Transcript PPT - National Journal

PRESENTATION CENTER
LEGISLATIVE FORECAST FOR THE 114TH CONGRESS
Energy and Environment
Timeline of Key Recent Federal Actions on Energy
Aug. 2015
Environmental Protection Agency Introduced Clean Power Plan: The EPA’s Clean Power Plan
is a comprehensive set of rules regulating CO2 emissions. The Clean Power Plan sets
targets for carbon emission reductions to be met by 2030. States are required to submit
plans to EPA outlining how they will reduce their carbon emissions.
Sep. 2015
Senate Energy and Commerce Committee approved S.2012 “Energy and Policy
Modernization Act of 2015”: Chairman Lisa Murkowski pushed bipartisan comprehensive
energy bill through her committee. The bill aims to expedite liquefied natural gas exports,
strengthen the electrical grid, authorize more hydropower project and other measures.
Nov. 2015
Obama blocked Keystone XL Pipeline: Obama announced he would be rejecting
construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline on the U.S. side of the border.
Dec. 2015
House Passed Comprehensive Energy Bill, H.R. 8 : H.R. 8 seeks to bolster energy
infrastructure, improve energy efficiency in buildings and products, along with other
measures. H.R. 8 is the companion bill to the Senate’s S. 2012 energy bill.
Dec 2015
Obama signed law lifting 40 year crude oil export ban: For the first time since the 1970s oil
crisis, US crude oil producers would be able to export their product. However, since the
market is glutted with oil, the immediate impact on US oil exports will be limited.
Jan. 2016
Obama Issued Executive Order Placing a Moratorium on New Federal Coal Leases: The
moratorium lasts for three years while the Department of Interior conducts an assessment
of the environmental impact of coal leases on federal land.
Jan. 2016
Senate Began Debate of Comprehensive Energy Bill, S. 2012: The Senate has taken up S.
2012 and has begun introducing amendments to the bill including Michigan Senators Gary
Peters (D) and Debbie Stabenow’s (D) Flint, Michigan $400 million water fund.
Potential Actions in 114th Congress
• Senate will continue their debate and
discussion on the comprehensive energy
bill S. 2012. Both Republicans and
Democrats are considering attaching
amendments.
• Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and other
mid-western Senators are expected to
introduce amendments making it more
difficult for the Secretary of the Interior to
conduct environmental reviews of federal
coal leases.
• There is the possibility that Congress passes
a comprehensive energy bill this year. The
House has already passed its own version as
the Senate debate continues. In order for
this to happen, the Senate would need to
pass their bill and reconcile it with the
House.
• For it to become law, Obama would need to
sign the bill, a move that might be difficult if
certain amendments are included curtailing
his executive actions on climate change.
Sources: Valerie Volcovio, “Senate Starts Debate on Broad Energy Bill,” Reuters, January 27, 2016; Katherine Conlon, “Clean Power Plan Primer”, National Journal, August 5, 2015; Devin Hurry, “House Passes Energy Policy
Bill Overhaul,” The Hill, December 3, 2015; Timothy Cama, “Obama Halts New Federal Coal Mining”, The Hill, January 15, 2016; US Spending Bill Lifts 40-year Ban On Crude Oil Exports Ban,” BBC News, December 18, 2015;
GovTrack.us, January 28, 2016; Coral Davenport, “Citing Climate Change, Obama Rejects Construction of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline,” The NY Times, November 6, 2015
February 1, 2016 | Ben Booker