Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act

Bill: 115-hr-1119
Sponsor: Rep. Rothfus, Keith J. [R-PA-12]
Introduced: 2017-02-16 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Coal
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: 

Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act or the SENSE Act

 
This bill modifies the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule as it applies to certain electric utility steam generating units (electric power plants) that convert coal refuse into energy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must maintain the existing limits for sulfur dioxide emissions from coal refuse utilities under the cap-and-trade system, instead of applying the more restrictive limits that are scheduled to go into effect in 2017. (Under the current system, a cap sets a limit on emissions. The cap is lowered over time to reduce the amount of pollutants released. Utilities may only emit as much carbon as permitted under their allowances, which may be traded with others.) Thus, EPA must allocate to coal refuse utilities in 2017 and subsequent years the same number of emissions allowances for sulfur dioxide that have been previously allocated to coal refuse utilities, instead of reducing allowances. 
 
After January 1, 2017, a coal refuse utility may not trade any unused sulfur dioxide allowances. Those allowances may be saved by the coal refuse utilities for use in future compliance periods.
 
The EPA may not increase the total number of allowances for sulfur dioxide emissions from all sources that are allocated to each state. 
 
The bill eases emission limits for hazardous air pollutants from coal refuse utilities. The EPA must allow the utilities to meet compliance requirements by meeting the maximum achievable control technology standards for either hydrogen chloride or sulfur dioxide. 

action_date: 2018-01-12
text: 

Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act or the SENSE Act

 
 
(Sec. 2) This bill eases emission limits for hazardous air pollutants from electric utility steam generating units (electric power plants) that convert coal refuse into energy. The Environmental Protection Agency must allow utilities to select a standard for either hydrogen chloride or sulfur dioxide with which to comply from a list of specified standards.

action_date: 2018-03-08
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on January 12, 2018. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act or the SENSE Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill eases emission limits for hazardous air pollutants from electric utility steam generating units (electric power plants) that convert coal refuse into energy. The Environmental Protection Agency must allow utilities to select a standard for either hydrogen chloride or sulfur dioxide with which to comply from a list of specified standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 189 (Roll no. 101). (text: CR H1481)
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 189 (Roll no. 101).(text: CR H1481)
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 181 - 225 (Roll no. 100).
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kildee motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to prevent the underlying bill from applying to any coal refuse electric utility steam generating facility associated with air pollution.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Mr. Kildee moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H1487)
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1119.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1119 and H.R. 1917. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1119 and H.R. 1917 under closed rules. Each measure shall be debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The rule provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions on each measure.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 762. (consideration: CR H1480-1489)
action_date: 2018-03-05
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 762 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1119 and H.R. 1917. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1119 and H.R. 1917 under closed rules. Each measure shall be debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The rule provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions on each measure.
action_date: 2018-01-12
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 384.
action_date: 2018-01-12
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-514.
action_date: 2018-01-12
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-514.
action_date: 2017-12-06
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 31 - 23.
action_date: 2017-12-06
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-11-15
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 10 .
action_date: 2017-11-15
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-02-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1282-1283)
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Introduced in House