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February 24, 2022
From February 14 to 18, Congress held hearings on renewable energy, grid resilience, and environmental justice, and a Senate committee published reports for ocean-related bills.
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard, a federal program which requires U.S. transportation fuels to include a certain volume of renewable fuel. In the House, the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis held a hearing on strategies for grid resilience and reliability.
With a focus on environmental justice, Representative Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) introduced a bill (H.R.6759) to create a pilot program for air quality monitoring projects in environmental justice communities. Additionally, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on Representative Raúl Grijalva’s (D-Ariz.) landmark environmental justice bill, the Environmental Justice for All Act (H.R.2021) which was introduced in March 2021.
Finally, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released reports for several bills focusing on ocean ecosystems–including S.140, S.381, S.1289, and S.1894.
February 18, 2022
Senate
Latest Committee Action
There was no environmental or energy activity in the Senate on February 18, 2022.
House
H.R.6759
To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a pilot program for hyperlocal air quality monitoring projects in environmental justice communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14] (Introduced 02/18/2022) Cosponsors: (27)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House - 02/18/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R.6771
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the South Florida Geographic Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-26] (Introduced 02/18/2022) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House - 02/18/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R.6772
To amend the Natural Gas Act to authorize expedited approval of applications to export natural gas to certain allies of the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23] (Introduced 02/18/2022) Cosponsors: (6)
H.R.6779
To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to reduce the vulnerability of the electric grid to physical attack, cyber attack, and other events, including by ensuring that large power transformers and other critical electric grid equipment are strategically located to ensure timely replacement of such equipment as may be necessary, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Lamb, Conor [D-PA-17] (Introduced 02/18/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R.6780
To identify barriers to the deployment of hydrogen as a fuel source, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Lesko, Debbie [R-AZ-8] (Introduced 02/18/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House - 02/18/2022 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the...
H.R.6785
To assist in the conservation of the North Atlantic right whale by supporting and providing financial resources for North Atlantic right whale conservation programs and projects of persons with expertise required for the conservation of North Atlantic right whales, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (Introduced 02/18/2022) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
Latest Action: House - 02/18/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
February 17, 2022
S.1617
Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] (Introduced 05/13/2021) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: Senate - Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Latest Action: Senate - 02/17/2022 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 278.
S.3676
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the South Florida Geographic Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] (Introduced 02/17/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate - Environment and Public Works
Latest Action: Senate - 02/17/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S.3689
A bill to ensure that, after the declaration of a major disaster, States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments affected by the major disaster receive immediate approval for services and assistance under section 416 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA] (Introduced 02/17/2022) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: Senate - 02/17/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
S.3699
A bill to provide guidance for and investment in the research and development activities of the Department of Energy Office of Science, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV] (Introduced 02/17/2022) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Action: Senate - 02/17/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Hearings
SECURING THE FUTURE OF CLIMATE ADAPTATION SCIENCE AT THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing entitled ``Securing the Future of Climate Adaptation Science at the United States Geological Survey''. Testimony was heard from Lou Leon Guerrero, Governor, Guam; Therese M. Terlaje, Speaker, Guam Legislature; and public witnesses.
H2SUCCESS: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO ADVANCE A CLEAN HYDROGEN FUTURE
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing entitled ``H2Success: Research and Development to Advance a Clean Hydrogen Future''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
February 16, 2022
S.442
Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-efficiency Technology Act
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 02/25/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: Senate - 02/16/2022 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 274.
S.3661
A bill to amend the Natural Gas Act to authorize expedited approval of applications to export natural gas to certain allies of the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] (Introduced 02/16/2022) Cosponsors: (2)
Latest Action: Senate - 02/16/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S.3664
A bill to assist in the conservation of the North Atlantic right whale by supporting and providing financial resources for North Atlantic right whale conservation programs and projects of persons with expertise required for the conservation of North Atlantic right whales, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (Introduced 02/16/2022) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action: Senate - 02/16/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EPA'S RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD PROGRAM
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's Renewable Fuel Standard program, focusing on challenges and opportunities, after receiving testimony from Cory-Ann Wind, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland; and Emily Skor, Growth Energy, Lucian Pugliaresi, Energy Policy Research Foundation, Inc., and LeAnn Johnson Koch, Perkins Coie LLP, all of Washington, D.C.
FEMA PRIORITIES FOR 2022: STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing entitled ``FEMA Priorities for 2022: Stakeholder Perspectives''. Testimony was heard from Chris Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Government Accountability Office; and public witnesses.
February 15, 2022
S.140
BLUE GLOBE Act
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Action: Senate - 02/15/2022 By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-74.
S.381
National Ocean Exploration Act
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] (Introduced 02/23/2021) Cosponsors: (5)
Latest Action: Senate - 02/15/2022 By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-76.
S.1289
Marine Mammal Research and Response Act of 2021
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] (Introduced 04/21/2021) Cosponsors: (4)
Latest Action: Senate - 02/15/2022 By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-77.
Latest Action: Senate - 02/15/2022 Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
S.1894
Regional Ocean Partnership Act
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] (Introduced 05/27/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: Senate - 02/15/2022 By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-78.
There was no environmental or energy activity in the House on February 15, 2022.
BACK FROM THE BRINK: RESTORING BROWNFIELD SITES TO ECONOMIC ENGINES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a hearing entitled ``Back from the Brink: Restoring Brownfield Sites to Economic Engines''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR ALL ACT
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 2021, the ``Environmental Justice for All Act''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON: STRATEGIES FOR GRID RESILIENCE AND RELIABILITY
Select Committee on the Climate Crisis: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Keeping the Lights On: Strategies for Grid Resilience and Reliability''. Testimony was heard from Nancy Sutley, Senior Assistant General Manager of External and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California; and public witnesses.
February 14, 2022
There was no environmental or energy activity in the Senate on February 14, 2022.
H.R.6705
To provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE-At Large] (Introduced 02/11/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 02/14/2022 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
H.R.6719
To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 and the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to provide assistance to non-Federal interests for water-related environmental infrastructure projects in northern and southern West Virginia, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1] (Introduced 02/11/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
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