The FRAC Act is reintroduced to implement federal level regulations to protect groundwater resources from potential risks associated with hydraulic fracturing. On May 9, 2013, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and Rep. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.) reintroduced the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act, a bill first proposed by DeGette in 2008. The 2013 version signifies a…
Energy tax reform proposals released by the House Ways and Means Committee outline potential modifications to federal tax code for fossil fuel production, renewable energy tax credits, and energy efficiency provisions. On May 6, 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released the Joint Committee on Taxation report detailing tax reform suggestions to 11 Tax…
Senators have sought GAO investigation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor research program, in view of the constrained budget environment that could cut funding for U.S. fusion energy programs. On May 3, 2013, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) wrote to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) seeking information…
Senate bill proposes a new federal agency to oversee nuclear waste management, and permits an interim storage facility until selection of a permanent repository. On April 25, 2013, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released a discussion…
The revised Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act would allow renewable energy projects to access financing and tax advantages that are currently available only to fossil fuel energy projects. On April 24, 2013, a group led by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced an expanded version of the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act introduced in 2012 to…
EPA’s proposed standards to limit toxic waste disposal from steam electric power plants mainly target coal and other fossil fuel-fired plants. On April 19, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed water pollution regulations for steam-electric power plants, which currently account for more than 50% of pollutants discharged into American waterways from U.S. regulated industrial…
The Northern Route Approval Act, passed by House Energy and Commerce Committee, would expedite construction of Keystone XL pipeline by eliminating the need for Presidential Permit. On April 17, 2013, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Northern Route Approval Act, a bill that would eliminate the need for Presidential Permit to construct the…
Alaska’s legislature gives final approval to a bill designed to reform the state’s oil tax structure with significant tax cuts aimed to spur production and new investment. On April 14, 2013, Alaska’s Legislature passed Senate Bill 21, an oil-tax reform bill aimed to encourage industry production and investment. The approval came on the final day…
U.S. and China have committed to take cooperative action to combat climate change using practical emissions reduction measures and low-carbon initiatives, setting a powerful example to the rest of the world. On April 13, 2013, the U.S. State Department announced the U.S. and China will launch a Climate Change Working Group, recognizing the need for…
In his FY 2014 budget proposal, President Obama increases spending on clean energy development, seeking to expedite R&D and boost cost-competitiveness and deployment of clean energy technologies. President Barack Obama’s FY2014 budget plan released on April 10, 2013, proposes increases in spending for clean energy production and deployment. The budget aims to support cost-competitiveness…
The Senate Energy Committee’s natural gas forums, scheduled for May 2013, will assess several issues surrounding natural gas development to ensure that upcoming policies will maximize economic benefits while maintaining environmental safety. On April 3, 2013, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore) and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced the…
EPA’s new cleaner fuels and cars program aims to reduce sulfur in gasoline and tighten vehicle emissions standards while improving auto efficiency, but could result in higher prices at the pump. On March 29, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new standards for vehicles and fuels under its Tier 3 program to cut emissions…
