Environment

574. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the last date for submissions from interested groups to submit to the social housing clearing house group; if these submissions will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40488/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

574. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the last date for submissions from interested groups to submit to the social housing clearing house group; if these submissions will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40488/15]

573. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for further details, including background information, on the companies (details supplied) which made submissions to his Department, and which met with the social housing clearing house group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40487/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

573. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for further details, including background information, on the companies (details supplied) which made submissions to his Department, and which met with the social housing clearing house group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40487/15]

572. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of foreshore leases which fell due for rent review and the actual number of rent reviews that were finalised by the State in each of the years 2011 to 2015 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40480/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

572. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of foreshore leases which fell due for rent review and the actual number of rent reviews that were finalised by the State in each of the years 2011 to 2015 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40480/15]

571. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reduction in rates payable by local authorities and by the State as a result of the revision of the global valuation on utilities in tabular form; if it is appropriate that this measure was taken, considering small and medium businesses cannot avail of these global revisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40441/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

571. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reduction in rates payable by local authorities and by the State as a result of the revision of the global valuation on utilities in tabular form; if it is appropriate that this measure was taken, considering small and medium businesses cannot avail of these global revisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40441/15]

570. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedures in place to protect tenants in private rented accommodation whose homes have been taken over by receivers; if there is a statutory period of notice to be provided to such tenants in the event of the receiver deciding to sell the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40428/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

570. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedures in place to protect tenants in private rented accommodation whose homes have been taken over by receivers; if there is a statutory period of notice to be provided to such tenants in the event of the receiver deciding to sell the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40428/15]

569. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of landlords who have withdrawn from the rental accommodation scheme before the landlord's contract with the local authority came to an end, by local authority area, for each of the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40424/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

569. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of landlords who have withdrawn from the rental accommodation scheme before the landlord's contract with the local authority came to an end, by local authority area, for each of the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40424/15]

568. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amounts Sligo County Council has drawn down for adaptations and extensions to social housing from his Department, for each of the years 2013 to 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40417/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

568. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amounts Sligo County Council has drawn down for adaptations and extensions to social housing from his Department, for each of the years 2013 to 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40417/15]

567. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amounts he has allocated to Sligo County Council for adaptations and extensions to social housing, for each of the years 2013 to 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40416/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

567. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amounts he has allocated to Sligo County Council for adaptations and extensions to social housing, for each of the years 2013 to 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40416/15]

566. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframes with regard to the smoky coal ban he announced on 20 September 2015 and that will come into force nationwide ahead of the start of the 2017 heating season, as indicated by him at the recent announcement in Foynes by a company (details supplied) of its intention to commence construction of a low-smoke manufacturing fuel plant. [40393/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

566. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframes with regard to the smoky coal ban he announced on 20 September 2015 and that will come into force nationwide ahead of the start of the 2017 heating season, as indicated by him at the recent announcement in Foynes by a company (details supplied) of its intention to commence construction of a low-smoke manufacturing fuel plant. [40393/15]

565. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of installing fully accessible toilets, including a hoist and a changing bench, in 50 public amenities. [40330/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

565. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of installing fully accessible toilets, including a hoist and a changing bench, in 50 public amenities. [40330/15]

564. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures his Department has taken to increase awareness of voting registration before 25 November 2015; and if he will take additional measures to that effect. [40290/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

564. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures his Department has taken to increase awareness of voting registration before 25 November 2015; and if he will take additional measures to that effect. [40290/15]

563. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide additional funding to local authorities for the housing aid for older persons scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40271/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

563. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide additional funding to local authorities for the housing aid for older persons scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40271/15]

562. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change planning regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40269/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

562. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change planning regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40269/15]

561. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the initiatives and funding available to Westmeath County Council and to Longford County Council to develop social housing; the provision in terms of financial allocation that is available to each local authority to assist it in delivering its own social housing stock in its own right; if plans are brought forward by each local authority to construct and-or acquire additional housing; if additional funding will be made available to each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40234/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

561. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the initiatives and funding available to Westmeath County Council and to Longford County Council to develop social housing; the provision in terms of financial allocation that is available to each local authority to assist it in delivering its own social housing stock in its own right; if plans are brought forward by each local authority to construct and-or acquire additional housing; if additional funding will be made available to each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40234/15]

560. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of industrial processes established in his area under side deals concluded with trade unions in parallel with the Lansdowne Road talks in May 2015; the details of any agreements concluded to date on foot of such processes; and the costs, including anticipated costs in future years, of any agreements reached. [40223/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

560. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of industrial processes established in his area under side deals concluded with trade unions in parallel with the Lansdowne Road talks in May 2015; the details of any agreements concluded to date on foot of such processes; and the costs, including anticipated costs in future years, of any agreements reached. [40223/15]

559. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received the report he commissioned on the reorganisation of the local authorities in County Galway; if he will publish the report; if he will make a decision on the report in the next three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40207/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

559. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received the report he commissioned on the reorganisation of the local authorities in County Galway; if he will publish the report; if he will make a decision on the report in the next three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40207/15]

558. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why the owner of a new coach-factory-built, purpose-built motor caravan fulfilling the requirements to be deemed a motor caravan-motor home by virtue of design, construction and type approval, as required by and declared to the Revenue Commissioners, must present the vehicle for physical inspection to have the vehicle taxed for the first time by Meath County Council; if this is standard procedure with all taxing authorities in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40191/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

558. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why the owner of a new coach-factory-built, purpose-built motor caravan fulfilling the requirements to be deemed a motor caravan-motor home by virtue of design, construction and type approval, as required by and declared to the Revenue Commissioners, must present the vehicle for physical inspection to have the vehicle taxed for the first time by Meath County Council; if this is standard procedure with all taxing authorities in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40191/15]

557. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the provisions in place to enable a homeless citizen to vote; and if there is no present provision, the measures he plans to introduce in time for the forthcoming Dáil Éireann election. [40175/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

557. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the provisions in place to enable a homeless citizen to vote; and if there is no present provision, the measures he plans to introduce in time for the forthcoming Dáil Éireann election. [40175/15]

556. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a matter (details supplied) on the housing aid grant for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40168/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

556. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a matter (details supplied) on the housing aid grant for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40168/15]

555. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that the National Asset Management Agency is effectively breaking residential contracts which were agreed between home owners and particular developers who are now under its remit by now making many empty housing units in certain housing estates, which were not sold at the time of the developer's difficulties available for social housing; that one such occurrence is now taking place in an estate (details supplied) in County Sligo; his views on this particular issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40162/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

555. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that the National Asset Management Agency is effectively breaking residential contracts which were agreed between home owners and particular developers who are now under its remit by now making many empty housing units in certain housing estates, which were not sold at the time of the developer's difficulties available for social housing; that one such occurrence is now taking place in an estate (details supplied) in County Sligo; his views on this particular issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40162/15]

554. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimates of the revenue lost from the reduction of rateable valuation on energy and telecommunications infrastructure commencing in 2016; and how any budget shortfall will be made up. [40118/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

554. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimates of the revenue lost from the reduction of rateable valuation on energy and telecommunications infrastructure commencing in 2016; and how any budget shortfall will be made up. [40118/15]

553. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the costs and the timeframe for the proposed rebranding of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40114/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

553. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the costs and the timeframe for the proposed rebranding of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40114/15]

552. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has issued new guidelines to local authorities in relation to the charging of rents on local authority housing and apartments in the past two years; the effect this will have on rents for local authority tenants, particularly on pensioners; the changes in the guidelines introduced from the previous guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40055/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

552. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has issued new guidelines to local authorities in relation to the charging of rents on local authority housing and apartments in the past two years; the effect this will have on rents for local authority tenants, particularly on pensioners; the changes in the guidelines introduced from the previous guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40055/15]

551. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that responsibility for delivering objective 3.2 of the national positive ageing strategy, relating to the development of alternative housing options that meets the needs of older persons, is assigned to his Department; the progress he has made in delivering this objective; the work completed to date; the contact there has been with other State bodies in seeking to achieve this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40049/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

551. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that responsibility for delivering objective 3.2 of the national positive ageing strategy, relating to the development of alternative housing options that meets the needs of older persons, is assigned to his Department; the progress he has made in delivering this objective; the work completed to date; the contact there has been with other State bodies in seeking to achieve this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40049/15]

550. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will investigate the feasibility of a purchase-to-rent scheme to provide long-term social housing tenants with the option of purchasing the residence in which they have been housed through housing agencies such as the Respond! Housing Association, Túath Housing and Clúid Housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40042/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

550. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will investigate the feasibility of a purchase-to-rent scheme to provide long-term social housing tenants with the option of purchasing the residence in which they have been housed through housing agencies such as the Respond! Housing Association, Túath Housing and Clúid Housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40042/15]

549. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has issued instructions to local authorities on how to set differential rent rates for social housing tenants; if standardised differential rent assessment guidelines have been given to local authorities; if so, what these are; and if local authority tenants in some areas can expect to see an increase in their rents. [40793/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

549. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has issued instructions to local authorities on how to set differential rent rates for social housing tenants; if standardised differential rent assessment guidelines have been given to local authorities; if so, what these are; and if local authority tenants in some areas can expect to see an increase in their rents. [40793/15]

548. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the special purpose vehicle announced under the social housing strategy will be put in place; the implementation process; how the vehicle will interact with local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40572/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

548. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the special purpose vehicle announced under the social housing strategy will be put in place; the implementation process; how the vehicle will interact with local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40572/15]

547. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his advice to car owners who believe they may be liable for an increase in motor tax due to the Volkswagen company's emissions scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40500/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

547. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his advice to car owners who believe they may be liable for an increase in motor tax due to the Volkswagen company's emissions scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40500/15]

308. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the agri-environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40703/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

308. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the agri-environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40703/15]

296. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40555/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

296. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40555/15]

289. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will arrange for a visual inspection of the land concerned in advance of an oral hearing under the agri-environment options scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal on 26 November 2015, in order to assess the current condition of the species rich grassland area; if the species rich grassland land parcel concerned will be eligible for payments in the remaining years of this scheme if the appeal in question is unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40507/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

289. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will arrange for a visual inspection of the land concerned in advance of an oral hearing under the agri-environment options scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal on 26 November 2015, in order to assess the current condition of the species rich grassland area; if the species rich grassland land parcel concerned will be eligible for payments in the remaining years of this scheme if the appeal in question is unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40507/15]

285. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme by persons (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40452/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

285. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme by persons (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40452/15]

258. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a payment under the agri-environment options scheme 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40063/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

258. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a payment under the agri-environment options scheme 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40063/15]

254. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the number of farmers admitted into the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme with a start date of 1 October 2015; the average annual payment approved; the number of these farmers who may expect payment before Christmas 2015; the expected expenditure in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40054/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

254. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the number of farmers admitted into the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme with a start date of 1 October 2015; the average annual payment approved; the number of these farmers who may expect payment before Christmas 2015; the expected expenditure in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40054/15]

99. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection given recently released figures from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government showing that the number of homeless families has risen by 76% since the beginning of 2015, the steps she will take to combat homelessness by increasing the rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40009/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

99. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection given recently released figures from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government showing that the number of homeless families has risen by 76% since the beginning of 2015, the steps she will take to combat homelessness by increasing the rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40009/15]

70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that payments under the family income supplement scheme are not reckoned in any means testing within her Department; if she will contact the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure these payments are not reckoned for medical cards or local authority rents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40153/15]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 November 2015

70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that payments under the family income supplement scheme are not reckoned in any means testing within her Department; if she will contact the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure these payments are not reckoned for medical cards or local authority rents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40153/15]

Keeping Oil and Natural Gas Flowing for Consumers Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Keeping Oil and Natural Gas Flowing for Consumers Act This bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from proposing, implementing, or enforcing restrictions under the Clean Air Act on methane emissions from: (1) crude oil production; or (2) natural gas production, processing, transmission, and storage. The EPA may not finalize or enforce the proposed rule entitled, "Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New and Modified Sources," which proposes to amend the new source performance standards for oil and gas production by setting standards for methane and volatile organic compounds.

To prohibit any regulation regarding carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions reduction in the United States until China, India, and Russia implement similar reductions.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

This bill prohibits the head of any federal agency from implementing or enforcing any regulations, proposals, or actions establishing any carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions reductions until the Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Information Administration, and Department of Commerce certify in writing that China, India, and Russian have proposed, implemented, and enforced measures requiring substantially similar reductions. Any regulation, proposal, or action that requires those emission reductions and that is in effect before this certification is made is nullified.

Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2015 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit a report to Congress and the Department of Energy (DOE) before promulgating a final rule that regulates any aspect of the production, supply, distribution, or use of energy and that is estimated by the EPA or the Office of Management and Budget to impose aggregate costs of more than $100 million. The report must contain: (1) an estimate of the total costs and benefits of the rule, (2) an estimate of the increases in energy prices that may result from implementation or enforcement of the rule, and (3) a detailed description of the employment effects that may result from implementation or enforcement of the rule. DOE must: (1) prepare an independent analysis to determine whether the rule will cause any increase in energy prices for consumers, any impact on fuel diversity of the nation's electricity generation portfolio or on electric reliability, or any adverse effect on energy supply, distribution, or use; and (2) determine whether the rule will cause significant adverse effects to the economy and publish the determination. The EPA may not promulgate the final rule if DOE determines that the rule will cause significant adverse effects to the economy. The EPA may not use the social cost of carbon in any cost-benefit analysis relating to an energy-related rule estimated to cost more than $100 million unless a federal law is enacted authorizing such use. The social cost of carbon is an estimate of the monetized damages associated with an incremental increase in carbon dioxide emissions in a given year.

SCORE Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

SCORE Act of 2015 This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish a Regulatory Analysis Division within the Congressional Budget Office to assess the impact of economically significant rules. The division must provide an economic analysis of proposed rules that: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of at least $100 million; or (2) adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities.

Small Public Housing Agency Opportunity Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Small Public Housing Agency Opportunity Act of 2015 This bill amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to subject a small public housing agency (PHA) to the same requirements as a PHA. A small PHA is a PHA for which the sum of the number of public housing dwelling units and the number of vouchers under Section 8 (tenant-based assistance) it administers is 550 or fewer. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shall: carry out physical inspections of a small PHA public housing project at least once every three years, unless it is a troubled small PHA; determine the financial condition of a small PHA public housing program solely on the basis of the ratio of current assets to current liabilities; and determine management condition of a small PHA public housing program solely on the basis of the ratio of vacant unit months to eligible unit months. A small PHA administering Section 8 tenant-based assistance under the housing voucher program must make physical inspections of assisted units at least once every three years. HUD shall evaluate the management of a small PHA's voucher program solely on the basis of its lease-up rate or the budget utilization rate, which must be at least 90% to be acceptable. HUD shall designate a small PHA as a high-performing agency if it exceeds acceptability criteria. HUD may designate a small PHA as a troubled small PHA with respect to its public housing program or housing voucher program only if it meets certain negative criteria. HUD shall establish an appeals process for a small PHA to dispute a determination of deficiency. HUD and a troubled small PHA shall enter into a one-year corrective action agreement (renewable at HUD option) under which the small PHA must undertake actions to correct deficiencies. The bill prescribes and/or revises requirements to reduce the administrative burden on small PHAs with respect to: certain reports; community service; economic opportunities for low- and very low-income persons; exemption of a small PHA administering not more than 400 public housing dwelling units, upon request, from any asset management requirement; exemption from environmental review for a development or modernization project with a total cost of not more than $100,000; and streamlined HUD procedures for such reviews. HUD shall carry out a demonstration project to examine how various methods of determining rent in public housing affect the administrative burden on small PHAs and public housing residents. The bill establishes rent-setting mechanisms for demonstration project participants based on: (1) a tiered system for initial rents for extremely low-income families, very low-income families, and low-income families; (2) a certain range of gross income percentages; or (3) the existing method for establishing rents. A small PHA may elect to be paid for its utility and waste management costs under a HUD assistance formula for a period, at its discretion, of up to 20 years based on its average annual consumption during the three-year period preceding the year in which the election is made. HUD shall develop and deploy all electronic information systems necessary to accommodate full consolidated reporting by PHAs electing to operate in consortia.

Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2015 Directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Department of the Interior, with respect to public lands, to implement authorized wildfire prevention projects in at-risk forests and on threatened and endangered species habitat in a manner that focuses on surface, ladder, and canopy fuels reduction activities. Requires projects carried out on threatened and endangered species habitat to: (1) provide enhanced protection from wildfire, including catastrophic wildfire, for the endangered species, threatened species, or their habitat; and (2) comply with applicable recovery plan guidelines. Requires projects carried out in at-risk forests to move the federal land from condition class II or III toward condition class I, as those classes were developed by the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in a specified general technical report. Permits use in a project of: (1) domestic livestock grazing to reduce surface fuel loads and to recover burned areas; and (2) timber harvesting and thinning to reduce ladder and canopy fuel loads for the prevention of wildfire, including catastrophic wildfires. Directs USDA and Interior to review public petitions for, and make determinations with respect to, the designation of federal lands as at-risk forests or as threatened and endangered species habitats. Requires notice in the Federal Register of proposed projects and final designated projects and permits public comment on projects as specified. Instructs USDA and Interior to prepare an environmental assessment for projects that include timber harvesting or grazing. Instructs USDA and Interior to research what impact any listing of a species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 would have on both forage and timber forest fuel loads. Requires endangered species recovery plans and critical habitat determinations to include a wildfire risk assessment analysis.

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone".

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule published on October 26, 2015, that revises the primary and secondary national ambient air quality standards for ozone.

Voorstel om te vragen om overzicht activiteiten EU-voorzitterschap Infrastructuur en Milieu

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 17 November 2015

Voorstel om te vragen om overzicht activiteiten EU-voorzitterschap Infrastructuur en Milieu

Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard Deadline Harmonization Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2015

Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard Deadline Harmonization Act of 2015 This bill delays the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2015 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone issued under the Clean Air Act. Each state must designate all of its areas as attainment, nonattainment, or unclassifiable with respect to the 2015 ozone standards by October 26, 2024. The EPA must promulgate final designations for those areas by October 26, 2025. States must submit a state implementation plan for the 2015 ozone standards by October 26, 2026. The 2015 ozone standards do not apply to the review and disposition of an application for a preconstruction permit for the construction or modification of a major emitting facility or major stationary source if: (1) the application is completed before final designations under the Clean Air Act, or (2) the applicable permitting authority publishes a public notice of a preliminary determination or draft permit for the application before a certain date. The bill changes the interval by which the EPA must review its NAAQS for criteria pollutants from a 5-year review cycle to a 10-year review cycle. The EPA must not complete any review of ozone criteria or its ozone NAAQS before October 26, 2025, or propose any revisions to them.

Seas and Oceans: Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 13 November 2015

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost of (a) completing the network of Marine Conservation Zones and (b) creating a blue belt around British Overseas Territories.

Coastal Areas: Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 13 November 2015

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to protect and conserve the UK's coastlines.

Coastal Areas: Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 13 November 2015

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost of protection and conservation of UK coastlines has been over the last five years; and what the projected cost of such protection and conservation will be over the next f

The European Union in a changing global environment A more connected, contested and complex world (Das Dokument liegt nicht in deutscher Sprache vor) EU-Dok 400/2015

Germany · German Bundestag · 13 November 2015

209.000 Versuchstiere im Jahr 2014

Austria · National Council · 12 November 2015

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Josef A. Riemer, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an die Bundesministerin für Gesundheit betreffend 209.000 Versuchstiere im Jahr 2014