The State Department posted the first 100,000 comments on its draft Keystone XL pipeline assessment, planning to release the remaining 1.2 million comments in similar weekly batches. On May 23, 2013, the State Department released approximately 100,000 comments on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project, announcing plans to release the more than 1.2 million comments…
The Northern Route Approval Act, which passed the House by a vote of 241-175, would expedite Keystone XL approval by eliminating the Presidential Permit requirement. On May 22, 2013, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, which aims to bypass Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. The bill, introduced…
DOE’s conditional authorization of Freeport’s proposed LNG export project makes it the second facility to receive LNG export approval to non-FTA countries. On May 17, 2013, Freeport LNG Expansion LP and FLNG liquefaction LLC obtained conditional authorization from the Department of Energy (DOE) to export U.S. natural gas to non-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) nations. The…
BLM’s revised draft hydraulic fracturing regulations maintains key safety standards, allows coordination with existing state practices, and offers flexibility to oil and gas companies. On May 16, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued revised draft rules governing hydraulic fracturing operations on public and Indian lands. The revisions aim to avoid duplicate federal and…
The 2013 Iran Sanctions Implementation Act aims to expand U.S. oil production to displace Iranian supplies in the global market and economically isolate Iran. On May 15, 2013, a group of senators led by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced the 2013 Iran Sanctions Implementation Act, aimed to enforce oil sanctions against Iran through increased oil production…
The National Strategy for the Arctic Region intends to position the U.S. to respond to challenges and economic opportunities in the Arctic, prioritizing security, responsible resource development, and cooperation with other Arctic nations. On May 10, 2013, the White House unveiled the “National Strategy for the Arctic Region,” outlining the administration’s priorities to manage…
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…
