Environment

Livable Communities Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2021

Livable Communities Act of 2021 This bill creates the Office of Sustainable Communities in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to coordinate the provision of long-term affordable housing, transportation, and environmental projects and to administer grant programs established in the bill. The bill creates the Comprehensive Planning Grant Program and the Community Challenge Grant Program to be administered by the office. Grants under the Comprehensive Planning Grant Program must be used for specified activities related to the coordination, development, or updating of a comprehensive regional plan across jurisdictions and agencies. Grants offered under the Community Challenge Grant Program must be used to promote integrated planning and investments across policy and governmental jurisdictions and to implement projects identified in a regional plan. The bill also creates a program that requires HUD to provide loans and loan guarantees to projects that meet specified criteria. Eligible projects must be part of a community-wide development plan, promote sustainable development, and ensure that housing units associated with the project are affordable and initially occupied by lower-income renters or homeowners.

REDUCE Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2021

Rewarding Efforts to Decrease Unrecycled Contaminants in Ecosystems Act of 2021 or the REDUCE Act of 2021 This bill imposes an excise tax on any taxable virgin plastic resin. The bill establishes a Plastic Waste Reduction Fund to carry out reduction and recycling activities, plastic waste and marine debris reduction, detection, monitoring, and cleanup activities, and address environmental justice and pollution impacts from plastic products.

Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2021

Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act of 2021 This bill addresses the provision of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants to prevent and eliminate toxic substances, particularly in certain school environments. The EPA is authorized make grants to Indian tribes (in addition to the current authority to provide grants to states) to establish and operate programs to prevent or eliminate unreasonable risks associated with a chemical substance or mixture of which the EPA is unlikely to address during the 24-month period after the grant is made. The bill also authorizes the EPA to partner with the Department of Labor (with respect to enforcement of labor standards) to provide grants to states and Indian tribes to identify, prevent, or eliminate risks associated with the presence of a chemical substance or mixture in eligible facilities (i.e., public school facilities operated by a local educational agency, facilities operated by an early childhood education program, and center-based child care facilities operated by an eligible child care provider). The EPA has permanent authority to provide grants to Indian tribes (in addition to the current authority to provide such grants to states) to (1) provide technical assistance to local educational agencies, early childhood education programs, and eligible child care providers to address environmental concerns in eligible facilities; and (2) develop and implement state and tribal programs to support the remediation of toxic substances in eligible facilities. Under the bill, the EPA must also provide specified outreach and guidelines related to environmental hazards in eligible facilities.

Environmental Justice Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2021

Environmental Justice Act of 2021 This bill requires agencies to address and mitigate the disproportionate impact of environmental and human health hazards on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities resulting from agencies' programs and policies. The bill also requires agencies to address cumulative impacts of pollution in permitting decisions and expands the types of legal actions available to individuals regarding charges of federal discriminatory practices. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for a variety of existing programs, executive orders, federal guidance, and committees concerning environmental justice, including Executive Order 12898; a guidance issued in 1997 by the Council on Environmental Quality titled Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act ; a guidance issued in 2016 by the Environmental Protection Agency titled EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights ; the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council; the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program; and the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program. In addition, the bill requires agencies renewing or issuing specified permits under the Clean Water Act or the Clean Air Act to consider the cumulative impacts of pollution. The bill also allows individuals to bring actions under the Civil Rights Act against entities that receive federal assistance and engage in discriminatory practices that have a disparate impact. Currently, individuals must request that federal agencies bring such actions on their behalf.

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2021

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022 This bill provides FY2022 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy (DOE), and independent agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill provides appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, including for Investigations, Construction, Mississippi River and Tributaries, Operation and Maintenance, the Regulatory Program, the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies, Expenses, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of the Interior for the Central Utah Project and the Bureau of Reclamation. The bill provides appropriations to DOE for energy programs, including Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response; Electricity; Nuclear Energy; Fossil Energy And Carbon Management; Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves; the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve; the Energy Information Administration; Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup; the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund; Science; Nuclear Waste Disposal; Technology Transitions; Clean Energy Demonstrations; the Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy; the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program; the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program; the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program; the Office of Indian Energy Policy And Programs; Departmental Administration; and the Office of the Inspector General. The bill also provides appropriations to DOE for Atomic Energy Defense Activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Environmental and Other Defense Activities, and the Power Marketing Administrations. The bill provides appropriations to several independent agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Insular Area Climate Change Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2021

Insular Area Climate Change Act This bill provides support through programs and financial assistance for climate change planning, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience in U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), the Freely Associated States (Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau), and other specified areas. For example, the bill requires the Technical Assistance Program of the Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs to provide technical assistance for climate change planning, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience to the territories and Freely Associated States. It also establishes an Insular Area National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency to build and strengthen infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, expand renewable energy and energy efficiency, and provide technical assistance in the territories and Freely Associated States. Additionally, the bill establishes several grant programs to assess and reduce the impacts of climate change, expand renewable energy and energy efficiency, or expand sustainable infrastructure to withstand natural disasters in the territories and Freely Associated States.

Community Vehicle Charging Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2021

Community Vehicle Charging Act of 2021 This bill establishes a grant program to expand access to electric vehicle infrastructure in communities that consist primarily of minority, low-income, or tribal populations that experience (or are at risk of experiencing) greater adverse human health or environmental effects than other populations. The Department of Transportation must award the grants to community-based organizations; nonprofits; state, tribal, regional, or local governments; metropolitan planning organizations; or other entities responsible for local transportation planning and projects. Grant funds may be used for projects that include (1) developing or implementing plans to install publicly available electric vehicle charging infrastructure, (2) supporting shared electric mobility and micro-mobility options (e.g., electric bicycles), and (3) providing electric vehicle chargers and funding for their installation to community residents.

F-AIR Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2021

Fairness in Airspace Includes Residents Act or the F-AIR Act This bill revises the priorities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in developing plans and policy for the use of navigable airspace. Specifically, the FAA must ensure (1) the safety of aircraft as a primary priority in developing such plans and policy; and (2) the minimization of the impact of aviation noise, and other health impacts, on residents and communities, and other impacts of the use of airspace on the environment as a secondary priority on an equal basis with the efficient use of airspace.

Quiet Communities Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2021

Quiet Communities Act of 2021 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to reestablish an Office of Noise Abatement and Control to promote the development of local noise control programs, carry out research, and develop and disseminate educational materials, among other duties.

GPI Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2021

Genuine Progress Indicator Act of 2021 or the GPI Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish the genuine progress indicator as a metric to measure the economic well-being of households. The indicator shall be calculated through adjustments to gross domestic product that account for positive and negative economic, environmental, and social factors that contribute to economic activity. It shall also include the total annual economic value and cost of such factors. The head of each federal agency, the President, the Federal Reserve, and Congress must use both the indicator and gross domestic product for budgetary reporting and economic forecasting that measures the net benefits of economic activity.

Protecting Students From Racial Hostility Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2021

Protecting Students From Racial Hostility Act This bill prohibits school curriculums or teachings that promote certain concepts based on race. Specifically, the bill prohibits schools from promoting concepts that result in a racially hostile environment , which the bill defines as an environment in which (1) racial discrimination has created an adverse setting, (2) an individual is fearful due to a racially intimidating or offensive environment, or (3) an individual is restricted from participating in or benefiting from a program or activity on the basis of race. Prohibited concepts include the idea that (1) one race is inherently superior to another, (2) the United States is fundamentally racist, and (3) an individual bears responsibility for the past actions of others of the same race. The bill makes the use of such curriculums or teachings a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs or activities. Any intimidation, threat, or other interference with respect to an individual's rights or participation in related proceedings (e.g., the ability to file complaints about the use of prohibited curriculums) shall also be considered a violation of Title VI. The bill applies to elementary and secondary schools and to colleges and universities.

21ST CENTURY FOOD SYSTEMS: CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE'S ROLE IN PROTECTING DOMESTIC FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 29 July 2021

Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green Real Deal.

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021

This resolution recognizes the duty of the federal government to create a Green Real Deal to achieve robust, economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Communities and Environment First Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021

Communities and Environment First Act of 2021 This bill establishes the For Communities Trust Fund to be funded by specified environmental taxes for the purpose of awarding grants to states in cooperative agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency to (1) assist in relocation efforts for individuals or groups who live within five miles of facilities that are a major source or area source of certain emissions, or (2) protect or remediate areas affected by emissions of hazardous air pollutants or releases of hazardous substances from such facilities. The bill increases the excise tax on certain chemicals to adjust for inflation and removes tax exemptions related to crude oil and petroleum products imported into the United States.

Safe School Drinking Water Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021

Safe School Drinking Water Act This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to award grants to assist local educational agencies in installing and maintaining filtration stations (e.g., drinking fountains) at schools and child care programs.

LIFT Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021

Local Infrastructure Funding & Technical Assistance Act or the LIFT Act This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce to provide grants under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 for predevelopment projects—measures required to be completed before construction of resilient climate infrastructure occurs—and related technical assistance. Grants may be provided to economic development districts, states, Indian tribes, local governments, institutions of higher education, individuals, and other organizations as specified by the bill.

Navigable Waters Protection Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021

Navigable Waters Protection Act of 2021 This bill enacts definitions that determine which bodies of water fall under the scope of the Clean Water Act and are thereby under federal jurisdiction. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the definitions related to the waters of the United States, commonly known as WOTUS, in regulations when the bill is enacted.

POWER Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021

Plugging Orphan Wells and Environmental Restoration Act of 2021 or the POWER Act of 2021 This bill addresses orphaned, abandoned, or idled oil and gas wells on federal, tribal, state, or private lands. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the program to remediate, reclaim, and close orphaned, abandoned, or idled oil and gas wells located on federal land. Additionally, the Department of the Interior must establish a program to provide grants to states and Indian tribes to remediate, reclaim, and close orphaned oil and gas wells located on state, tribal, or private lands. In providing grants, priority must be given to states and Indian tribes that already have an established program to carry out such activities. Finally, the Department of Energy must provide technical assistance to oil and gas producing states and Indian tribes to ensure practical and economical remedies for environmental problems caused by orphaned or abandoned oil and gas well sites on state, tribal, or private land.

Commemorating the past success of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams and supporting the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams in the 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021

This resolution supports proceeding with the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in a safe and secure environment. The resolution commends the government of Japan and the Tokyo metropolitan government for their efforts to commit resources to provide such an environment.

NEPA Agency Process Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021

NEPA Agency Process Accountability Act This bill revises the environmental review process required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), including by limiting the number of assessment documents required for proposed major federal actions, requiring agencies to reuse certain research or documents in the NEPA process, and allowing agencies to adopt environmental documents prepared by states or third parties as specified under the bill. In addition, the bill requires agencies to only consider alternatives to proposed major federal actions that are technically and economically feasible. Agencies must track and report on specified NEPA data, such as the comprehensive costs of the NEPA process.

NEPA Data Transparency and Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021

NEPA Data Transparency and Accountability Act This bill requires federal agencies to annually report on their environmental review activities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The agencies must also include the cost of their NEPA activities in the annual reports after the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget have developed a methodology to assess the comprehensive costs of the NEPA process.

Military PFAS Testing Disclosure Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021

Military PFAS Testing Disclosure Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to publicly disclose the results of any testing for perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, conducted on or at areas surrounding DOD military installations in the United States and National Guard facilities. DOD must also disclose the expected timing and location of any planned testing for PFAS at the specified sites. DOD may satisfy the disclosure requirements by publishing the information, data sets, and results relating to the testing on a publicly available DOD website or in the Federal Register. Prior to conducting any testing for PFAS, DOD must provide notice to (1) the managers of the public water system serving the areas located immediately adjacent to the military installation being tested, (2) the municipal government serving the areas located immediately adjacent to the military installation being tested, and (3) all Restoration Advisory Board members for the military installation where the testing is to occur. DOD must test for all PFAS for which a method of measurement in drinking water has been validated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021

Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2021 This bill revises the scope, jurisdiction, and requirements of the Clean Water Act. It specifies the types of water bodies that are navigable waters and therefore receive protection. It defines navigable waters as waters of the United States that are (1) navigable-in-fact; or (2) permanent, standing, or continuously flowing bodies of water that form geographical features commonly known as streams, oceans, rivers, and lakes that are connected to waters that are navigable-in-fact. The bill limits the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over such waters, including by stating that ground water is under the jurisdiction of states. The bill prohibits the EPA from using a significant nexus test to determine federal jurisdiction over navigable waters and waters of the United States. The bill nullifies the Migratory Bird rule and a 2008 guidance document about the definition of waters under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. The bill prohibits the EPA and the Corps from issuing new rules or guidance that expands or interprets the definition of navigable waters unless expressly authorized by Congress. Federal agencies must obtain consent from private property owners to collect information about navigable waters on their land. If regulations relating to navigable waters or waters of United States diminish the value of a property, then the federal government must pay the property owner an amount equal to twice the value of the loss.

aktuelle Untersuchung zeigt Schadstoffproblematik auf – Fehlende Vorgaben für Chemikalien als Grundproblem

Austria · National Council · 27 July 2021

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Peter Wurm, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz betreffend aktuelle Untersuchung zeigt Schadstoffproblematik auf – Fehlende Vorgaben für Chemikalien als Grundproblem

Defense of United States Infrastructure Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2021

Defense of United States Infrastructure Act of 2021 This bill sets out programs and requirements related to critical infrastructure and cybersecurity threats. The bill establishes a grant program to address cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure and requires the establishment of cybersecurity-focused critical technology centers. The bill limits to five years the term of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) director. Additionally, CISA must establish an information-sharing environment that integrates cyber threat information for use by federal programs. CISA must work with the White House Office of the National Cyber Director to allow private-sector participation in the environment. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must develop guidelines for, and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and others must conduct oversight of, the environment. DHS may designate entities as systemically important critical infrastructure. DHS must develop an appropriate methodology before designating entities. DHS must create a voluntary program to certify that smartphones and other critical technologies meet security standards. The bill prohibits certain actions (e.g., falsely attesting to certifications) with enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The bill establishes within DHS the Bureau of Cybersecurity Statistics. Entities that provide cybersecurity incident response or insurance must report specified information to the bureau. The FTC must enforce this reporting requirement, and the bill limits the use of reported information in some proceedings. The bill also (1) requires a strategy to secure a protocol and naming system that facilitate information exchange on the internet, and (2) expands hiring authorities of the Office of the National Cyber Director.

Environmental Justice Air Quality Monitoring Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2021

Environmental Justice Air Quality Monitoring Act of 2021 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to implement a pilot program to award, on a competitive basis, grants or contracts to state, local, and tribal air agencies to carry out specified projects for hyperlocal air quality monitoring systems in environmental justice communities (i.e., communities with significant representation of communities of color, low income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities that experience, or are at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects). A project carried out using a grant or contract awarded under the pilot program may not exceed five years in duration.

Andy’s Bill

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2021

Andrew J. Young Safeguarding the Mississippi River Together Act or the Andrew J. Young SMRT Act or Andy's Mississippi River Bill or Andy's Bill. This bill establishes a National Mississippi River Program for the preservation of the Mississippi River Corridor. The Environmental Protection Agency, coordinating with specified federal departments, may enter into agreements with a state or local government to develop a National Mississippi River Program Office, provide grants, assistance, studies, coordination, and essential restoration and protection of the Mississippi River Corridor to sustain essential environmental services; maintain the ecological integrity, health, and biodiversity of federal lands as well as lands managed under federal programs; protect critical national infrastructure, habitat, fish and wildlife resources; and support the major U.S. economies that depend on the Mississippi River. The Program Office shall develop a comprehensive Mississippi River Restoration Plan to guide implementation of projects to sustain the corridor. In order to support the plan and for other purposes, the bill establishes a series of ongoing studies and investigations to sustain the corridor. Once every five years the Program Office shall complete an updated economic profile of the corridor.

PFAS Testing Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2021

PFAS Testing Act of 2021 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to order comprehensive toxicity testing on all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. An order from the EPA for comprehensive toxicity testing for PFAS shall require the development of information by any person who manufactures, processes, or intends to manufacture or process PFAS. The bill also provides guidelines for the development of these orders, including the methodologies and protocols to be used. Additionally, the bill specifies when a PFAS may be exempt from testing or information submission. Each person who manufactures or processes PFAS must submit to the EPA (1) all records of significant adverse reactions to health or the environment alleged to have been caused by PFAS, and (2) all health and safety studies related to PFAS of which the person is aware. The EPA must make all such health and safety studies available to the public within four months of the enactment of this bill.

proposition de loi relative à une meilleure information dans la lutte contre les feux de forêt

France · Senate · 22 July 2021

Pollution: Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 22 July 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of light pollution on the environment.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Places for Growth Programme

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 22 July 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what internal criteria his Department is using to assess locations for relocations of his Department under the Places for Growth programme.

Water Supply: Carbon Emissions and Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 22 July 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reconcile (a) low average bills, (b) the need to support vulnerable customers and (c) other short-term deliverables in the water industry with lo

Transport: Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 22 July 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing funding for sustainable forms of transport to encourage more polluting vehicles to be removed from the roads.

Carbon Emissions and Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 22 July 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of mandating Ofwat to incentivise long-term outcomes on (a) net-zero and (b) the delivery of the 25 Year Environment Plan through th

Water Supply: Carbon Emissions and Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 22 July 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of enabling the use of catchment approaches and nature-based solutions by water companies in delivering their regulated obligations

Water Supply: Environment Protection

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 22 July 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to provide long-term investment certainty for water companies to assist them in playing a greater role in delivering on the Government’s environment

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Location

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 22 July 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many of his Department's offices and offices of related agencies are located outside of London; and how many and what proportion of those are located in settlements that are classi

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Protective Clothing

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 22 July 2021

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his current policy is on the wearing of face coverings in his (a) Department, (b) departmental agencies and (c) related bodies during the covid-19 outbreak.

New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program, a nonregulatory program, to coordinate restoration and protection activities among government entities and conservation partners throughout the watershed. The bill also establishes the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Grant Program, a voluntary grant and technical assistance program, to provide competitive matching grants to certain entities to implement restoration and protection activities for the watershed.

FIRESHEDS Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Forest Improvements through Research and Emergency Stewardship for Healthy Ecosystem Development and Sustainability Act or the FIRESHEDS Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Department of the Interior, with respect to public lands, no later than 90 days after receiving a request from a state, to enter into an agreement with such state to jointly designate one or more fireshed management areas within such state, and conduct fireshed management projects in such fireshed management areas. Not later than 90 days after entering into an agreement, the USDA or Interior, as appropriate, and such state shall jointly conduct a stewardship and fireshed assessment. The USDA and Interior shall carry out fireshed management projects in accordance with the timeline and project size limitations included in the stewardship and fireshed assessment. Fireshed management projects shall be categorically excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement and exempt from the special administrative review process.

FIRESHEDS Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Forest Improvements through Research and Emergency Stewardship for Healthy Ecosystem Development and Sustainability Act or the FIRESHEDS Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Department of the Interior, with respect to public lands, no later than 90 days after receiving a request from a state, to enter into an agreement with such state to jointly designate one or more fireshed management areas within such state, and conduct fireshed management projects in such fireshed management areas. Not later than 90 days after entering into an agreement, the USDA or Interior, as appropriate, and such state shall jointly conduct a stewardship and fireshed assessment. The USDA and Interior shall carry out fireshed management projects in accordance with the timeline and project size limitations included in the stewardship and fireshed assessment. Fireshed management projects shall be categorically excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement and exempt from the special administrative review process. The bill makes permanent the authority for a state to use revenue from timber sales under a good neighbor agreement for forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services.

Commonsense Coordination Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Commonsense Coordination Act This bill allows a federal agency to categorically exclude certain actions from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement if another agency has categorically excluded such actions. Such a categorical exclusion shall not be subject to judicial review. The bill also categorically excludes certain forest management activities from requirements for environmental assessments or environmental impact statements. The forest management activities designated for such a categorical exclusion are those carried out by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Department of the Interior jointly with another federal agency on certain National Forest System lands or certain public lands, respectively; and for which a categorical exclusion applies with respect to such other agency. USDA or Interior, as appropriate, may use the categorical exclusion after first obtaining written confirmation from the other federal agency that the categorical exclusion applies to the proposed forest management activity.

EMPOWERS Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Ensuring Meaningful Petition Outreach While Enhancing Rights of States Act or the EMPOWERS Act This bill revises the petition process for listing, delisting, or reclassifying an endangered or threatened species, including by requiring petitioners to notify each county and state in which the species is located of the intent to submit a petition.

Smoke Planning and Research Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Smoke Planning and Research Act of 2021 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to research and mitigate the impacts of smoke emissions from wildland fires. Specifically, the EPA must establish (1) four Centers of Excellence for Wildfire Smoke at institutions of higher education, and (2) a grant program to support community mitigation efforts.

Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expedite the environmental review of hazardous fuel or insect and disease risk reduction projects on certain National Forest System land and prioritize reducing the risks of insect infestations and wildfires over other objectives in forest plans. In addition, the bill directs states to retain good neighbor agreement timber sale revenues and use them for certain restoration services.

Water Reuse and Resiliency Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Water Reuse and Resiliency Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and revises a pilot program of the Environmental Protection Agency for alternative water source projects. The program, which was established under the Clean Water Act, provides grants to states, local agencies, private utilities, and nonprofit entities for alternative water source projects to meet critical water supply needs.

Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act of 2021 This bill allows energy tax credits through 2023 for investments in (1) qualified biogas property, or (2) qualified manure resource recovery property. Qualified biogas property comprises a system that (1) uses anaerobic digesters or other specified processes to convert biomass into a gas which is at least 52% methane, and (2) captures the gas for use as a fuel. The term includes property that cleans and conditions the gas for use as a fuel. Qualified manure resource recovery property comprises a system that uses specified processes to recover the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus from a non-treated digestate or animal manure by reducing or separating at least 50% of the nutrients, excluding any reductions during the incineration, storage, composting, or field application of the non-treated digestate or animal manure. The term also includes certain processing equipment. The Department of the Treasury must enter into an agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for a study of biogas and report to Congress on the study.

A resolution commemorating the past success of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams and supporting the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams in the 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

This resolution supports proceeding with the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in a safe and secure environment. The resolution commends the government of Japan and the Tokyo metropolitan government for their efforts to commit resources to provide such an environment.

Finanzierung der Tierärztekammer 2020

Austria · National Council · 21 July 2021

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Gerald Loacker, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz betreffend Finanzierung der Tierärztekammer 2020

proposition de résolution en application de l'article 34-1 de la Constitution, relative à l'engagement de la France pour le renforcement d'une action internationale de lutte contre la pollution plastique

France · Senate · 21 July 2021