zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), upon the request of a state governor, or in the case of Native American tribes or tribal territories, the designated leader of the tribe or tribal community, to provide financial assistance to hire additional personnel to assist the state or tribe or tribal community with expertise in fields relevant to consideration of federal refinery authorizations. Requires a federal agency responsible for refinery authorization to provide, upon the request of a state governor, or in the case of Native American tribes or tribal territories, the designated leader of the tribe or tribal community, technical, legal, or other nonfinancial assistance to facilitate state or tribal consideration of such authorizations. Directs the President to appoint a federal coordinator to facilitate such authorizations.Requires the coordinator, upon the request of an applicant seeking a federal refinery authorization, to establish a memorandum of agreement, executed by relevant federal and state agencies, setting forth the most expeditious coordinated schedule possible for completion of all such authorizations.Instructs the President to designate at least three closed military installations as potentially suitable for the construction of a refinery. Requires that at least one such site be designated as potentially suitable for construction of a refinery to refine biomass in order to produce biofuel.Requires the redevelopment authority, in preparing or revising the redevelopment plan for each such designated installation, to consider the feasibility and practicability of siting a refinery on the installation.Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal certain requirements regarding refinery revitalization.

Date: 2008-05-22
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Oil Shale Opportunity Act of 2008 - Directs the President to limit the application of law as necessary to expedite the exploration and production of oil and gas from oil shale and tar sands, including, but not limited to, the issuance of any federal permit. Grants U.S. district courts exclusive jurisdiction to hear all causes or claims arising from any action undertaken, or any decision made, by the President pursuant to this Act. Declares that one half of royalties due to the federal government from production under this Act shall be dedicated to fund private grants for: (1) research and development to limit or capture carbon emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels; (2) alternative fuels; and (3) energy efficiency.

Date: 2008-06-09
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Working Families Gas Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for up to $500 ($1,000 in the case of a joint return) of the cost of gasoline and diesel used in highway vehicles for a nonbusiness purpose when the increase in the price of a gallon of gasoline exceeds the annual inflation rate by not less than 300%. Phases out the amount of such credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes exceeding $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of a joint return).

Date: 2008-06-10
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an interagency working group to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) factors that affect the pricing of crude oil and refined petroleum products; and (2) the roles, missions, and structures of relevant federal agencies, interagency coordination, and the gaps which need to be filled for the federal government to effectively oversee and regulate crude oil and refined petroleum product markets.

Date: 2008-06-11
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing any new lease for exploration or production of oil or natural gas unless the lessee: (1) certifies for each existing lease that the lessee has diligently developed the lands in order to produce oil or natural gas, or is producing oil or natural gas from such lands; or (2) has relinquished all federal oil and gas leases that are not being diligently developed. Instructs the Secretary to promulgate diligent development regulations that: (1) include benchmarks for oil and gas development to ensure that leaseholders produce oil and gas from each lease within the five-year original term of the lease; and (2) require each leaseholder to submit a diligent development plan showing how the lessee will meet the benchmarks. Establishes a civil penalty for noncompliance with this Act. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Mineral Leasing Act, and the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands Act to set forth lease terms for an initial period of five years, renewable for additional one-year periods, subject to specified conditions.

Date: 2008-06-12
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Retiree Health Account Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish tax-exempt retirement health arrangements and individual health accounts to assist retirees in paying their medical expenses; (2) make a portion of the tax credit for retirement plan contributions refundable for contributions to retirement health savings accounts; and (3) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to pay refundable credit amounts to retirement health savings accounts.

Date: 2008-06-17
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
American Energy Independence through Offshore Drilling Act - Terminates all federal laws prohibiting the spending of appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf. Revokes all withdrawals of federal submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf from leasing for the exploration for, and development and production of, oil and natural gas. Revokes all authorities given to the President with respect to the leasing of federal submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf, given under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, except in the interest of national security.

Date: 2008-06-18
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Requires the Secretary of Energy to designate at least five brownfield sites (or portions of them) that are appropriate and available for siting a refinery for gasoline or other fuel. Designates the Department of Energy as the lead agency for coordinating applicable federal refinery authorizations and related environmental reviews with respect to a designated refinery.Gives the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions relating to federal refinery authorizations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until January 1, 2017, the election to expense certain refineries.

Date: 2008-06-20
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act - Makes it unlawful, during a period proclaimed by the President as an energy emergency, to sell gasoline or any other petroleum distillate at a price that: (1) is unconscionably excessive; or (2) indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage of the circumstances of an emergency to increase prices unreasonably. Authorizes the President to issue an energy emergency proclamation of up to 30 days, with renewals allowed, and to cite the geographic area, gasoline or other petroleum distillate, and time period covered. Authorizes a proclamation to include a period of up to one week preceding a reasonably foreseeable emergency. Exempts from this Act a sale of gasoline or other petroleum distillate transaction on a futures market. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to enforce this Act and provides for civil and criminal penalties, limiting the criminal penalty to criminal actions brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Allows a state to bring a civil action to enforce this Act or to impose civil penalties. Requires deposit of fines and penalties collected under this Act in a separate Consumer Relief Trust Fund fund in the Treasury to provide assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program. Declares that nothing in this Act preempts state law.

Date: 2008-06-23
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Commerce
Federal Exploration and Production Reform Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to revise requirements for review and approval of outer Continental Shelf (OCS) plans for geological and geophysical exploration on any area under an oil and gas lease. Repeals the requirement that approval be denied if: (1) any proposed activity under the plan would result in serious harm or damage to life (including fish and other aquatic life), to property, to any mineral, to the national security or defense, or to the marine, coastal, or human environment; and (2) such proposed activity cannot be modified to avoid such harm or damage. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to cancel the lease or permit if the plan is disapproved. Revises requirements for review and approval of OCS oil and gas development and production plans. Requires the Secretary to seek and accept the assistance of the Department of Defense in the review of any plan prepared for a lease containing military operating stipulations or other restrictions. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary require modification of a plan without adequate provision for safe operations on the lease area or for protection of the human, marine, or coastal environment. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise requirements for regulation of surface-disturbing activities, including preparation of exploration and development and production plans. Eliminates the requirement of an adequate bond, surety, or other financial arrangement before commencement of surface-disturbing activities on any lease to ensure reclamation of the lease tract, and restoration of any lands or surface waters adversely affected by lease operations after abandonment or cessation of oil and gas operations on the lease. Repeals the prohibition against issuance of a lease, or approval of its assignment, if reclamation requirements and other related standards have not been complied with.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Developing Resources Immediately and Long-Term through Leases on Our Nation's Offshore Waters Act of 2008, or DRILL NOW Act of 2008 - Declares without force or effect all existing federal law which prohibits spending appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing on the outer Continental Shelf. Revokes: (1) all withdrawals from leasing on federal submerged lands of the outer Continental Shelf (including withdrawals by the President); and (2) Presidential authorities with respect to such leasing (except in the interest of national security). Amends of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize a state governor to petition the Secretary of the Interior to issue leases for oil and natural gas exploration and extraction activities in any area that is at least 50 miles beyond the state's coastal zone. Cites circumstances under which the Secretary shall approve or deny the petition.Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit revenues from leasing operations into designated funds and accounts. Provides that any funds that would be received by the United States as royalties under any existing federal oil and gas lease on the outer Continental Shelf that lies within 50 miles of the coastal zone of the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama shall be paid to that state if it enacts an expenditure plan for those funds.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Energy Independence Act - American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act - Sets forth an oil and gas leasing program for lands within the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Establishes the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund, to provide financial assistance to entities directly impacted by oil and gas exploration and development, and the ANWR Alternative Energy Trust Fund. Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) regarding: (1) Adjacent Zones and Planning Areas in the outer Continental Shelf (OCS) subsoil and seabed; (2) oil and gas lease administration; and (3) lease grants. Federal Energy Natural Resources Enhancement Act of 2008- Establishes the Federal Energy Natural Resources Enhancement Program. Redesignates the Minerals Management Service as the National Ocean Resources and Royalty Service. Rigs to Reefs Act of 2008- Amends the OCSLA to prescribe requirements for the use of decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms for artificial reefs. Prescribes conditions for authorizing leases for areas located within 100 miles of California or Florida.Repeals the coastal impact assistance program under OCSLA. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify terms and conditions governing: (1) federal authority to enter into contracts with sponsors of certain advanced nuclear facilities; and (2) the Nuclear Power 2010 Program. Establishes the Interagency Working Group to promote increasing domestic manufacturing capacity and export of domestic nuclear energy products and services. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish: (1) a nuclear power manufacturing and facility construction credit; (2) a qualifying coal-to-liquid fuels project credit; (4) an election to expense certain coal-to-liquid fuels facilities; and (5) an extension of the alternative fuel credit for fuel derived from coal through the Fischer-Tropsch process or the Schobert process. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Labor to promulgate regulations for a workforce training program for workers skilled in the nuclear utility and nuclear energy products and services. Amends the Atomic Energy Act to modify licensing procedures for new nuclear power plants.Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a National Nuclear Energy Council.Prescribes procedures for: (1) such Secretary to initiate and implement temporary nuclear fuel storage agreements; and (2) expedited congressional review of temporary spent nuclear fuel storage agreements.Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to revise contracting procedures for certain civilian nuclear power reactors.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Grow American Supply Act - Amends the Submerged Lands Act (SLA) regarding the delineation of lateral offshore state boundaries with respect to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and related oil and gas mineral rights.Amends OCSLA with respect to Adjacent Zones and Planning Areas in the outer Continental Shelf (OCS) subsoil and seabed. Revises procedures governing natural gas lease administration. Requires deposit of a portion of OCS receipts from certain new leases into a Special Dedicated Account in the Social Security Trust Fund to reduce Social Security debt. Establishes the Deficit Reduction Trust Fund to accept specified OCS receipts to reduce the federal debt. Prohibits oil and gas leasing east of the Military Mission Line. Cites conditions for granting a federal permit to construct a crude oil or petroleum products pipeline without adjacent state concurrence within the part of the adjacent state's Adjacent Zone that is withdrawn from oil and gas or natural gas leasing. Exempts lease suspensions and preliminary activities on OCS tracts from the requirement to prepare statutory environmental assessments or impact statements. Prohibits construction or operation of any facility, or designation or maintainance of a restricted transportation corridor or operating area, on the federal OCS or in state waters that will be incompatible with oil and gas or natural gas leasing and substantially full exploration and production of tracts that are geologically prospective for oil or natural gas. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to repurchase and cancel specified leases. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise regulations governing onshore surface-disturbing activities. Rigs to Reefs Act of 2008 - Amends OCSLA to prescribe requirements for the use of decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms for artificial reefs. Instructs the Secretary to establish: (1) OCS regional headquarters for the Atlantic and the Pacific OCS region; and (2) Federal OCS Joint Regional Permitting Offices. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to set royalty rates for leases for oil shale and tar sands. Repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require regulations that promote: (1) production of natural gas from gas hydrates; and (2) enhanced oil and natural gas production through carbon dioxide injection.Sets forth: (1) minimum rental rates for future oil, gas, and coal federal leases; and (2) onshore oil and gas royalties.

Date: 2008-07-08
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Oil Price Reduction Act of 2008 - Prohibits U.S. bilateral assistance and arms exports (not including humanitarian assistance) to any country that is a major net oil exporter, including any country that is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), if such country is engaged in oil price fixing to the detriment of the U.S. economy.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who drive a highway vehicle fueled by gasoline or diesel fuel a $1,000 tax credit in 2008.

Date: 2008-07-08
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Supporting America's Volunteer Emergency Services Act of 2008 - Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine the average annual price per gallon for gasoline and diesel fuel for each of the five Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts for 2007. Requires: (1) the average annual price per gallon to be based solely on data reported by the Energy Information Administration; and (2) that price to serve as the baseline fuel cost for each District.Requires FEMA to reimburse a qualified volunteer fire department for 75% of the difference between: (1) the actual expenditures of the department for gasoline and diesel fuel for a year; and (2) the amount that such expenditures would have been using the baseline fuel costs. Directs each qualified volunteer fire department seeking reimbursement to submit to the FEMA at the end of each year: (1) all of its receipts and bills of sales documenting the amounts of gasoline and diesel fuel purchased during that year; and (2) a sum total of the aggregate number of gallons and the costs of gasoline and diesel fuel purchased.

Date: 2008-07-10
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Emergency management
Emergency Energy Cut the Red Tape Now Act of 2008 - Declares without force or effect all: (1) federal prohibitions against the leasing of federal 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 equal to or 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.

Date: 2008-07-10
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise requirements for the sale by the Secretary of Energy of products from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. Authorizes the Secretary to sell from the Reserve if the President finds that: (1) there is a severe energy supply interruption (as under existing law); or (2) the price of home heating oil threatens the health and safety of residents of the Northeast. Requires the Secretary to sell specified percentages of the quantity of products in the Reserve as of November 1 of a fiscal year if the President finds that, on successive monthly winter dates of the same fiscal year, the average retail price of No.2 heating oil in the Northeast is equal to or more than $4.00 per gallon. Requires the Secretary to use: (1) half of any revenue derived from such sales to provide assistance to low-income consumers of heating oil under the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons of the Energy Conservation and Production Act; and (2) half to provide any additional home energy assistance needs of one or more state arising from a natural disaster or other emergency.

Date: 2008-07-10
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Diesel Tax Parity Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax on diesel fuel for a specified period ending on December 31, 2008. Provides for reimbusement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from this reduction in diesel fuel taxes.

Date: 2008-07-14
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a national intelligence assessment on national security and energy security issues relating to rapidly escalating energy costs, including: (1) the short- and long-term outlook for prices, supply, and demand for key forms of energy such as crude oil, natural gas, and alternative fuels; (2) the plans and intentions of key energy-producing and exporting nations with respect to energy production and supply; and (3) the national security implications.

Date: 2008-07-16
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands Act of 2008 - Amends the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an oil and gas competitive leasing program in the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, that includes at least one lease sale each year during the period 2009 through 2013.Instructs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) facilitate pipeline construction to transport oil and gas from or through the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska to existing transportation or processing infrastructure on the North Slope of Alaska; and (2) require certain authorized pipeline operators to certify annually that the pipeline is being fully maintained and operated in an efficient manner. Directs the President to coordinate with oil and natural gas producers on the North Slope of Alaska, and other specified entities, to expedite construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to U.S. markets. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to repeal provisions authorizing the export of Alaskan North Slope oil. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to reimpose the prohibition against crude oil exports. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing any new lease for exploration or production of oil or natural gas unless the lessee: (1) certifies for each existing lease that the lessee has diligently developed the pertinent federal lands in order to produce oil or natural gas, or is producing oil or natural gas from them; or (2) has relinquished all federal oil and gas leases that are not being diligently developed. Instructs the Secretary to ensure that lessees under leases for exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas on federal lands make prompt, transparent, and accurate royalty payments.

Date: 2008-07-16
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Maximize Offshore Resource Exploration Act of 2008, or the MORE Act of 2008 - Declares without force or effect all federal prohibitions against the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct natural gas leasing and pre-leasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Revokes all withdrawals of federal submerged lands from leasing for oil and natural gas exploration and production. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from granting an oil or natural gas lease for any OCS located within 25 miles of a state coastline unless the state has enacted a law approving the issuance of such leases by the Secretary. Sets forth an allocation schedule for a 75% state share of revenues derived from U.S. royalties under qualified oil and gas leases on submerged lands located within the seaward boundaries of a state. Extends the jurisdiction of state civil and criminal law, as appropriate, to the Alaska, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic OCS Region State Adjacent Zones and OCS Planning Areas.

Date: 2008-07-17
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that 10% of new vehicles sold in the United States should be natural gas vehicles by December 31, 2018. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the rate of the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property tax credit with respect to natural gas fuel; (2) allow new tax credits for investment in energy security bonds and natural gas vehicle production bonds; (3) allow a new tax credit for producing vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquified natural gas; (4) allow an increased alternative motor vehicle tax credit for the purchase of vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquified natural gas; and (5) extend through 2017 the tax credits for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures and for new qualified alternative fuel vehicles.Requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to study whether the federal fleet should increase the number of its natural gas vehicles. Requires each retail automotive fueling station owned by a major integrated oil company to have at least one pump dispensing natural gas for automotive purposes by January 1, 2018. Imposes a civil fine on oil companies that fail to comply with such requirement.

Date: 2008-07-22
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Consumer Energy Supply Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to publish a plan to: (1) sell prescribed amounts of light grade petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and acquire an equivalent volume of heavy grade petroleum; (2) deposit cash proceeds from those sales into the SPR Petroleum Account; and (3) withdraw from such proceeds the administrative and operational costs of the sale and acquisition. Requires an offer for sale of 70 million barrels of light grade petroleum from the SPR. Requires the sale to: (1) commence within 30 days after enactment of this Act, regardless of whether the Secretary's plan has been published; and (2) be completed within six months after enactment, with at least 20 million barrels offered for sale within the first 60 days after enactment. Sets forth an acquisitions schedule for heavy grade petroleum to replace the light grade petroleum sold under this Act. Encourages the Secretary to grant requests to defer scheduled deliveries of petroleum to the SPR if deferral will result in a premium paid in additional barrels of oil which will reduce the cost of oil acquisition and increase the volume of oil delivered to the SPR or yield additional cash bonuses.

Date: 2008-07-23
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
New Resources for Domestic Consumption Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the state of Alaska all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the 1002 Area of Alaska (Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge). Requires the Secretary, as a condition of any such transfer, to require Alaska to pay to the United States 50% of all amounts the state receives as a result of developing oil, natural gas, and other natural resources of the Area. Prohibits export from the United States of any oil produced in the 1002 Area after the date of transfer.

Date: 2008-07-23
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Domestic Drilling Act - Declares as having no force or effect all federal prohibitions against: (1) the leasing of any area of the outer Continental Shelf (OCS) or the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas; or (2) the spending of appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural gas leasing, preleasing, and related activities. Revokes and declares as no longer in effect all withdrawals of federal lands and submerged lands by the President under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) inventory the oil and natural gas resources of all submerged lands of the OCS and all ANWR lands; and (2) prepare a strategic five-year plan for the sale of oil and natural gas leases for such submerged lands and lands. Sets forth a schedule for the allocation of revenues collected by the United States under federal oil and gas leases in such areas. Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Energy Reserve Fund, to be available for the cost of subsequent legislation to: (1) promote research, development, and use of clean domestic energy; and (2) increase domestic energy independence and energy security.

Date: 2008-07-24
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Stop Deceptive Advertising of Gas Prices Act - Requires retailers of transportation fuel to publicly display the price charged for the purchase of such fuel with cash and with other forms of payment (including processing fees charged to consumers for purchases made with credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, or other non-cash methods of payment). Requires incomplete displays of fuel prices to be treated as unfair or deceptive trade acts or practices. Requires the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the requirements of this Act.

Date: 2008-07-24
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Energy Fraud and Fairness Reform Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate and report to Congress on whether the price of gasoline is being artificially manipulated by speculation in the oil markets, specifically at the Intercontinental Exchange in Atlanta, Georgia. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit from 30% to 50% of the cost of such a property placed in service by a taxpayer during the year. Allows a tax credit for conversion of gas and diesel propelled motor vehicles to vehicles propelled by alternative fuel, clean fuel, or fuel cells. Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on the refinery capacity of the United States.

Date: 2008-07-29
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Family Energy Relief Act of 2008 or the FERA Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer a $500 tax credit ($1,000 in the case of a joint return). Allows an additional $250 tax credit for each dependent of the taxpayer.

Date: 2008-07-29
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Consumer Energy Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) deny major integrated oil companies a tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, gas, or primary products thereof; (2) conform tax treatment of foreign oil and gas extraction income and foreign oil related income for purposes of the foreign tax credit; (3) impose a windfall profits tax on major integrated oil companies; and (4) establish an Energy Independence and Security Trust Fund funded by revenues raised by this Act. Allows distributions from such Trust Fund for low-income home energy assistance, home weatherization, grants for research and development of renewable energy sources, and financing the purchases of hybrid vehicles, energy efficient vehicles, and energy efficient appliances. Petroleum Consumer Price Gouging Protection Act - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to extend the regulatory authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to include energy commodities. Declares it unlawful for a supplier to sell crude oil, natural gas, gasoline, petroleum distillates, or biofuel at an unconscionably excessive price in an area for which the President has declared an energy emergency. Grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to enforce this Act. Authorizes state attorneys general to bring civil actions to enforce this Act. No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2008 or NOPEC - Amends the Sherman Act to make it illegal for any foreign state to act with another foreign state to: (1) limit the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product; (2) set or maintain prices for such products; or (3) otherwise take any action in restraint of trade for such products. Denies sovereign immunity or act of state doctrine protections for foreign states that engage in such conduct. Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to require the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to: (1) determine that foreign boards of trade subject to CFTC jurisdiction regulate and provide information on off-shore oil trading; and (2) set increases in margin levels for all oil futures trades, contracts, or transactions to reduce excessive speculation and protect consumers.

Date: 2008-07-30
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
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.

Date: 2008-07-30
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
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.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Emergency management
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.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
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.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
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.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
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.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
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.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
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.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
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.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
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.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
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.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
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.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy