Environment

65 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has instructed local authorities to retrofit and insulate only those local authority houses that become vacant; if the scheme to retrofit and insulate local authority houses will be extended to all housing stock; the funding made available in 2009, 2010 and 2011 for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39342/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

65 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has instructed local authorities to retrofit and insulate only those local authority houses that become vacant; if the scheme to retrofit and insulate local authority houses will be extended to all housing stock; the funding made available in 2009, 2010 and 2011 for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39342/11]

64 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) who owns only one property is being charged non principal private residence in view of the fact that the reason for renting is that they lost their job in Dublin, were lucky enough to secure other employment in Kilkenny, moved to Kilkenny and is renting a property there to live in and has rented their own property in Dublin. [39325/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

64 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) who owns only one property is being charged non principal private residence in view of the fact that the reason for renting is that they lost their job in Dublin, were lucky enough to secure other employment in Kilkenny, moved to Kilkenny and is renting a property there to live in and has rented their own property in Dublin. [39325/11]

63 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding walking routes, hill walking and rights of way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39320/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

63 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding walking routes, hill walking and rights of way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39320/11]

62 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way our water quality compares with other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39284/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

62 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way our water quality compares with other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39284/11]

61 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the representations he has received from non-Irish companies interested in taking responsibility for water and wastewater services. [39273/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

61 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the representations he has received from non-Irish companies interested in taking responsibility for water and wastewater services. [39273/11]

60 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the representations he has received from Irish semi-State companies interested in taking responsibility for water and wastewater services. [39272/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

60 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the representations he has received from Irish semi-State companies interested in taking responsibility for water and wastewater services. [39272/11]

59 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff within his Department and within local authorities currently engaged in preparing for the transfer of responsibility for water service from local authorities to the new Irish water utility. [39271/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

59 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff within his Department and within local authorities currently engaged in preparing for the transfer of responsibility for water service from local authorities to the new Irish water utility. [39271/11]

56 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish his assessment of the establishment of a water utility. [39268/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

56 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish his assessment of the establishment of a water utility. [39268/11]

58 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his overall budget in respect of consultancy for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in relation to the establishment of Irish Water. [39270/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

58 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his overall budget in respect of consultancy for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in relation to the establishment of Irish Water. [39270/11]

57 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list all consultants used from 1 March 2011 to date in the area of water and or wastewater reform; and the amount that has been spent on each. [39269/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

57 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list all consultants used from 1 March 2011 to date in the area of water and or wastewater reform; and the amount that has been spent on each. [39269/11]

55 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount spent on consultancy fees to date; and the companies and persons that fees were paid to in the independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility referenced in his Dáil Éireann speech on 16 June 2011. [39267/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

55 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount spent on consultancy fees to date; and the companies and persons that fees were paid to in the independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility referenced in his Dáil Éireann speech on 16 June 2011. [39267/11]

54 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process he followed to procure the consultants used in the independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility referenced in his Dáil Éireann speech on 16 June 2011. [39266/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

54 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process he followed to procure the consultants used in the independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility referenced in his Dáil Éireann speech on 16 June 2011. [39266/11]

53 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his budget for consultancy in relation to the independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility referenced in a Dáil Éireann speech on 16 June 2011. [39265/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

53 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his budget for consultancy in relation to the independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility referenced in a Dáil Éireann speech on 16 June 2011. [39265/11]

52 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will be made available for the provision of a new fire station (details supplied) in County Offaly. [39253/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

52 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will be made available for the provision of a new fire station (details supplied) in County Offaly. [39253/11]

51 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the introduction of guidelines for green public procurement which promotes slag as the green construction solution for Ireland whereas other EU member states are advising that the functionality should determine procurement strategy on a case basis without advising on material types to be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39306/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 December 2011

51 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the introduction of guidelines for green public procurement which promotes slag as the green construction solution for Ireland whereas other EU member states are advising that the functionality should determine procurement strategy on a case basis without advising on material types to be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39306/11]

Comprehensive Assessment of Regulations on the Economy Act of 2011

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2011

Comprehensive Assessment of Regulations on the Economy Act of 2011 - Establishes within the Department of Commerce the Cumulative Regulatory Assessment Committee (CRAC) to assess and report on the cumulative energy and economic impacts of federal regulatory mandates that: (1) are promulgated or issued (or are expected to be initiated) by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a state or local government from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2020; (2) apply to one or more impacted unit; and (3) implement any provision or requirement relating to environmental regulations expected to have a significant impact on the electric power sector, the petroleum refining sector, the petrochemical production sector, pipeline facilities regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or EPA, exploration, production, or transportation of oil and natural gas, or any other manufacturing sector. Defines an "impacted unit" as any: (1) electric generating unit that sells electricity into the grid; (2) industrial, commercial, or institutional boiler or process heater; (3) petroleum refining facility that produces gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel, kerosene, or petrochemical feedstocks; (4) petrochemical facility; (5) hydrocarbon exploration, extraction, manufacturing, production, or transportation facility; or (6) biofuel facility. Nullifies the rule entitled "Federal Implementation Plans: Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone and Correction of SIP Approvals." Requires the Administrator, in place of such rule, to continue to implement the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). Prohibits the Administrator from issuing any proposed or final rule under the Clean Air Act (CAA) relating to the national ambient air quality standards for ozone or particulate matter (including any modification of CAIR) until three years after CRAC submits its report. Requires the Administrator to: (1) base such a rule on actual monitored (and not modeled) data, (2) allow the trading of emission allowances among entities covered by the rule irrespective of the states in which such entities are located, and (3) require state implementation of the standards established by such final rule no earlier than three years after its publication. Nullifies the proposed rule entitled "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility, Industrial-Commercial- Institutional, and Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units" and any final rule based on such proposed rule that is issued prior to this Act's enactment. Requires the Administrator, at least a year after the issuance of such report, to promulgate in place of such rule regulations establishing: (1) national emission standards for coal-and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units with respect to each hazardous air pollutant; and (2) standards of performance for fossil-fuel-fired electric utility, industrial-commercial-institutional, and small industrial-commercial-institutional steam generating units. Requires the Administrator to require compliance with such regulations no earlier than five years after their effective date. Requires the Administrator to impose the least burdensome of emission standards from among the range of regulatory alternatives authorized under the CAA. Nullifies the: (1) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants; (2) Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units; (3) Identification of Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials That are Solid Waste; (4) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters; (5) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers; (6) Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units; and (7) Identification of Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials That Are Solid Waste. Requires the Administrator, in place of such rules, to promulgate within 15 months, or on such later date as may be determined by the Administrator, regulations for entities subject to such rules, that: (1) establish maximum achievable control technology standards, performance standards, and other requirements for hazardous air pollutants or solid waste combustion under the CAA; and (2) identify non-hazardous secondary materials that, when used as fuels or ingredients in combustion units of such entities, are solid waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act for purposes of determining the extent to which such combustion units are required to meet emission standards for such pollutants under such Act. Requires the Administrator to establish compliance dates not earlier than five years after the effective date of such regulation for such standards and requirements after considering compliance costs, non-air quality health and environmental impacts and energy requirements, the feasibility of implementation, the availability of equipment, suppliers, and labor, and potential net employment impacts. Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize states to adopt and implement coal combustion residuals permit programs. Requires states that decide to implement such a program to maintain either an approved municipal solid waste program for the control of hazardous disposal or an authorized state hazardous waste program. Requires: (1) the requirements of such programs to be no less stringent than the requirements of criteria promulgated for municipal solid waste landfill under such Act; (2) landfills, surface impoundments, or other land-based units that may receive coal combustion residuals (structures) to be designed, constructed, and maintained to provide for containment of the maximum volumes of coal combustion residuals appropriate for the structure; and (3) such programs to apply such requirements to surface impoundments. Authorizes: (1) state agency heads to require action to correct structure deficiencies according to a schedule for structures that are classified as posing a high hazard potential pursuant to the guidelines published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), entitled "Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Hazard Potential Classification System for Dams"; (2) state agency heads to require that such a structure close if such deficiency is not corrected according to such schedule; and (3) states to address wind dispersal of dust from coal combustion residuals by requiring dust control measures. Prohibits: (1) the Administrator from applying such programs to the utilization, placement, and storage of coal combustion residuals at surface mining and reclamation operations; and (2) this Act from being construed to alter the EPA's regulatory determination, entitled "Notice of Regulatory Determination on Wastes from the Combustion of Fossil Fuels," that the fossil fuel combustion wastes addressed in that determination do not warrant regulation under such Act. Environmental Impact of Thermal Discharges Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to require: (1) standards of performance applicable to a point source to require that the location, design, construction, and capacity of a cooling water intake structure that commences construction after January 17, 2002, reflect the best technology available for reducing adverse environmental impact; and (2) effluent limitation standards to require that the location, design, construction, and capacity of a cooling water intake structure that commenced construction on or before such date reflect the best technology available for reducing such impact. Authorizes owners or operators of such structures to use restoration measures in lieu of modifying such structures if the measures achieve substantially the same environmental benefits as the best technology available.

Generator Regulatory Relief Act of 2011

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2011

Generator Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 - Provides that: (1) the final rule published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 3, 2010, entitled "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines" and any subsequent regulation that is substantially the same shall have no force or effect with respect to existing stationary compression ignition reciprocating internal combustion engines operated for generating electricity for emergency or demand response purposes or operating a water pump; and (2) the final rule of the same title published by EPA on August 20, 2010, the direct final action published by the EPA on March 9, 2011, entitled "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines," and any subsequent regulation that is substantially the same shall have no force or effect with respect to existing stationary spark ignition reciprocating internal combustion engines operated for such purposes.

Opinion of Advocate General Kokott delivered on 8 December 2011.#Inter-Environnement Wallonie ASBL and Terre wallonne ASBL v Région wallonne.#Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Conseil d’État (Belgium).#Protection of the environment — Directive 2001/42/EC — Articles 2 and 3 — Assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment — Protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources — Plan or programme — No prior environmental assessment — Annulment of a plan or programme — Possibility of maintaining the effects of the plan or programme — Conditions.#Case C-41/11.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 8 December 2011

Opinion of Advocate General Bot delivered on 8 December 2011.#Interseroh Scrap and Metals Trading GmbH v Sonderabfall-Management-Gesellschaft Rheinland-Pfalz mbH (SAM).#Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Verwaltungsgericht Mainz.#Environment — Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 — Article 18(1) and (4) — Shipments of certain waste — Article 3(2) — Mandatory information — Identity of waste producers — Information not provided by the intermediary dealer — Protection of business secrets.#Case C-1/11.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 8 December 2011

Verbot der geologischen Speicherung von Kohlenstoffdioxid und das Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfungsgesetz 2000, das Bundes-Umwelthaftungsgesetz, die Gewerbeordnung 1994 sowie das Mineralrohstoffgesetz

Austria · National Council · 7 December 2011

Verbot der geologischen Speicherung von Kohlenstoffdioxid und das Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfungsgesetz 2000, das Bundes-Umwelthaftungsgesetz, die Gewerbeordnung 1994 sowie das Mineralrohstoffgesetz

Austria · National Council · 7 December 2011

Anhebung des Förderzinses für flüssige und gasförmige Kohlenwasserstoffe

Austria · National Council · 7 December 2011

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Ing. Norbert Hofer, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Einbringung einer Regierungsvorlage zur Novellierung des Mineralrohstoffgesetzes zur Anhebung des Förderzinses für flüssige und gasförmige Kohlenwasserstoffe

"Rechtsabbiegen bei Rot" als mögliche Maßnahme zur Feinstaubbekämpfung

Austria · National Council · 7 December 2011

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Bernd Schönegger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an die Bundesministerin für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie betreffend "Rechtsabbiegen bei Rot" als mögliche Maßnahme zur Feinstaubbekämpfung

illegalen Müllhandel

Austria · National Council · 7 December 2011

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Wolfgang Pirklhuber, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend illegalen Müllhandel

Bedrohung heimischer Arten durch den asiatischen Marienkäfer

Austria · National Council · 7 December 2011

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Rupert Doppler, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Bedrohung heimischer Arten durch den asiatischen Marienkäfer

einen Entwurf für das Energieeffizienzgesetz

Austria · National Council · 7 December 2011

Mündliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Ruperta Lichtenecker (Grüne) an den Bundesminister für Wirtschaft, Familie und Jugend Dr. Reinhold Mitterlehner betreffend einen Entwurf für das Energieeffizienzgesetz <br><br>Wie erklären Sie, dass es Ihnen in den fast zwei Jahren seit Beschlussfassung der "Energiestrategie 2020" nicht gelungen ist, einen Entwurf für das als Schlüsselmaßnahme angekündigte Energieeffizienzgesetz vorzulegen?

Verbot der geologischen Speicherung von Kohlenstoffdioxid und das Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfungsgesetz 2000, das Bundes-Umwelthaftungsgesetz, die Gewerbeordnung 1994 sowie das Mineralrohstoffgesetz

Austria · National Council · 7 December 2011

zwingende Fruchtbarkeitstests von männlichen Zuchttieren vor Verkauf

Austria · National Council · 7 December 2011

Antrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Wolfgang Spadiut, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend zwingende Fruchtbarkeitstests von männlichen Zuchttieren vor Verkauf

projet de loi ratifiant l'ordonnance n° 2011-1105 du 14 septembre 2011 portant transposition des directives 2009/28/CE et 2009/30/CE du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 23 avril 2009 dans le domaine des énergies renouvelables et des biocarburants

France · Senate · 7 December 2011

59 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funds were available or ring-fenced for distribution to the designated new RAPID areas (details supplied) for the projects approved by the area implementation teams when in December 2009 the previous Government confirmed its approval for disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund for a once-off measure up to the value of €1.25 million, or at the time the projects were approved by Pobal in December 2010 and, if so, the reason payments were not made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39163/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

59 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funds were available or ring-fenced for distribution to the designated new RAPID areas (details supplied) for the projects approved by the area implementation teams when in December 2009 the previous Government confirmed its approval for disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund for a once-off measure up to the value of €1.25 million, or at the time the projects were approved by Pobal in December 2010 and, if so, the reason payments were not made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39163/11]

58 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the submissions made by Kerry County Council to his Department regarding proposals for Scartaglen village sewerage scheme in the past 30 years, preliminary reports for the scheme and identification of a suitable site; the stage of priority it has been on in any programmes submitted to his Department in that time; if he will request Kerry County Council to provide a schedule of investigation regarding engineering investigations for the scheme, site visits, negotiation for sites for treatment plants and the total cost of these exercises to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39129/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

58 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the submissions made by Kerry County Council to his Department regarding proposals for Scartaglen village sewerage scheme in the past 30 years, preliminary reports for the scheme and identification of a suitable site; the stage of priority it has been on in any programmes submitted to his Department in that time; if he will request Kerry County Council to provide a schedule of investigation regarding engineering investigations for the scheme, site visits, negotiation for sites for treatment plants and the total cost of these exercises to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39129/11]

60 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he proposes to address the volume of applications for local authority housing throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39176/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

60 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he proposes to address the volume of applications for local authority housing throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39176/11]

57 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current waiting time for an offer of social housing from when an application is processed to when an offer is made; his views that an answer of eight years from one local authority is acceptable; the steps he will take to reduce that eight-year waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39122/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

57 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current waiting time for an offer of social housing from when an application is processed to when an offer is made; his views that an answer of eight years from one local authority is acceptable; the steps he will take to reduce that eight-year waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39122/11]

56 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person on supplementary benefit does not meet the criteria to apply for social housing; the steps he will take to rectify this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39118/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

56 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person on supplementary benefit does not meet the criteria to apply for social housing; the steps he will take to rectify this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39118/11]

55 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason there is no legislation to cover housing transfers from one local authority to another; his plans to amend the current legislation to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39115/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

55 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason there is no legislation to cover housing transfers from one local authority to another; his plans to amend the current legislation to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39115/11]

54 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if grants will be made available to cover the cost of replacing or upgrading septic tanks in view of the fact that many households will not be in a position to do so themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39092/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

54 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if grants will be made available to cover the cost of replacing or upgrading septic tanks in view of the fact that many households will not be in a position to do so themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39092/11]

53 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person who will cover the cost of replacing or upgrading septic tanks, when households are not in a position to do so themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39091/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

53 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person who will cover the cost of replacing or upgrading septic tanks, when households are not in a position to do so themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39091/11]

52 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will cover the cost of replacing or upgrading septic tanks, when households are not in a position to do so themselves. [39090/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

52 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will cover the cost of replacing or upgrading septic tanks, when households are not in a position to do so themselves. [39090/11]

51 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of the provision of fire services to County Roscommon; if he has applied for cover for the fire services in that area; the cost of the Army cover of the fire services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39075/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

51 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of the provision of fire services to County Roscommon; if he has applied for cover for the fire services in that area; the cost of the Army cover of the fire services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39075/11]

50 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the non-principal private residence tax (details supplied). [39093/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 December 2011

50 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the non-principal private residence tax (details supplied). [39093/11]

Jobs Creation Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2011

Jobs Creation Act - Title I: Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Payroll Tax Holiday - Amends the Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 to: (1) extend through 2012 the 2% reduction in employment tax rates for employees and self-employed individuals (payroll tax holiday), (2) allow a 2% reduction of the employment tax rate for employers and tax-exempt organizations, and (3) allow an additional 2% reduction in the tax rate for self-employed individuals. Subtitle B: American Opportunity - American Opportunity Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 25% of a qualified equity investment in a qualified small business entity (angel investment tax credit). Defines "qualified small business entity" as a domestic corporation or partnership that: (1) is a small business headquartered in the United States; (2) is engaged in a high technology trade or business; (3) has been in existence for less than five years as of the date of the qualified equity investment; and (4) employs less than 100 full-time employees, more than 50% of whom perform substantially all of their services in the United States. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $500 million for each of calendar years 2011 through 2015. Subtitle C: Extension of Expiring Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for one year: (1) bonus depreciation and the 100% expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; (2) the election to accelerate the alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit in lieu of bonus depreciation; (3) the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses; (4) the tax credit for increasing research activities; (5) accelerated depreciation for qualified leasehold improvements, qualified restaurant buildings and improvements, and qualified retail improvements; (6) the tax deductions for charitable contributions of food inventory and book inventories to public elementary or secondary schools; and (7) the tax deduction for corporate contributions of computer technology or equipment for educational purposes. Title II: Infrastructure Provisions - Revises the state infrastructure bank program to make $10 billion available to the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to make a special single allocation to each state for deposit into the state infrastructure bank. Authorizes a state to use 20% of allocated funds for: (1) investigating the viability of identifying revenue sources for repayment capital transportation projects, (2) technical assistance, (3) promotion to potential borrowers, and (4) other activities to enhance the project pipeline. Directs the Secretary to make allocations to each state that elects not to establish, or is prohibited by state law from establishing, an infrastructure bank of: (1) 20% of funds that would otherwise be allocated to the state for such activities, or (2) 10% of funds that would otherwise be allocated for other surface transportation projects. Appropriates $25 billion to the Secretary for: (1) certain highway improvement projects (including bridges on public roads), (2) seismic retrofit and painting of bridges, and (3) mitigation costs to address adverse impacts of projects. Prescribes the federal share of project costs at up to 100%. Makes $800 million available to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for state water pollution control revolving funds and state drinking water treatment revolving loan funds. Title III: Regulatory Reform - Subtitle A: Clearing Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens - Clearing Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens Act or the CURB Act - Requires each federal agency to: (1) report to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on the costs and benefits of each significant regulatory action and of identified alternatives; (2) develop or have written procedures for the approval of significant guidance documents; (3) maintain on its website a list of such documents in effect; (4) establish and advertise on its website a means for the public to electronically submit comments on such documents and a request for issuance, reconsideration, modification, or rescission of such documents; and (5) publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing that a draft of an economically significant guidance document is available, make such document publicly available, invite comment on such draft, and respond to such comments. Defines a &quot;significant regulatory action&quot; as any regulatory action that is likely to result in a regulation that may: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 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; (2) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates and the priorities, principles, and provisions of this Act. Authorizes an agency head, in consultation with the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, to identify a particular document or category of such documents for which the procedures of this Act are not feasible or appropriate. Allows a reduction or waiver of civil penalties on small entities for failure to comply with collection of information or recordkeeping requirements. Subtitle B: EPA Regulatory Relief - EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 - Provides that the following rules shall have no force or effect and shall be treated as though they had never taken effect: (1) the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters; (2) the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers; (3) the Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units; and (4) Identification of Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials That are Solid Waste. Requires the EPA Administrator, in place of such rules, to promulgate within 15 months regulations for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers and process heaters and commercial and industrial solid waste incinerator units subject to such rules, that: (1) establish maximum achievable control technology standards, performance standards, and other requirements for hazardous air pollutants or solid waste combustion under the Clean Air Act; and (2) identify non-hazardous secondary materials that, when used as fuels or ingredients in combustion units of such boilers, heaters, or incinerator units, are solid waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act for purposes of determining the extent to which such combustion units are required to meet emission standards for such pollutants under such Act. Requires the Administrator to establish compliance dates for such standards and requirements after considering compliance costs, non-air quality health and environmental impacts and energy requirements, the feasibility of implementation, the availability of equipment, suppliers, and labor, and potential net employment impacts. Sets forth guidelines for such rules and regulations, including requiring the Administrator to: (1) ensure that emissions standards for existing and new sources can be met under actual operating conditions consistently and concurrently with emission standards for all other air pollutants regulated by the rule for the source category, and (2) impose the least burdensome regulatory alternative for each regulation promulgated. Requires the Administrator to publish a list of nonhazardous secondary materials that are not solid waste when combusted in units designed for energy recovery. Specifies material to be included in such list. Title IV: Workforce Development - Subtitle A: Job Training Program Consolidation - Job Training Program Consolidation Act of 2011 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to study the effectiveness of current federal job training programs and the consolidation of duplicative job training programs. Requires the Director to prepare recommendations for legislation that: (1) reduce the number and costs of job training programs, and (2) consolidate all such programs under a single agency that emphasizes job training that develops skills needed by state or local employers. Prescribes uses of saved funds due to recommended legislation, including: (1) half to increase funds for individual training accounts of adults and dislocated workers, and (2) half for federal debt reduction. Subtitle B: Innovation and Job Creation - National Innovation and Job Creation Act of 2011 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the National Innovation Council to: (1) formulate federal innovation policy, and (2) provide financial assistance for state and local innovation initiatives. Transfers to the Council several other specified federal programs. Establishes the National Innovation Council Board. Establishes within the Council the CLUSTER (Competitive Leadership for the United States Through its Economic Regions) Information Center (CLIC). Directs the CLIC to maintain a publicly available registry of CLUSTER Initiatives and CLUSTER Programs. Directs the Council to award grants to eligible entities to operate a CLUSTER Grant Program for the award of grants to CLUSTER Initiatives. Directs the Council to award: (1) competitive National Sector Research grants to eligible companies and joint ventures to encourage innovation through research partnerships between U.S. academic institutions and industry research alliances, (2) Productivity Enhancement Research grants to U.S. academic institutions and to joint ventures composed of academic institutions and private companies to support early-staged research into methods of increasing industry productivity and innovation, (3) State Innovation-Based Economic Development Partnership grants to state economic development entities to spur innovation or productivity activities, and (4) Technology Diffusion grants to manufacturing extension partnership centers to promote the diffusion of existing technological innovations to companies in which such innovations are underutilized. Title V: Offsets - Subtitle A: Surtax on High-income Taxpayers - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an additional 2% tax in taxable years beginning after 2012 and before 2023 on the modified adjusted gross income of any individual taxpayer in excess of $1 million. Subtitle B: Closing Big Oil Tax Loopholes - Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny to any major integrated oil company (an oil company which had gross receipts in excess of $1 billion for its last taxable year ending during 2005 and an average daily worldwide production of crude oil of at least 500,000 barrels for a taxable year): (1) a foreign tax credit if such company is a dual capacity taxpayer (a person who is subject to a levy of a foreign country or U.S. possession and who receives a specific economic benefit from such country or possession directly or indirectly); (2) the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, natural gas, or primary products thereof; (3) the tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs; (4) the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (5) the tax deduction for qualified tertiary injectant expenses. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to grant royalty relief (suspension of royalties) for natural gas production from certain deep wells and deep water oil and natural gas production in the Outer Continental Shelf.

United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2011

United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act - Requires a business enterprise that employs 50 or more employees, excluding part-time employees, or 50 or more employees who in the aggregate work at least 1,500 hours per week, exclusive of overtime, in a call center to notify the Secretary of Labor at least 120 days before relocating such center outside of the United States. Subjects violators to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 a day. Directs the Secretary to maintain and make publicly available a list of all such employers that relocate a call center. Requires such an employer to remain on the list for up to three years after each relocation. Makes such an employer ineligible for federal grants or federal guaranteed loans for five years after being added to the list, except where the employer demonstrates that a lack of such loan or grant would threaten national security, result in substantial job loss in the United States, or harm the environment. Requires the head of federal or state executive agency or military department, when awarding a civilian or defense-related contract, to give preference to a U.S. employer that does not appear on the list. Requires a business entity that initiates or receives a customer service communication to require each of its employees or agents participating in the communication to disclose their physical location at the beginning of each such communication unless all involved employees or agents are located in the United States. Exempts any communication: (1) initiated by a consumer if the consumer knows or reasonably should know that the employee or agent is located outside the United States, or (2) related to the provision of emergency services. Requires such a business entity, upon request, to transfer a customer to a customer service agent who is physically located in the United States. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to exclude certain classes or types of business entities or customer services communications from the requirements of this Act under exceptionally compelling circumstances. Sets forth enforcement provisions.

Aanbieding feitelijke vragen inzake de Wijziging van de begrotingsstaat van het Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Milieu voor het jaar 2011 (wijziging samenhangende met de Najaarsnota)

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 7 December 2011

Aanbieding feitelijke vragen inzake de Wijziging van de begrotingsstaat van het Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Milieu voor het jaar 2011 (wijziging samenhangende met de Najaarsnota)

Mineralrohstoffgesetz, Änderung

Austria · National Council · 6 December 2011

Antrag der Abgeordneten Ing. Norbert Hofer, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend ein Bundesgesetz, mit dem das Bundesgesetz über mineralische Rohstoffe, über die Änderung des ArbeiternehmerInnenschutzgesetzes und des Arbeitsinspektionsgesetzes 1993 (Mineralrohstoffgesetz - MinroG), BGBl. I Nr. 38/1999, geändert wird

Massentötungen von Hunden in der Ukraine

Austria · National Council · 6 December 2011

Antrag der Abgeordneten Dietmar Keck, Ing. Peter Westenthaler, Franz Eßl, Bernhard Vock, Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Wolfgang Pirklhuber, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Massentötungen von Hunden in der Ukraine

Pestizid im Grundwasserstrom von Korneuburg

Austria · National Council · 6 December 2011

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Harald Jannach, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Pestizid im Grundwasserstrom von Korneuburg

Kraftwerksprojekte in der Steiermark

Austria · National Council · 6 December 2011

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Günther Kräuter, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Kraftwerksprojekte in der Steiermark

Atomkraftwerk Krško

Austria · National Council · 6 December 2011

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Gerhard Köfer, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundeskanzler betreffend Atomkraftwerk Krško

Erkenntnisse aus den Gutachten zum geplanten Projekt Reststoffdeponie im burgenländischen Neudorf

Austria · National Council · 6 December 2011

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Erwin Preiner, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Erkenntnisse aus den Gutachten zum geplanten Projekt Reststoffdeponie im burgenländischen Neudorf

453 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in the absence of a funding stream under the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for tenancy sustainment support, if he will ensure that rehabilitation and recovery teams are adequately resourced to provide ongoing support to persons with a mental health problem to enable them to live independently in the community. [38858/11]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 6 December 2011

453 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in the absence of a funding stream under the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for tenancy sustainment support, if he will ensure that rehabilitation and recovery teams are adequately resourced to provide ongoing support to persons with a mental health problem to enable them to live independently in the community. [38858/11]