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April 4, 2022
Highlights:
The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis held a hearing on nature-based solutions, focusing on the climate benefits of investments in ecosystem restoration through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) and the Great American Outdoors Act (P.L. 116-52). Check out EESI’s issue brief, Nature as Resilient Infrastructure, to learn more about nature-based solutions.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes $16 billion to clean up old oil and gas wells and coal mines. The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the benefits of that investment. To learn more about the climate and job benefits of plugging orphaned oil and gas wells, check out EESI’s article.
Congressional Round-Up:
April 1, 2022
Senate
There was no environmental or energy activity in the Senate on April 1, 2022.
House
Latest Committee Action
H.R.7343
To exempt certain vessels transporting crude oil and petroleum products from certain coastwise endorsement requirements, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10] (Introduced 03/31/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House - 04/01/2022 Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
H.R.7355
To provide that under the securities laws certain disclosures related to greenhouse-gas emissions or consumption of an issuer shall not be construed to be required.
Sponsor: Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24] (Introduced 04/01/2022) Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: House - Financial Services
Latest Action: House - 04/01/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
H.R.7360
To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide Federal financial assistance to support advanced nuclear reactors and associated supply chain infrastructure, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Doyle, Michael F. [D-PA-18] (Introduced 04/01/2022) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House - 04/01/2022 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.7361
To upgrade the communications service used by the National Weather Service, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4] (Introduced 04/01/2022) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House - Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House - 04/01/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
H.R.7363
To amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to clarify the responsibility of landowners who do not participate in the operation of oil facilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Gibbs, Bob [R-OH-7] (Introduced 04/01/2022) Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Action: House - 04/01/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R.7364
To permit policyholders under the National Flood Insurance Program to elect to have previous premium rates remain in effect until the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency satisfies certain conditions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Graves, Garret [R-LA-6] (Introduced 04/01/2022) Cosponsors: (5)
Committee Meetings
AMERICA'S NATURAL SOLUTIONS: THE CLIMATE BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS
Select Committee on the Climate Crisis: Full Committee held a hearing entitled
“America's Natural Solutions: The Climate Benefits of Investing in Healthy Ecosystems''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
March 31, 2022
S.442
BRIGHT Act
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 02/25/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Committee Report: S. Rept. 117-80
Latest Action: House - 03/31/2022 Held at the desk.
S.567
Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 03/03/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Action: Senate - 03/31/2022 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
S.3971
A bill to amend the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 to modify a provision relating to cost-sharing requirements applicable to certain Bureau of Reclamation dams and dikes, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] (Introduced 03/31/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: Senate - 03/31/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S.3978
A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program to operate a uranium reserve consisting of uranium produced and converted in the United States and a program to ensure the availability of uranium produced, converted, and enriched in the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] (Introduced 03/31/2022) Cosponsors: (3)
S.3982
A bill to require applicable Federal agencies to take action on applications for Federal energy authorizations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (Introduced 03/31/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate - Finance
Latest Action: Senate - 03/31/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
S.3986
A bill to delay the effectiveness of certain new rules or regulations relating to the United States energy sector.
Sponsor: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS] (Introduced 03/31/2022) Cosponsors: (2)
S.3987
A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to provide grants and loan guarantees for commercial-scale implementation of transformative industrial technologies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (Introduced 03/31/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Hearings
DOMESTIC CRITICAL MINERAL MINING
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the opportunities and challenges facing domestic critical mineral mining, processing, refining, and reprocessing, after receiving testimony from Steven M. Fortier, Director, National Minerals Information Center, Geological Survey, Department of the Interior; Scott Melbye, Uranium Producers of America, Corpus Christi, Texas; Julie Padilla, Twin Metals Minnesota, St. Paul; Abigail Wulf, Securing America's Future Energy, Washington, D.C.; and Paul Ziemkiewicz, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
H.R.5673
Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Technical Corrections Act
Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (Introduced 10/21/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure | Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Committee Report: H. Rept. 117-275
Latest Action: Senate - 03/31/2022 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
H.R.7324
To delay the effectiveness of certain new rules or regulations relating to the United States energy sector.
Sponsor: Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7] (Introduced 03/31/2022) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House - Oversight and Reform; Judiciary
Latest Action: House - 03/31/2022 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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 committee...
H.R.7329
To amend the Smith River National Recreation Area Act to include certain additions to the Smith River National Recreation Area, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain wild rivers in the State of Oregon, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (Introduced 03/31/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
Latest Action: House - 03/31/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Latest Action: House - 03/31/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R.7344
To amend title 46, United States Code, to prohibit certain grants from financing or refinancing projects that support the development, manufacturing, staging, maintenance, or deployment of offshore wind energy infrastructure, and for other purposes.
BENEFITS OF THE LEGACY POLLUTION CLEAN-UP PROGRAMS IN THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing entitled ``Benefits of the Legacy Pollution Clean-Up Programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law''. Testimony was heard from Steven H. Feldgus, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Department of the Interior; Uduak-Joe Ntuk, State Oil and Gas Supervisor, California Geologic Energy Management Division, California Department of Conservation, California Natural Resources Agency; John Baza, Director, Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, Department of Natural Resources, Utah; and public witnesses.
March 30, 2022
Latest Action: Senate - 03/30/2022 Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
S.3875
Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act of 2022
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 03/17/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: Senate - 03/30/2022 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
S.3956
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a grant program to improve the effectiveness of education and outreach on "Do Not Flush" labeling, and to require the Federal Trade Commission, in consultation with the Administrator, to issue regulations requiring certain products to have "Do Not Flush" labeling, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action: Senate - 03/30/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
S.3957
A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to make certain activities eligible for grants from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: Senate - 03/30/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Latest Action: House - 03/30/2022 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
H.R.7283
To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to make certain activities eligible for grants from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 03/30/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R.7285
To require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a minimum number of oil and gas lease sales in certain areas, to prevent delays in oil and gas leasing, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Carl, Jerry L. [R-AL-1] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (17)
H.R.7289
To provide for the National Academies to study and report on a Federal research agenda to advance the understanding of PFAS, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 03/30/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
H.R.7292
To require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct all oil and gas lease sales described in the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Graves, Garret [R-LA-6] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (18)
H.R.7293
To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to process applications for a permit to drill, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Herrell, Yvette [R-NM-2] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (20)
H.R.7297
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain contributions to local authorities to mitigate the risk of flooding on local property adjacent to medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Veterans' Affairs
Latest Action: House - 03/30/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.7298
To require the Secretary of the Interior to submit a report on expressions of interest and applications for permits to drill, to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to require the publication of data on expressions of interest and applications for permits to drill, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (20)
H.R.7304
To require the Secretary of the Interior to immediately resume onshore oil and gas lease sales, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Rosendale Sr., Matthew M. [R-MT-At Large] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (19)
H.R.7306
To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to provide deadlines for the development of five-year oil and gas leasing programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24] (Introduced 03/30/2022) Cosponsors: (16)
March 29, 2022
There was no environmental or energy activity in the Senate on March 29, 2022.
H.R.7266
To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to prohibit the local regulation of pesticide use, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13] (Introduced 03/29/2022) Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: House - Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 03/29/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
A 2022 REVIEW OF THE FARM BILL: HORTICULTURE AND URBAN AGRICULTURE
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research held a hearing entitled ``A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: Horticulture and Urban Agriculture''. Testimony was heard from Jennifer Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Department of Agriculture; Terry Cosby, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture; and public witnesses.
TRUSTING THE TAP: UPGRADING AMERICA'S DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a hearing entitled ``Trusting the Tap: Upgrading America's Drinking Water Infrastructure''. Testimony was heard from Kareem Adeem, Director of Water and Sewer Utilities, Newark, New Jersey; and public witnesses.
March 28, 2022
There was no environmental or energy activity in the Senate on March 28, 2022.
H.R.7242
To require the President to develop and maintain products that show the risk of natural hazards across the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3] (Introduced 03/28/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 03/28/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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