jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-07-30 00:00:00

Long-Term Energy Assurance and Security Enhancement Act of 2008 or the LEASE Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to open certain areas in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas leasing. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to distribute certain Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues to: (1) the general fund of the Treasury; (2) the Energy Independence and Security Fund (established by this Act); (3) Gulf producing states; and (4) financial assistance to states. Allocates funds among Gulf producing states and coastal political subdivisions.Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) protect the environment and the conservation of the natural resources of the OCS; and (2) establish lateral boundaries between coastal states in areas of the OCS that are outside the Gulf of Mexico and under exclusive federal jurisdiction in order to lease areas for oil and natural gas exploration and production. Authorizes the governor of a coastal state to request the Secretary of the Interior to assess OCS oil and gas resources. Terminates federal prohibitions against the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing in specified areas of the OCS. Establishes the Energy Independence and Security Fund, whose amounts shall be distributed to designated research and development programs, including: (1) assessments of oil and gas resources; (2) wind energy research; (3) solar energy; (4) marine and hydrokinetic renewable electric energy; and (5) the Weatherization Assistance Program. Energy Markets Emergency Act of 2008 - Directs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to: (1) curb immediately the role of excessive speculation in any contract market within its jurisdiction and control that trades energy futures or swaps; and (2) eliminate unlawful activity causing major market disturbances that prevent the market from accurately reflecting the forces of supply and demand for energy commodities. Consumer Energy Supply Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) sell light grade petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and acquire an equivalent volume of heavy grade petroleum; and (2) deposit the cash proceeds into the SPR Petroleum Account.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2008-07-31 00:00:00

Fuel Immigration Enforcement Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) calculate the annual fuel expense cost for all United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles according to gasoline prices reported by the Energy Information Administration Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update; and (2) report such information to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2008-07-31 00:00:00

Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase to 27.5% the percentage depletion allowance for domestic crude oil and natural gas production from marginal properties; (2) extend through 2008 the temporary suspension of the taxable income limit with respect to marginal production of crude oil and natural gas; and (3) accelerate to three years the recovery period of qualified tertiary injectant property for depreciation purposes.Amends the Clean Air Act with respect to emissions from small oil and gas exploration and production-related equipment. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to: (1) amend the definition of "wastewater treatment facility" to include produced water from an oil production facility; and (2) require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish cost-effective minimal requirements for the prevention of oil and hazardous substance discharges for small facilities with oil storage capacities of less than 50,000 gallons at which no single tank exceeds a nominal capacity of 21,000 gallons.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2008-07-31 00:00:00

Promoting New American Energy Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify as three-year property for depreciation purposes: (1) any industrial steam and electric generation and/or distribution system, electric utility nuclear or steam production plant, electric utility transmission and distribution plant, or electric utility combustion turbine production plant fueled by natural gas that is described in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Revenue Procedure 87-56; (2) certain pollution control equipment; and (3) certain solar energy property.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-07-31 00:00:00

Emergency Energy Cut the Red Tape Now Act of 2008 - Declares without force or effect all: (1) federal prohibitions against the leasing of federal Outer Continental Shelf, Bureau of Land Management, or National Forest lands or federal submerged lands for exploration, development, or production of oil, gas, or oil shale; (2) federal withdrawals of such lands from such leasing; or (3) federal prohibitions against the expenditure of federal funds for such leasing. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to waive the application of any federal law that requires a permit to engage in drilling for oil or gas under a lease of federal lands or federal submerged lands during any period in which the most recent spot market price for West Texas Intermediate crude oil at the domestic spot market at Cushing, Oklahoma, is less than $100 per barrel. Requires such a waiver during any period in which the most recent spot price is greater than $100 per barrel. Requires the Department of Energy to act as the lead agency to coordinate all applicable federal refinery authorizations and related environmental reviews with respect to a designated refinery. Requires each federal and state agency or official required to provide a federal refinery authorization to cooperate with the Secretary of Energy and comply with deadlines the Secretary establishes. Requires the Secretary to establish a schedule for all federal refinery authorizations with respect to a designated refinery. Requires the Secretary to approve an application for a federal refinery authorization within 30 days after any failure of a federal or state administrative agency or official to complete an approval proceeding in accordance with the schedule established by the Secretary.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-07-31 00:00:00

Natural Gas Strategy - Establishes the Commission on Comprehensive Strategies for the Placement of Natural Gas Infrastructure to conduct a comprehensive review of U.S. natural gas policy to identify problems and make recommendations that will ensure that specified goals of such policy are met.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-07-31 00:00:00

Drill Offshore to Pay Less Act - Declares without force or effect for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) more than 50 miles off the Virginia coast all federal prohibitions against the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing activities. Revokes all withdrawls from leasing of federal OCS submerged lands more than 50 miles off the Virginia coast. Prohibits the availability of any area of the OCS off the Virginia coast for leasing for exploration for, or the development or production of, oil or natural gas unless the Governor of Virginia, with the concurrence of the Virginia legislature, has requested the Secretary of the Interior to make such area available. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to take necessary action to ensure that oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities under federal leases of areas off the Virginia coast will result in no significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, their habitat, subsistence resources, and the environment. Provides for allocation of oil and gas lease revenues under this Act. Prohibits any person from engaging in any exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas off the Virginia coast that would conflict with any military operation, as determined by the Secretary of Defense.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-07-31 00:00:00

Bolster America's Resources through Responsible Exploratory Leasing Act or the BARREL Act - Declares as having no force or effect federal prohibitions against the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct oil and gas leasing and preleasing activities for areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) of the United States adjacent to Cuba. Revokes all withdrawals of federal submerged lands of the OCS adjacent to Cuba from leasing for exploration for, and development and production of, oil and natural gas. Terminates certain restrictions under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 on the use of funds for certain offshore leasing and related activities with respect to any location on the OCS adjacent to Cuba. Directs the Secretary of the Interior promptly to conduct lease sales for such locations on the OCS in accordance with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and other federal law.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-07-31 00:00:00

Furthering Renewable Energy and Exploration Act or the FREE Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to commence promptly an oil and gas leasing program for public lands within the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Independence Trust Fund, into which shall be deposited: (1) rental payments and royalties received by the United States each fiscal year under leases issued under such program; and (2) federal income tax received by the United States each fiscal year attributable to sales of oil and gas produced under such leases. Requires payment of the amounts deposited into the Fund each fiscal year of: (1) 50% to the state of Alaska; and (2) the remainder to the Secretary of Agriculture, half to provide business and industry loan guarantees under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, and half for the Biomass Research and Development Initiative under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, in the succeeding fiscal year.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-08-01 00:00:00

Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the governor of Virginia to petition the Secretary of the Interior for authorization to conduct natural gas or crude oil (or both) exploration and extraction activities in any area that is at least 50 miles beyond the state's coastal zone. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into a Clean Energy Fund of 50% of all rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other sums due and payable to the United States from leases entered into under this Act for natural gas or crude oil (or both) exploration and extraction activities. Requires deposit of the other 50% into a special account in the Treasury from which the Secretary shall disburse: (1) 75% to the state; (2) 12.5% to provide financial assistance to states in accordance with the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965; and (3) 12.5% to a reserve fund to be used to mitigate for any environmental damage that occur as a result of extraction activities authorized under this Act. Specifies alternative mandatory uses of such funds by Virginia. Declares that the lines extending seaward and defining the state's Adjacent Zone are as indicated on the map entitled "Atlantic OCS Region State Adjacent Zones and OCS Planning Areas," dated September 2005 and on file in the Office of the Director, Minerals Management Service.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2008-08-01 00:00:00

Biofuels Pipeline Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the definition of qualifying income for publicly traded partnerships to include income and gains from the transportation, storage, or marketing of any fuel which meets certain registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-08-01 00:00:00

Promoting Real Opportunities for Energy Security Act or the PRO Energy Security Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to acquire advanced biofuels for the purpose of filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve if the average weighted price of oil exceeds $75 per barrel for three consecutive days. Defines "advanced biofuel" to mean renewable fuel, other than ethanol derived from corn starch, that has lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are at least 50% less than baseline lifecycle GHG emissions. Authorizes the following types of fuels to be eligible for consideration as "advanced biofuel": (1) ethanol derived from cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignin; (2) ethanol derived from sugar or starch (other than corn starch); (3) ethanol derived from waste material; (4) biomass-based diesel; (5) biogas (including landfill gas and sewage waste treatment gas) produced through the conversion of organic matter from renewable biomass; (6) butanol or other alcohols produced through the conversion of organic matter from renewable biomass; and (7) other fuel derived from cellulosic biomass.Requires the Secretary of Energy to submit to specified congressional committees a report containing: (1) a description of how the Secretary will acquire advanced biofuels for such purpose; and (2) recommendations for criteria and procedures for making advanced biofuels available from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to appropriate federal and nonfederal entities.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2008-09-10 00:00:00

Oil and Gas Lease Reform Act of 2008 - Declares that no state environmental or pollution control law regulating the emission of pollutants or protecting human health or the environment shall apply to any activity under a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas on federal lands (including submerged lands), including any such state law expressly applicable to such activity under any other federal law. Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) to define "unnecessary or undue degradation," including: (1) surface or submerged disturbance greater than what would normally result when an activity is being accomplished by a prudent operator in usual, customary, and proficient operations of similar character and taking into considerations the effect of operations on other resources and land uses, including those resources and uses outside the area of operations; (2) failure to initiate and complete reasonable mitigation measures or to comply with applicable federal environmental statutes and regulations thereunder; or (3) failure to abide by the terms and conditions of an approved plan of operations and operations described in a complete notice. Amends the FLPMA, the Mineral Leasing Act, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from suspending any lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas, unless: (1) operations under the lease will present an imminent threat or harm to public safety or will significantly damage the public lands outside lease stipulations; or (2) the suspension is requested by the lessee. Prescribes requirements for review and termination of a suspension. Limits the requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for an environmental impact statement for a lease for oil or natural gas exploration, development, or production on federal lands to: (1) sale of the lease by the lessee; and (2) a single statement and a single review, upon lessee request, with respect to all plans and permits required for exploration, development, production, and construction of infrastructure to be carried out under the lease. Requires issuance of an exploration, development, or production permit if the Secretary determines that the comprehensive plan for the project complies with NEPA requirements. Prescribes appeals process, enforcement, and specified related requirements.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2008-09-18 00:00:00

Getting Resources Efficiently and Effectively Now Act or the GREEN Act - Directs the President (or a designee) to review all projects for the exploration, development, or production of oil and gas resources under federal leases for lands (or submerged lands) located onshore or offshore to determine whether the projects comply with federal laws. Requires the projects to be approved and authorized to proceed upon a written finding by the President (or the designee) that they serve the public interest in responsible domestic oil and gas development and comply with federal laws. Shields decisions of the President from further administrative or judicial review, stay, or injunction, except with respect to an appeal filed by the applicant or permittee. Declares that the President's (or designee's) determinations pre-empt any state law.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-09-23 00:00:00

National Debt Reduction Trust Fund Act of 2008 - Establishes in the Treasury the National Debt Reduction Trust Fund. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to such Trust Fund revenues attributable to the exploration for, development of, or production of oil, natural gas, or oil shale located on federal lands in Alaska or the Outer Continental Shelf and to use such revenues to reduce the national debt.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Date: 2008-09-23 00:00:00

Allows any area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for which expenditure of federal funds for oil and gas leasing is prohibited on September 19, 2008, to be leased under the 2007-2012 oil and gas leasing program under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, effective upon the termination of such prohibition.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Date: 2008-09-24 00:00:00

Establishes the Office of the Federal Oil and Gas Permit Coordinator, headed by a Federal Permit Coordinator, to: (1) coordinate permitting activities by federal and state agencies regarding any oil and gas project under a federal lease either onshore or on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), including oil shale projects; and (2) ensure the compliance of participating federal and state agencies. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish regional offices to coordinate review of federal permits for oil and gas projects on federal lands onshore and on the OCS. Sets forth a schedule for federal agency review of oil and gas applications for: (1) Class I permits, that require preparation of an environmental impact statement to inform the permitting decision; (2) Class II permits, for activities that would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment; and (3) Class III permits, for activities that qualify for a statutory or regulatory categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Prescribes dispute resolution procedures governing oil and gas permit reviews. Empowers the Regional Permit Coordinator to resolve all administrative issues affecting such reviews. Directs the Regional Permit Coordinators to facilitate and coordinate concurrent state reviews of permits for oil and gas projects in the state or on an adjacent portion of the OCS. Grants the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive original jurisdiction over any civil action for the review of a permit decision.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Energy
Date: 2008-09-24 00:00:00

Georges Bank Preservation Act - Prohibits the issuance of any lease or other authorization by the federal government for exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in: (1) any marine national monument or national marine sanctuary; or (2) the fishing grounds known as Georges Bank in the waters of the United States.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Subject: Law
Date: 2008-09-26 00:00:00

Confers exclusive jurisdiction upon the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to hear causes and claims arising from a covered energy project, any action or decision by a federal official regarding: (1) leasing federal lands for the exploration, development, production, processing, or transmission of any source or form of energy; (2) actions and decisions regarding the selection or offering of federal lands for such leasing; or (3) any action under such a lease. Bars any cause or claim not filed within a 60-day period for filing a complaint. Prescribes a 180-day deadline for court resolution of a complaint or cause of action. Declares that such a complaint or cause of action shall take precedence over all other pending matters before the District Court. Restricts to the Supreme Court any judicial review of an interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order of the district court. Prescribes a 180-day deadline for Supreme Court resolution of such a matter. Declares that all such proceedings shall take precedence over all other matters then before the Supreme Court.
Topic: Energy — Natural Gas & Oil
Date: 2008-09-28 00:00:00

Minerals Management Service Improvement Act of 2008 - Prohibits any employee of the Minerals Management Service of the Department of the Interior from: (1) knowingly accepting a gift from an entity engaged in the business of mineral mining or from being employed by such an entity while employed in the Service; and (2) accepting employment from an entity engaged in the business of mineral mining during the one-year period after termination of employment with the Service. Makes violations of such prohibitions a felony. Requires financial disclosure by employees of the Service in positions equivalent to GS-13 or higher. Suspends the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to carry out royalty-in-kind programs (payment of royalties from oil and gas leases in the form of production rather than cash) until the Secretary certifies that a comprehensive review of such programs has been conducted, implements an ethics training program for employees of the Minerals Management Service, and creates an ombudsman position to monitor the progress of the Service in carrying out reforms. Requires the Secretary to perform at least 550 audits in each fiscal year of oil and gas leases for which payment is made under a royalty-in-kind program. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the authority of the Secretary to pay salaries and other administrative costs related to a royalty-in kind program from royalty-in-kind sales revenues.