Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2042
Sponsor: Rep. Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1]
Introduced: 2015-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Judicial review and appeals
Oil and gas
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: 

Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015 

 
This bill extends the deadline for mandatory compliance with final rules that target carbon dioxide emissions from existing sources that are fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units under the Clean Air Act, including any final rule that succeeds either: 
 
 
 the proposed rule entitled &quot;Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units,&quot; or
 
 the supplemental proposed rule entitled &quot;Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: EGUs in Indian Country and U.S. Territories; Multi-Jurisdictional Partnerships&quot;. 
 
 
The extension period begins 60 days after the notice of promulgation of a final rule appears in the Federal Register and ends following any judicial review, on the date a judgment becomes final, and no longer subject to further appeal or review, in all actions (including those under the Clean Air Act) that are filed during that 60-day period.
 
A state is also shielded under the bill from:
 
 
 being required to adopt or submit a state plan, and 
 
 being subject to a federal plan under any federal final rule if the governor notifies the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency that implementation of either plan would have a significant adverse effect upon: (1) the state's residential, commercial, or industrial ratepayers; or (2) upon the reliability of the state's electricity system.
 

action_date: 2015-06-19
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015 

 
(Sec. 2) This bill extends compliance deadlines for rules under the Clean Air Act that address carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants pending final judicial review. This extension applies to any final rule that succeeds either: 
 
 
 the proposed rule entitled &quot;Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units&quot;; or
 
 the supplemental proposed rule entitled &quot;Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: EGUs in Indian Country and U.S. Territories; Multi-Jurisdictional Partnerships.&quot; 
 
 
The extension period begins 60 days after the notice of promulgation of a final rule appears in the Federal Register and ends when the rule is no longer subject to judicial appeal or review.
 
 (Sec. 3) A state is not required to submit or follow an implementation plan that addresses carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants if it determines that the plan would have a significant adverse effect on: (1) the state's residential, commercial, or industrial ratepayers; or (2) the reliability of the state's electricity system.

action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015 

 
(Sec. 2) This bill extends compliance deadlines for rules under the Clean Air Act that address carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants pending final judicial review. This extension applies to any final rule that succeeds either: 
 
 
 the proposed rule entitled &quot;Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units&quot;; or
 
 the supplemental proposed rule entitled &quot;Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: EGUs in Indian Country and U.S. Territories; Multi-Jurisdictional Partnerships.&quot;
 
 
The extension period begins 60 days after the notice of promulgation of a final rule appears in the Federal Register and ends when the rule is no longer subject to judicial appeal or review.
 
The bill urges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in promulgating, implementing, or enforcing the rules, to address how the megawatt hours discharged from a pumped hydroelectric storage system will be incorporated into implementation plans adopted pursuant to the rules. 
 
 (Sec. 3) A state is not required to submit or follow an implementation plan that addresses carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants if it determines that the plan would have a significant adverse effect on: (1) the state's residential, commercial, or industrial ratepayers; or (2) the reliability of the state's electricity system.
 
(Sec. 4) The EPA must treat hydropower as renewable energy when implementing or enforcing the rules.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 569.
action_date: 2015-06-25
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 247 - 180 (Roll no. 384).
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 247 - 180 (Roll no. 384).
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H4632)
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2042.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 333, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Newhouse amendment No. 5.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the McNerney amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. McNerney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 333, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McNerney amendment No. 4.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 333, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Huizenga amendment No. 3.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Rush amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 333, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rush amendment No. 2.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Pallone amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 333, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pallone amendment No. 1.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2042.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 333 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Resolution provides for a modified open rule for H.R. 2822; a structured rule for H.R. 2042; and provides for proceedings of the House during the period from June 26, 2015, through July 6, 2015.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 333. (consideration: CR H4617-4633; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute CR H4624-4625)
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Rule H. Res. 333 passed House.
action_date: 2015-06-23
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 333 Reported to House. Resolution provides for a modified open rule for H.R. 2822; a structured rule for H.R. 2042; and provides for proceedings of the House during the period from June 26, 2015, through July 6, 2015.
action_date: 2015-06-19
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 126.
action_date: 2015-06-19
text: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-171.
action_date: 2015-06-19
text: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-171.
action_date: 2015-04-29
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 22.
action_date: 2015-04-29
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Introduced in House