Energy

To establish a Strategic Transformer Reserve program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE), acting through the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, to submit to Congress a plan to establish a Strategic Transformer Reserve for the storage, in strategically located facilities, of spare large power transformers in sufficient numbers to temporarily replace critically damaged large power transformers. DOE may not establish a Strategic Transformer Reserve until Congress has approved the plan.

Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2015

Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to: (1) establish a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to ensure that U.S. clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to be competitive and to create clean energy technology sector jobs; and (2) administer the Fund to promote policies that will reduce production costs and encourage innovation, investment, and productivity in the clean energy technology sector, and implement a national clean energy technology export strategy. The Fund must be administered through the International Trade Administration. Clean energy technology includes technology related to the production, use, transmission, storage, control, or conservation of energy that will contribute to a stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations through reduction, avoidance, or sequestration of energy-related emissions and that will: (1) reduce the need for additional energy supplies by using existing supplies with greater efficiency or by transmitting, distributing, or transporting energy with greater effectiveness through U.S. infrastructure; or (2) diversify the sources of the energy supply to strengthen energy security and to increase supplies with a favorable balance of environmental effects if the entire technology system is considered. Commerce must provide information, tools, and other assistance to U.S. businesses to promote clean energy technology manufacturing and facilitate the export of clean energy technology products and services. This assistance must be consistent with the National Export Initiative.

National Laboratory Technology Maturation Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2015

National Laboratory Technology Maturation Act of 201 5 Requires the Department of Energy to establish the National Laboratory technology maturation program to make grants of up to $5 million per fiscal year to National Laboratories to increase the successful transfer of technologies licensed from National Laboratories to small businesses by providing a link between an innovative process or technology and a practical application with potential to be successful in commercial markets. Requires grant recipients to use the funds to provide vouchers of up to $250,000 each to small businesses that hold a technology license from a National Laboratory to pay the cost of providing assistance from its scientists and engineers to assist in the development of the licensed technology and further develop related products and services until they are market-ready or sufficiently developed to attract private investment. Requires a National Laboratory that awards a voucher to carry out such a project to: (1) establish a procedure to monitor interim progress of the project toward commercialization milestones, and (2) discontinue providing such funding or assistance if it determines that a project is not making adequate progress toward such milestones under the procedure.

Local Energy Supply and Resiliency Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2015

Local Energy Supply and Resiliency Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish certain programs to support distributed energy systems, which are energy sources and systems that: (1) produce electric or thermal energy close to the point of use using renewable energy resources or waste thermal energy, (2) generate electricity using a combined heat and power system, (3) distribute electricity in microgrids, (4) store electric or thermal energy, or (5) distribute or transfer thermal energy to building heating and cooling systems through a district energy system. DOE must establish: (1) a loan program to provide funding for deploying distributed energy systems to states and other government entities, institutions of higher education, and electric utilities; and (2) a technical assistance and grant program to disseminate information and provide technical assistance to nonprofit and profit entities for identifying, evaluating, planning, and designing distributed energy systems.

Advancing Grid Storage Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2015

Advancing Grid Storage Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish certain energy storage programs. The bill establishes a program for the research of energy storage systems within DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. DOE must establish a loan program to provide loans to states and other government entities, educational institutions, and electric utilities for: (1) the demonstration and deployment of energy storage systems in a specific project, and (2) programs to finance the demonstration and deployment of multiple energy storage systems through a financial assistance program. Loans may only be used to fund programs relating to the demonstration and deployment of energy storage systems in households, businesses, and communities. DOE must establish a technical assistance and grant program to: (1) disseminate information and provide technical assistance directly to nonprofit or for-profit entities so those entities can identify, evaluate, plan, and design energy storage systems; and (2) make grants to such entities so that they may contract to obtain technical assistance to identify, evaluate, plan, and design energy storage systems.

Enhanced Grid Security Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2015

Enhanced Grid Security Act of 2015 This bill designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the lead Sector-Specific Agency for cybersecurity for the energy sector (this action comports with the presidential policy directive entitled "Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience" dated February 12, 2013). DOE shall: develop advanced cybersecurity applications and technologies for the energy sector; advance the security of field devices and third-party control systems; leverage electric grid architecture as a means to assess risks to the energy sector, including by implementing an all-hazards approach to communications infrastructure, control systems architecture, and power systems architecture; perform pilot demonstration projects with the energy sector to gain experience with new technologies; and develop workforce development curricula for energy sector-related cybersecurity. DOE shall also implement within the energy sector cybertesting and cyberresilience programs that target: DOE emergency response capabilities, cooperation with the intelligence communities for energy sector-related threat collection and analysis, enhancing the tools of DOE and the Electricity Sector Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ES-ISAC) for monitoring the status of the energy sector, expanding industry participation in ES-ISAC, and technical assistance to small electric utilities to assess cybermaturity posture. DOE must develop an advanced energy security program that secures diverse energy networks in order to increase the functional preservation of the electric grid operations or natural gas and oil operations in the face of natural and human-made threats and hazards, including electric magnetic pulse and geomagnetic disturbances. DOE shall study alternative management structures and funding mechanisms to expand industry membership and participation in ES-ISAC.

Grid Modernization Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2015

Grid Modernization Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a program of research and development of electric grid energy storage that addresses the principal challenges identified in the 2013 Department of Energy Strategic Plan for Grid Energy Storage. DOE shall establish and facilitate a collaborative process to develop model grid architecture and a set of future scenarios for the electric system to examine the impacts of different combinations of resources on the electric grid (including different quantities of distributed energy resources and large-scale, central generation). DOE shall also: conduct modeling based upon the scenarios developed; and analyze and evaluate the technical and financial impacts of the models to assist states, utilities, and other stakeholders in enhancing strategic planning efforts, avoiding stranded investments, and maximizing the cost-effectiveness of future grid-related investments. DOE shall: (1) conduct six demonstration projects to expand the application of technologies to improve observability, advanced controls, and prediction of system performance on the distribution system; and (2) establish a program for the development and promotion of grid-scale energy storage with microgrids to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure. The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 establishes a new resilience standard requiring each electric utility, each state authority regulating one, and each nonregulated electric utility to incorporate consideration of electric grid resilience (the ability of the electric grid to adapt to changing conditions and withstand and rapidly recover from disruptions) into its integrated resource planning. DOE shall: (1) initiate development of voluntary model pathways for modernizing the electric grid through a collaborative, public-private effort; and (2) establish a steering committee to facilitate development of the pathways. DOE must develop baseline, voluntary model performance metrics to facilitate and promote the adoption of best practices and processes for electricity infrastructure providers to design, build, and implement a modernized electric grid and maximize opportunities to enhance progress in grid technologies and capabilities, consumer engagement, and policy. DOE shall also, upon request, partner with the states and regional organizations to facilitate development of state and regional distribution plans.

Regional Gas Consumer Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2015

Regional Gas Consumer Protection Act This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, before approving or disapproving an application for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, to consider: (1) regional constraints in the U.S. natural gas supply, and (2) whether the application includes provisions of benefit to the regional consumers that would be affected by the exportation of natural gas.

Protecting America's Paper for Recycling Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2015

Protecting America's Paper for Recycling Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources, to exclude from the definition of "municipal solid waste" solid waste that is collected as part of a system that includes materials recovery and that commingles commonly recycled paper with other solid waste that is not commonly recycled at any point from the time of collection through materials recovery.

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program under which the Director of the Bureau of Land Management shall enter into memoranda of understanding with States providing for State oversight of oil and gas productions activities.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

This bill requires the Department of the Interior, upon state request, to establish a program under which the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with a state to create consistent rules and processes for measurement of oil and gas production activities, inspection of meters or other measurement methodologies, and other operational activities. To be eligible for this program, a state must administer oil and gas programs sufficient to fulfill BLM oversight and enforcement responsibilities.

A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to submit a plan to implement recommendations to improve interactions between the Department of Energy and National Laboratories.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to submit to certain congressional committees a plan to implement recommendations made by the Commission to Review the Effectiveness of the National Energy Laboratories to improve interactions between DOE and its National Laboratories.

Energy Loan Program Improvement Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Energy Loan Program Improvement Act of 2015 This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the condition of a full appropriation under which the Department of Energy (DOE) may make loan guarantees intended to serve as incentives for innovative technologies, but retains as the sole condition for the making of a guarantee that DOE has received from the borrower payment in full for the cost of the guarantee, and has deposited such payment into the Treasury. Any reorganization, restructuring, or termination of a debt obligation, as well as the debt obligation itself (as under current law), may not be subordinate to other financing. If DOE has not made a final decision 270 days after receipt of the loan application, the applicant may submit a loan status request, and may repeat such request every 90 days thereafter until the final decision is made. DOE must respond to such a request within 10 days after receiving it, summarizing any delaying factors and estimating the date the application review will be completed. The temporary program for rapid deployment of renewable energy and electric power transmission projects is repealed, and the unobligated balance of amounts available to implement it are rescinded.

Bulk-Power System Reliability Impact Statement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Bulk-Power System Reliability Impact Statement Act This bill amends the Federal Power Act to require reliability coordinators registered with the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to report to certain congressional committees and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding: the state of and prospects for the reliability and affordability of electricity within their respective geographic areas, and the most significant risks to the reliability of the bulk-power system that might arise or need to be monitored within such geographic areas, including risks from proposed or final federal regulations. FERC must: solicit a reliability impact statement from the affected reliability coordinator within 15 days after a federal agency proposes a major rule that may significantly affect the reliable operation of the bulk-power system, and transmit the coordinator's reliability impact statement to the head of the federal agency for inclusion in the public record. A reliability coordinator may also submit voluntarily a reliability impact statement for any proposed major federal rule that the coordinator determines would significantly affect the reliable operation of the bulk-power system within the coordinator's jurisdiction. If a proposed rule subject to a reliability impact statement affects an area broader than the jurisdiction of a single reliability coordinator, the ERO must convene a committee of the affected reliability coordinators in order to produce a single statement that demonstrates for each affected area the reliability impact of the proposed rule. When issuing a proposed major rule subject to a reliability impact statement, the head of the federal agency must: consider the reliability impact statement in issuing the proposed rule, and include in the final rule a detailed response to the reliability impact statement.

Hydropower Improvement Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Hydropower Improvement Act of 2015 This bill declares that hydropower is a renewable resource for purposes of all federal programs and is an essential source of energy in the United States. The Federal Power Act is amended to limit the conditions placed on construction licenses issued for dams, conduits and reservoirs within any federal to those that: (1) pertain to the reservation land on which project works are located; and (2) have a clear and direct nexus to the presence or operations of the project being licensed, as determined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Preliminary permits issued to maintain priority of application for a license may be extended from three years to four years. FERC may: (1) extend the period of a preliminary permit for up to four additional years beyond the initial four years, and (2) grant the permittee an additional permit if extraordinary circumstances warrant that action. When determining the term of a license, FERC must consider project-related investments by the licensee over the term of the existing license that resulted in new development, construction, capacity, efficiency improvements, or environmental measures, but which did not result in FERC extension of the license term. FERC shall also determine alternative prescriptions for a fishway license instead of the Department of the Interior. FERC shall require a licensee to construct, maintain, and operate fishways only if the fishways are necessary to mitigate effects of a project upon fish populations, have a clear and direct nexus to the presence or operations of the project being licensed, and are submitted in accordance with a specified schedule. FERC shall in addition: (1) investigate best practices in performing licensing studies, including methodologies and the design of studies to assess the full range of any environmental impacts of a project; (2) compile a comprehensive collection of studies and data accessible to the public that could be used to inform license proceedings; and (3) act as the lead agency coordinating all applicable federal authorizations. FERC may, upon request, designate staff to hold informal meetings to discuss technical or procedural matters relating to any ongoing license proceeding. The bill revises requirements regarding the entitlement of a license applicant, including any party to the proceeding, to a determination on the record, after opportunity for a trial-type hearing, concerning disputed issues of material fact with respect to an applicable covered measure. In implementing the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013, FERC must consider a closed loop pumped storage project to include one: (1) in which the upper and lower reservoirs do not impound or directly withdraw water from a navigable stream, and (2) that is not continuously connected to a naturally flowing water feature.

American Helium Production Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

American Helium Production Act of 2015 This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to permit the Department of the Interior to lease federal land for helium exploration, development, and production under substantially the same terms and conditions as federal land is leased for oil and gas exploration, development, and production. Any lease issued for gas exploration or development in effect grants the lessee a right of first refusal to engage in helium exploration and production on land subject to the lease under the Mineral Leasing Act as well as under the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands. The Department shall collect a $5,000 permit processing fee per application at the time the final decision is made whether to issue a permit to drill under a helium lease. The Bureau of Land Management must prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement for an agencywide helium exploration and development program.

Condensate Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Condensate Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Energy to develop a standard definition of the term "condensate" and, subsequently, advise relevant federal agencies to adopt that definition in order to clarify U.S. energy policy. The Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy may assess the suitability of condensate separately from crude oil for use in strategic reserves. The Energy Information Administration must collect data concerning the chemical properties of domestically produced condensate and crude oil. The Department of the Interior must assess condensate separately from crude oil. The bill authorizes: the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to estimate condensate separately from crude oil as part of the resource assessments regarding domestic geological formations, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue Data Collection to collect condensate data separately from crude oil, and the United States Geological Survey to include estimates of condensate separately from crude oil as part of the resource assessments regarding domestic geological formations. Congress declares that processed condensate is a petroleum product.

Continuity of Electric Capacity Resources Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Continuity of Electric Capacity Resources Act This bill amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to notify transmission organizations that they must file an electric capacity resources report if they have a tariff on file that addresses the procurement of electric capacity resources. Report contents must: identify electric capacity resources available to the transmission organization; describe the fuel sources and operational characteristics of each electric capacity resource; evaluate the financial health, viability, and projected remaining years of service of these available electric capacity resources; and assess the current and projected reliability of the elements of the bulk-power system under the transmission organization's control. Subsequent to this report, transmission organizations must also submit tariff amendments that would achieve specified objectives, including a diverse generation portfolio and the availability of transmission facilities and transmission support services that would provide a continuous supply of electricity for customers. The bill shields any person from liability for actions taken to comply with a FERC order for temporary connections and exchanges of facilities during war or an energy emergency.

A bill to amend the Natural Gas Act to limit the authority of the Secretary of Energy to approve certain proposals relating to export activities of liquefied natural gas terminals.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

This bill amends the Natural Gas Act with respect to liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals to prohibit the Department of Energy, as of the date the total quantity of natural gas cumulatively exported by fully permitted LNG terminals is at least equal to 8 billion cubic feet per day, from either taking into consideration or approving any proposal submitted by an LNG terminal to: initiate the export of natural gas to a foreign country from an LNG terminal that does not export natural gas as of the date of the proposal's submission, or increase the quantity of natural gas exported to a foreign country by an LNG terminal that does export natural gas as of the date of the proposal's submission.

PURPA PLUS Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

PURPA's Legislative Upgrade to State Authority Act or the PURPA PLUS Act Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, with respect to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authority to prescribe rules requiring electric utilities to offer to sell and purchase electric energy to and from any qualifying cogeneration or small power production facility. Permits state regulatory authorities or nonregulated electric utilities, acting under state authority, to set rates exceeding the incremental cost of alternative electric energy for purchases from any such qualifying facility of up to two megawatts capacity. (Current law requires FERC to set rates that do not exceed the incremental cost to the electric utility of alternative electric energy.)

Smart Grid Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Smart Grid Act of 2015 This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel, to establish the Smart Grid Interoperability Working Group. The purpose of the Group is to: identify additional efforts the federal government can take to better promote the establishment and adoption of open standards that enhance connectivity and interoperability on the electric grid, study the market and policy barriers to deploying responsive appliances at scale, and develop a plan for establishing and promoting the widespread adoption of interoperability standards. The Smart Grid Regional Demonstration Initiative shall identify best practices for the implementation of the Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPS) of the Federal Trade Commission for the collection, use, disclosure, and retention of individual customer information. When selecting smart grid demonstration projects to receive assistance, DOE shall ensure: (1) geographical diversity, and (2) diversity among types of electricity markets and regulatory environments. Additionally, DOE must make grants, on a competitive basis, for demonstration projects in any of seven designated program areas, including: transactive energy, innovation in valuation of new technology grid services and efficiency, rate design-distribution system, and rate design-consumer acceptance of time-based pricing. As a prerequisite for financial assistance, a participant in a smart grid demonstration project must provide information required by DOE, which shall become available through the smart grid information clearinghouse and for purposes of producing certain reports. DOE must also establish a working group composed of representatives of each project selected to receive assistance within a program area.

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Modernization Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Modernization Act of 2015 This bill directs the Department of Energy to: evaluate the international obligations that gave rise to the establishment and maintenance of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR); analyze changes in energy security infrastructure since the establishment of the SPR, including changes in the distribution infrastructure and the integrity of the salt caverns associated with the SPR; estimate the costs of completing deferred maintenance for the SPR; estimate the costs of life extension spending for SPR infrastructure nearing the end of its design life; and evaluate the size of the SPR as of the date of the study, based upon current and projected oil supply and demand.

North American Energy Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

North American Energy Infrastructure Act Prohibits any person from constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining a cross-border segment of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility at the national boundary of the United States for the import or export of oil, natural gas, or electricity to or from Canada or Mexico without obtaining a certificate of crossing under this Act. Requires the Department of State, with respect to oil pipelines, or the Department of Energy (DOE), with respect to electric transmission facilities, to issue a certificate of crossing for the cross-border segment within 120 days after final action is taken under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, unless it is not in U.S. public interest. Directs DOE, as a condition of issuing a certificate, to require that the cross-border segment be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained consistent with specified policies and standards. Amends the Natural Gas Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve within 30 days after receipt any application for the importation or exportation of natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico. Declares that no presidential permit shall be necessary for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility, including any cross-border segment.

A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to develop an implementation strategy to promote the development of hybrid micro-grid systems for isolated communities.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy to develop an implementation strategy to promote the development of hybrid micro-grid systems for isolated communities, particularly communities exposed to extreme weather conditions and high costs of energy, including electricity, space heating and cooling, and transportation. A hybrid micro-grid system is a stand-alone electrical system composed of conventional generation and at least one alternative energy resource. Mandatory considerations in developing the strategy include: the potential for renewable resources, including wind, solar, and hydropower, to be integrated into a hybrid micro-grid system; the capacity of the local workforce to operate, maintain, and repair a hybrid micro-grid system; and the need for basic infrastructure to develop, deploy, and sustain a hybrid micro-grid system.

Alaska Native Energy Assistance Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Alaska Native Energy Assistance Program Act This bill authorizes a Regional Corporation or Village Corporation in Alaska to establish an energy assistance program that provides to shareholders financial assistance for the payment of residential electric bills, the cost of home weatherization or energy efficiency improvements, or the purchase of transportation fuels. Any assistance provided to shareholders under such an energy assistance program shall not be subject to federal taxation.

NEWS Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Nexus of Energy and Water for Sustainability Act of 2015 or the NEWS Act of 2015 This bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish either a Committee or a Subcommittee on the Nexus of Energy and Water for Sustainability (NEWS) under the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The Secretary of Energy (DOE) and Secretary of the Interior must serve as co-chairs. The term "energy-water nexus" means the links between: (1) the water needed to produce energy; and (2) the energy needed to transport, reclaim, and treat water and wastewater. The NEWS Committee or Subcommittee shall: serve as a forum for developing common federal goals and plans on energy-water nexus research, development, and demonstration activities; issue a strategic plan on the priorities and objectives of those activities; promote coordination of the related activities of federal departments and agencies; coordinate and develop capabilities and methodologies for data collection, management, and dissemination of information related to those activities from and to other federal departments and agencies; promote information exchange between federal departments and agencies; and review its activities, relevance, and effectiveness 10 years after it is established and report on the results of the review. The Office of Management and Budget must submit a report that displays for each agency that carries out or supports basic and applied research, development, and demonstration activities to advance energy-water nexus-related science and technologies: (1) the budget proposed in the President's budget request for the upcoming fiscal year, (2) expenditures and obligations for the prior fiscal year, and (3) estimated expenditures and obligations for the current fiscal year.

A bill to amend the Natural Gas Act to modify a provision relating to civil penalties.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to require that civil penalties for violations of the Act be assessed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in accordance with the guidelines which it apply regarding civil penalties for violations under the Federal Power Act (under which a court may review de novo the law and the facts involved).

Methane Hydrate Research and Development Amendments Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Methane Hydrate Research and Development Amendments Act of 2015 This bill amends the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 2000 to revise and reauthorize the Department of Energy's (DOE) program of methane hydrate research and development. In carrying out the program, DOE may award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, institutions that: (1) drill a test well and perform a long-term hydrate production test on land in the U.S. Arctic region within 4 years, (2) drill a test well and perform a long-term hydrate production test in a marine environment within 10 years, or (3) drill a full-scale production test well at a location to be determined by DOE. DOE must conduct a long-term environmental monitoring program to study the effects of production from methane hydrate reservoirs.

Energy Distribution Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Energy Distribution Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to collaborate with other federal agencies to improve the conceptual development of energy security, considering at a minimum: development of flexible, transparent, and competitive energy markets, including natural gas and oil markets; diversification of energy fuels, sources, and routes; and encouragement of indigenous sources of energy supply. DOE must: (1) lead an interagency effort to improve and coordinate data collection and analytical and modeling capabilities for energy distribution on shared energy infrastructure; and (2) coordinate the training of, and enhanced dialogue among, technical staff in federal agencies responsible for cross-border energy projects evaluation and implementation. The Energy Information Administration must collaborate with officials in Canada and Mexico to improve: the quality and transparency of North American energy data through reconciliation of data on energy trade flows among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; the extension of energy mapping capabilities in those countries; and the development of common energy data terminology among the three nations.

A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to provide for the safe and reliable interconnection of distributed resources and to provide for the examination of the effects of net metering.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

This bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to define "distributed resource" as an electric power source connected directly to the distribution network or on the customer side of the meter. State regulatory authorities shall by certain deadlines: establish proceedings to examine the degree to which distributed resources contribute specified ancillary services, such as reactive supply, energy imbalance, and flexibility and ramping services, among others; prescribe measures to ensure adequate ancillary services so that grid interconnection for distributed resources is safe, reliable, and efficient; examine the effects of net metering and customer-owned distributed generation on resource planning of each electric utility, and determine whether electricity rates established for net metering service are just and reasonable and not unduly preferential or discriminatory.

Electric Transmission Infrastructure Permitting Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Electric Transmission Infrastructure Permitting Improvement Act This bill establishes the Interagency Rapid Response Team for Transmission (Team), composed of specified federal agencies, to expedite the permitting process for electric transmission infrastructure on both federal and non-federal land. The Team shall: facilitate coordination and unified environmental documentation among electric transmission infrastructure project applicants, federal agencies, states, and Indian tribes; establish clear timelines for the review and coordination of projects; ensure that each project is posted on the "e-Trans" federal permitting transmission tracking system; and notify Team members involved in any specific permit of any outstanding agency action required with respect to the permit, and any approval or required comment that has exceeded statutory or agency timelines for completion. The Transmission Ombudsperson, established by this Act within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, shall create a process for permitting maintenance and upgrades to electric transmission lines and resolving complaints. The Department of the Interior must not take certain actions under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 with respect to rights-of-way reserved for a federal agency or department for an electric transmission system unless the agency or department head proposes to change the use of the right-of-way to support a function other than an electric transmission system. The actions prohibited unless a change of use is proposed include: requiring a new grant, permit, or renewal of the grant or permit relating to the right-of-way; requiring any other authorization or instrument relating to the right-of-way; or imposing new terms or conditions relating to the right-of-way or its use, including proposed changes affecting electric transmission system facilities or appurtenances.

Free Market Energy Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Free Market Energy Act of 2015 This bill amends the Federal Power Act to identify the elements of a distributed energy resource, including fuel cells, microgrids, and combined heat and power systems. Distributed energy resources shall have a general right of interconnection under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), and all rates and fees for interconnection shall provide for the two-way benefit for the distributed energy resource and the electricity grid. Each state regulatory authority shall consider requiring that distributed energy resources be eligible to receive just and reasonable energy and rate treatment for time-of-use pricing and other specified features and values. A state regulatory authority or nonregulated electric utility acting under state authority must consider specified interconnections standards that include: setting rates that exceed the incremental cost of alternative electric energy for purchases from any distributed energy resource that is a qualifying facility for electricity generated, demand reduced, or service provided by the qualifying facility interconnected under this Act; and making any distributed energy resource project exempt from filing requirements with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). A state regulatory authority must also consider: designation, through a competitive process, of a regulated utility, other party, or a combination of regulated utilities and other parties to be a smart grid coordinator or distribution system operator for the state; and nontransmission alternatives when a regulated utility proposes transmission projects.

Oil and Gas Production and Distribution Reform Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Oil and Gas Production and Distribution Reform Act of 2015 This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) identify, as soon as practicable after an application for federal authorization relating to oil and gas production and distribution is submitted, each federal, state, or local governmental entity that may consider an aspect of that application; and (2) invite each identified agency to cooperate or participate in the review process for the application. The governmental entity delegated to review an aspect of the application must make a final decision on the aspect of the federal authorization under its consideration within 90 days after FERC issues its final environmental document (unless federal law establishes a different schedule). When deciding a federal authorization, an agency must defer to the scope of environmental review that FERC determines appropriate. Each agency considering an application for federal authorization shall take certain actions as well as identify and, according to specified procedures, try to resolve issues that may delay or prevent granting of the authorization.

Next Generation Electric Systems Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Next Generation Electric Systems Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grants program for eligible partnerships to develop and implement projects related to achieving the transformation of the future electric grid by the year 2030 using a comprehensive approach to electric system design and architecture. Eligible partnerships may include any institution of higher education, National Laboratory, representative of a state or local government, representative of an Indian tribe, federal power marketing administration, industry expert, or nonprofit industry trade association, but must include at least one electric utility (either investor-owned or publicly owned), technology provider, rural electric cooperative, Regional Transmission Organization, or Independent System Operator. DOE must, when selecting eligible partnerships to receive grants, give priority to those proposing projects for which a cost-share is to be provided.

HEAT Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Heat Efficiency through Applied Technology Act or the HEAT Act This bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, with respect to electric utilities ratemaking standards, to direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish: guidance for technical interconnection standards that ensure interoperability with federal rules for interconnection between electric utilities and electric consumers; model interconnection procedures, including appropriate fast track procedures; and model rules for determining and assigning interconnection costs. Such standards must reflect current best practices to encourage the use of distributed generation (such as combined heat and power technology and waste heat to power technology) while ensuring the safety and reliability of the interconnected units and the distribution and transmission networks to which the units connect. Combined heat and power technology is the generation of electric energy and heat in a single, integrated system meeting specified efficiency criteria under which heat that is conventionally rejected is recovered and used to meet thermal energy requirements. Qualified waste heat resource does not include a heat resource from a process whose primary purpose is electricity generation using a fossil fuel, but does mean: exhaust heat or flared gas from any industrial process; waste gas or industrial tail gas that would otherwise be flared, incinerated, or vented; a pressure drop in any gas for an industrial or commercial process; or any other form of waste heat resource as the Secretary may determine. Waste heat to power technology is any system generating electricity through the recovery of a qualified waste heat resource. State regulatory authorities and each nonregulated electric utility must: (1) complete consideration of these model standards within two years after DOE has completed them, (2) determine whether or not it is appropriate to implement each standard, and (3) report updated plans for interconnection procedures and tariff schedules that reflect best practices to encourage the use of distributed generation. Specified prior state actions shall shield a technical interconnection standard in the case of any electric utility in a state from certain statutory time limitations and administrative consequences of noncompliance. DOE must establish model rules and procedures for determining fees or rates for supplementary power, backup or standby power, maintenance power, and interruptible power supplied to facilities that operate combined heat and power technology and waste heat to power technology that appropriately allow for adequate cost recovery by an electric utility but are not excessive. Each state regulatory authority and each nonregulated electric utility must update their plans for supplemental, backup, and standby power fees within certain time limitations, and subject to certain administrative consequences for failure to comply, unless specified prior state actions have been undertaken. The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency must establish a grant program to: (1) update any applicable state or local air permitting regulations to incorporate environmental regulations relating to output-based emissions, or (2) expedite the processing of relevant power generation permit applications if the state has already the permitting regulations to incorporate those output-based emissions environmental regulations.

Clean Distributed Energy Grid Integration Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2015

Clean Distributed Energy Grid Integration Act This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to: (1) study the status of integration of clean distributed energy into electric grids, (2) identify issues requiring additional research or regulatory development, and (3) make grants for research proposals that address technical barriers identified in the study. "Clean distributed energy" means energy technologies that are located on the customer site operating on the customer side of the electric meter and are interconnected with the electric grid. DOE shall convene a stakeholder working group to: address regulatory barriers to deployment of intelligent grid integration of clean distributed energy technologies; and provide guidance on how to address the technical, regulatory, and economic factors that limit widespread integration of grid-level clean distributed energy use in order to advance the integration of such energy into electric grids. DOE may make grants to implement integration demonstration projects, based on study findings, to state and local agencies, public institutions, private companies, electric utilities, and equipment manufacturers.

A bill to authorize Federal agencies to provide alternative fuel to Federal employees on a reimbursable basis, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2015

This bill allows federal agencies to: (1) construct, operate, and maintain alternative fuel infrastructure on their property; and (2) provide alternative fuel on a reimbursable basis on their property for use by privately-owned vehicles used by federal employees, members of a uniformed service, contractors, or a visitor to a federal agency or facility (covered individuals). Agencies: (1) cannot provide compensation, benefits, or any other payment to covered individuals for purchasing alternative fuel; and (2) must charge fees for alternative fuel provided that are sufficient to cover the costs of only the alternative fuel. After collected fees or commissions are put into the appropriate account in the Treasury, they will be available to the agency that collected them during the fiscal year the fees or commissions were collected and the following fiscal year.

Federal Land Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2015

Federal Land Access Act This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act, with respect to rights-of-way for pipelines through federal lands, to redefine federal lands, for purposes of granting an application for a natural gas pipeline right-of-way, to mean all lands owned by the United States, except only those lands held in trust for an Indian or Indian tribe and lands on the outer Continental Shelf. The exception for the National Park System is repealed, thereby authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to grant natural gas pipeline rights-of-way on National Park System land.

America INNOVATES Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2015

America Implementing New National Opportunities To Vigorously Accelerate Technology, Energy, and Science Act or the America INNOVATES Act Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to rename the Under Secretary for Science as the Under Secretary for Science and Energy. Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to report annually on DOE's ability to improve the technology transfer and commercialization of energy technologies. Directs DOE to carry out the Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program, in part by giving the contractors of the DOE nonmilitary national laboratories (national laboratories) increased authority to negotiate contract terms and making every such facility eligible for the program. Extends the pilot program for a term of three years after the enactment of this Act. Requires DOE to delegate to the directors of the national laboratories signature authority with respect to certain agreements (except those with a majority foreign-owned company) whose total cost is less than $1 million. Permits the directors of national laboratories to use funds authorized to support technology transfer within DOE to carry out early-stage and precommercial technology demonstration activities to: (1) remove technology barriers that limit private sector interest, and (2) demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from national laboratory activities. Amends the Small Business Act to require DOE, in carrying out its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, to provide to small businesses seeking funding under these programs information concerning resources available to them at national laboratories and federally funded research and development centers. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exempt, for six years after enactment of this Act, institutions of higher education and nonprofit institutions from the cost-sharing requirements for research and development. Requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the results of projects developed under this Act and on DOE efforts to promote technology transfer and private sector engagement at the national laboratories.

Energy Technologies Access and Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2015

Energy Technologies Access and Accountability Act This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reauthorize the advanced technology vehicles manufacturing incentive program through FY2020. An "advanced technology vehicle" under the program shall include: a U.S.-manufactured, on-highway commercial truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more that meets at least 125% of the average base year combined fuel economy for vehicles with substantially similar attributes, and a U.S.-flagged vessel. The current Department of Transportation (DOT) facility funding awards to automobile manufacturers, among others, shall extend to U.S. commercial truck manufacturers and vessel manufacturers. DOT, through its Loan Programs Office, shall: accelerate efforts to engage sufficient engineering expertise to verify that direct loan borrowers under the program are delivering projects in accordance with applicable loan agreements, and develop sufficient and quantifiable performance measures to achieve the intent of the direct loan program. All proceeds from the repayment of direct loans shall be used by the Treasury to pay down the national debt. The direct loan program shall be repealed on January 1, 2020.

INNOVATIONS IN BATTERY STORAGE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 May 2015

Home Energy Utility Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2015

Home Energy Utility Assistance Act This bill amends the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to reauthorize the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for FY2016-FY2025. The bill also requires states to ensure that households seeking assistance under the program are not required to file more than one application per year.

Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2015

Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2015 This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to revise and reauthorize through FY2019 the program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to expand marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy production. The program must give priority to fostering accelerated research, development, and commercialization of technology. The meaning of "marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy" is expanded to include all forms of energy, not just electricity, from: (1) waves, tides, and currents in oceans, estuaries, and tidal areas; (2) free flowing water in rivers, lakes, and streams; (3) free flowing water in man-made channels; and (4) differentials in ocean temperature (ocean thermal energy conversion). National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers must support in-water testing and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, including facilities capable of testing: (1) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems of various technology readiness levels and scales, (2) a variety of technologies in multiple test berths at a single location, and (3) arrays of technology devices.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representative in respect to promoting a strong national energy policy that supports the innovative and hard-working men and women in the oil and gas industry who have led the charge in a United States energy revolution.

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2015

Declares that the House of Representatives supports policies that: cut through bureaucratic red tape to encourage domestic energy resurgence; reduce harmful, job-killing regulations; and eliminate an obsolete, decades-old crude oil export ban to reduce price volatility, increase market stability, and promote economic growth.

Public Housing Tenant Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2015

Public Housing Tenant Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2015 Public Housing One-for-One Replacement and Tenant Protection Act of 2015 Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with respect to: (1) demolition, disposition, or both pursuant to conversion of any public housing unit; and (2) the taking of public housing units through the use of eminent domain. Exempts from specified requirements for demolition and disposition of public housing any public housing projects removed from a public housing agency (PHA) inventory under the program for conversion of demolished or distressed public housing dwelling units to tenant-based assistance. Excludes real property containing dwelling units in public housing from federal regulations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or any substantially similar regulations, with respect to: certain real estate; and implementing HUD requirements for demolition or disposition of public housing projects, and conversion of public housing to tenant-based assistance. Public Housing Preservation and Rehabilitation Act of 2015 Reauthorizes for FY2016-FY2025 the public housing Capital and Operating Funds. Authorizes HUD to guarantee notes or other obligations issued by PHAs to finance: (1) the rehabilitation of PHA public housing; (2) the modernization of such housing through energy efficiency improvements; or (3) the construction, rehabilitation, purchase, or conversion of public housing units to replace any demolished, disposed of, or converted. Prescribes requirements for PHAs that utilize housing tax credits under the Internal Revenue Code for rental housing units. Removes a specified limitation on the use of amounts from the Capital Fund or Operation Fund by a PHA to construct new public housing units. Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2015 Requires HUD to make competitive grants to local governments, PHAs, or nonprofit entities owning a major housing project to implement transformational programs in eligible neighborhoods with a concentration of extreme poverty and severely distressed housing. Together We Care Act of 2015 Requires HUD to establish a competitive grant pilot program for eligible entities to train public housing residents as home health aides and as providers of home-based health services for residents of public housing or federally-assisted rental housing who are elderly, disabled, or both.

Tax Pollution, Not Profits Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2015

Tax Pollution, Not Profits Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel products and from any facility which is required to report emissions or to which emissions are attributed. The tax is equal to $30 per metric ton of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent in 2016, increasing each subsequent year at 4% above inflation. The bill amends the Social Security Act to establish a Low-Income Cost Mitigation Program to provide an energy refund amount to certain low and middle-income households to compensate such households for increases in energy costs due to this bill. The Department of Labor may use revenues generated by this bill to implement a program to assist displaced workers in the coal industry. The bill also provides for a gradual reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 32% in taxable years beginning in 2016 to 28% in taxable years beginning after 2019. The bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a website to make information regarding the amount and sources of revenue attributable to this bill publicly available.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY LEGISLATION

United States · United States Senate · 30 April 2015

STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE DISCUSSION DRAFT AND TITLE IV ENERGY EFFICIENCY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 30 April 2015

Energy Assistance for American Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2015

Energy Assistance for American Families Act This bill amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to reauthorize the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for FY2016-FY2020. A state may use any allotment from funds appropriated for FY2016-FY2020 to assist households whose income does not exceed 75% of the state median income.

Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2015

Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2015 This bill revises a variety of programs to encourage energy efficiency in buildings, industry, the federal government, and certain appliances. States and Indian tribes must measure their compliance with certain residential and commercial building energy codes. The Department of Energy (DOE) must: (1) provide technical assistance and incentive funding to implement building energy codes, and (2) establish energy saving targets for updating model building energy codes. DOE must: (1) provide grants to establish building training and assessment centers at institutions of higher education, and (2) establish a process to recognize schools for implementing energy efficient and renewable energy projects and assisting initiation of similar efforts. The General Services Administration must develop model leasing provisions and best practices to encourage building owners and tenants to use greater cost-effective energy efficiency measures in commercial buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must develop a Tenant Star program to recognize tenants of spaces in commercial buildings who voluntarily achieve high levels of energy efficiency. DOE may make awards to utilities, utility regulators, and utility partners to develop and implement programs to provide aggregated whole building energy consumption information to multitenant building owners. The energy-intensive industries program is renamed the future of industry program. DOE must: (1) conduct on-site technical assessments at the request of a manufacturer to identify opportunities for maximizing energy efficiency, prevent pollution and minimize waste, improve efficient use of water in manufacturing processes, and conserve natural resources; and (2) carry out an industry-government partnership program to research, develop, and demonstrate new sustainable manufacturing and industrial technologies and processes. A Supply Star program is established within DOE to identify and promote practices, recognize companies, and recognize products that use highly efficient supply chains that conserve energy, water, and other resources. DOE must establish rebate programs for expenditures for purchasing and installing certain: (1) electric motors with controls that reduce energy use, and (2) energy efficient transformers. This bill revises requirements concerning the energy performance of federal buildings, certification under the Energy Star Program, certification of green buildings, energy efficiency in federal real estate transactions and programs, and verification of compliance with energy conservation standards for certain appliances. The Department of Housing and Urban Development must establish a demonstration program for energy and water conservation improvements at multifamily residential units. Energy conservation standards are established for grid-enabled water heaters for use as part of an electric thermal storage or demand response program (a program that enables customers to reduce or shift their power use during peak demand periods).

To require the Secretary of Energy to establish an energy efficiency retrofit pilot program.

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2015

This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a pilot program to award grants, through FY2020, to nonprofit organizations for retrofitting their buildings with energy-efficiency improvements. This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to offset the costs of the grants by decreasing the amount of appropriations authorized for the Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative in FY2016.