Energy

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2010

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 January 2009

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2011

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 January 2009

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2011

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 January 2009

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2011

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 January 2009

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2011

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 January 2009

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

United States · United States Senate · 31 December 2008

A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to hold at least 1 public hearing before issuance of a permit affecting public or private land use in a locality.

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2008

Amends the Federal Power Act and the Natural Gas Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to hold at least one public hearing in each affected county and locality before issuing any authorization for action that may affect public or private land use (other than federal land).

CLEAN ENERGY AND ``GREEN'' JOBS

United States · United States Senate · 10 December 2008

Green Jobs and Infrastructure Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2008

Green Jobs and Infrastructure Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to provide loans to manufacturers to help finance the cost of: (1) reequipping, expanding, or establishing a manufacturing facility in the United States to produce clean technology products and significant component parts of those products, including wind turbines, solar energy products, fuel cells, advanced batteries and storage devices, biomass engines, and geothermal equipment; and (2) improving the energy-efficiency of the industrial processes of the manufacturers other than through the production of products and component parts for retrofitting a manufacturing facility. Applies such loans to: (1) facilities and equipment placed in service before December 30, 2012; and (2) costs incurred between the date of this Act's enactment and December 30, 2020. Requires the Secretary to give priority to facilities in regions with the highest unemployment rates. Authorizes the Secretary to provide awards or loans to idle facilities. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require the Secretary to establish the High-Performance Building Block Grant Program to provide grants to assist eligible entities in implementing large-scale, multi-building projects to improve and provide high-performance building, green building, and renewable energy services and financing to homeowners and small businesses. Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to include among national service programs eligible for assistance under the National and Community Service State Grant Program a Clean Energy Service Corps program in which participants: (1) promote clean energy technologies; or (2) enable communities and nonprofit organizations to assist businesses and households in matters relating to clean energy technologies and in becoming more energy efficient. Amends the Workforce Investment Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to the Secretary a specified amount of funding for the energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program.

Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2008

Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act - Directs the President to designate one or more executive branch officers (designee) to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the designee to authorize and direct the disbursement of bridge loans or to enter into commitments for lines of credit to each automobile manufacturer that submitted to Congress a plan on December 2, 2008, and request for such loan or commitment ("automaker," for purposes of this Act). Establishes as the amount of such assistance the amount intended to facilitate continued operations of the automaker and prevent its failure. Directs the designee to: (1) determine measures to assess the progress of each automaker for transforming the plan submitted into a restructuring plan; (2) evaluate progress toward developing a restructuring plan after a 45-day period beginning when the assessment measures were established; and (3) facilitate agreement on a restructuring plan to achieve and sustain the long-term viability, international competitiveness, and energy efficiency of an automaker. Requires each automaker to submit a restructuring plan to the designee no later than March 31, 2009. Directs the designee to approve such plan if it meets specified requirements, including that it will result in: (1) the repayment of all government-provided financing, under specified terms; (2) the domestic manufacturing of advanced technology vehicles, as described under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007; (3) efforts to rationalize costs, capitalization, and capacity; and (4) proposals to restructure existing debt. Authorizes the designee, upon plan approval, to provide financial assistance to an automaker to implement the plan. Requires a loan to be called upon restructuring plan disapproval. Directs the designee to prioritize the loan assistance to automakers, based on: (1) its necessity for continued operations; (2) potential impacts of the automaker's failure on the U.S. economy; and (3) the ability to use the assistance to satisfy operational and long-term restructuring requirements. Makes appropriations to provide loan funds under this Act in an amount up to $14 billion. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Energy to replenish funds made available. Provides loan terms and conditions. Requires each recipient, during the loan period, to inform the designee of: (1) any proposed automaker transaction in excess of $100 million; and (2) any other material change in financial condition. Authorizes the designee to review and approve or disapprove such a transaction. Outlines provisions concerning an automaker's failure to comply with loan requirements. Requires the designee to receive warrants for up to 20% of the common or preferred stock of each automaker as a loan condition. Subjects each automaker, during the loan period, to specified executive compensation and corporate governance standards. Limits an automaker's owning or leasing of corporate passenger aircraft, and prohibits an automaker's payment of dividends, during such period. Subordinates to the federal loan any other automaker obligations. Prohibits a title 11 bankruptcy discharge from discharging an automaker or its successor in interest from any debt for assistance received under this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct ongoing oversight of the designee's activities and performance and to report at least every 60 days to Congress. Adds to duties of the Special Inspector General established by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 the duty to coordinate audits and investigations of the designee. Requires each loan recipient to analyze potential uses of excess production capacity to make vehicles for sale to public transit agencies. Requires reports from the designee to Congress on: (1) assistance activities undertaken under this Act; and (2) a plan on achieving the long-term viability, international competitiveness, and energy efficiency of each automaker. Directs the designee to serve as a guarantor of leases of qualified transportation property (domestic property subject to a lease approved by the Federal Transit Administration prior to January 1, 2006). Authorizes a salary adjustment during FY2009 for justices and judges of the United States. Sets forth guidelines for application of the antitrust laws and antitrust agency participation in proceedings of the automakers. Makes inapplicable to ownership changes resulting from this Act certain Internal Revenue Code provisions limiting the carryover of net operating losses and certain built-in losses. Designates amounts provided under this Act as an emergency requirement under the FY2008 concurrent budget resolution.

INNOVATION, JOBS, AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: REINVIGORATING THE DOMESTIC AUTO INDUSTRY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 9 December 2008

Limitation on Nuclear Cooperation with the United Arab Emirates Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2008

Limitation on Nuclear Cooperation with the United Arab Emirates Act of 2008 - Prohibits any agreement for cooperation to enter into force or any license to be issued for the export of nuclear material, equipment, or technology between the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the government of the UAE has: (1) taken actions to prohibit the transfer of goods, services, or technology to the government of Iran, including fully implementing U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran; (2) implemented an export control regime in accordance with international standards and has implemented legislative and functional actions to target the logistical and financial networks that support terrorist organizations; (3) terminated all related cooperation between any UAE national and the government of Iran, any Iranian national, or any Iranian-controlled entity, and has prosecuted any such UAE national, and (4) not engaged in or condoned activities that violate the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act, and other applicable U.S. law. Amends the the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require congressional approval of an agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation (section 123 agreement). (Under current law such an agreement become effective unless Congress disapproves it within a specified time period.) Directs the President to keep the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations fully informed of any initiative or negotiations relating to a new or amended section 123 agreement.

A bill to establish a framework for coordination and cooperation on energy and environmental issues among the United States, the People's Republic of China, and India, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2008

Declares it to be the policy of the United States to develop an informed dialogue with China and India on the sustainable use of energy and the protection of the environment, the promotion of best practices for clean energy and technology investments, and the development and transfer of energy and environmental technologies. Establishes a Congressional-Executive Commission on Clean Energy Trade Between Key Consuming Nations to coordinate energy and environmental issues relating to the United States, China, and India and to establish a dialogue among such nations on the development and promotion of clean energy production, clean air and water, clean and efficient transportation, and the conservation and management of forests and wetlands and their ecosystems.

A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to expand the Rural Energy for America Program to include schools in rural areas.

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2008

Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to expand the rural energy for America program to include schools in rural areas.

Auto Industry Emergency Bridge Loan Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2008

Auto Industry Emergency Bridge Loan Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make loans to automobile manufacturers or component suppliers that have: (1) operations in the United States, the failure of which would have a systemic adverse effect on the overall U.S. economy or a significant loss of U.S. jobs, as determined by the Secretary; and (2) operated a manufacturing facility for the purpose of producing automobiles or automobile components in the U.S. throughout the 20-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act. Requires any automobile manufacturer or component supplier applying for such a loan to submit to the Secretary a detailed plan describing how the requested government funds would: (1) be utilized to ensure the the manufacturer's or supplier's financial viability; (2) stimulate U.S. automobile production; and (3) improve the manufacturer's or supplier's capacity to pursue the timely and aggressive production of energy-efficient advanced technology vehicles. Authorizes the Secretary to sell, exercise, or surrender any equity instrument received under this Act. Allows proceeds received from a sale, exercise, or surrender to be credited to the appropriate Government financing account made available to fulfill the advanced technology vehicle manufacturing incentive purpose under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 until the amount loaned under this Act has been repaid. Directs the Secretary to require any loan recipient to meet appropriate standards for executive compensation and corporate governance. Prohibits a loan recipient from using loan funds for any lobbying expenditures or political contributions. Prohibits the payment of common stock dividends by any loan recipient for the duration of the loan. Establishes the Auto Industry Emergency Bridge Loan Oversight Board to review and provide advice concerning the exercise of the authority under this Act. Requires the Secretary, in allocating loan amounts under this Act, to consider the magnitude of the impact of the loan applicant's manufacturing operations in the United States on the overall U.S. economy and other segments of the automobile industry, including levels of employment, domestic manufacturing of automobiles and automobile components, and automobile dealerships. Rescinds the $7.5 billion appropriation for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program Account for the cost of direct loans as authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Appropriates the same amount for the cost of direct loans under this Act. Limits commitments for direct loans using such amount to $25 billion in total loan principal.

National Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2008

National Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Act of 2007 [ sic ] - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) establish a fuel emission baseline; (2) identify qualifying low-carbon transportation fuels; (3) establish a low-carbon fuel certification and marketing process; and (4) require each obligated party to reduce the average lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of energy of the aggregate quantity of fuels introduced into commerce to specified levels by not later than January 1, 2010, through the use of low-carbon fuels and improvements in the production of conventional fuels. Requires the average lifecycle GHG emissions of the aggregate quantity for 2012 to be at least 3% below the 2007 average should emission limitation regulations not be promulgated. Authorizes an obligated party to apply to the Administrator to receive a temporary suspension of the requirement to comply with such regulations if events outside of the control of the party could lead or have led to disruptions in the transportation fuel supply. Permits obligated parties to receive credits for achieving greater reductions in lifecycle GHG emission of the fuel produced, distributed, or imported than are required. Requires the Administrator to ensure that fuel sold or introduced into commerce in the United States (except in noncontiguous states or territories) contains, on an annual average basis, at least the specified volume of ultra-low carbon fuel for 2012-2025. Prohibits such regulations from restricting geographic areas in which low-carbon transportation fuel and ultra-low carbon fuel may be used or from imposing any per-gallon obligation for the use of those fuels. Sets forth a minimum applicable volume for 2026 and thereafter. Requires the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to provide to the EPA Administrator an estimate of the volumes of conventional fuels projected to be sold or introduced into commerce. Requires the EPA Administrator to determine the fuel obligations based on such an estimate. Requires regulations concerning ultra-low carbon fuel to provide for the generation of specified credits by obligated parties. Authorizes the EPA Administrator, on the receipt of a petition of one or more states, to waive ultra-low carbon regulations by reducing the national quantity of Category I or Category II ultra-low carbon fuel in the conventional transportation fuel pool if it is determined that: (1) implementation of the regulations would severely harm the economy or environment; or (2) there is an inadequate domestic supply of such fuel. Considers 1 gallon of cellulosic biomass ethanol or waste derived ethanol to be the equivalent of 2.5 gallons of renewable fuel through 2017 (currently there is no time limit). Requires the Administrator to establish: (1) a carbon intensity number and a green index number as part of the renewable identification number program; and (2) a set of standards to minimize the negative environmental impacts of an increase in the volume of fuels required by such Act and to ensure long term resource sustainability from the sourcing and production of low-carbon fuels.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the credit for renewable electricity production to include electricity produced from biomass for on-site use.

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for producing electricity from closed or open-loop biomass facilities equipped with a metering device to determine electricity consumption or sale to allow a tax credit after 2008 for electricity produced and consumed at such facilities and to extend the credit period for such production.

A bill to provide for additional emergency unemployment compensation, to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to authorize loans to automobile manufacturers and component suppliers, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2008

Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to revise the formula for Tier-1 amounts a state credits to an applicant's emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA) for a benefit year. Increases the figures in the formula (the lesser of which shall be the amount credited) from: (1) 50% to 80% of the total amount of regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable to the individual during the benefit year; and (2) 13 to 20 times the individual's average weekly benefit amount for the benefit year. Provides an additional Tier-2 period for deposits to an individual's EUCA, using the current formula, if, at the time that the amount established under this Act is exhausted, or at any time thereafter, the individual's state is in an extended benefit period. Prescribes a formula for determining if a state is in an extended benefit period. Allows the Tier-2 period augmentation to be applied to the individual's EUCA only once. Prohibits a Tier-2 augmentation under this Act to an individual's account after March 31, 2009, if the account is exhausted after such date. Extends the period of emergency unemployment compensation. Exempts weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and December 8, 2009, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law of such state provides for payment (at any time or under any circumstances) of regular compensation to an individual for his first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.) Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make emergency direct loans of up to $25 billion in the aggregate to automobile manufacturers and component suppliers. Requires the Secretary, in allocating loan amounts, to prioritize the distribution of loans based on the magnitude of the impact of the manufacturing operations of the loan applicant in the United States on the overall U.S. economy and other segments of the automobile industry, including the impact on levels of employment, domestic manufacturing of automobiles and automobile components, and automobile dealerships. Requires any applicant automobile manufacturer or component supplier to submit to the Secretary a detailed plan on how the government funds requested will: (1) be utilized to ensure the long-term financial posture of the company; and (2) stimulate U.S. automobile production and improve the company's capacity to pursue the timely and aggressive production of energy-efficient advanced technology vehicles. Declares that the costs incurred by the federal government in making such loans, including credit subsidy costs and administrative expenses, shall be covered out of proceeds from the sale of government bonds and the third tranche of the $700 billion made available under EESA. Specifies timing of loan disbursements, and terms and conditions. Directs the Secretary to require any loan recipient to meet specified standards for executive compensation and corporate governance. Applies certain EESA oversight requirements to any loans made under this Act. Designates all provisions of this Act and the amendments it makes as emergency requirements necessary to meet certain emergency needs in accordance with the FY2008 congressional budget resolution.

Economic Recovery Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2008

Economic Recovery Act of 2008 - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 for infrastructure, energy, and economic recovery for: (1) the Department of Agriculture; (2) the Department of Commerce; (3) the Department of Justice (DOJ); (4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); (5) the Legal Services Corporation; (6) the Department of Defense (DOD) - Civil for the Department of the Army Corps of Engineer; (7) the Department of Energy (DOE); (8) the Department of the Treasury, including the Office of Inspector General; (9) the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); (10) the General Services Administration (GSA); (11) the Small Business Administration (SBA); (12) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (13) the Department of the Interior; (14) the Smithsonian Institution; (15) the Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration; (16) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (17) the Department of Education; (18) DOD military construction, Navy and Marine Corps, and DOD family housing construction, Army and Air Force; (19) the Department of Transportation (DOT); and (20) the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Makes appropriations for FY2009 to the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a temporary increase in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Farm Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to make appropriations to the Secretary of Agriculture for emergency financial assistance to producers on a farm that incurred qualifying quantity or quality losses for the 2008 crop due a natural disaster or any related condition, particularly sugar and sugarcane crops in Florida and Louisiana. Prescribes: (1) a temporary increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; and (2) a temporary reinstatement of authority to provide federal matching payments for state spending for child support incentive payments. Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to increase and extend emergency unemployment compensation (EUC). Exempts weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and December 8, 2009, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law of such state provides for payment (at any time or under any circumstances) of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.) National Park Centennial Fund Act - Establishes in the Treasury the National Park Centennial Fund. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make emergency direct loans of up to $25 billion in the aggregate to certain automobile manufacturers and component suppliers. Requires the Secretary, in allocating loan amounts, to prioritize applications based on the magnitude of the impact of the applicant's manufacturing operations in the United States on the overall U.S. economy and other segments of the automobile industry, including the impact on levels of employment, domestic manufacturing of automobiles and automobile components, and automobile dealerships. Authorizes the automobile manufacturer or component supplier, at the Secretary's discretion, to issue to the Secretary preferred stock in lieu of receiving a loan, on analogous terms and conditions as those described for such EESA loans. Requires any applicant automobile manufacturer or component supplier to submit to the Secretary a detailed plan on how the government funds requested will: (1) be utilized to ensure the long-term financial posture of the company; and (2) stimulate U.S. automobile production and improve the company's capacity to pursue the timely and aggressive production of energy-efficient advanced technology vehicles. Declares that the costs incurred by the federal government in making such loans, including credit subsidy costs and administrative expenses, shall be covered out of proceeds from the sale of government bonds and the third tranche of the $700 billion made available under EESA. Specifies timing of loan disbursements, and terms and conditions. Directs the Secretary to require any loan recipient to meet specified standards for executive compensation and corporate governance. Applies certain EESA oversight requirements to any loans made under this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer, other than a corporation, an above-the-line deduction for interest, state sales tax, or excise tax paid or accrued during the taxable year on any indebtedness incurred after November 12, 2008, and before January 1, 2010, in acquiring any qualified motor vehicle which is secured by such vehicle. Designates each amount in this Act as an emergency requirement, necessary to meet certain emergency needs in accordance with the FY2008-FY2009 congressional budget resolutions.

Federal Agency Environmental Procurement Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2008

Federal Agency Environmental Procurement Act - Directs the head of each agency to ensure that: (1) when procuring a consumer electronic or information technology product, the agency meets at least 95% of the agency's requirements with an Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)-registered product, unless there is no EPEAT standard for such product; (2) the Energy Star feature is enabled on agency computers and monitors; and (3) the agency establishes and implements policies to extend the useful life of agency electronic equipment; and (4) the agency uses environmentally sound practices with respect to disposition of electronic equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. Excludes the Government Accountability Office (GAO) from the definition of "agency" for purposes of this Act.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the credit for renewable electricity production to include electricity produced from biomass for on-site use.

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for producing electricity from closed or open-loop biomass facilities equipped with a metering device to determine electricity consumption or sale to allow a tax credit after 2008 for electricity produced and consumed at such facilities and to extend the credit period for such production.

Small Business Energy Innovation Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2008

Small Business Energy Innovation Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), to make grants and loan guarantees to small business concerns for the development of innovative energy-efficient technologies and products. Amends the Small Business Act to establish in the SBA the position of Director of Energy Innovation to coordinate SBA energy innovation activities and technical assistance programs. Establishes an energy innovation grant program to provide grants, on a competitive basis, to private, nonprofit organizations, including institutions of higher education, that are capable to providing technical assistance relating to renewable and advanced energy efficiency systems, advanced transportation fuels, carbon capture and sequestration practices and technologies, and other energy efficiency technologies.

Thorium Energy Independence and Security Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2008

Thorium Energy Independence and Security Act of 2008 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish, and provide funds to, an office for the regulation of thorium fuel cycle nuclear power generation in each of: (1) the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (ONEST) of the Department of Energy; and (2) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Directs the NRC Chairman to promulgate regulations for facilities and materials used in thorium fuel cycle nuclear power generation. Requires the heads of the two Offices to: (1) implement demonstration projects for thorium fuel cycle nuclear power generation at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory; and (2) recommend to the Secretary methods of strengthening international partnerships to advance nuclear nonproliferation through thorium fuel cycle nuclear power generation, and of providing incentives to nuclear reactor operators to use proliferation-resistant, low-waste thorium fuels in lieu of other fuels.

Renewable Power for Agriculture Incentive Program Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2008

Renewable Power for Agriculture Incentive Program Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for excessive fuel costs for creditable fuel (i.e., fossil fuel or electricity) used by a taxpayer in the trade or business of farming. Defines "excessive fuel cost" as the excess amount paid for creditable fuel over the adjusted base price for such fuel (the average price for such fuel on September 6, 2004, for the region in which the taxpayer purchased such fuel). Terminates such credit after 2013.

A bill to provide for the extension of a certain hydroelectric project located in the State of West Virginia.

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2008

Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon licensee request, to extend to: (1) December 6, 2009, the deadline to commence construction of project number 9042 (West Virginia); and (2) 60 years the period of the license. Requires FERC to reinstate the license if it expires before enactment of this Act.

Harmonizing America's Energy, Economy, Environment, and National Security Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2008

Harmonizing America's Energy, Economy, Environment, and National Security Act of 2008 - Terminates all federal prohibitions on the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct natural gas, oil, oil shale, and other energy production leasing, preleasing, and related activities on federal lands. Revokes withdrawals of federal submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from leasing for natural gas and oil exploration, development, and production. Amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to repeal the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in specified areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to: (1) require the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to consult with the Secretary of Defense to resolve conflicts between military operation needs for the OCS and leasing under such Act; (2) provide for the allocation of sums collected by the United States under qualified leases on submerged lands made available for leasing under such Act; and (3) modify state seaward boundaries requirements. Authorizes the exploration, leasing, development, production, and transportation of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain in Alaska. Instructs the Secretary to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program for oil and gas exploration, development, and production in the Coastal Plain. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal the prohibition against production of oil and gas from Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Authorizes the Secretary to designate not more than 45,000 acres of the Coastal Plain (including the Sadlerochit Spring area) as a special area requiring special management and regulatory protection. Prohibits surface occupancy of land comprising the special area if the Secretary leases all or a portion of it for oil and gas exploration and development. Authorizes the Secretary to lease all or a portion of a special area under terms that permit the use of horizontal drilling technology from sites on leases located outside the special area (directional drilling). Sets forth procedures for lease sales and lease grants. Prohibits the Secretary from closing land within the Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing, exploration, development, or production except in accordance with this Act. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) Coastal Plain environmental protection; (2) rights-of-way and easements; and (3) local government impact aid and community service assistance. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal the prohibition against using funds to: (1) promulgate regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale (and tar sands) resources on public lands pursuant to requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 with regard to a programmatic environmental impact statement for such program; or (2) conduct an oil shale lease sale. Establishes the Conservation Reserve Account and the Renewable Energy Reserve Account to offset the cost of legislation enacted after this Act for, respectively: (1) conservation programs and tax credits and deductions for energy efficiency in residential, commercial, industrial, and public sectors; and (2) accelerating the use of cleaner domestic energy resources and alternative fuels, promoting the use of energy-efficient products and practices, and increasing research, development, and deployment of clean renewable energy and efficiency technologies and job training programs. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal the prohibition against federal agencies procuring alternative or synthetic fuel for mobility-related uses, other than for research or testing, unless the associated lifecycle GHG emissions will be less than or equal to emissions from fuel from conventional petroleum sources.

United States Nuclear Fuel Management Corporation Establishment Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2008

United States Nuclear Fuel Management Corporation Establishment Act of 2008 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to establish the United States Nuclear Fuel Management Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to: (1) manage a spent nuclear fuel enterprise to eliminate the need for federal funding for the management of spent nuclear fuel; and (2) assume responsibility for the activities, obligations, and use of resources of the federal government with respect to spent nuclear fuel management. Establishes in the Treasury the United States Nuclear Fuel Management Corporation Fund. Directs the President to appoint a Transition Manager to transfer spent nuclear fuel management obligations, functions, personnel, and funds from the Secretary of Energy to the Corporation.

Research, Hazard Intervention, and National Outreach for Healthier Homes Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2008

Research, Hazard Intervention, and National Outreach for Healthier Homes Act of 2008 - Directs the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate the health effects of housing-related health hazards for which limited research or understanding of causes or associations exists. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement studies by the Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control of the assessment, prevention, and control of housing-related health hazards. Directs the Administrator of the EPA to study how sustainable building features in existing housing affect the quality of the indoor environment, the prevalence of housing-related health hazards, and the health of occupants. Directs the Secretary of HUD to complete the analysis of data collected for the National Survey on Lead and Allergens in Housing and the American Healthy Housing Survey. Directs the Administrator of the EPA to expand current indoor environmental monitoring efforts to establish baseline levels of indoor chemical pollutants and their sources. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the data and resources needed to establish a healthy housing data collection system. Directs the Secretary of HUD to: (1) develop improved methods for evaluating, reducing, and preventing health hazards in housing; (2) support development of objective measures for a healthy residential environment; (3) promote the incorporation of healthy housing principles in post-disaster environments as well as ongoing practices and systems, and of health considerations into green and energy-efficient construction and rehabilitation; (4) improve the dissemination of healthy housing information; and (5) promote state and local level healthy housing efforts. Amends the Public Health Service Act with respect to the CDC Program Capacity on Housing-Related Health Hazard. Directs the Administrator of the EPA, acting through the director of the Office of Children's Health Protection and Environmental Education, to address health hazards in the home environment, with particular attention to children, the elderly, and families with limited resources. Directs the Secretary of HUD to award health hazard reduction grants to reduce significant structural, health, and safety hazards in the home. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, to establish a competitive grant program to promote education and outreach on housing-related health hazards. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 with respect to enforcement of the lead disclosure rule. Establishes within the EPA voluntary products and materials and housing labeling programs. Specifies the duties of the EPA Administrator with respect to the Healthy Home Seal of Approval. Directs the EPA Administrator to provide public education and outreach on environmental health risks experienced by the elderly, and low-cost methods for addressing them. Directs the Secretary of HUD to award funds for a Health Hazards Outreach competitive grant program. Directs the Secretary of HUD, the Director of the CDC, and the Administrator of the EPA to establish a national healthy housing media campaign.

To provide a tax credit for qualified energy storage air conditioner property.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2008

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a residential energy efficient tax credit for 30% of the cost of qualified energy storage air conditioner property installed in a principal residence; and (2) an energy tax credit for 30% of qualified energy storage air conditioner property installed before January 1, 2015. Defines "qualified energy storage air conditioner property" as a cooling system that: (1) consists of thermal or ice storage components that create, store, and supply cooling energy to reduce peak electricity demand; (2) can deliver a minimum of 29,000 Btu and a maximum of 240,000 Btu of cooling capacity; (3) is designed to deliver such cooling capacity for a minimum continuous period of three hours; (4) is designed to reduce peak kilowatt demand by 90% for the cooling load served; and (5) is designed not to exceed the 24-hour energy consumption of conventional cooling equipment by more than 10%.

American Energy, American Innovation Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2008

American Energy, American Innovation Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to publish a plan for the sale and replacement of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to extend the jurisdiction of the Commodity Future Trading Commission (CFTC) to energy commodities. Establishes the National Commission on Energy Independence in the legislative branch. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a national renewable electricity standard. Declares the sense of the Senate that by calendar 2030 the United States should be energy independent. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a tax credit for qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles and fuel-efficient motor vehicles placed in service by a taxpayer. Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a program of alternative fuel transportation technology research, development, demonstration, and commercial application. Increases and revises the formula for corporate fuel economy standards. Prescribes tax credits and exclusions for: (1) enhancing the efficiency of specified conventional vehicles; (2) advanced coal and coal gasification (carbon mitigation) project investments; and (3) qualified energy conservation bonds. Extends tax credits for specified alternative fuels and biofuels and qualified green buildings and sustainable design projects. Prescribes renewable energy and geothermal tax incentives. Prohibits oil or natural gas leasing in any except specified areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), and only according to certain requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish Federal OCS Joint Regional Permitting Offices. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to require the Secretary of Energy to carry out a coal innovation direct loan program. Authorizes appropriations to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to establish an additional 60 full-time equivalent positions to expedite and streamline the processing of applications for new nuclear plants. Establishes an interagency working group to make recommendations to coordinate federal government actions and programs to promote increasing domestic manufacturing capacity and export of domestic nuclear energy products and services. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration. Offsets expenditures under this Act by terminating specified tax deductions and credits. Includes in gross income any compensation deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan of a nonqualified entity when there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the rights to such compensation.

Save America's Utility Infrastructure and Secure America Now Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2008

Save America's Utility Infrastructure and Secure America Now Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Power Act to grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) enforcement powers with respect to electric reliability standards. (Currently such powers are exercised by an Electric Reliability Organization [ERO].) Revises penalty guidelines to subject to federal criminal law any person who violates a FERC-approved electric reliability standard. Requires FERC to issue a rule in connection with electric reliability standards to prohibit disturbances (other than planned maintenance) lasting greater than five days at certain substations. Instructs the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to study and report to Congress on gaps in emergency planning preparedness and management as related to specified, vulnerable populations.

Minerals Management Service Improvement Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2008

Minerals Management Service Improvement Act of 2008 - Prohibits any employee of the Minerals Management Service of the Department of the Interior from: (1) knowingly accepting a gift from an entity engaged in the business of mineral mining or from being employed by such an entity while employed in the Service; and (2) accepting employment from an entity engaged in the business of mineral mining during the one-year period after termination of employment with the Service. Makes violations of such prohibitions a felony. Requires financial disclosure by employees of the Service in positions equivalent to GS-13 or higher. Suspends the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to carry out royalty-in-kind programs (payment of royalties from oil and gas leases in the form of production rather than cash) until the Secretary certifies that a comprehensive review of such programs has been conducted, implements an ethics training program for employees of the Minerals Management Service, and creates an ombudsman position to monitor the progress of the Service in carrying out reforms. Requires the Secretary to perform at least 550 audits in each fiscal year of oil and gas leases for which payment is made under a royalty-in-kind program. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the authority of the Secretary to pay salaries and other administrative costs related to a royalty-in kind program from royalty-in-kind sales revenues.

Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2008

Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, extend expiring energy-related tax provisions, and provide for revenue enhancements. Extends the tax credit: (1) for producing electricity from wind facilities through 2009; and (2) for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation power, landfill gas, trash combustion, and hydropower facilities through FY2011. Imposes a limit on such tax credit based upon investment in renewable resource facilities placed in service after 2009 in lieu of the current phaseout provisions for such credit. Expands the definitions of and rules for "open and closed-loop biomass facility," "qualified trash combustion facility," and "nonhydroelectric dam" for purposes of such credit. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources. Extends through 2016 the energy tax credit for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property. Allows a new energy tax credit for combined heat and power system property. Increases to $1,500 the credit limitation for fuel cell property. Modifies energy tax credit rules to allow: (1) offsets of tax credit amounts against alternative minimum tax (AMT) liabilities; and (2) public utility property to qualify for such credit. Increases and extends through 2016 the tax credit for residential energy efficient property. Eliminates the limitation on the tax credit for solar electric property. Allows a new tax credit for 30% of expenditures for wind turbines used to generate electricity in a residence and for geothermal heat pumps. Extends deferral provisions for the gain on sales of transmission property by vertically-integrated electric utilities to independent transmission companies approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Allows a 30% investment tax credit rate for advanced coal-based generation technology projects and increases the maximum credit amounts allocable for such projects to $2.55 billion. Increases to 30% the investment tax credit rate for coal gasification projects. Extends the excise tax on coal through December 31, 2018. Sets forth special rules for refund claims of coal excise tax by certain coal producers and exporters. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to undertake a comprehensive review of Internal Revenue Code provisions that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and provide an estimate of the magnitude of such effects. Includes cellulosic biofuel within the definition of "biomass ethanol plant property" for purposes of bonus depreciation. Extends through 2009 income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel. Increases the rates of such credits. Disqualifies foreign-produced fuel that is used or sold for use outside the United States for the income and excise tax credits for alcohol, biodiesel, and alternative fuel production. Allows a new tax credit for the production of qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles. Allows an exclusion from the heavy truck excise tax for idling reduction devices and advanced insulation used in certain heavy trucks and trailers. Allows employees to exclude reimbursements for bicycle commuting expenses from gross income. Increases and extends the tax credit for residential and commercial alternative fuel refueling property expenditures. Treats certain income and gains relating to alcohol, biodiesel, and alternative fuels and mixtures as qualifying income for publicly traded partnerships. Extends the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property expenditures through 2008. Includes energy-efficient biomass fuel stoves as property eligible for such tax credit. Extends through 2013 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial building expenditures. Modifies tax credit amounts for energy efficient household appliances produced after 2007. Allows an accelerated 10-year recovery period for the depreciation of qualified smart electric meters and smart electric grid systems. Extends through FY2012 the authority to issue tax-exempt green building and sustainable design projects bonds. Provides for revenue enhancements by: (1) limiting the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities for taxpayers with gross receipts derived from oil, gas, or any primary products thereof; (2) conforming the tax treatment of foreign oil and gas extraction income and foreign oil related income for purposes of the foreign tax credit; (3) requiring investment brokers to report information relating to customer basis in securities transactions; (4) increasing and extending the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate; and (5) increasing estimated tax payments for certain large corporations.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7201) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, and for other purposes and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7202) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2008

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7201) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, and for other purposes and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7202) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief.

Drill Now Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008

Drill Now Act of 2008 - Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal its prohibitions against oil and natural gas preleasing and leasing activities in specified offshore areas, including the North Atlantic, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic planning areas. Declares that the United States reserves the right to designate national defense areas on the outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to conduct leasing, preleasing, and related activities for any opened area before June 30, 2012. Requires any lease issued by the Secretary for submerged land of the OCS in any opened area lying within 25 miles of the coastline of any state to include a prohibition against permanent surface occupancy. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit revenues from tracts leased under this Act into: (1) the general fund of the Treasury; and (2) a special account in the Treasury, for allocation among the states in accordance with prescribed guidelines. Repeals the prohibition against the use of funds to prepare or publish final regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands or to conduct an oil shale lease sale.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the conflict between Russia and Georgia.

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Russian Federation's disproportionate military response on the sovereign territory of Georgia, including the South Ossetian Autonomous Region and the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, is in violation of international law and commitments of the Russian Federation; (2) the United States recognizes significant common interests with the Russian Federation which can serve as the basis for improved long-term relations; (3) the Russian Federation should comply with the cease-fire agreement; (4) the Russian Federation and Georgia should refrain from the future use of force to resolve the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and work with interested countries and international organizations to reach a political settlement; and (5) the United States should provide humanitarian and economic assistance to Georgia, continue to support democracy in Georgia, and work to support the free flow of energy to Europe and the operation of communication and trade routes.

Western Hemisphere Energy Compact Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008

Western Hemisphere Energy Compact Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to seek to establish a regional-based ministerial forum to be known as the Western Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum: (1) for the cooperation of Western Hemisphere on energy issues; (2) to lessen dependence on oil imports without reducing food availability; (3) to ensure that energy contributes to the economic, social, and environmental enhancement of the countries in the Western Hemisphere; and (4) to permit participating countries to cooperatively address broad challenges posed to the energy supply of the Western Hemisphere. Directs the U.S. to seek to implement, in cooperation with Energy Forum countries: (1) an energy crisis initiative; (2) an energy sustainability initiative; (3) an energy for development initiative; and (4) biofuels studies. Provides for the establishment of a Western Hemisphere Energy Industry Group to: (1) increase public-private partnerships; (2) foster private investment; and (3) enable countries in the Western Hemisphere to devise energy agendas compatible with industry capacity and cognizant of industry goals. Provides for: (1) the establishment of an Oil and Natural Gas Working Group; (2) a U.S.-Brazil biofuels partnership; (3) biofuels feasibility studies; (4) regional and hemispheric carbon trading mechanisms; (5) the establishment of a Western Hemisphere energy crisis response mechanism; (6) seeking to increase U.S. foreign assistance programming in renewable energy; and (7) energy public diplomacy.

Climate Change Rebate Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008

Climate Change Rebate Act of 2008 - Requires that 35% of the total value of greenhouse gas emission allowances created by federal legislation limiting such emissions be auctioned each year to finance the purposes of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain low-income taxpayers a refundable tax credit for energy cost increases attributable to carbon regulation (climate change tax credit). Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) formulate and administer a Climate Change Rebate Program to provide monthly rebates based on energy cost increases to low-income families and families receiving federal assistance; (2) establish a schedule and standards to implement such Program. Requires receipts from the auction of greenhouse gas emission allowances to be used equally for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program under the Energy Conservation and Production Act.

To entitle affected participants under a pension plan referred to in the USEC Privatization Act to payment for benefit increases not received.

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008

Entitles to a one-time lump sum payment any persons (affected participants) who: (1) retired from active employment at one of the gaseous diffusion plants of the U.S. Enrichment Corporation (USEC) on or before USEC's privatization date as vested participants in a pension plan maintained either by USEC's operating contractor or by a contractor employed before July 1, 1993, by the Department of Energy to operate a gaseous diffusion plant; or (2) are employed by USEC's operating contractor on or before the privatization date, and are vested participants in such a pension plan. Prescribes a formula for determination of the payment. Allows any affected participant to treat such payment as a rollover contribution to a regular individual retirement account (IRA) or a Roth IRA. Prescribes hearing and judicial review rights for any affected participant who may have been prejudiced by any decision with regard to such a payment.

F. Chase Hutto III, of Michigan, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (International Affairs and Domestic Policy), vice Karen Alderman Harbert, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 26 September 2008

Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a competitive program to provide between three and seven grants of up to $3 million in each of three years to advance research and development and to demonstrate technologies, including plug-in hybrid technology, for advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles (vehicles with a gross weight of between 14,000 and 33,000 pounds that are fueled, in part, by a rechargeable energy storage system); and (2) conduct research into alternative power train designs for use in advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles. Amends the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary to conduct an applied research program on energy storage systems to support vehicles with a gross weight over 16,000 pounds.

Economic Recovery Act, 2008

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Economic Recovery Act, 2008 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY2008 for infrastructure, energy, and economic recovery to: (1) the Department of Agriculture; (2) the Department of Commerce; (3) the Department of Justice (DOJ); (4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); (5) the Legal Services Corporation; (6) the Department of Defense (DOD) - Civil Corps of Engineers; (7) the Department of the Interior; (8) the Department of Energy (DOE); (9) the Department of the Treasury, including the Office of Inspector General; (10) the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); (11) the General Services Administration (GSA); (12) the Small Business Administration (SBA); (13) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (14) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (15) the Department of Labor (DOL); (16) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (17) the Department of Education; (18) the legislative branch; (19) the Department of Transportation (DOT); and (20) the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2008 to provide a temporary increase in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2008 to provide a temporary: (1) increase in the Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under the Social Security Act; and (2) reinstatement of authority to provide federal matching payments for state spending of child support incentive payments. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2008 to extend the period of emergency unemployment compensation (EUC). Exempts weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and December 8, 2009, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law of such state provides for payment (at any time or under any circumstances) of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.) National Park Centennial Fund Act - Establishes in the Treasury the National Park Centennial Fund. Designates each amount in the Economic Recovery Act, 2008 as: (1) an emergency requirement and necessary to meet emergency needs; and (2) a supplemental appropriation for FY2008, or, if enacted after FY2008, for FY2009.

Carbon Leakage Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Carbon Leakage Prevention Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to annually distribute emission allowances to the owners and operators of facilities in eligible industrial sectors that are subject to a national cap and trade program. Requires the Administrator to identify the industrial sectors eligible to receive emission allowances under this Act based on specified criteria that includes: (1) the greenhouse gas intensity of the domestic production; and (2) the potentional for greater foreign sourcing of production or services and the effect of international competition on domestic production. Sets forth calculations for determining the quantity of emission allowances to be distributed by the Administrator under this Act for a calendar year to an owner or operator based on a direct compliance allowance factor and an indirect carbon allowance factor accounting for emissions intensity and electricity efficiency. Requires the Administrator to differentiate between iron and steel manufacturing facilities using integrated iron and steelmaking technologies and facilities using electric arc furnace technologies. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress biennially on the carbon leakage of domestic energy-intensive industrial manufacturers and the effectiveness of the emission allowances distributed under this Act. Directs the Administrator to reduce or terminate the distribution of emission allowances under this Act if the President determines that international governmental activities to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions have substantially mitigated or rendered insignificant: (1) the competitive disadvantage to U.S. manufacturers; and (2) the carbon leakage and related diversion of production to foreign facilities.

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into agreements with specified persons to assess and identify sites in the coastal zone and in the exclusive economic zone of the United States for the location of facilities to generate renewable electric energy. Restricts such agreements to persons with no direct financial interest in any offshore renewable electric energy generation project. Establishes the Offshore Electric Power Generation Trust Fund to finance projects approved by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide grants from the Fund to domestic private and public entities to stimulate development of offshore renewable electric energy generation; and (2) implement a program to provide job training and career assistance in the offshore renewable generation industry. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) assist coastal states in planning to identify sites for offshore renewable energy projects; (2) assist offshore renewable energy research and development, including technology development; (3) establish marine renewable energy centers and the testing and validation of offshore wave, wind, and tidal energy technologies; (4) streamline permitting for renewable energy technology that promotes technology interaction with certain permit issuing agencies; (5) address, through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, regional strategic planning, public education, and outreach to promote improved public understanding of the benefits of offshore renewable energy; and (6) assess large-scale project siting issues.

Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should use diplomatic and economic measures to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem. Declares nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the use force against Iran. Subjects Iran to specified economic sanctions, including import and export prohibitions. Subjects a U.S. person to penalties for violations of certain sanctions committed by a subsidiary established by such person outside of the United States that would be subject to prohibitions if committed inside the United States or by a U.S. person. Authorizes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence and for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Urges the President to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian banks engaged in the support of terrorist groups. Increases temporarily the fee for processing machine readable nonimmigrant visas and border crossing identification cards. Authorizes a state or local government to adopt and enforce measures to divest its assets from, or prohibit investment of assets in, persons that have direct or indirect investments in Iran's energy sector of more than $20 million. Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to shield any registered investment company from civil, criminal, or administrative action based upon its divesting from, or avoiding investing in, securities issued by companies with such investments in the energy sector of Iran. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to report to the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and appropriate congressional committees on all countries of concern with respect to the transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of certain export controlled items to Iran. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to designate a country as a Destination of Possible Diversion Concern if appropriate to carry out activities to strengthen that country's export control systems. Requires the United States to initiate such activities on a government-to-government basis. Defines a Destination of Diversion Concern as any country whose government is directly involved in the transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of U.S.-originating controlled items to unverifiable end users or to Iran, or that has failed to strengthen adequately its export control systems. Requires a license to export to a country designated a Destination of Diversion Concern any controlled items that could contribute to Iran's obtaining nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or its support for acts of international terrorism. Requires the Director to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) any country that may be transshipping, reexporting, or diverting controlled items to a country other than Iran if such other country is seeking to obtain nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, defense technologies, components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), or other defense items, or provides support for acts of international terrorism; and (2) the feasibility and advisability of including such countries in the system for designating countries as Destinations of Possible Diversion Concern and Destinations of Diversion Concern.

To establish procedures for causes and claims relating to the leasing of Federal lands (including submerged lands) for the exploration, development, production, processing, or transmission of oil, natural gas, or any other source or form of energy, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Confers exclusive jurisdiction upon the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to hear causes and claims arising from a covered energy project, any action or decision by a federal official regarding: (1) leasing federal lands for the exploration, development, production, processing, or transmission of any source or form of energy; (2) actions and decisions regarding the selection or offering of federal lands for such leasing; or (3) any action under such a lease. Bars any cause or claim not filed within a 60-day period for filing a complaint. Prescribes a 180-day deadline for court resolution of a complaint or cause of action. Declares that such a complaint or cause of action shall take precedence over all other pending matters before the District Court. Restricts to the Supreme Court any judicial review of an interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order of the district court. Prescribes a 180-day deadline for Supreme Court resolution of such a matter. Declares that all such proceedings shall take precedence over all other matters then before the Supreme Court.

To transfer the currently terminated FERC licenses for Projects numbered 10822 and 10823 and reinstate them to the Town of Canton, Connecticut, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reinstate the licenses for projects numbered 10822 and 10823 and transfer them to the town of Canton, Connecticut.

To authorize United States participation in, and appropriations for the United States contribution to, an international clean technology fund, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to contribute to a Clean Technology Fund to promote accelerated deployment in developing countries of technologies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Requires that such Fund be established and administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). Prohibits the Fund from providing more than approximately 15% of Fund resources to any one country. Sets forth requirements for a country to be eligible for support from the Fund, which shall be used to cover the incremental costs of deploying clean energy technologies that result in substantial and additional reductions from baseline greenhouse gas emissions. Prohibits the Fund from providing support for any new coal-fired electricity generation facility unless certain requirements are met. Requires transparency in all aspects of the governance of the Fund. Directs the Secretary to: (1) direct the U.S. representative to oppose any proposal that would result in the Fund failing to meet the requirements of this Act; (2) encourage all the multilateral development banks to apply environmental assessment procedures in their consideration of Fund proposals; and (3) ensure that the Fund complements the International Clean Energy Foundation. Amends the the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary to seek to ensure that multilateral development banks: (1) adopt and implement greenhouse gas accounting in analyzing the benefits and costs of all projects for which bank funding is sought; and (2) expand their activities supporting climate change mitigation.

Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008 - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 for infrastructure investments for: (1) transportation to the Department of Transportation (DOT); (2) clean water to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (3) flood control and water resources to the Department of Defense (DOD) - Civil for the Department of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation; (4) for 21st century green high-performing public school facilities to the Department of Education; (5) for public and Indian housing and the Public Housing Capital Fund to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); (7) energy development to the Department of Energy (DOE); and (8) the Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration, for job training and employment services, as well as state unemployment insurance and employment service operations. Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to increase and extend unemployment compensation (UC). Prescribes: (1) a temporary increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; and (2) an adjustment in computation of Medicaid FMAP to disregard an extraordinary employer pension contribution. Makes appropriations for FY2009 to the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a temporary increase in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7110) making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7110) making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009.