities, mitigating the impact of such facilities on coastal vistas, and allowing onshore facilities to draw upon such resources that are within 10 miles of shore. Extends from three geographical miles to nine nautical miles a coastal state's allowable seaward boundary. Repeals the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in: (1) any area east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico; (2) any area in the Eastern Planning Area that is within 125 miles of the Florida coastline; and (3) specified areas within the Central Planning Area and within 100 miles of the Florida coastline. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue a final leasing plan for the Eastern Gulf of Mexico for all areas where there exists commercial interest in purchasing federal oil and gas leases for production. Specifies revenue sharing percentages for sums received from leasing offshore pursuant to this Act, including 30% for producing states. Prohibits revenues collected from leases prior to this Act's enactment from being affected by this Act. Authorizes the President to waive requirements governing approval of oil and natural gas activity deemed important to national interests. Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) publish a plan to exchange a specified amount of light grade petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for heavy grade petroleum plus additional cash bonus bids that reflect the difference in market value between light grade and heavy grade petroleum and the timing of deliveries of heavy grade petroleum, and (2) deposit 90% of the remaining net proceeds from the exchange into the Infrastructure Renewal Reserve.

Halt Index Trading of Energy Commodities (HITEC) Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2013

Halt Index Trading of Energy Commodities (HITEC) Act - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to declare unlawful for: (1) a commodity index fund to engage in an energy commodity transaction if any person investing in the fund is an excluded investor, (2) an energy commodity index fund to accept an investment from a person who is an excluded investor, or (3) a commodity index fund to hold an investment in an energy commodity if any person investing in the fund is an excluded investor. Defines "excluded investor" as a person with respect to whom there is no position in an energy commodity which, if held by the person, would be considered a bona fide hedging position.

South Carolina Offshore Drilling Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2013

South Carolina Offshore Drilling Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, when determining the areas off the coast of South Carolina that are to be made available for leasing under Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program (2012-2017), to: (1) consider the laws, goals, and policies of the state of South Carolina; and (2) focus upon areas considered to have the most geologically promising energy resources.

To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to use the commercially available volume of cellulosic biofuel in setting requirements for the renewable fuel program under the Clean Air Act, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2013

Amends the Clean Air Act, with respect to reductions in requirements to use cellulosic biofuel under the renewable fuel program, to remove the requirement that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determine volumes of transportation fuel based upon estimates of projected sales provided by the Energy Information Administration. Revises cellulosic biofuel use requirements to require the Administrator to reduce the applicable volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels requirement by the same or a lesser volume of the cellulosic biofuel requirements of the renewable fuel program. Limits, for such purposes, the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel production for a calendar year to not more than 5% or 1 million gallons (whichever is greater) more than the total volume of cellulosic biofuel that was commercially available for the most recent calendar year for which such volume is known.

THE EFFECTS OF RISING ENERGY COSTS ON AMERICAN FAMILIES AND EMPLOYERS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 14 February 2013

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2014

United States · United States House of Representatives · 14 February 2013

Oregon Treasures Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2013

Oregon Treasures Act of 2013 - Designates specified Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Oregon as potential wilderness areas. Provides for the designation of such areas, to be known as the Cathedral Rock Wilderness and the Horse Heaven Wilderness, as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Authorizes certain land exchanges with specified landowners. Adds specified federal land managed by the BLM in the Wild Rogue Wilderness as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (the Act) to add specified segments of creeks to the designation of the Rogue River in Oregon as a component of the national wild and scenic rivers system. Prohibits: (1) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from licensing the construction of any dam, conduit, reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other project works affecting specified stream segments; and (2) any federal department or agency from assisting in the construction of any water resources project affecting any such segment, except for maintaining or repairing existing projects. Amends the Act to designate specified segments of the Molalla River in Oregon as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Amends the Act to rename the Squaw Creek in Oregon as Whychus Creek. Amends the Act to make corrections to the segment designations for the Chetco River, Oregon, including revising segment lengths.

Geothermal Exploration and Technology Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2013

Geothermal Exploration and Technology Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) establish a direct loan program for high risk geothermal exploration wells, and (2) give preference to loans to carry out projects that are likely to lead to successful new geothermal development leading to electricity production. Requires data from exploratory wells to be provided to the DOE Secretary (Secretary) and the Secretary of the Interior for use in mapping national geothermal resources and other uses, including subsurface geologic data, metadata, borehole temperature data, and inclusion in DOE's National Geothermal Data System. Requires the Secretary to determine the number of wells for each selected geothermal project for which a loan may be made. Requires: (1) a recipient to commence repayment of the loan beginning on the earlier of four years after the loan is made or when the geothermal facility enters into commercial production, and (2) loans for successful wells to be repaid by the developer within 10 years. Establishes the Geothermal Investment Fund to carry out such program. Requires amounts repaid on loans to be deposited in such Fund. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require: the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to: (1) establish a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy; (2) identify and mitigate potential environmental impacts; (3) make grants to promote the development of geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy; (4) give priority to proposals that apply to large buildings, commercial districts, and residential communities; and (5) conduct a national solicitation for grant applications. Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to provide that land under an oil and gas lease issued pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act or the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands that is subject to an approved application for a permit to drill and from which oil and gas production is occurring may be available for leasing for geothermal drilling in order to provide for the coproduction of geothermal energy with oil and gas, if the lease would serve the public interest.

A bill to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from approving the introduction into commerce of gasoline that contains greater than 10-volume-percent ethanol, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2013

Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from authorizing or otherwise allowing the introduction into commerce of gasoline that contains greater than 10-volume-percent ethanol, including by granting a waiver for new fuels and fuel additives from the Clean Air Act's fuel standards. Nullifies any waiver granted under such Act before this Act's enactment that allows for the introduction into commerce of gasoline containing greater than 10-volume-percent ethanol for use in motor vehicles, including the waivers entitled: (1) "Partial Grant and Partial Denial of Clean Air Act Waiver Application Submitted by Growth Energy To Increase the Allowable Ethanol Content of Gasoline to 15 Percent; Decision of the Administrator" (published on November 4, 2010), and (2) "Partial Grant of Clean Air Act Waiver Application Submitted by Growth Energy To Increase the Allowable Ethanol Content of Gasoline to 15 Percent; Decision of the Administrator" (published on January 26, 2011). Nullifies, 60 days after this Act's enactment, the portions of the rule entitled "Regulation to Mitigate the Misfueling of Vehicles and Engines with Gasoline Containing Greater Than Ten Volume Percent Ethanol and Modifications to the Reformulated and Conventional Gasoline Programs" (published on July 25, 2011) to mitigate misfueling.

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2013

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make a direct loan, including a subordinated loan, or a loan guarantee to an eligible entity to carry out activities for an eligible project. Defines an "eligible entity" to include: (1) an entity that owns or operates a treatment works that serves the general public, including a municipal, tribal, or regional separate storm sewer system management agency; and (2) an entity, including an Indian tribe, that owns or operates a community water system. Defines an "eligible project" to include: (1) a capital project to construct, replace, or rehabilitate a treatment works or community water system, to reduce energy consumption needs of a treatment works or a community water system, to increase water efficiency, reduce the demand for water, or reduce the demand for treatment works or community water system capacity, to manage or control storm water, to re-use municipal wastewater, or to increase drinking water source protection; and (2) an associated non-capital project that promotes the use of environmentally sustainable projects, including utility-backed storm water and water efficiency retrofit programs. Directs an eligible entity to use amounts received under this Act for eligible projects to: (1) carry out development phase, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and replacement activities and environmental mitigation and construction contingencies; (2) acquire real property and equipment; (3) provide for any funding mechanisms necessary to meet market or affordability requirements, reasonably required reserve funds, capitalized interest issuance expenses, and other carrying costs during project construction; and (4) refinance interim construction financing, long-term project obligations, or direct loans or loan guarantees made under this Act. Requires the Administrator to select eligible projects to receive assistance based on specified factors, including: (1) the significance of the infrastructure needs addressed, (2) creditworthiness, (3) the need for federal assistance, (4) the degree to which the project financing plan includes additional public or private financing, (5) the cost of the direct loan or loan guarantee to the federal government, (6) national or regional significance, and (7) reasonable assurance that all payments will be made on the credit instrument. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a system for prioritizing eligible projects based on specified guidelines, (2) develop and implement a credit evaluation process before providing any assistance under this Act, and (3) establish a uniform system to service each direct loan and loan guarantee made. Sets forth provisions regarding interest rates, terms, and conditions of direct loans and loan guarantees made under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) collect fees for administrative expenses, (2) provide technical assistance to applicants in creating financing packages that leverage a mix of public and private funding sources, and (3) provide assistance under this Act only with respect to a credit instrument in an amount of not less than $20 million. Requires: (1) assisted projects to pay prevailing wages to laborers and mechanics; and (2) assisted projects for the construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of a public building or public work to use only iron, steel, and manufactured goods produced in the United States, with exceptions.

A bill to terminate agricultural direct payments beginning with the 2013 crop year.

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2013

Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to end agricultural direct payments beginning with the 2013 crop year.

Sustainable Energy Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2013

Sustainable Energy Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to reduce or eliminate royalty payments for oil and natural gas leases in the Outer Continental Shelf. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to increase minimum royalty payments for coal, oil, and natural gas leases. Repeals the program for ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resource exploration and production. Amends the Oil Pollution Act to eliminate the limitation on liability for offshore facilities and pipeline operators for oil spills. Rescinds all unobligated balances made available to the World Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Export-Import Bank, the Advanced Research Projects Agency in the Department of Energy (DOE), and other international financing entities to carry out any project that supports coal, oil, or natural gas. Terminates the Office of Fossil Energy Research and Development in DOE and the authority to carry out any of its programs. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to eliminate from the categories of projects eligible for loan guarantees for innovative technologies: (1) projects involving advanced fossil energy technology, and (2) and crude oil refineries. Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from making loans under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to carry out projects that will use coal, oil, or natural gas. Prohibits the use of Department of Transportation (DOT) funds to award any grant or other direct assistance to any rail or port project that transports coal, oil, or natural gas. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) limit or repeal provisions allowing tax incentives for investment in fossil fuels; (2) extend, through 2020, tax incentives for the production of electricity from renewable resources and the energy tax credit for alternative energy sources; and (3) extend, for a five-year period, allocations of the advanced energy project tax credit. Increases the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate. Imposes a 13% tax on the removal price of any taxable crude oil or natural gas from the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. Designates the Powder River Basin in southeast Montana and northeast Wyoming as a coal producing region. Eliminates accelerated depreciation for property that is receiving a subsidy for fossil fuel production.

Stop the Sequester Job Loss Now Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2013

Stop the Sequester Job Loss Now Act - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to repeal the FY2013 sequester and reduce the FY2014 sequester. Eliminates the 2% maximum permissible reduction in budget authority for veterans' medical care. Extends through FY2014 agricultural commodity programs generally under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, but not the direct payment programs for wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, long and medium grain rice, soybeans, other oilseeds, and peanuts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to deductions from income, to set a special rule that a major integrated oil company's domestic production gross receipts shall not include any gross receipts from the production, refining, processing, transportation, or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any of their primary products. Prohibits a major integrated oil company from using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting method in inventorying goods. Prescribes a special rule to limit the foreign tax credit and tax deferrals for amounts paid or accrued by a major integrated oil company that is a dual capacity taxpayer (a person subject to a levy of a foreign country or U.S. possession and receives, or will receive, directly or indirectly a specific economic benefit from such county or possession). Requires an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum (fair share) tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year. Declares that it is the sense of the House that Congress should replace the entire 10-year sequester established by the Budget Control Act of 2011 with a balanced approach that would: (1) increase revenues without increasing the tax burden on middle-income Americans; and (2) decrease long-term spending while maintaining the Medicare guarantee, protecting Social Security and a strong social safety net, and making strategic investments in education, science, research, and critical infrastructure necessary to compete in the global economy.

CPRA

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2013

Civilian Property Realignment Act or CPRA - Establishes the Civilian Property Realignment Commission as an independent commission for the purpose of identifying opportunities for the federal government to reduce its inventory of civilian real property and reduce costs to the government. Requires federal agency heads to submit to the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): (1) current data on all federal civilian real properties owned, leased or controlled by federal agencies, including the age and condition of such properties, operating costs, history of capital expenditures, sustainability metrics, the number of federal employees and functions housed in such properties, and square footage; and (2) recommendations for the sale for proceeds or disposal of federal civilian properties and for achieving operational efficiencies for such properties. Sets forth the duties of the Commission, including: (1) identifying opportunities to reduce significantly the inventory of civilian real property and reduce costs to the government, (2) identifying not less than 5 federal properties not on the list of surplus or excess buildings with a total fair market value of not less than $500 million, (3) performing an independent analysis of the inventory of federal civilian real property and of recommendations for the sale of such properties, and (4) identifying or developing and implementing an accounting system for evaluating recommendations for sales of civilian real property. Requires the President to review the Commission's recommendations and report on his or her approval or disapproval of them. Requires the Commission to revise its recommendations if disapproved by the President. Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration of Commission recommendations approved by the President. Requires federal agencies to: (1) immediately begin preparation to carry out the Commission's recommendations after the congressional review process, (2) initiate all activities for implementation not later than two years after the President transmits the approved recommendations to Congress, and (3) complete implementation within six years unless extenuating circumstances prevent timely completion. Limits the authority of executive agencies to lease space for the purposes of a public building. Requires the Administrator of GSA to comply with requirements of the Small Business Act when using commercial leasing services. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Commission should assist small, minority, and women-owned businesses in obtaining contracts to redevelop federal property; (2) the Commission and other federal officials should conduct a public information campaign to advise small, minority, and women-owned businesses regarding such contracts; and (3) firms that are awarded such contracts should, to the maximum extent practicable, seek to award subcontracts to small, minority, and women-owned businesses. Requires the Administrator to ensure that the life-cycle cost of a public building is considered in the construction or lease of a public building that: (1) is constructed or leased after the enactment of this Act; (2) has estimated construction costs exceeding $1 million; (3) if leased, has square footage of more than 25,000 square feet; and (4) has more than 50% of its estimated construction or lease costs federally-funded. Defines "life-cycle cost" as the sum of investment, capital, installation, energy, operating, maintenance, and replacement costs.

AMERICAN ENERGY OUTLOOK: TECHNOLOGY, MARKET AND POLICY DRIVERS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 13 February 2013

Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2013

Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act - Amends the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Bureau of Reclamation) to contract for the development of small conduit hydropower at Bureau facilities. Defines: (1) "small conduit hydropower" as five megawatts or less; and (2) "conduit" as a tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance. Requires that power privilege leases be offered first to an irrigation district or water users association operating or receiving water from the applicable transferred or reserved work. Defines: (1) "reserved work" as any conduit included in project works whose care, operation, and maintenance have been reserved by the Secretary (through the Bureau); and (2) "transferred work" as any conduit included in project works whose care, operation, and maintenance have been transferred to a legally organized water users association or irrigation district. Exempts the small conduit hydropower development authorized by this Act from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), except with respect to siting of associated transmission on federal lands. Makes the Bureau's Power Resources Office the lead office for such small conduit hydropower policy and procedure-setting activities (thus excludes such activities from the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC]). Declares that nothing in this Act shall: (1) obligate specified power administrations to purchase or market the power produced by such facilities, (2) alter or impede the delivery and management of water for original project purposes, or (3) alter or affect any existing agreements for conduit hydropower development projects or disposition of revenues. Deems water used for conduit hydropower generation to be incidental to use of water for the original project purposes.

Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2013

Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit or repeal certain tax benefits for major integrated oil companies (defined as companies with annual gross receipts over $1 billion and an average daily worldwide production of crude oil of at least 500,000 barrels or certain successors in interest of such companies), including: (1) the foreign tax credit for companies that are dual capacity taxpayers; (2) the tax deduction for income attributable to the production, refining, processing, transportation, or distribution of oil, natural gas, or primary products thereof; (3) the tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs; (4) the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (5) the tax deduction for qualified tertiary injectant expenses. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal royalty relief (suspension of royalties) for: (1) natural gas production from deep wells in shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) deep water oil and gas production in the Western and Central Planning Area of the Gulf (including the portion of the Eastern Planning Area encompassing whole lease blocks lying west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes west longitude). Dedicates any increased revenue generated by this Act to the reduction of a federal budget deficit or the federal debt. Provides for compliance of the budgetary effects of this Act with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

Healthy Housing Council Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2013

Healthy Housing Council Act of 2013 - Establishes in the executive branch an independent Interagency Council on Healthy Housing. Requires the Council to: (1) review federal programs and services that provide housing, health, energy, or environmental services to families and individuals; (2) monitor, evaluate, and recommend improvements in programs and services administered, funded, or financed by federal, state, and local agencies; (3) recommend ways to reduce duplication among federal programs and services; and (4) ensure collaboration among and within agencies in the provision and availability of such programs and services.

Title X Amendments Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2013

Title X Amendments Act of 2013 - Amends the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to revise the purpose for grants for lead-based paint hazard reduction in target housing. Requires such grants to be made instead for reduction of lead-based paint hazards and correction of other housing-related hazards. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a process by which, in order to verify a family's income level, a grantee may first obtain and use income and program participation information from an entity administering: (1) the HOME Investment Partnerships program under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; (2) the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; (3) reduced price or free lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act; (4) the weatherization assistance program for low-income persons established under the Energy Conservation and Production Act; (5) the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA); (6) the supplemental security income (SSI) program under SSA title XVI; or (7) any other program consistent with the family income requirements of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992. Makes eligible to apply for such a grant, in addition to certain state or local governments, for specified activities relating to lead-based paint hazards: (1) an Indian tribe, and (2) private nonprofit organization partnering with the state or unit of general local government in which the activities will be carried out. Makes a private nonprofit organization not partnering with a state or local government eligible all the same to apply for a grant to reduce housing-related health hazards, including any condition of residential real property that poses a risk of biological, physical, radiological, or chemical exposure that can adversely affect human health. Revises grantee selection criteria for a grant to carry out activities relating to lead-based paint hazards, and prescribes criteria for activities relating to housing-related hazards. Prescribes an allocation of funds for grants to assess and correct housing-related health hazards and evaluate the effectiveness of such assessments and corrections. Reauthorizes the Act for FY2014-FY2018.

Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2013

Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act - Amends the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Bureau of Reclamation) to contract for the development of small conduit hydropower at Bureau facilities. Defines: (1) "small conduit hydropower" as five megawatts or less; and (2) "conduit" as a tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance. Requires that power privilege leases be offered first to an irrigation district or water users association operating or receiving water from the applicable transferred or reserved work. Defines: (1) "reserved work" as any conduit included in project works whose care, operation, and maintenance have been reserved by the Secretary (through the Bureau); and (2) "transferred work" as any conduit included in project works whose care, operation, and maintenance have been transferred to a legally organized water users association or irrigation district. Exempts the small conduit hydropower development authorized by this Act from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), except with respect to siting of associated transmission on federal lands. Makes the Bureau's Power Resources Office the lead office for such small conduit hydropower policy and procedure-setting activities (thus excludes such activities from the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC]). Declares that nothing in this Act shall: (1) obligate specified power administrations to purchase or market the power produced by such facilities, (2) alter or impede the delivery and management of water for original project purposes, or (3) alter or affect any existing agreements for conduit hydropower development projects or disposition of revenues. Deems water used for conduit hydropower generation to be incidental to use of water for the original project purposes.

To provide that no Federal or State requirement to increase energy efficient lighting in public buildings shall require a hospital, school, day care center, mental health facility, or nursing home to install or utilize such energy efficient lighting if the lighting contains mercury.

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2013

Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to prohibit any federal or state requirement to increase energy efficient lighting in public buildings from requiring a hospital, school, day care center, mental health facility, or nursing home to install or utilize energy efficient lighting that contains mercury.

Ensuring Affordable Energy Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2013

Ensuring Affordable Energy Act - Prohibits any funds appropriated or otherwise available for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from being used to implement or enforce: (1) a cap-and-trade program; or (2) any statutory or regulatory requirement pertaining to emissions of one or more greenhouse gases from stationary sources that is issued or becomes applicable or effective after the date of enactment of this Act. Defines: (1) "cap-and-trade program" as any regulatory program established after the date of enactment of this Act that provides for the sale, auction, or other distribution of a limited amount of allowances that permit the emission of one or more greenhouse gases; and (2) "greenhouse gas" to include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or any other designated anthropogenic gas.

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 · 11 February 2013

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.

Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2013

Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require amounts received through FY2020 (currently, through FY2010) from leases under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to be available to the Secretary of the Interior for implementing the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as well as the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to: (1) prepare and publish a notice of intent to prepare a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to analyze the potential impacts of a program to develop solar and wind energy on National Forest System land and any necessary amendments to land use plans for such land, and (2) amend such plans to provide for the development of renewable energy on completion of the programmatic EIS. Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD), for states that have not completed such an analysis, to submit a report that: (1) identifies locations on land withdrawn from the public domain and reserved for military purposes that could be developed for renewable energy production, and (2) describes the administration of public land withdrawn for military purposes for the development of commercial-scale renewable energy projects. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a wind and solar leasing pilot program on public land administered by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make a joint determination on whether to establish such program within two years on all covered land, (2) establish such program unless they determine that the program is not in the public interest and does not provide an effective means of developing such energy, and (3) require as a condition for any authorization for the development of such energy on such land the payment of a royalty. Defines "covered land" as: (1) public land administered by the Secretary or National Forest System land administered by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) land not excluded from the development of solar or wind energy under a land use plan established under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the National Forest Management Act of 1976, or other law. Establishes in the Treasury the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy for addressing and offsetting the impacts of such development on federal land, securing recreational access to federal land to provide enhanced public access to existing federal land that is inaccessible or significantly restricted, and carrying out activities authorized under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to determine the feasibility of carrying out a conservation banking program. Prohibits wind or solar generation projects with a capacity of 20 megawatts or more that are issued a lease, right-of-way, permit, or other authorization from being subject to the rental fee exemption for rights-of-way under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

Job Preservation and Sequester Replacement Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2013

Job Preservation and Sequester Replacement Act of 2013 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to modify the formula for calculating total deficit reduction requirements for FY2013. Amends the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 to repeal the requirement that the President order a sequestration (automatic cuts in discretionary spending) for FY2013. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year; (2) require a shareholder of a subchapter S corporation engaged in a professional service business to include all items of income or loss attributable to such business in determining such shareholder's net earnings from self-employment for purposes of computing employment tax liability; (3) increase the recovery period for the depreciation of general aviation aircraft (defined as any airplane or helicopter not used in commercial or contract carrying of passengers or freight, but which primarily engages in the carrying of passengers); and (4) include in foreign base company income, for purposes of determining the foreign trade income of controlled foreign corporations, imported property income. Limits or repeals certain tax benefits for major integrated oil companies (defined as companies with annual gross receipts over $1 billion and an average daily worldwide production of crude oil of at least 500,000 barrels), including: (1) the foreign tax credit for companies that are dual capacity taxpayers; (2) the tax deduction for income attributable to the production, refining, processing, transportation, or distribution of oil, natural gas, or primary products thereof; (3) the tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs; (4) the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (5) the tax deduction for qualified tertiary injectant expenses. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal royalty relief (suspension of royalties) for: (1) natural gas production from deep wells in shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) deep water oil and gas production in the Western and Central Planning Area of the Gulf (including the portion of the Eastern Planning Area encompassing whole lease blocks lying west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes west longitude).

Job Preservation and Economic Certainty Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2013

Job Preservation and Economic Certainty Act of 2013 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to revise discretionary spending limits for FY2012-FY2021. Repeals the requirement that the President order a sequestration for FY2013. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year; (2) require a shareholder of a subchapter S corporation engaged in a professional service business to include all items of income or loss attributable to such business in determining such shareholder's net earnings from self-employment for purposes of computing employment tax liability; (3) increase the recovery period for the depreciation of general aviation aircraft; (4) limit itemized deductions for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 for joint returns of married individuals); (5) include in foreign base company income, for purposes of determining the foreign trade income of controlled foreign corporations, imported property income; (6) limit the employer tax deduction for stock options granted to its employees to the value of such options as recorded on the employer's books at the time such options are granted; (7) apply the $1 million limitation on the employer tax deduction for employee remuneration to stock option compensation; and (8) repeal the last-in, first-out (LIFO) and the lower of cost or market methods of valuing inventory. Limits or repeals certain tax benefits for major integrated oil companies, including: (1) the foreign tax credit for companies that are dual capacity taxpayers; (2) the tax deduction for income attributable to the production, refining, processing, transportation, or distribution of oil, natural gas, or primary products thereof; (3) the tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs; (4) the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (5) the tax deduction for qualified tertiary injectant expenses. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal royalty relief for: (1) natural gas production from deep wells in shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and (2) deep water oil and gas production in the Western and Central Planning Area of the Gulf (including a portion of the Eastern Planning Area). Imposes new restrictions on U.S. corporations and other entities with foreign income with respect to: (1) tax deductions allocable to deferred foreign income, (2) the recalculation of foreign income taxes, (3) intangible property transferred overseas, (4) the limit on the foreign tax credit for dual capacity taxpayers, and (5) the treatment of taxes paid on foreign oil and gas income for purposes of the foreign tax credit. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to assess a risk-based Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee in the total amount of $30 billion to recover assistance provided to financial institutions through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and other federal programs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a .03% excise tax on the purchase of a security if: (1) such purchase occurs or is cleared on a trading facility located in the United States, or (2) the purchaser or seller is a U.S. person.

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 · 11 February 2013

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.

Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2013

Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require amounts received through FY2020 (currently, through FY2010) from leases under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to be available to the Secretary of the Interior to spend in such amounts as are provided in advance appropriations acts for implementing such Acts. Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establish a wind and solar leasing pilot program under which lease sales are conducted on covered public lands administered by the Secretary concerned to carry out wind and solar energy projects. Requires the Secretaries to jointly determine as to whether to expand the pilot program to apply to all covered public lands. Defines "covered land" to mean land that is: (1) public land administered by the Secretary of the Interior, or National Forest System land administered by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) not excluded from development of solar or wind energy under a final land use plan established under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, a final land and resource management plan established under the National Forest Management Act of 1976, or federal law. Establishes in the Treasury the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. Requires Fund amounts to be used in those regions for: (1) the protection and restoration of important fish and wildlife habitat; and (2) the assurance and improvement of access to federal lands and waters for hunting, fishing, and other forms of outdoor recreation. Requires the Secretaries to determine the feasibility of carrying out a mitigation banking program on federal lands administered by the Secretaries to fully offset the impacts of wind or solar energy on such lands.

Permanent Repeal of Oil Subsidies Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2013

Permanent Repeal of Oil Subsidies Act - United States Exploration on Idle Tracts Act or USE IT Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) issue regulations establishing a graduated annual production incentive fee governing federal onshore and offshore lands subject to an oil or natural gas production lease but for which such production is not occurring, and (2) deposit the prescribed fee assessment into the general fund of the Treasury. Deficit Reduction Through Fair Oil Royalties Act - Prohibits the Secretary from issuing new oil or natural gas production leases in the Gulf of Mexico under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to a person that does not renegotiate its existing leases in order to require royalty payments if oil and natural gas prices are greater than or equal to specified price thresholds. Authorizes the Secretary, in the case of multiple lessees, to implement a separate agreement modifying payment responsibilities (including such price thresholds) with any lessee that owns a lease share. Prescribes analogous requirements for lease transfers. Requires rentals or royalties received by the United States to be deposited in the Treasury for federal budget deficit reduction or, if there is no federal budget deficit, for reducing the federal debt. Directs the Secretary to agree to a lessee's request to amend any lease issued for any Central and Western Gulf of Mexico tract in the period of January 1, 1996, through November 28, 2000, to incorporate price thresholds applicable to royalty suspension requirements that are equal to or less than the price thresholds specified under OCSLA. No Free Inspections for Oil Companies Act - Amends the OCSLA to direct the Secretary to establish and collect nonrefundable facility inspection fees from operators of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) facilities. Establishes in the Treasury the Ocean Energy Enforcement Fund as depository for such fees. Requires amounts collected by the Secretary to be credited as offsetting collections and to be made available for expenditure only for implementing inspections of OCS facilities (including mobile offshore drilling units) and for administration of the inspection program. End Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures, to apply the special rule for major integrated oil companies to any covered large oil company with gross receipts exceeding $50 million for the taxable year. Excepts any taxpayer with gross receipts exceeding $50 million for the taxable year from: (1) the requirement to include all items of gross income in gross income for the year, (2) the enhanced oil recovery credit, (3) the deduction for intangible drilling and development costs in the case of oil and gas wells, (4) the percentage oil depletion allowance, (5) the deduction for tertiary injectants, (6) passive activity losses and credits, and (7) the deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities. Denies the use of last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting for major integrated oil companies. Prescribes a special rule for the treatment of foreign taxes paid by a dual capacity taxpayer that is a major integrated oil company.

A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify the Pilot Project offices of the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project.

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2013

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise the list of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project offices. Replaces the Miles City, Montana, field office with the Montana/Dakotas State Office, Montana (Billings).

Phantom Fuel Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2013

Phantom Fuel Reform Act  - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by requiring the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, in estimating the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel to be sold or introduced into commerce in the next year, to determine for each facility producing such biofuel during the current year: (1) the average monthly volume of biofuel produced by such facility based on the actual volume produced through October 31, and (2) the estimated annualized volume of biofuel production for such facility for the current year based on such average monthly production. Requires the estimate of cellulosic biofuel projected to be sold or introduced into commerce in the following year to equal the total of the estimated annual volumes of cellulosic biofuel production for all such facilities. Requires (currently, authorizes) the Administrator, in any year in which the Administrator reduces the applicable volume of cellulosic biofuel required in gasoline, to also reduce the applicable volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels required by the same (currently, by the same or a lesser) volume.

Helium Stewardship Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2013

Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act - Amends the Helium Act to redefine the Federal Helium Reserve as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cliffside Gas Field and supporting infrastructure, including: (1) the Cliffside Gas Field helium storage reservoir; and (2) all associated infrastructure owned, leased, or managed under contract by the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) for helium storage, transportation, withdrawal, purification, or management. Directs the Secretary (who currently is merely authorized) to offer for sale crude helium for federal, medical, scientific, and commercial uses, dividing such sales into three phases, the second of which is to maximize total recovery of helium from the Reserve. Limits the first phase to the one-year period following enactment of this Act, and specifies duration requirements for the second and third phases. Requires the Secretary to establish prices for crude helium sales during the first phase that are not less than the last sales of crude helium from the Federal Helium Reserve before enactment of this Act. Prescribes requirements for the sale of crude helium at auction for federal, medical, scientific, and commercial uses. Permits designated federal agencies and grantees to purchase refined helium from an eligible person for federal, medical, research, and scientific uses at either the minimum auction price, or another price designated by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to require all parties to a contract for the acceptance, storage, and redelivery of crude helium to disclose, on a confidential basis, in dollars per thousand cubic feet, the weighted average price of all crude helium and bulk liquid helium purchased, sold, or processed by them in qualifying domestic helium transactions during the fiscal year. Specifies conditions under which the Secretary is authorized to change the minimum sales price for crude helium. Requires persons participating in auctions of helium from the Federal Helium Reserve to furnish, upon request, records of transactions in helium auctions required by the Secretary to reconstruct bidding or trading in the course of a particular inquiry or investigation conducted for enforcement or surveillance purposes. Sets forth uses of the Helium Production Fund, including capital investments and maintenance at the Cliffside Gas Field helium storage reservoir and helium pipeline. Directs the Secretary to: (1) publicize on the Internet certain information regarding the current refining capacity on the Federal Helium Reserve pipeline, and (2) take any applications for new refining capacity on the Federal Helium Reserve pipeline. Requires the BLM Director to establish a real-time reporting process, including reporting over the Internet, providing specified data affecting the helium industry (including effects for all persons in the industry from crude helium suppliers to end users). Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a national helium gas resource assessment in each reservoir (including the isotope helium-3); (2) complete an assessment of trends in global demand for helium, including such isotope; (3) cooperate with the Secretary of Energy on any assessment or research relating to the extraction and refining of the isotope helium-3 from crude helium at either the Federal Helium Reserve or along the Federal Helium Reserve pipeline system; and (4) report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing a facility to separate the isotope helium-3 from crude helium at either the Federal Helium Reserve or at an existing helium separation or purification facility connected to the Federal Helium Reserve pipeline system.

BLM Live Internet Auctions Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2013

BLM Live Internet Auctions Act - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct onshore oil and gas lease sales through Internet-based live bidding methods. Requires each individual Internet-based lease sale to conclude within seven days. Directs the Secretary to analyze the first 10 such lease sales, including estimates of: (1) increases or decreases in such lease sales, compared to sales conducted by oral bidding; and (2) the total cost or savings to the Department of the Interior as a result of such sales, compared to sales conducted by oral bidding. Requires the report to evaluate the demonstrated or expected effectiveness of different structures for lease sales which may provide an opportunity to better maximize bidder participation, ensure the highest return to the federal taxpayers, minimize opportunities for fraud or collusion, and ensure the security and integrity of the leasing process.

Border Infrastructure and Jobs Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2013

Border Infrastructure and Jobs Act of 2013 - Establishes the United States-Mexico Economic Partnership Commission, which shall review and examine cross-border trade policies, strategies, and programs with Mexico. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grants program to develop and expand trusted shipper programs for small- and medium-sized businesses to facilitate border commerce. Authorizes appropriations for FY2014 to: (1) the General Services Administration (GSA) for planning, management, and construction of United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) owned land border ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border and for the installation of renewable energy retrofits at such ports of entry; (2) the International Boundary and Water Commission for planning, management, and construction of the International Outfall Interceptor and the Nogales Wash Channel; (3) the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) for improvements to existing transportation and supporting infrastructure along the border, for construction of highways and related safety and enforcement facilities related to international trade with Mexico, and for international coordination of transportation planning, programming, and border operations with Mexico; and (4) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for integrated fixed towers, remote video cameras, hand-held devices, mobile systems, and other technologies in Arizona. Requires the DHS Secretary: (1) during FY2014, to increase the number of full-time active duty CBP officers, agriculture specialists, and border security support personnel for such ports of entry, with priority to the Tucson Sector; and (2) to develop and annually update a Southwest Border Strategy for Security and Prosperity to facilitate trade and maintain operational control over such ports of entry. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a grants program to develop and revitalize small businesses located along the border. Prohibits an executive agency from awarding a contract unless 30% of the labor for the performance of the contract is performed by a local subcontractor, with exceptions.

Phantom Fuel Reform Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2013

Phantom Fuel Reform Act of 2013 - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by requiring the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, in estimating the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel to be sold or introduced into commerce in the next year, to determine for each facility producing such biofuel during the current year: (1) the average monthly volume of biofuel produced by such facility based on the actual volume produced through October 31, and (2) the estimated annualized volume of biofuel production for such facility for the current year based on such average monthly production. Requires the estimate of cellulosic biofuel projected to be sold or introduced into commerce in the following year to equal the total of the estimated annual volumes of cellulosic biofuel production for all such facilities. Requires (currently, authorizes) the Administrator, in any year in which the Administrator reduces the applicable volume of cellulosic biofuel required in gasoline, to also reduce the applicable volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels required by the same (currently, by the same or a lesser) volume.

Energy Efficient Government Technology Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2013

Energy Efficient Government Technology Act - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, with respect to federal agency energy management, to require each agency to collaborate with the Director of the Office of the Management and Budget (OMB) to develop an implementation strategy for the maintenance, purchase, and use of energy-efficient and energy-saving information and communications technologies (ICT) and practices that is based on the agency's operating requirements and statutory mission. Includes as part of such a strategy consideration of ICT and related infrastructure and practices. Requires the OMB Director to: (1) establish performance goals for evaluating the efforts of agencies in improving such technology systems and practices; and (2) maintain a data centers task force responsible for sharing progress toward individual agency goals and the overall target for increased energy efficiency, including through exchanges of best practices and energy efficiency information with the private sector. Sets forth reporting requirements. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, with respect to data center energy efficiency, to require: publication of the designation of the information technology industry organization that coordinates the voluntary national information program for such centers; updating and publication of a report on server and data center efficiency, including an analysis of the impact of ICT asset and related infrastructure utilization solutions; maintenance of a data center energy practitioner program that leads to the certification of practitioners qualified to evaluate energy usage and efficiency opportunities; annual evaluation of agency data centers by such certified energy practitioners (with a preference for those employed by the agency); establishment of an open data initiative for federal data center usage data; active participation by the Secretary of Energy (DOE) in efforts to harmonize global specifications and metrics for data center energy efficiency; and assistance by the Secretary in the development of an efficiency metric that measures the energy efficiency of the overall data center.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that any comprehensive plan to reform our national energy policy must promote the expanded use of renewable and alternative energy sources; increase our domestic refining capacity; promote conservation and increased energy efficiency; expand research and development, including domestic exploration; and enhance consumer education.

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2013

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that, in order to meet our nation's growing long-term energy demands and maintain our economic viability in the world marketplace, any comprehensive and economically viable energy bill must address: (1) taking advantage of our abundant domestic coal supply; (2) using recent technological innovations to exploit our vast supply of natural gas; (3) increasing our domestic oil production and refining capacity; (4) expanding the use of renewable and alternative energy sources, with a focus on nuclear energy; (5) providing incentives for an increase in conservation and energy efficiency; (6) expanding research and development through new methods such as public-private partnerships; and (7) enhancing consumer awareness and education regarding methods to increase energy efficiency and available alternative fuel sources to reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY AND INNOVATION: AN ASSESSMENT OF NORTH AMERICA'S ENERGY RESOURCES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 5 February 2013

Balancing Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2013

Balancing Act - Title I: Repeal Sequester - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), as amended by the Budget Control Act of 2011, to repeal certain sequestration requirements for enforcement of a specified budget goal. Title II: Close Tax Loopholes to Achieve Balance - Subtitle A: 28 Percent Limitation on Certain Deductions and Exclusions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit tax deductions and other tax exclusions for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return). Subtitle B: Tax Carried Interest in Investment Partnerships as Ordinary Income - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) set forth a special rule for the inclusion in gross income of partnership interests transferred in connection with the performance of services, (2) treat as ordinary income the net capital gain with respect to an investment services partnership interest except to the extent such gain is attributable to a partner's qualified capital interest, (3) exempt income from investment services partnership interests from treatment as qualifying income of a publicly-traded partnership, (4) increase the penalty for underpayments of tax resulting from failure to treat income from an investment services partnership interest as ordinary income, and (5) include income and loss from an investment services partnership interest for purposes of determining net earnings from self-employment and applicable self-employment taxes. Defines "investment services partnership interest" as any interest in a partnership acquired or held by a person who provides services to a partnership by: (1) advising the partnership about investing in, purchasing, or selling specified assets; (2) managing, acquiring, or disposing of specified assets; or (3) arranging financing with respect to acquiring specified assets. Subtitle C: Dual Capacity Taxpayers - Denies a foreign tax credit to a person who is subject to a levy of a foreign country or possession of the United States and who directly or indirectly receives an economic benefit from such country or possession (dual capacity taxpayer). Subtitle D: Close Exclusion of Foreign-Earned Income Loophole - Repeals the tax exclusion for foreign earned income. Subtitle E: Close S Corporation Loophole - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require certain shareholders of a subchapter S corporation engaged as a partner in a professional service business to include income or loss attributable to such business in their net earnings from self-employment for employment tax purposes. Defines a "professional service business" as any trade or business providing services in the fields of health, law, lobbying, engineering, architecture, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, athletics, investment advice or management, or brokerage services. Subtitle F: Limitation on Mortgage Interest Deduction With Respect to Boats - Eliminates the mortgage interest tax deduction for second residences that are boats. Title III: Ending Corporate Subsidies - Subtitle A: End Fossil Fuel Subsidies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) terminate the tax subsidy for fossil-fuel related uses of alternative fuel vehicle refueling property; (2) increase to seven years the amortization period for geological and geophysical expenditures; (3) repeal the tax deduction for income attributable to the mining of any hard mineral and the domestic production of oil, natural gas, or primary products thereof; (4) deny the use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory accounting method to oil, natural gas, and coal companies; (5) repeal percentage depletion for coal, lignite, and oil shale; (6) repeal capital gains tax treatment for royalties from coal; (7) increase the financing rate for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund; (8) deny a tax deduction for expenses for removal costs and damages relating to certain oil spill liability; and (9) impose a tax on the removal price of any taxable crude oil or natural gas from federal submerged lands on the Outer Continental Shelf. Subtitle B: Ending Excessive Corporate Tax Deductions for Stock Options - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) limit the employer tax deduction for employee stock options to the value of such options as recorded on the employer's books at the time such options are granted, and (2) apply the $1 million limitation on the employer tax deduction for employee remuneration to stock option compensation. Subtitle C: Reduce Deduction of Corporate Meals and Entertainment - Reduces from 50% to 25% the tax deduction for business meals and entertainment expenses after 2012. Title IV: Close International Tax System Loopholes - Subtitle A: Reformation of U.S. International Tax System - Imposes new restrictions on U.S. corporations and other entities with foreign income with respect to: (1) tax deductions allocable to deferred foreign income, (2) the recalculation of foreign income taxes, (3) intangible property transferred overseas, and (4) tax evasion activities by U.S. corporations reincorporating in a foreign country. Subtitle B: Reinsurance - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the taxable income of a life insurance company or other insurance company: (1) any non-taxed reinsurance premium; (2) any additional amount paid by an insurance company with respect to the reinsurance for which such non-taxed reinsurance premium is paid; and (3) any return premium, ceding commission, reinsurance recovered, or other amount received by an insurance company with respect to the reinsurance for which such non-taxed reinsurance premium is paid. Subtitle C: Close Loophole for Corporate Jet Depreciation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify general aviation aircraft as seven-year property for purposes of the depreciation tax deduction (currently, expenses for aircraft can be deducted or expensed in the current taxable year). Defines "general aviation aircraft" as any airplane or helicopter not used in commercial or contract carrying of passengers or freight, but which primarily engages in the carrying of passengers. Title V: Close Estate Tax Loopholes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the estate tax, to: (1) set forth valuation rules for certain transfers of nonbusiness assets; (2) limit estate tax discounts for certain individuals with minority interests in a business acquired from a decedent; (3) require that the value of the basis in any property acquired from a decedent or by gift be consistent with the basis as determined for estate and gift tax purposes; (4) require executors of estates and donors of gifts required to file a gift tax return to disclose to the Secretary of the Treasury, and to recipients of any interest in an estate or a gift, information identifying the value of each interest received; (5) expand rules for valuing assets in grantor-retained annuity trusts; and (6) terminate the generation-skipping transfer exemption for certain long-term trusts (perpetual dynasty trusts) 90 years after the establishment of such trusts. Title VI: Cut Pentagon Waste to Achieve Balance - Subtitle A: Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures - Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act - Prohibits using funds appropriated to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2014 or thereafter: (1) to arm a B-2 or B-52 aircraft with a nuclear weapon; (2) for the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) or procurement of a long-range penetrating bomber aircraft; (3) to make the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons; or (4) for the B61 or W78 life extension program. Prohibits, beginning in FY2014, the Navy from including more than eight operational ballistic-missile submarines available for deployment. Prohibits the use of DOD funds: (1) for FY2014-FY2024, to procure an SSBN-X submarine; and (2) for FY2025 and thereafter, to procure more than eight such submarines. Prohibits using DOD funds for FY2014 or thereafter: (1) to maintain more than 200 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), (2) to maintain more than 250 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, (3) for the RDT&E or procurement of a new ICBM, or (4) for the medium extended air defense system. Prohibits using DOD or Department of Energy (DOE) funds for FY2014 or thereafter for: (1) the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility project, (2) the chemistry and metallurgy research replacement nuclear facility, and (3) the uranium processing facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex. Directs the President to annually submit to Congress a comprehensive accounting by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the amounts obligated or expended by the federal government for each nuclear weapon and related nuclear program during the fiscal year covered by the report and the life cycle of such weapon or program. Subtitle B: Limiting Excessive Contractor Compensation - Limits the amount of compensation payable to employees of government contractors to the rate payable for level I of the Executive Schedule. Subtitle C: Relocate Troops From Europe to the United States - Directs the DOD Secretary to complete the relocation to U.S. military installations of at least 10,000 members of the Armed Forces (members) who are currently assigned to permanent duty ashore in Europe. Prohibits the replacement in Europe of any such personnel. Authorizes a relocation waiver in the event of a declaration of war or an armed attack on any European member-nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Subtitle D: Additional Reduction in Armed Forces End Strength Levels - Requires Army and Marine Corps active-duty end strengths to be reduced during FY2013-FY2017 to achieve a total reduction of 20,000 for the Army and 7,000 for the Marine Corps. Subtitle E: Procurement of Certain Submarines, Carriers, and Aircraft - Prohibits DOD funds from being obligated or expended for FY2014-FY2024 to procure more than one Virginia class submarine per fiscal year. Prohibits any such obligation for FY2014 or thereafter to procure: (1) the Ford class aircraft carrier designated CVN-80, (2) V-22 Osprey aircraft, (3) 237 F-35C aircraft, (4) more than 240 F/A-18E and F aircraft, and (5) more than 200 F-35B aircraft. Subtitle F: Limit Military Bands - Prohibits amounts expended for any fiscal year for military musical units from exceeding $200 million. Subtitle G: Reduction in Number of General and Flag Officers - Prohibits the number of active-duty general or flag officers from exceeding six for each 10,000 active-duty members of that armed force. Subtitle H: Audit the Pentagon - Requires a 5% reduction in the discretionary budget authority of a federal agency if such agency has not submitted a financial statement by March 1 of the next fiscal year, or if such statement has not received by such date an unqualified or qualified audit opinion by an independent external auditor. Excludes from such reduction accounts for military, reserve, and National Guard personnel and the Defense Health Program account. Authorizes the President to waive such reduction if it would harm national security or members serving in a combat zone. Requires a report to Congress listing required DOD reports that would no longer be necessary if the financial statements of DOD were audited with an unqualified opinion or that interfere with DOD's capacity to achieve an audit of its financial statements with an unqualified opinion. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) congressional defense committees and DOD should not endanger the nation's troops by reducing wounded warrior accounts or vital protection for members in harm's way, (2) the valuation of legacy assets by DOD should be simplified without compromising essential controls or generally accepted government auditing standards, and (3) this Act should not be construed to require or permit the declassification of accounting details about classified defense programs and DOD should ensure financial accountability in such programs. Title VII: Invest in Job Creation - Subtitle A: Making Work Pay Extension - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reinstate for taxable years beginning in 2013 the making work pay tax credit for the lesser of 6.2% of taxpayer earned income or $400 ($800 for married couples filing a joint tax return). Subtitle B: Support for Teachers and School Modernization - Directs the Secretary of Education to allocate grants to states and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the costs of retaining, recalling, rehiring, or hiring employees to provide early childhood, elementary, or secondary education and related services. Allows states to reserve up to 10% of their grant for awards, for the same purposes, to state-funded early learning programs. Requires LEAs and state-funded early learning programs to obligate such funds by the close of FY2014. Prohibits the use of such grants to supplant state funding for education. Directs the Secretary of Education to allocate grants to states and, through them, subgrants to LEAs to modernize, renovate, or repair early learning or elementary or secondary education facilities. Requires the Secretary of Education to allocate grants directly to the 100 LEAs with the largest numbers of children aged 5-17 living in poverty to modernize, renovate, or repair such facilities. Requires allocation of such funds among these LEAs in proportion to each LEA's respective share of school improvement funds under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Requires states to give subgrant priority to projects that comply with certain green building standards. Prohibits the use of such grants for new construction, routine maintenance costs, or on facilities used for events for which the public is charged admission. Allows private, nonprofit elementary or secondary schools with a rate of child poverty of at least 40% to participate in the program on a limited basis. Reserves funds for a survey, by the National Center for Education Statistics, of nationwide public school construction, modernization, renovation, and repair needs. Directs the Secretary of Education to allocate grants to states to modernize, renovate, or repair existing facilities at community colleges. Prohibits the use of such grants: (1) for routine maintenance costs, (2) on facilities used for events for which the public is charged admission, or (3) on facilities which are used for sectarian purposes. Requires states, in providing assistance to community college projects, to consider the extent to which the project complies with certain green building standards. Limits the amount of time states and LEAs have to obligate this Act's grants and subgrants. Requires, with certain exceptions, the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in projects funded by this title to be domestic. Subtitle C: Transportation Infrastructure Investments - Makes specified funds available to the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) for: (1) grants-in-aid for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning projects under the airport improvement program (AIP); (2) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Next Generation (NextGen) air traffic control system advancements; (3) highway and bridge restoration, repair, and construction projects and for passenger and freight rail transportation and port infrastructure projects; (4) grants for high-speed rail projects, capital investment grants for intercity passenger rail service, and grants to reduce congestion on intercity rail passenger transportation; (5) capital grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak); (6) transit capital assistance grants; (7) capital projects for existing fixed guideway system modernization, replacement and repair of buses and bus-related equipment, and construction of bus-related facilities; and (8) discretionary capital investment grants for surface transportation infrastructure. Authorizes the DOT Secretary to establish standards under which contracts for construction projects contain requirements for the local hiring of individuals to perform construction work under such contracts. Requires projects to comply with Buy American requirements. Building and Upgrading Infrastructure for Long-Term Development - Establishes the American Infrastructure Financing Authority (AIFA) as a wholly-owned government corporation to make direct loans and loan guarantees to facilitate transportation, water, or energy infrastructure projects. Requires infrastructure projects assisted under this Act to have costs that are reasonably anticipated to equal or exceed $100 million ($25 million for rural infrastructure projects). Sets forth special requirements for infrastructure projects in rural areas. Requires the AIFA Chief Lending Officer to establish: (1) an Office of Rural Assistance to provide technical assistance in the development and financing of rural infrastructure projects, and (2) a Center for Excellence to provide such assistance to public sector borrowers for the same purpose. Establishes an Office of Special Inspector General to audit and investigate the business activities of AIFA. Makes private projects for which no public benefit is created ineligible for financial assistance. Sets forth terms for loans or loan guarantees for infrastructure projects. Requires the Chief Executive Officer of AIFA to establish and collect fees sufficient to cover AIFA administrative costs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2013 the exemption from the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for certain tax-exempt private activity bonds.

Federal Cost Reduction Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2013

Federal Cost Reduction Act of 2013 - Requires: (1) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue recommendations for reducing or consolidating the number of federal data centers by at least 40% by the end of FY2018 and by at least 80% by the end of FY2023, and (2) executive agency heads to implement such recommendations within six months after their issuance. Requires the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to report on: (1) recommendations to reduce long-term real estate costs and energy expenditures; and (2) federal employee parking expenses, with a plan to reduce such expenses. Requires executive agency heads to establish a plan to reduce the volume of material printed for FY2014-FY2024 and to require duplex printing on all federal printers and copiers. Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to submit a plan to implement federal employee cost savings proposals. Authorizes executive agency heads to enter into cost-effective power purchase agreements for the purchase of electricity from federally-owned or controlled renewable energy sources. Establishes in the Treasury the Federal Facility Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects Fund to provide assistance for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects carried out at federal facilities to reduce energy use. Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) establish a federal facility energy efficiency and renewable energy projects fund program to make loans to assist agencies in reducing energy use; (2) promulgate regulations to enable agencies to retain the financial savings from entering into utility energy saving contracts; (3) promulgate regulations to enable agencies to identify all potential locations for renewable energy projects; (4) issue guidance for agencies to achieve energy savings by using computer hardware, energy efficiency software, and power management tools; and (5) issue guidance on a federal energy management and data collection standard that includes a plan for GSA to publish energy consumption data for individual facilities on a searchable and free website accessible by the public. Requires federal agencies to submit a plan to the Secretary on metering their consumption of electricity. Requires the Secretary to develop and report on best practices for the use of advanced metering of energy use in federal facilities, buildings, and equipment. Authorizes the GSA Administrator to use appropriated funds to update project designs to meet federal building energy efficiency standards. Requires the Administrator and the Secretary to incorporate commissioning and recommissioning standards for all real property that: (1) is more than $10 million in value, (2) has more than 50,000 square feet, or (3) has energy intensity of more than $2 per square foot. Requires that a contribution by the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to a state for facilities for reserve components of the Armed Forces, which is made at an armory or readiness center for an energy efficiency upgrade, cover 100% of the costs of architectural, engineering, and design services and the cost of the construction related to the upgrade.

Alaska Adjacent Zone Safe Oil Transport and Revenue Sharing Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2013

Alaska Adjacent Zone Safe Oil Transport and Revenue Sharing Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) require oil produced from federal leases in certain Arctic waters, except in preproduction phases (including explorations), to be transported by pipeline to onshore facilities; and (2) provide for, and issue appropriate permits for, the transportation of oil from such leases in preproduction phases (including exploration) by means other than pipeline. Requires that the state of Alaska receive 37.5% of all revenues derived from all rentals, royalties, bonus bids and other sums payable to the United States from energy development in any area of the Alaska Adjacent Zone, including from all sources of renewable energy leased, developed, or produced in such Zone. Sets forth an allocation scheme under which the Secretary of the Interior is directed to pay: (1) 25% of any allocable state share directly to coastal political subdivisions, (2) 25% of any allocable state share to certain Regional Corporations, and (3) 10% of any allocable state share directly to Indian tribes. Instructs the Secretary to distribute: (1) 15% of certain federal royalty revenues into a specified land and water conservation fund to provide financial assistance to states, and (2) 7.5% of certain federal royalty revenues into direct federal deficit reduction. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on bitumen transported into the United States.

A bill to reject the final 5-year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for fiscal years 2013 through 2018 of the Administration and replace the plan with a 5-year plan that is more in line with the energy and economic needs of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2013

Deems the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015, issued by the Secretary of the Interior, to be the final oil and gas leasing program for the period FY2013-FY2018. Considers the Secretary to have issued a final environmental impact statement to the FY2013-FY2018 oil and gas leasing program in accordance with certain requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Excludes Lease Sales 214, 232, and 239, from the FY2013-FY2018 final oil and gas leasing program. Declares that this Act does not affect restrictions on oil and gas leasing under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006.

Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2013

Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act - Requires a federal public land management official, in cooperation with the respective state and fish and wildlife agency, to exercise the authority of the official under law, including regarding land use planning, to facilitate the use of, and access to, federal public land for hunting, recreational fishing, and recreational shooting, except as described in this Act. Requires the heads of federal public land management agencies to exercise their discretion in a manner that supports and facilitates hunting, recreational fishing, and recreational shooting opportunities, to the extent authorized under applicable law. Requires that Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service land, excluding land on the Outer Continental Shelf, be open to hunting, recreational fishing, or recreational shooting unless the managing agency acts to close lands to such activity. Permits closures or restrictions on such land for purposes including resource conservation, public safety, energy or mineral production, energy generation or transmission infrastructure, water supply facilities, national security, or compliance with other law. Allows agencies to: (1) lease or permit use of federal public land for recreational shooting ranges, and (2) designate specific land for recreational shooting activities. Excepts from such use or designation land including a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, land designated as a wilderness study area or administratively classified as wilderness eligible or suitable, and primitive or semiprimitive areas. Requires annual reports on closures of federal public lands to hunting, recreational fishing, or recreational shooting. Sets forth requirements for specified closures or significant restrictions involving 1280 or more contiguous acres of federal public land or water to hunting or recreational fishing or related activities. Instructs federal public land agencies to consult with the advisory councils specified in Executive Orders 12962 (relating to recreational fisheries) and 13443 (relating to the facilitation of hunting heritage and wildlife conservation) in carrying out this Act.