Environment

535. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received any payments in 2016 in respect of the BPS, basic payment scheme, ANC scheme, areas of natural constraint scheme, and GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme; the steps he will take to ensure the person receives a payment without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2840/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

535. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received any payments in 2016 in respect of the BPS, basic payment scheme, ANC scheme, areas of natural constraint scheme, and GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme; the steps he will take to ensure the person receives a payment without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2840/17]

534. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure a person (details supplied) is paid a GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2839/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

534. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure a person (details supplied) is paid a GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2839/17]

533. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to have the 2016 GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment made to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2838/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

533. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to have the 2016 GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment made to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2838/17]

532. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure a person (details supplied) is paid a GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2837/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

532. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure a person (details supplied) is paid a GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2837/17]

531. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to expedite an application for a GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment due to a person (details supplied) for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2835/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

531. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to expedite an application for a GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment due to a person (details supplied) for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2835/17]

530. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to expedite a GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment due to persons (details supplied) for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2834/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

530. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to expedite a GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment due to persons (details supplied) for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2834/17]

529. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) receives the GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment due for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2833/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

529. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) receives the GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payment due for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2833/17]

528. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payments that have issued as part of the most recent tranche; the number of outstanding payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2824/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

528. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payments that have issued as part of the most recent tranche; the number of outstanding payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2824/17]

527. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an AEOS, agri-environment options scheme, payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2819/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

527. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an AEOS, agri-environment options scheme, payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2819/17]

526. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all payments have been made under the green low carbon agri-environment scheme. [2803/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

526. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all payments have been made under the green low carbon agri-environment scheme. [2803/17]

518. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payments due to be issued to applicants in County Monaghan before the end of 2016 which were not issued by the target date; the number of those payments that have issued in the interim; the number outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3101/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 24 January 2017

518. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of GLAS, green low carbon agri-environment scheme, payments due to be issued to applicants in County Monaghan before the end of 2016 which were not issued by the target date; the number of those payments that have issued in the interim; the number outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3101/17]

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2017

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2017 This bill amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund until 19 years after this bill's enactment. The trust fund compensates individuals who contract cancer or other diseases as a result of their exposure to radiation during nuclear testing undertaken by the United States during the Cold War. The bill revises the requirements of that Act, including by: increasing the amount of compensation that an individual may receive; expanding the affected area to include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico; expanding eligibility requirements to include additional individuals, such as certain employees of uranium mines or mills; and extending until 19 years after this bill's enactment the statute of limitations for the filing of claims. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences must establish a grant program for institutions of higher education to study the epidemiological impacts of uranium mining and milling among non-occupationally exposed individuals. The bill amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 by expanding eligibility requirements for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program with respect to chronic beryllium disease.

RPM Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2017

Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2017 or the RPM Act of 2017 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to allow the modification of a vehicle's air emission controls if the vehicle is used solely for competition.

A bill to authorize the use of the active capacity of the Fontenelle Reservoir.

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2017

This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior, in cooperation with the state of Wyoming, to amend the Definite Plan Report for the Seedskadee Project (authorized under the Colorado River Storage Project Act) to provide for the study, design, planning, and construction activities that will enable the use of all active storage capacity of Fontenelle Dam and Reservoir, including the placement of sufficient riprap on the upstream face of the dam to allow such storage capacity to be used for authorized project purposes. Interior may enter into: (1) any contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other agreement that is necessary to carry out this bill; and (2) contracts with Wyoming for division of any additional active capacity made available under this bill. Interior must enter into a cooperative agreement with Wyoming for planning, design, related preconstruction activities, and construction of any modification of the Fontenelle Dam, which shall specify the responsibilities of Interior and Wyoming regarding: (1) completing the planning and final design of the modification of the dam, (2) any environmental and cultural resource compliance activities required for the modification of the dam, and (3) the construction of the modification of the dam.

Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2017

Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2017 This bill directs the Comptroller General to conduct an assessment of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel assigned to fusion centers established under the Homeland Security Act of 2002. (A fusion center serves as a focal point within the state and local environment for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information between the federal government and state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners.) The assessment must include information on: the roles and responsibilities of DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis intelligence officers and analysts, reports officers, and regional directors deployed to such centers; federal resources provided to each center; an analysis of the optimal number of personnel the Office of Intelligence and Analysis should deploy to such centers; fusion centers located in jurisdictions along land and maritime borders of the United States and the degree to which deploying personnel from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard to such centers would enhance the integrity and security at such borders; and fusion centers located in jurisdictions with large and medium hub airports and the degree to which deploying personnel from the Transportation Security Administration to such centers would enhance aviation security. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that any program established by DHS's Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to provide eligibility for access to information classified as Top Secret for state, local, tribal, and territorial analysts located in fusion centers shall be consistent with the need-to-know requirements pursuant to Executive Order No. 13526. The Under Secretary must report on: the process by which the Under Secretary determines a need to know to sponsor Top Secret clearances for analysts in fusion centers; the effects of such Top Secret clearances on enhancing information sharing with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners; the cost for providing such Top Secret clearances for such analysts, including training and background investigations; and the operational security protocols, training, management, and risks associated with providing such Top Secret clearances. The Under Secretary shall assess information systems used to share homeland security information between DHS and fusion centers in the network and make appropriate upgrades. The Under Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with each Network fusion center regarding the type of information fusion centers will provide to DHS and whether such information may be subject to public disclosure. Fusion centers are required to assist, review information from, and disseminate information to territorial governments.

Stop EPA Overregulation of Rural Americans Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2017

Stop EPA Overregulation of Rural Americans Act This bill nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency rule titled "Standards of Performance for New Residential Wood Heaters, New Residential Hydronic Heaters and Forced-Air Furnaces," published on March 16, 2015.

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to amend the Definite Plan Report for the Seedskadee Project to enable the use of the active capacity of the Fontenelle Reservoir.

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2017

This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior, in cooperation with the state of Wyoming, to amend the Definite Plan Report for the Seedskadee Project (authorized under the Colorado River Storage Project Act) to provide for the study, design, planning, and construction activities that will enable the use of all active storage capacity of Fontenelle Dam and Reservoir, including the placement of sufficient riprap on the upstream face of the dam to allow such storage capacity to be used for authorized project purposes. Interior may enter into: (1) any contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other agreement that is necessary to carry out this bill; and (2) contracts with Wyoming for division of any additional active capacity made available under this bill. Interior must enter into a cooperative agreement with Wyoming for planning, design, related preconstruction activities, and construction of any modification of the Fontenelle Dam, which shall specify the responsibilities of Interior and Wyoming regarding: (1) completing the planning and final design of the modification of the dam, (2) any environmental and cultural resource compliance activities required for the modification of the dam, and (3) the construction of the modification of the dam.

Stopping EPA Overreach Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2017

Stopping EPA Overreach Act of 2017 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to exclude carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride pollution from the scope of that Act. The bill declares that current law does not authorize or require the regulation of climate change or global warming and nullifies certain final rules relating to: (1) greenhouse gas and volatile organic compounds emissions, including methane emissions, from the oil and natural gas sector; and (2) carbon pollution emissions from the utility power sector. Before proposing or finalizing regulations or policies, the Environmental Protection Agency must analyze the net and gross impact of those regulations and policies on employment. Regulations and policies may not take effect if they have a negative impact on employment, unless they are approved by Congress and signed by the President.

Verzoek van het lid Ouwehand een reactie te vragen aan de staatsecretaris van EZ op een rapport over bijensterfte: Wood, Thomas; Goulson, Dave 2017: “The Environmental Risks of neonicotinoid pesticides: a review of the evidence post-2013”

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 24 January 2017

Verzoek van het lid Ouwehand een reactie te vragen aan de staatsecretaris van EZ op een rapport over bijensterfte: Wood, Thomas; Goulson, Dave 2017: “The Environmental Risks of neonicotinoid pesticides: a review of the evidence post-2013”

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Civil Servants

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 23 January 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many additional civil servants her Department has employed since 23 June 2016.

Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 23 January 2017.#Association Justice & Environment, z.s. v European Commission.#Access to documents — Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 — Documents relating to an infringement procedure opened by the Commission against the Czech Republic — Refusal of access — Exception concerning the protection of inspections, investigations and audits — General presumption — Overriding public interest — Aarhus Convention — European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom.#Case T-727/15.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 23 January 2017

proposition de loi visant à maintenir l'eau et l'assainissement dans les compétences optionnelles des communautés de communes ou des communautés d'agglomération après 2020

France · Senate · 21 January 2017

geplante Erweiterung des Tiergartens Schönbrunn

Austria · National Council · 20 January 2017

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Leopold Steinbichler, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Wirtschaft betreffend "Geplante Erweiterung des Tiergartens Schönbrunn"

geplante Erweiterung des Tiergartens Schönbrunn

Austria · National Council · 20 January 2017

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Leopold Steinbichler, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend "Geplante Erweiterung des Tiergartens Schönbrunn"

Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2017

Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act Laboratory Modernization and Technology Transfer Act This bill instructs the Department of Energy (DOE) to permit its National Laboratories to use funds authorized to support technology transfer within DOE to carry out early stage and precommercial technology demonstration activities so as to remove technology barriers limiting private sector interest and to demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from activities of the national laboratories. DOE shall carry out its Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program, as announced on December 8, 2011, in accordance with this bill. Department of Energy Research Coordination Act DOE shall identify strategic opportunities for collaborative research and development of innovative science and technologies. DOE shall carry out a program to enhance economic, environmental, and energy security by making awards for the establishment of Energy Innovation Hubs to conduct and support research and development of advanced energy technologies. Department of Energy Office of Science Policy Act The bill states that the mission of the Office of Science shall be the delivery of scientific discoveries, capabilities, and major scientific tools to transform the understanding of nature and to advance energy, economic, and national security. The Office of Science shall: (1) carry out specified research programs; (2) assess the potential for any fusion energy project supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E); (3) carry out a program for improving the safety, efficiency, and mission readiness of infrastructure at its laboratories; and (4) ensure the access of researchers to the most advanced accelerator facilities and research capabilities, including the Large Hadron Collider DOE shall carry out Solar Fuels Research and Electricity Storage Research Initiatives. The Office of Science may carry out a program for the production of isotopes that are needed for research, medical, industrial, or related purposes. Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act By December 31, 2017, DOE shall determine mission need for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source to operate as a national user facility. DOE shall: (1) carry out a program for enhancing the nation's capabilities to develop new reactor technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques, and (2) submit budget plans for civilian nuclear energy research and development.

AIM Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2017

Airplane Impacts Mitigation Act of 2017 or the AIM Act of 2017 This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enter into an agreement with an eligible institution of higher education to conduct a study of the health impacts of airplane flights on residents exposed to a range of noise and air pollution levels from such flights. The study shall: focus on residents in Boston, Chicago, New York, the northern California metroplex, Phoenix, and not more than three additional metropolitan areas that each contain at least one international airport; consider the health impacts on residents living partly or wholly within the land area underneath the flight paths most frequently used by aircraft flying below 10,000 feet; and consider only those health impacts that manifest during the physical implementation of the NextGen RNAV program on flights departing from or arriving at an international airport located in one of such metropolitan areas. An institution of higher education is eligible to conduct the study if it: has a school of public health that has participated in the FAA Center of Excellence for Aircraft Noise and Aviation Emissions Mitigation, has a Center for Environmental Health that receives funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is located in one of the areas within the scope of the study, applies to the FAA in a timely fashion, demonstrates that it is qualified to conduct such a study, and agrees to submit its findings to the FAA within two years after entering into such an agreement.

Brandanschlagserie der "Deutschen Widerstandsbewegung"

Germany · German Bundestag · 20 January 2017

Festnahme eines tatverdächtigen 48-jährigen Musiklehrers nach einem versuchten Brandanschlag auf das Kanzleramt: Kenntnisse zu Motivlage, Tathintergrund und Tatmitteln, Verbindungen ins rechtsextreme Milieu, abschließende Tatvorwürfe, eindeutige Zuordnung der Bekennerschreiben, Tatbeteiligung weiterer Personen, nachrichtendienstliche Erkenntnisse; Suizid des Tatverdächtigen in der Untersuchungshaft<br /> (insgesamt 13 Einzelfragen)

Müllimporte aus Italien

Austria · National Council · 19 January 2017

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Christiane Brunner, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Müllimporte aus Italien

Entsorgung von Steinwolle aus dem Gartenbau

Austria · National Council · 19 January 2017

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Christiane Brunner, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Entsorgung von Steinwolle aus dem Gartenbau

Environment Protection: Legal Costs

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 19 January 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on proposed changes to cost protections for environmental claims; and what assessment she has made of the effect of

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Sick Leave

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 19 January 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many senior civil servants in her Department were on a leave of absence from work due to mental illness in each month of each year since the Department's creation.

267. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an AEOS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 19 January 2017

267. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an AEOS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/17]

93. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the current regulatory environment for credit unions; the future vision he has for credit unions here; if he has considered the expansion of credit services for credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2455/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 19 January 2017

93. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the current regulatory environment for credit unions; the future vision he has for credit unions here; if he has considered the expansion of credit services for credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2455/17]

Sociétés offshore dans le milieu du football

European Union · European Parliament · 19 January 2017

Judgment of the Court (First Chamber) of 19 January 2017.#Schaefer Kalk GmbH & Co. KG v Bundesrepublik Deutschland.#Request for a preliminary ruling from the Verwaltungsgericht Berlin.#Reference for a preliminary ruling — Environment — Scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the European Union — Directive 2003/87/EC — Monitoring plan — Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 — Article 49(1) and point 10 of Annex IV — Calculation of the emissions of an installation — Subtraction of carbon dioxide (CO2) transferred — Exclusion of CO2 used in the production of precipitated calcium carbonate — Legality of the exclusion.#Case C-460/15.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 19 January 2017

Environment Protection: Civil Proceedings

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 18 January 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the effect of the proposed changes to cost protections in environmental claims on (a) the number of environmental judicial review applications, (b) the proportion of successful env

Environment Protection: Civil Proceedings

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 18 January 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the evidential basis was for the Government's finding in its consultation on Costs Protection in Environmental Cases of September 2015 that the existing environmental costs regime results in meritless applic

Environment Protection: Civil Proceedings

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 18 January 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Government plans to take to ensure environmental claims are not prohibitively expensive under its proposals to remove the fixed-cost cap.

223. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive an AEOS payment. [2142/17]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 January 2017

223. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive an AEOS payment. [2142/17]

Duurzaamheid en milieu

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 17 January 2017

Thorbeckezaal

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Recruitment

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 17 January 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of additional staff her Department plans to employ to assist with the proposed Great Repeal Bill; and if she will make a statement.

1371. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has been informed of reports of an incident of pollution having recently occurred at a coastal location (details supplied); the impact this incident has had on the local environment; the remedial clean-up measures that have been taken at the pollution site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41473/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 January 2017

1371. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has been informed of reports of an incident of pollution having recently occurred at a coastal location (details supplied); the impact this incident has had on the local environment; the remedial clean-up measures that have been taken at the pollution site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41473/16]

Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2017

Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act This bill requires the U.S. Coast Guard to: (1) address the regulation of discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessel into navigable waters, including ballast water discharges; and (2) preempt applicable state laws and federal regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act). Ballast water is water and suspended matter taken on board a commercial vessel to control or maintain trim, draught, stability, or stresses of the commercial vessel. This bill requires commercial vessels to meet ballast water discharge standards established by the Coast Guard by applying the best available technology that is economically achievable, unless they are a type of vessel exempted from the standards. By 2022, the Coast Guard must complete an effectiveness review to determine whether revising ballast water discharge standards will result in reducing the risk of introducing or establishing aquatic nuisance species. Further revisions to the standards must be considered every 10 years. If the standard would result in reducing the risk of introducing or establishing aquatic nuisance species, then the Coast Guard must conduct a practicability review to determine whether: (1) a ballast water management system that is capable of achieving the proposed standard is economically achievable and operationally practicable, and (2) testing protocols can accurately measure compliance. The Coast Guard must revise the standard if it meets practicability criteria. The Coast Guard must also issue rules establishing: (1) reasonable and practicable standards for reception facilities to mitigate adverse effects of aquatic nuisance species on navigable waters, and (2) best management practices for certain discharges for commercial vessels that are at least 79 feet in length and are not fishing vessels.

Cyber Preparedness Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2017

Cyber Preparedness Act of 2017 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative to coordinate with the national cybersecurity and communications integration center (NCCIC) to provide state, local, and regional fusion centers with expertise on DHS cybersecurity resources. (A fusion center serves as a focal point within the state and local environment for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information between the federal government and state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners.) DHS must: (1) provide timely access to technical assistance, risk management support, and incident response capabilities for cybersecurity threat indicators, defensive measures, risks, and incidents, including cybersecurity risks to equipment and technology related to the electoral process; (2) review cybersecurity risk information gathered by fusion centers to incorporate into DHS's cybersecurity risk information; and (3) disseminate cybersecurity risk information to fusion centers. Fusion center officers or intelligence analysts may be assigned from the NCCIC. Such officers and analysts must assist fusion centers in using cybersecurity risk information to develop a comprehensive and accurate threat picture. The NCCIC may include, and must share analysis and best practices with, state and major urban area fusion centers. States, local or tribal governments, or high-risk urban areas receiving grants to protect against terrorism under the Urban Area Security Initiative or the State Homeland Security Grant Program may use the funds to: (1) prepare for and respond to cybersecurity risks and incidents, and (2) develop statewide cyber threat information analysis and dissemination activities.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Iron and Steel

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 16 January 2017

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (a) how much steel in weight her Department has procured, (b) for what purpose that steel was procured and (c) what the countries of origin of that steel were in each of the last five

National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2017

National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act This bill addresses the mine permitting process. Under the bill, projects that provide minerals vital to job creation, energy infrastructure, American economic competitiveness, and national security must be considered to be &quot;infrastructure projects&quot; as described in Executive Order 13604, entitled &quot;Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects&quot; dated March 22, 2012. This order directed federal agencies to significantly reduce the time required to make permitting and review decisions on infrastructure projects. The bill sets forth general requirements for an existing mineral exploration or mine permit application. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Forest Service shall appoint a project lead for the mine permitting process to coordinate with other agencies to ensure that the agencies: minimize delays, set and adhere to timelines for completion of the permitting process, set clear permitting goals, and track progress against goals. The requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 are satisfied if the BLM or the Forest Service determines that the agency issuing the permit will address specified factors, such as environmental impact, alternatives to issuance of the permit, or any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources that would be involved in the proposed action. The time period for completion of the mine permitting review process shall not exceed 30 months, except by mutual agreement. Projects on National Forest System land shall be exempt from regulations that prohibit timber tree cutting and road construction in areas without roads. The bill does not apply to oil, gas, and potash leasing and development within the designated potash areas of Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico.

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2017

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017 This bill prohibits government officials from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement resolving a civil action on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions to allow payments that remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment or that constitute payment for services rendered in connection with the case. Government officials or agents who violate this prohibition may be removed from office or required to forfeit to the government any money they hold for such purposes to which they may otherwise be entitled. Federal agencies must report annually for seven years to the Congressional Budget Office about the parties, funding sources, and distribution of funds for their settlement agreements permitted by the exceptions in this bill. Agency inspectors general must report annually to Congress about any of their agency's settlement agreements that violate this bill.

Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2017

Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2017 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a board to coordinate and integrate DHS's intelligence, activities, and policy related to its counterterrorism mission and functions. The board shall: (1) advise the Secretary of DHS on the issuance of terrorism alerts, and (2) meet on a regular basis to discuss intelligence and coordinate ongoing threat mitigation efforts and departmental activities. The board's charter shall direct it to focus on the current threat environment and the importance of aligning departmental counterterrorism activities under the Secretary's guidance. The Secretary shall appoint a Coordinator for Counterterrorism within DHS who shall: (1) serve as the chair of the board, and (2) report on the board's status and activities.

National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2017

National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2017 This bill establishes the National Infrastructure Development Bank as a wholly owned government corporation. The bank's board of directors shall be responsible for monitoring and overseeing energy, environmental, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure projects. The board is authorized to: (1) make loans and loan guarantees to assist in the financing an infrastructure project, (2) issue public benefit bonds and provide financing to infrastructure projects, and (3) pay an interest subsidy to the issuer of American Infrastructure Bonds. The bank shall establish a risk management committee, which shall: (1) create financial, credit, and operational risk management guidelines; (2) set guidelines to ensure diversification of lending activities by geographic region and infrastructure project type; (3) create conforming standards for financial assistance; (4) monitor financial, credit, and operational exposure; (5) provide financial recommendations to the board; and (6) ensure that the aggregate amount of interest subsidies provided for such bonds in a given calendar year does not exceed 28% of interest payable under all such bonds. The board shall approve criteria established by the bank's executive committee for determining project eligibility for financial assistance. The bill sets forth criteria to be considered by the board for each type of infrastructure project. The executive committee shall conduct an analysis that considers the economic, environmental, and social benefits and costs of each project under consideration, prioritizing projects that contribute to economic growth, lead to job creation, and are of regional or national significance. Financial assistance for an infrastructure project: (1) shall be repayable from dedicated revenue sources that also secure the infrastructure project obligations, and (2) shall not exceed 50% of reasonably anticipated project costs. Bank bonds shall be exempt from state or local government taxation. Assisted projects must comply with wage rate, domestic content, and buy American statutes. The board shall establish an American Infrastructure Bond program. The bill establishes the National Infrastructure Development Bank Trust Fund into which an amount equal to the tax receipts attributable to interest payable under such bonds is to be appropriated.

FCC "ABCs" Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2017

FCC &quot;ABCs&quot; Act of 2017 This bill amends Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in the case of a proposed or final rule (including a proposed or final amendment to an existing rule) that may have an economically significant impact, to include in the notice a cost-benefit analysis demonstrating that the benefits outweigh the costs, recognizing that some benefits and costs are difficult to quantify. An &quot;economically significant impact&quot; is defined as an effect on the economy of at least $100 million annually or a material adverse effect on the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities. The bill prohibits any appropriations for the express purpose of carrying out such analysis and notice requirements. The FCC must presume, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, that: (1) forbearance requirements are met when determining whether to forbear from applying any regulation or provision under such Act to a telecommunications carrier, service, or class; and (2) regulations considered in each biennial regulatory review are no longer necessary in the public interest as the result of meaningful economic competition between providers of telecommunications service.