zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Improved Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2007 - Revises minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger automobiles to direct the Secretary of Transportation, for each model year, to prescribe minimum CAFE standards for passenger automobiles, with the minimum standard being the current standard of 27.5 miles per gallon. Requires a CAFE standard of 40 miles per gallon for passenger automobiles manufactured in model year 2017. Authorizes credits earned by a manufacturer when the average fuel economy of passenger automobiles manufactured by a manufacturer in a particular model year exceeds an applicable established average fuel economy standard to be applied to any of the three model years immediately following (currently, before) the model year in which such credits are earned, or transferred to a national registry system for greenhouse gases. Authorizes a manufacturer to apply credits purchased through the registry (greenhouse gas credits) toward applicable CAFE standards for passenger or non-passenger automobiles after model year 2010. Establishes a national greenhouse registry to encourage voluntary actions to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. Establishes within the Department of Commerce an implementing panel to, among other things promulgate standards for: (1) certification of registries and operation of certified registries; and (2) measurement, verification, and recording of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas emission reductions by certified registries.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Social Security Number Fraud and Identity Theft Prevention Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Secretary of Labor, and the Attorney General to require an individual to provide the individual's Social Security account number for inclusion in any: (1) record of the individual maintained by either such Secretary or the Attorney General; or (2) any application, document, or form provided under or required by the immigration laws. (Currently, the Attorney General is authorized to require any alien to provide a Social Security account number for inclusion in any record maintained by the Attorney General or the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.) Requires the Commissioner of Social Security, if a Social Security account number has been used multiple times, to provide the DHS Secretary with information regarding: (1) the name, date of birth, and address of each individual who used the same Social Security account number; and (2) the name and address of the person reporting the earnings for each such individual. Requires the Commissioner to provide such information to the DHS Secretary, in an electronic form, if more than one person reports earnings for an individual during a single tax year. Directs the Commissioner, at the DHS Secretary's request and expense, to perform and report on a search or manipulation of Social Security Commission records if the Secretary certifies that the purpose is to obtain information likely to assist in identifying individuals (and their employers) who are: (1) using false names or Social Security account numbers; (2) sharing a single valid name and Social Security account number among multiple individuals; (3) using the Social Security account number of a person who is deceased, too young to work, or not authorized to work; or (4) otherwise engaged in a violation of the immigration laws. Declares inadmissible to receive visas and to be admitted to the United States any alien who falsely represents himself or herself to be a U.S. national for any purpose or benefit under immigration and nationality or any other federal or state law.

Date: 2007-02-28
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Immigration
Fuel Economy Reform Act - Amends federal transportation law to: (1) revise the definitions of automobile to require including all automobiles up to 10,000 pounds (currently, not all automobiles up to 10,000 pounds are required to be included in the definition) and passenger automobiles to eliminate the exclusion for automobiles capable of off-highway operation; and (2) continue applying the current minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for non-passenger and passenger automobiles to automobiles manufactured through model year 2012, but, for passenger automobiles, adds an increase of four percent per year in such standard for model years 2010 through 2012. Requires an average fuel economy standard of 27.5 miles per gallon for all automobiles manufactured by all manufacturers for model year 2013, with an increase of four percent in the average fuel economy over the level of the prior model year for model year 2014 and beyond. Subjects each manufacturer of passenger automobiles manufactured in a model year, in addition to such CAFE standards, to an average fuel economy standard equal to 92% of the average fuel economy projected by the Secretary for all passenger automobiles manufactured by all manufacturers in that model year. Permits lower fuel economy standards if the minimum standards: (1) are technologically unachievable; (2) materially reduce auto safety and no offsetting safety improvements can be implemented; or (3) are not cost effective. Allows, with specified exceptions, the selling of credits between manufacturers. Allows a person who has been aggrieved by, or suffers a legal wrong because of (currently, adversely affected by), a CAFE standard to apply for judicial review.

Date: 2007-03-06
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Fuel Economy Reform Act - Amends federal transportation law to: (1) revise the definitions of automobile to require including all automobiles up to 10,000 pounds (currently, not all automobiles up to 10,000 pounds are required to be included in the definition) and passenger automobile to eliminate the exclusion of automobiles capable of off-highway operation; and (2) continue applying the current minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for non-passenger and passenger automobiles to automobiles manufactured through model year 2012, but, for passenger automobiles, adds an increase of four percent per year in such standard for model years 2010 through 2012. Requires an average fuel economy standard of 27.5 miles per gallon for all automobiles manufactured by all manufacturers for model year 2013, with an increase of four percent in the average fuel economy from the level for the prior model year for model year 2014 and beyond. Subjects each manufacturer of passenger automobiles manufactured in a model year, in addition to such CAFE standards, to an average fuel economy standard equal to 92% of the average fuel economy projected by the Secretary for all passenger automobiles manufactured by all manufacturers in that model year. Permits lower fuel economy standards if the minimum standards: (1) are technologically unachievable; (2) materially reduce auto safety and no offsetting safety improvements can be implemented; or (3) are not cost effective. Allows, with specified exceptions, the selling of credits between manufacturers. Allows a person who has been aggrieved by, or suffers a legal wrong because of (currently, adversely affected by), a CAFE standard to apply for judicial review. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) terminate the limitation on the number of new qualified hybrid and advanced lean burn technology vehicles eligible for the alternative motor vehicle credit; (2) extend, through 2011, the alternative vehicle credit for certain new qualified hybrid motor vehicles; and (3) allow an advanced technology motor vehicles manufacturing credit.

Date: 2007-03-06
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to extend the Act through FY2007.

Date: 2007-03-06
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Federal Accountability for Nuclear Waste Storage Act of 2007 - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to require commercial nuclear power plant operators to transfer, within six years after enactment of this Act, spent nuclear fuel from spent nuclear fuel pools into spent nuclear fuel dry casks at an independent spent fuel storage facility generally licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and located at the power reactor site. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) make grants to compensate a contractor for expenses incurred in carrying out such transfer; and (2) accept the conveyance of title to a spent nuclear fuel dry cask (including its contents) from the contractor following certification of compliance by the NRC. States that conveyance of title shall confer upon the Secretary full responsibility for the possession, stewardship, maintenance, monitoring, and ultimate disposition of all transferred spent nuclear fuel. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with the holder of an NRC operating license for power reactors located on or adjacent to the spent nuclear fuel dry cask for the performance of such tasks.

Date: 2007-03-06
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Improving the Leadership and Effectiveness of Administrators for Districts Act of 2007 or the I LEAD Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (the Act) to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a national competitive grant program awarding grants to partnerships, each composed of a state and a consortium of high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), to: (1) contract with experienced external agencies for research-based evaluations of the effectiveness of state school leader certification or licensure requirements in recruiting, training, and retaining effective school leaders who improve student achievement at schools receiving improvement funds under part A of title I of the Act; (2) use such evaluations, if the certification or licensure requirements are shown to be ineffective, to develop plans to improve such requirements and the training, incentives, and support offered current and prospective school leaders; and (3) if they were required to develop a plan, create model school leadership zones by implementing such plans in an urban and a rural high-need LEA participating in their partnerships. Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract with an experienced external agency to evaluate the effectiveness of school leadership zones in recruiting, training, and retraining school leaders and improving student achievement; and (2) award an additional grant to partnership grantees that successfully create model school leadership zones so that they can revise school leader certification or licensure requirements in order to replicate the practices of such zones in other LEAs within their states.

Date: 2007-03-09
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Education
Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2007 - Extends: (1) the conservation reserve program; (2) the wetlands reserve program; (3) the conservation security program; (4) the grassland reserve program; (5) the environmental quality incentives program; (6) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (7) the agricultural management assistance program; Establishes: (1) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative; (2) the community forestry and open space conservation program; (3) an integrated pest management initiative; (4) a conservation initiative for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; (5) a conservation planning pilot program; and (6) a cooperative conservation educational assistance program. Authorizes a conservation loan guarantee program. Revises: (1) the farmland protection program; and (2) funding for the healthy forests reserve program. Revises and extends the biorefinery development program. Extends: (1) the energy audit and renewable energy development program; (2) the renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program; (3) the Department of Agriculture bioenergy program; (4) biomass research and development; and (5) carbon cycle research. Extends: (1) the community food project grant program; (2) the farm-to-cafeteria program; (3) the women, infants, and children (WIC) farmers' market nutrition program; (4) the senior farmers' market nutrition program; and (5) farmers' market promotion program. Establishes: (1) a fruit and vegetable nutrition promotion program; (2) a food stamp fruit and vegetable electronic transfer pilot program; and (3) a farm viability program (currently, program authority is discretionary). Provides for Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture procurement of locally produced agricultural products. Extends: (1) the organic agriculture research and extension initiative; (2) education grant programs for Hispanic-serving institutions; (3) the value-added agricultural product market development grant program; and (4) and revises the national organic certification and transition cost share program.

Date: 2007-03-20
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Zero-Emissions Building Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to instruct the Secretary of Energy to establish revised federal building energy efficiency performance standards that require new federal buildings, if life-cycle cost-effective, be designed so that the greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, as compared to the fossil fuel-generated energy consumption by a similar federal building during FY2003, by specified increasing percentages between FY2007 and FY2030. Prescribes alternative compliance guidelines.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Federal Agency Environmental Responsibility Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy that federal agencies conduct their environmental, transportation, and energy-related activities in an environmentally, economically, and fiscally sound, integrated, continuously improving, efficient, and sustainable manner.Sets forth requirements for agency heads concerning: (1) energy efficiency and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; (2) renewable energy sources and energy generation projects; (3) reduction in water consumption intensity; (4) sustainable environmental practices and management systems; (5) toxic and hazardous materials and cost-effective waste prevention and recycling programs; (6) fuel consumption; and (7) the acquisition and disposal of electronic products.Requires the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to establish a Steering Committee on Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management to advise the Chairman and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on performance of their functions under this Act. Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a Federal Environmental Office to advise the Council on agency activities and a presidential leadership award program.Provides for exemption authority.Sets forth requirements for federal agency purchases of a commercially available, off-the-shelf product that uses an external standby power device or that contains an internal standby power function. Requires the Secretary of Energy to maintain a list of products subject to such requirements and a list of products that meet the requirements.Limits public utility contracts for renewable energy to 20 years.Exempts specified project costs for energy-efficient technologies from requirements concerning a project's estimated maximum costs.Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA): (1) to implement a program to use energy-efficient light bulbs in federal buildings to replace low efficiency bulbs as they burn out; and (2) and the Secretary of Energy and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to work with industry to develop consensus national standards for energy-efficient light bulb disposal and with manufacturers and importers of energy-efficient bulbs to develop standards for labeling bulbs containing mercury or other toxic substances.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary of Energy to publish a final rule not later than December 31, 2010, determining whether to amend the standards in effect for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers manufactured on or after January 1, 2014. Prescribes specified energy and water factors for: (1) residential clothes washers manufactured on or after January 1, 2011; and (2) dishwashers manufactured on or after January 2, 2010. Requires dehumidifiers manufactured on or after October 1, 2012, to meet or exceed specified energy factor values. Moves up from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2009, the effective date for new qualifying levels for clothes washers the Secretary is required to establish.

Date: 2007-04-12
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Energy Efficiency Promotion Act of 2007 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act with respect to advanced lighting technologies. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with respect to the expediting of new energy efficiency standards. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 with respect to high efficiency vehicles, advanced batteries, and energy storage. United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) implement a research, development, and demonstration program to support the ability of the United States to remain globally competitive in energy storage systems for motor transportation and electricity transmission and distribution; and (2) establish an Energy Storage Advisory Council. Instructs the Secretary to develop a strategic plan to achieve specified national goals to reduce gasoline usage. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, the Energy Conservation and Production Act, and the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act with respect to: (1) federal fleet conservation requirements; (2) requirements for federal purchase of renewable energy-generated electricity; (3) energy savings performance contracts; (4) energy management requirements for federal buildings; (5) combined heat and power and district energy installations at federal sites; (6) federal building energy efficiency performance standards; and (7) application of the International Energy Conservation Code to public and assisted housing. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 with respect to utility energy efficiency programs. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance regarding implementation of the energy efficiency and demand response programs to state energy offices, public utility regulatory commissions, and nonregulated utilities; and (2) award grants to institutions of higher education to implement projects to improve energy efficiency on institution grounds. Declares that Congress encourages each local educational agency receiving certain federal funds to develop a policy to reduce the incidence of school bus idling.

Date: 2007-04-16
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Fuel Efficiency Energy Act of 2007 - Amends corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) provisions to revise the definition of: (1) "automobile" to mean any vehicle that is propelled by fuel, or by alternative fuel, and is manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways (currently, four-wheeled vehicles that are so propelled and manufactured for such use and that are up to 6,000 pounds and certain vehicles between 6,000 and 10,000 pounds); and (2) "passenger automobile" to eliminate the exception for 4-wheel drive automobiles and vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds. Defines "medium-duty truck" as a truck with a gross vehicle weight between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) prescribe separate increased minimum CAFE standards for different classes of automobiles manufactured beginning for model year 2012, but adds an increase of 4% per year in such standard for model years 2013 through 2030; and (2) establish CAFE standards for medium-duty trucks that are consistent with hybridization beginning for model year 2012. Revises the calculation of fuel economy standards for dual fueled automobiles and gaseous fuel dual fueled automobiles manufactured in model year 2012 and beyond to require using the same calculation provisions as used for gas or diesel fueled vehicles. Repeals provisions allowing the Department of Transportation (DOT) to extend manufacturing credits for such automobiles.

Date: 2007-04-16
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Health Care for Hybrids Act - Requires the Secretaries of Energy, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and the Treasury to establish a task force to create a program to reimburse certain domestic automobile manufacturers for a portion (up to 10%) of the annual health care coverage costs for their retired employees. Requires such manufacturers to invest at least 50% of their health care cost savings in petroleum fuel reduction technologies, including alternative or flexible fuel vehicles and hybrids, and in the retraining of workers and retooling of manufacturing plants. Terminates such program on December 31, 2017. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) define economic substance for purposes of evaluating tax shelter transactions; (2) impose penalties for understatements of tax liability resulting from transactions lacking in economic substance; and (3) deny a tax deduction for interest assessed on underpayments of tax resulting from transactions lacking in economic substance.

Date: 2007-04-18
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Taxation
American Green Building Act of 2007 - Requires federal buildings for which the design phase for construction or major renovation is begun after enactment of this Act to be designed, constructed, and certified to meet, at a minimum, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating standard of silver. Exempts buildings if the agency head with jurisdiction determines that compliance would be impracticable based on: (1) the quantity of energy required by each activity carried out in the building; and (2) whether the building is used to carry out activities relating to national security. Requires: (1) federal agencies to report to the Secretary of Energy on such determinations; and (2) the Secretary to review such report and notify agency heads on whether any federal building described in the report shall be required to comply.Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress the results of a study comparing: (1) the expected energy savings resulting from the implementation of this Act; and (2) energy savings under all other federal energy savings requirements. Requires the sponsor of any development or redevelopment project involving property with a footprint exceeding 5,000 square feet and that is federally owned or federally financed to use site planning, design, construction, and maintenance strategies to maintain predevelopment hydrology with regard to the temperature, rate, volume, and duration of flow.

Date: 2007-04-19
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Giving Reductions to Energy Efficient New Buildings Act or the GREEN Buildings Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the allowable amount of the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial building costs; and (2) extend such deduction through 2013.

Date: 2007-04-25
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Taxation
Energy Savings Act of 2007 - Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007 - Sets forth a schedule for motor vehicle fuel, home heating oil, and boiler fuel to contain specified volumes of renewable fuel by calendar year 2022.Prescribes a pilot program to establish refueling infrastructure corridors for gasoline blends containing renewable fuel.Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) increase funding for bioenergy research and development; (2) establish bioresearch centers that target biofuels; and (3) authorize loan guarantees for renewable fuel facilities.Establishes a grants program for: (1) renewable fuel production in states with low rates of ethanol production; and (2) transportation of biomass to local biorefineries.Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a biorefinery information center.Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to impose a fuel tank cap labeling requirement for alternative fueled vehicles.Requires studies on specified renewable fuels and biofuels.Energy Efficiency Promotion Act of 2007 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act regarding advanced lighting technologies.Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prescribe new energy efficiency standards.Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 with respect to high efficiency vehicles, advanced batteries, and energy storage.United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) implement a research and development program for energy storage systems for motor transportation and electricity transmission and distribution; and (2) establish an Energy Storage Advisory Council.Sets forth national goals for: (1) energy savings in transportation; and (2) national energy efficiency improvement.Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act regarding federal fleet conservation requirements. Prescribes requirements for implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives with respect to federal facilities. Extends programs assisting state and local governments with energy efficiency programs.Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 regarding utility energy efficiency programs.Provides: (1) technical assistance to governmental entities for energy efficiency and demand response programs, including an energy and environmental block grant; and (2) energy efficiency grants to institutions of higher education.Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to establish a carbon capture and storage research and demonstration program.

Date: 2007-05-07
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Federal Building Renewal and Energy Savings Act of 2007 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to require each federal agency to: (1) complete a comprehensive energy and water evaluation for each of its buildings and facilities meeting minimum size or other criteria established by the Secretary of Energy; and (2) implement each energy and water efficiency measure identified in such evaluation. Requires a federal agency to: (1) use a web-based tracking system to certify compliance with this Act; and (2) enter energy use data for each of its facilities and buildings into a building energy use benchmarking system, such as the Energy Star Portfolio Manager. Instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue quarterly scorecards for energy management activities carried out by each federal agency. Prohibits a federal agency from: (1) establishing a policy that limits the maximum term of an energy savings performance contract to a period shorter than 25 years; or (2) limiting the total amount of obligations under such contracts, or other private financing of, energy savings measures. Repeals the termination date for authority to enter into new contracts (thus making such authority permanent).

Date: 2007-05-21
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Ethanol Education and Expansion Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary to make grants to majority-controlled producer-based business ventures to install E-85 fuel infrastructure, including infrastructure necessary: (1) for the direct retail sale of E-85 fuel, including E-85 fuel pumps and storage tanks; and (2) to directly market E-85 fuel to gas retailers, including in-line blending equipment, pumps, storage tanks, and load-out equipment; and Provides for infrastructure installation subgrants to direct retailers of E-85 fuel located in a rural area. Defines "E-85 fuel" as a blend of gasoline at least 85% derived from ethanol (or any other percentage, not below 70%, as determined by the Secretary for requirements relating to cold start, safety, or vehicle functions). Requires a grant equal to 20% of the total installation costs. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to establish a program, funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation, to make competitive grants to eligible nonprofit organizations or institutions of higher education to educate governmental and private entities that operate vehicle fleets, other interested entities, and the public about the benefits of E-85 fuel use.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Super-Efficient Appliance Incentives and Market Transformation Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the applicable amount of the tax credit for energy efficient appliances (i.e., dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, and dehumidifiers that restrict water and energy consumption) produced after 2007.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Taxation
Bright Idea Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish technical standards for general service lamps that provide levels of illumination equivalent to those provided by lamps generally available in 2007, but with a lumens per watt rating of at least: (1) 30 by calendar 2013; and (2) 45 by calendar 2018.Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) carry out a lighting technology research and development program regarding lamps and related technologies made available in the United States; and (2) assist manufacturers in the manufacturing of general service lamps that achieve the lumens per watt ratings prescribed by this Act.Instructs the Secretary to: (1) implement a national program consumer education program about the benefits of using light bulbs with improved efficiency ratings; and (2) report to Congress recommendations regarding the means by which the federal government may reduce or prevent the release of mercury during the manufacture, transportation, storage, or disposal of light bulbs.Directs the Commissioner [sic] of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report to Congress regarding current lamp labeling practices by lamp manufacturers, with recommendations for a national labeling standard.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow any business that produces general service incandescent lamps a tax credit for investment in manufacturing facilities in the United States that produce lamps that meet certain requirements under the Bright Idea Act of 2007.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Taxation
Fluorescent Lightbulb Implementation Program to Save Americans Value and Energy - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program of grants to states for distribution of medium base compact fluorescent lamps to households. Requires a recipient state to give distribution priority to low-income households.

Date: 2007-06-07
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Oil Independence, Limiting Subsidies, and Accelerating Vehicle Efficiency (OILSAVE) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the purchase of a new qualified fuel-efficient motor vehicle. Defines "new qualified fuel-efficient motor vehicle" as a passenger automobile with a fuel economy rating of not less than 34.5 miles per gallon or a light truck with a 27.5 miles per gallon rating which are manufactured for model years 2009-2011.Expresses the sense of the Senate that the cost of this Act shall be offset by equivalent revenues in related legislation.

Date: 2007-06-14
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Small Business Act to allow loans to be made under the Express Loan Program for purchasing a renewable energy system or for an energy efficiency project for an existing business.

Date: 2007-06-19
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Commerce
Small Business Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 - Sets a deadline for final rules establishing a small business education and assistance program regarding energy efficiency. Creates in the Small Business Administration (SBA) the position of Assistant Administrator for Small Business Energy Policy. Establishes a Small Business Energy Efficiency Pilot Program to provide energy efficiency assistance to small businesses through small business development centers. Makes centers selected for the program eligible for grants. Creates a pilot program to provide information regarding telecommuting to small businesses and to encourage the businesses to offer telecommuting options to employees, including outreach regarding individuals with disabilities. Amends the Small Business Act to require the SBA Administrator, in carrying out duties related to Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) solicitations by federal agencies, to ensure that the agencies give priority to small businesses that participate in or conduct energy efficiency or renewable energy system research and development projects. Allows loans to be made under the Express Loan Program for purchasing a renewable energy system or for an energy efficiency project for an existing business.

Date: 2007-06-19
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Commerce
Energy Efficient Lighting for a Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish new efficiency standards for incandescent lighting.Redefines the term "general service incandescent lamp." Requires general service incandescent lamps, intermediate base incandescent lamps, and candelabra base incandescent lamps to meet specified lamp efficacy, maximum wattage, and Color Rendering Index (CRI) standards. Requires a specified maximum wattage and CRI for certain frosted, clear, and soft white lamps and modified spectrum lamps.Authorizes any person to petition to the Secretary of Energy to: (1) exempt types of general service lamps from efficiency requirements; and (2) establish standards for lamp types that are excluded from the definition of general service lamps. Requires the Secretary, by specified dates, to initiate rulemakings concerning energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, rough service lamps, vibration service lamps, three-way incandescent lamps, 150-watt general service incandescent lamps, and shatter-resistant lamps. Sets forth specific efficiency standards that become effective if the Secretary fails to complete such rulemakings on specified dates.Requires the Secretary to initiate rulemakings concerning lamp labeling.Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct an annual assessment of the market for general service lamps and compact fluorescent lamps; and (2) carry out an awareness, information, and education program to help consumers understand lamp labels and make energy-efficient lighting choices.Provides for a state preemption rule for energy conservation standards for general service incandescent lamps, intermediate base incandescent lamps, and candelabra base lamps.Makes it unlawful for any manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or private labeler to distribute adapters that: (1) allow incandescent lamps that do not have medium screw bases to be installed into fixtures or lampholders with such base sockets; and (2) have a voltage range that includes 110 and 130 volts.Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a lighting technology research and development program.Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a report describing recommendations relating to the means by which the federal government may reduce or prevent the release of mercury during the manufacture, transportation, storage, or disposal of light bulbs.Sets forth requirements concerning metal halide lamp fixtures and ballasts. Provides for a preemption rule for regulations concerning such fixtures adopted by the California Energy Commission on or before January 1, 2011.

Date: 2007-09-04
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Requires the Secretary of Energy to facilitate the updating of national model building energy codes and standards at least every three years to achieve overall energy savings, compared to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for residential buildings and ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 for commercial buildings, of at least 30% by 2015 and 50% by 2022. Requires the Secretary, if the 2022 target cannot be achieved using existing technology or would not be lifecycle effective, to establish a revised target that ensures the maximum level of energy efficiency in buildings that is technologically feasible and lifecycle cost effective.Requires the Secretary: (1) to determine if a revision to the IECC or ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 will improve energy efficiency in buildings and meet such energy savings targets; and (2) if a code or standard does not meet the targets or if a code or standard is not updated for more than three years, to amend the IECC or ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 to establish a modified code or standard that meets the targets.Requires the Secretary to provide notice and an opportunity to comment on the targets, determinations, and modified codes and standards.Sets forth requirements for state certifications regarding the energy efficiency of, and compliance with, state residential and commercial building codes.Requires the Secretary to provide: (1) technical assistance to enable the national model building energy codes and standards to meet the targets; (2) assistance to states to comply with this Act; and (3) incentive funding to states to improve and implement building energy efficiency codes.

Date: 2007-09-20
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend certain tax incentives for energy production and conservation. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources (e.g., biomass, geothermal energy, landfill gas, and trash combustion). Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource eligible for such credit. Allows sales of electricity produced from renewable resources to regulated public utilities. Extends the energy investment tax credits for solar energy (through 2016) and for fuel cell and microturbine property (through 2017). Repeals the dollar per kilowatt limitation for fuel cell property under the energy investment tax credit. Allows public electric utilities to qualify for such credit. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures. Repeals the $2,000 limitation on the tax credit for solar electric property. Allows an offset against the alternative minimum tax (AMT) of tax credit amounts. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for investment in clean renewable energy bonds. Increases the national limitation amount for such bonds.Extends through 2009 deferral provisions relating to the recognition of gain by certain electric utilities. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property. Includes residential biomass fuel stoves (pellet stoves) as eligible energy property for purposes of such credit.Extends through 2010 the tax credit for energy efficient new homes. Extends through 2009 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings and increases the allowable amount of such deduction.Extends the tax credit for energy efficient appliances to include appliances produced in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Revises and updates energy efficiency standards for such appliances in accordance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Date: 2008-04-03
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Taxation
Oil Speculation Control Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to define "institutional investor" as a long-term investor in financial markets (including pension funds, endowments, and foundations) that invests in energy commodities as an asset class in a portfolio of financial investments and does not take or make physical delivery of energy commodities on a frequent basis.Establishes in the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) an Office of the Inspector General.Directs the CFTC to carry out a review of the trading practices of index traders, swap dealers, and institutional investors in markets under the CFTC's jurisdiction to: (1) ensure that index trading is not adversely impacting the price discovery process; (2) determine whether different practices or regulations should be implemented; and (3) gather data for use in proposing regulations to limit the size and influence of the institutional investor positions in commodity markets.Directs the CFTC to exercise emergency authority to prevent institutional investors from increasing their positions in energy commodity futures and commodity future index funds.Defines: (1) "bona fide hedging transaction or position" as a transaction or position that represents a hedge against price risk exposure relating to physical transactions involving an energy commodity and (2) "speculator" as any institutional investor or investor of an investment fund that holds a position through an intermediary broker or dealer.Directs the CFTC to enforce speculation limits with respect to speculators in energy markets.Set forth recordkeeping and reporting requirements relating to large trader transactions and positions applicable to index traders, swaps dealers, and institutional investors in markets under the CFTC's jurisdiction.Requires the CFTC to promulgate regulations to establish separate classifications for index traders, swap dealers, and institutional investors to enforce recordkeeping and reporting requirements and to enforce position limits and position accountability levels with respect to energy commodities.Imposes certain institutional investor speculation limits with respect to energy commodities.

Date: 2008-06-12
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Immediate Steps to Conserve Gasoline Act - Requires federal departments, agencies, and Congress, for FY2009, to develop and carry out initiatives to reduce their annual consumption of gasoline by at least 3%. Requires the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to study and report to Congress on the potential transportation fuel savings of imposing a national speed limit on highways on the Interstate System of 60 miles per hour. Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to specified congressional committees on whether additional gasoline reduction measures by federal departments, agencies, and Congress are technically feasible.

Date: 2008-07-15
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Extends through calendar year 2013 the authority of the United States Supreme Court Police to protect court officials off the Supreme Court grounds. Changes the title of the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice to Counselor to the Chief Justice. Prohibits a judicial officer from accepting a gift of an honorary club membership with a value of more than $50 in any calendar year.

Date: 2008-07-21
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Law
Open Fuel Standard Act of 2008 or the OFS Act - Requires each light-duty automobile manufacturer's annual inventory to comprise at least: (1) 50% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in years 2012-2014; and (2) 80% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in 2015, and in each subsequent year. Defines "fuel choice-enabling automobile" as: (1) a flexible fuel automobile capable of operating on gasoline, E85, and M85; or (2) an automobile capable of operating on biodiesel fuel. Authorizes a manufacturer to request an exemption from such requirement from the Secretary of Transportation. Requires: (1) each manufacturer that receives an exemption to place a label on each exempted automobile; and (2) each exempted light-duty automobile delivered to a dealer and first purchaser to be accompanied with a written notification of such exemption.

Date: 2008-07-22
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Energy Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2011 for the home weatherization program. Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Assistance Fund to finance low interest loans for the purchase and installation of energy efficient property, idling reduction devices and advanced insulation for heavy trucks, and alternative refueling stations.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax credit, up to $500, for the cost of replacing a residential wood stove with: (1) a wood-burning stove that complies with current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards; and (2) a pellet or corn-burning stove. Extends the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities through 2009 and the credit for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation, hydropower, landfill gas, and trash combustion facilities through 2011. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit.Extends the energy tax credit for solar, fuel cell, and microturbine property and the tax credit for residential energy efficient property through 2014. Allows a new investment tax credit for combined heat and power system property.Provides funding for new clean renewable energy bonds to finance electricity production from certain renewable resources and for qualified energy conservation bonds.Allows tax credits for investment in advanced coal electricity and coal gasification projects.Extends through 2018 the temporary increase in coal excise taxes. Sets forth special rules for refunds of coal excise taxes to certain producers or exporters.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to identify and report on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and to estimate the magnitude of those effects. Allows accelerated depreciation for certain property used to produce cellulosic biofuel.Extends through 2009 income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel.Allows a tax credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles.Exempts from the heavy truck excise tax idling reduction devices and certain insulation.Excludes from gross income reimbursements for bicycle commuting expenses.Increases and extends through 2010 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures.Extends through 2008 the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property. Allows a tax credit for the installation of a biomass fuel burning stove in a residence.Extends through 2013 the tax deduction for expenditures for energy efficient commercial buildings. Revises and extends the tax credit for energy efficient household appliances produced after 2007.Allows accelerated depreciation for smart electric meters and grid systems.Extends through FY2012 tax-exempt bond financing for qualified green building and sustainable design projects.

Date: 2008-07-28
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 to adjust its focus upon oilheat to a focus upon oilheat fuel.Defines "oilheat fuel" as distillate liquid used as a fuel for nonindustrial commercial or residential space or hot water heating.Makes technical and conforming amendments.Revises the membership of the National Oilheat Research Alliance. Provides that, other than the public members of the Alliance, members shall be full-time managerial owners or employees of members of the oilheat fuel industry.Revises assessment requirements. States that the assessment rate for calendar years 2008 and 2009 shall be equal to two-tenths of 1% per gallon of distillate liquid (currently, No. 1 distillate and No. 2 dyed distillate).Declares that, beginning with calendar year 2010, the annual assessment rate shall be sufficient to cover the costs of the plans and programs developed by the Alliance.Sets forth: (1) a maximum assessment rate; and (2) limitations on any assessment increase.Prohibits any consumer education activity undertaken with funds derived from Alliance assessments from including a direct reference to a competing product.Repeals the termination date for the Act (thus making it permanent).

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy