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January 18, 2022
From January 10 to 14, Congress held hearings on hydropower and electric vehicles and introduced legislation to strengthen air quality monitoring.
The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing, Implications of Electric Vehicle Investment for Agriculture and Rural America. In the Senate, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on opportunities and challenges for hydropower. Chairman Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) stated that hydropower is “unique and valuable for maintaining grid reliability as more intermittent resources come online.”
Additionally, Senator Edward Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act (S.3507) which would provide $55 million over five years to the Environmental Protection Agency to update and expand its Air Sensor Toolbox. The toolbox is an important resource for monitoring air quality.
January 14, 2022
Senate
Latest Committee Action
H.R.6396
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act with respect to hazard mitigation plans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 01/13/2022) Cosponsors: (29)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House - 01/14/2022 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
House
There was no environmental or energy activity in the House on January 14, 2022.
January 13, 2022
S.3436
Protecting Europe's Energy Security Implementation Act
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (Introduced 12/18/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Action: Senate - 01/13/2022 Under the order of 12/18/21, not having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 55 - 44
S.3499
A bill to amend the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to repeal certain obsolete requirements, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 01/13/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: Senate - 01/13/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
S.3507
A bill to improve air quality management and the safety of communities using the best available monitoring technology and data.
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (Introduced 01/13/2022) Cosponsors: (11)
Committees: Senate - Environment and Public Works
Latest Action: Senate - 01/13/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S.3510
A bill to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance with respect to natural disaster resilience, and for other purposes.
S.3511
A bill to require a report on Federal support to the cybersecurity of commercial satellite systems, and for other purposes.
S.3512
A bill to establish an advisory group to encourage and foster collaborative efforts among individuals and entities engaged in disaster recovery relating to debris removal, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (Introduced 01/13/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: Senate - 01/13/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
H.R.4394
Clean Energy Protection Act
Sponsor: Rep. Nunes, Devin [R-CA-22] (Introduced 07/09/2021) Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House - 01/13/2022 ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Calvert asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 01/13/2022) Cosponsors: (30)
Latest Action: House - 01/13/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R.6408
To establish, in the Department of Agriculture, an Office of Agritourism, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Wexton, Jennifer [D-VA-10] (Introduced 01/13/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 01/13/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
January 12, 2022
S.3484
A bill to establish the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (Introduced 01/12/2022) Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Action: Senate - 01/12/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Hearings
WRDA OVERSIGHT
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Water Resources Development Act, focusing on USACE implementation of water infrastructure projects, programs, and priorities, after receiving testimony from Michael L. Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and Lieutenant General Scott A. Spellmon, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, both of the Department of Defense.
H.R.6390
To make financial assistance under the Rural Energy for America program available with respect to certain electric vehicle supply equipment expenses.
Sponsor: Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7] (Introduced 01/12/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 01/12/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
IMPLICATIONS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE INVESTMENTS FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AMERICA
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Implications of Electric Vehicle Investments for Agriculture and Rural America''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
PROPOSALS FOR A WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2022: ADMINISTRATION PRIORITIES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing entitled ``Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2022: Administration Priorities''. Testimony was heard from Michael L. Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Department of the Army; and Lieutenant General Scott A. Spellmon, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
January 11, 2022
S.3472
A bill to conserve global bear populations by prohibiting the importation, exportation, and interstate trade of bear viscera and items, products, or substances containing, or labeled or advertised as containing, bear viscera, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA] (Introduced 01/11/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: Senate - 01/11/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
HYDROPOWER
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the opportunities and challenges for maintaining existing hydropower capacity, expanding hydropower at non-powered dams, and increasing pumped storage hydropower, after receiving testimony from Jennifer Garson, Acting Director, Water Power Technologies Office, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy; Camille Calimlim Touton, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior; Scott Corwin, Northwest Public Power Association, Vancouver, Washington; and Malcolm Woolf, National Hydropower Association, Washington, D.C.
There was no environmental or energy activity in the House on January 11, 2022.
January 10, 2022
S.3450
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain facilities in the Sun River project, Montana, for the purpose of hydroelectric power generation.
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT] (Introduced 01/10/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Action: Senate - 01/10/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S.3456
A bill to enact the definition of "waters of the United States" into law, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV] (Introduced 01/10/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: Senate - 01/10/2022 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
S.3459
A bill to prohibit a Federal agency from promulgating any rule or guidance that bans hydraulic fracturing in the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND] (Introduced 01/10/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
H.R.6364
To amend the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Improvement Act to extend the exception to the closure of certain roads within the Recreation Area for local businesses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] (Introduced 01/10/2022) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
Latest Action: House - 01/10/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R.6365
To direct the Surface Transportation Board to require any high-speed rail project to acquire all land for the project before starting construction, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6] (Introduced 01/10/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 01/10/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R.6366
To modify the boundary of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include certain Federal land in Lake County, California, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3] (Introduced 01/10/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R.6369
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain facilities in the Sun River project, Montana, for the purpose of hydroelectric power generation.
Sponsor: Rep. Rosendale Sr., Matthew M. [R-MT-At Large] (Introduced 01/10/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
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