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November 11, 2019
Over the period between October 17th and November 7th, Congress took legislative action pertaining to issue areas including renewable energy development, resilience and disaster relief, ocean acidification, energy efficiency and energy storage systems, among others.
The Senate introduced 20 bills relevant to energy and the environment, approved and reported 15 more bills out of committee, and passed no bills. The House introduced 24 such bills, approved and reported seven bills out of committee, and passed one bill, the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act.
The House was not in session November 1-7 but will be back on November 12.
Highlights
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which our Executive Director gave testimony to in October, introduced a number of bills pertinent to renewable energy development, research, and innovation, including wind energy (S.2660), solar energy (S.2668), and geothermal energy (S.2657). This committee also approved a number of energy efficiency bills.
Another Senate bill, S.2702, would require the Secretary of Energy to establish an integrated energy systems research, development, and demonstration program
In addition to energy legislation, Congress has also introduced bills pertaining to resilience and disaster relief, such as S.2636, H.R.4732 (resilience) and S.2796, H.R.4759, H.R.4912 (disaster relief). Another bill, the federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act, or H.R.1306, actually passed in the House.
Senate
Bills Introduced:
S.2636 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a program to make grants to eligible entities to increase the resilience of publicly owned treatment works to natural hazards, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] (Introduced 10/17/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Environment and Public Works
S.2642 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to prohibit the construction of natural gas compressor stations as part of a project that would lead to or facilitate natural gas exports.
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (Introduced 10/17/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
S.2657 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
S.2660 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to establish a grant program for wind energy research, development, and demonstration, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
S.2662 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend sections 111, 169, and 171 of the Clean Air Act to clarify when a physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, a stationary source constitutes a modification or construction, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (4)
S.2666 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to promote the development of renewable energy on public land, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (7)
S.2668 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to establish a program for research, development, and demonstration of solar energy technologies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
S.Res.372 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Federal Government should establish a national goal of conserving at least 30 percent of the land and ocean of the United States by 2030.
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (9)
S.2674 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish a grant program for improving infrastructure asset management by small public water systems, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
S.2688 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to establish an Office of Technology Transitions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
S.2699 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to reauthorize the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (Introduced 10/24/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation
S.2702 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish an integrated energy systems research, development, and demonstration program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] (Introduced 10/24/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
S.2706 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to assist States in adopting updated interconnection procedures and tariff schedules and standards for supplemental, backup, and standby power fees for projects for combined heat and power technology and waste heat to power technology, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] (Introduced 10/24/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
S.2718 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to provide for the conduct of certain water security measures in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] (Introduced 10/28/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
S.2767 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a pilot competitive grant program for improving the sharing of water quality data, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL] (Introduced 10/31/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
S.Res.404 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should work in cooperation with the international community and continue to exercise global leadership to address the causes and effects of climate change, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] (Introduced 10/31/2019) Cosponsors: (32)
Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations
S.2796 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to expedite disaster assistance to States, insular areas, units of general local government, and Indian tribes under a community development block grant disaster recovery program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thom [R-NC] (Introduced 11/06/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
S.2799 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to require the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Interior to establish a joint Nexus of Energy and Water Sustainability Office, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (Introduced 11/06/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
S.2802 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to reauthorize and modify the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] (Introduced 11/06/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
S.2804 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to promote conservation, improve public land management, and provide for sensible development in Pershing County, Nevada, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 11/06/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Bills Approved by Committee:
S.334 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Clean Water for Rural Communities Act
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT] (Introduced 02/05/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
S.1602 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
BEST Act, to amend the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for grid-scale energy storage systems, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] (Introduced 05/22/2019) Cosponsors: (18)
S.2094 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2019
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO] (Introduced 07/11/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R.1420 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Energy Efficient Government Technology Act
Sponsor: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18] (Introduced 02/28/2019) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce | Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-145
S.1751 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Bureau of Reclamation Pumped Storage Hydropower Development Act
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] (Introduced 06/05/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-140
S.1821 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Marine Energy Research and Development Act of 2019
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (Introduced 06/12/2019) Cosponsors: (5)
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-141
S.1931 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Western Area Power Administration Transparency Act
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ] (Introduced 06/20/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-142
S.2137 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2019
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] (Introduced 07/17/2019) Cosponsors: (10)
S.2333 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Energy Cybersecurity Act of 2019
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] (Introduced 07/30/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-144
S.2095 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-147
S.2300 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Clean Industrial Technology Act of 2019
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (Introduced 07/25/2019) Cosponsors: (6)
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-148
S.2332 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Grid Modernization Act of 2019
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] (Introduced 07/30/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-149
S.2334 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
21st Century Energy Workforce Act of 2019
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-150
S.2335 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Smart Building Acceleration Act of 2019
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-151
S.2044 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Water Supply Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Utilization Act
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ] (Introduced 06/27/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
S.1874 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
BRIGHT Act
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 06/13/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Bills Passed:
None
House
H.R.4732 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To establish a Global Climate Change Resilience Strategy, to authorize the admission of climate-displaced persons, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (Introduced 10/17/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House - Foreign Affairs; Judiciary; Energy and Commerce
H.R.4723 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To require the identification of salmon conservation areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (Introduced 10/17/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture; Foreign Affairs
H.R.4735 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit for certain facilities that remediate and reclaim coal refuse sites in the United States by producing electricity from coal refuse.
Sponsor: Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9] (Introduced 10/18/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Ways and Means
H.R.4737 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security to research and evaluate existing Federal research regarding approaches to mitigate climate change on homeland security to identify areas for further research within the Department, research and develop approaches to mitigate the consequences of climate change on homeland security, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9] (Introduced 10/18/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Homeland Security
H.R.4741 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To provide that the Federal Communications Commission and communications service providers regulated by the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934 shall not be subject to certain provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act with respect to the construction, rebuilding, or hardening of communications facilities following a major disaster or an emergency declared by the President, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Olson, Pete [R-TX-22] (Introduced 10/18/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources
H.R.4752 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To accept land into trust for the benefit of the Prairie Island Indian Community as compensation to the Tribe for Tribal lands that have been rendered dangerous by the use and storage of highly toxic nuclear materials, some of which also have been inundated by flood waters, to release the United States from related claims, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (Introduced 10/18/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
H.R.4759 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To increase emergency and disaster relief response, build safer communities, strengthen Second Amendment rights, streamline administrative reviews, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1] (Introduced 10/18/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
H.R.4780 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To establish a Government corporation to provide loans and loan guarantees for infrastructure projects, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
H.R.4804 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the taking for a trophy of any endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife in the United States and the importation of endangered and threatened species trophies into the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
H.R.4823 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to revise the policy of the Agency to address the threats of climate change, to include considerations of climate change in the strategic plan of the Agency, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (21)
H.R.4831 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To reauthorize and amend the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act.
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R.4832 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish pilot programs to assist low-income households in maintaining access to sanitation services and drinking water, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means
H.Res.654 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13] (Introduced 10/24/2019) Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: House - Foreign Affairs
H.R.4887 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the energy credit for offshore wind facilities.
Sponsor: Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9] (Introduced 10/28/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R.4891 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To provide for the conduct of certain water security measures in the Western United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Torres Small, Xochitl [D-NM-2] (Introduced 10/28/2019) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Science, Space, and Technology
H.R.4905 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a program to provide secured loans to private entities to carry out projects for the transportation of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bustos, Cheri [D-IL-17] (Introduced 10/29/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
H.R.4910 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To prohibit the use of eminent domain for the construction or expansion of a natural gas pipe line through land conserved by certain land trusts and local governments, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2] (Introduced 10/29/2019) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
H.R
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