zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Biodiesel Education and Expansion Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to increase, and extend through FY2012, funding for the biodiesel fuel education program.

Date: 2007-07-16
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require that a biorefinery recipient of federal assistance provide eligible purchasers with an opportunity to participate in the financing or ownership of the biorefinery.Defines an eligible purchaser as: (1) a natural person with a principal residence located not more than 50 miles from the biorefinery; or (2) a farmer or rancher cooperative.

Date: 2007-07-18
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide agricultural producers who produce bioenergy with commodity storage capacity loans.

Date: 2007-07-19
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds through 2012 to make automobile development and production facilities built before 1981 compatible for the development and production of qualified alternative motor vehicles and component parts.

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the President to designate as national renewable energy zones specified areas that have the potential to generate 1 gigawatt of electricity from renewable energy, a significant portion of which could be generated in a rural area or on federal land. Prohibits the President from including in such zones specified federal land that is subject to protective management policies that are inconsistent with energy development.Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to promulgate regulations to ensure that: (1) specified public utility transmission providers that finance renewable electricity connection facilities in such zones recover incurred costs and a reasonable return on equity associated with the new transmission capacity; and (2) not less than 75% of the capacity of specified high-voltage transmission facilities and lines is used for electricity from renewable energy.Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) the financing of a renewable energy trunkline and renewable electricity connection facilities; (2) the identification of renewable electricity connection facilities that are required to substantially increase the generation of electricity from renewable energy; and (3) the promotion of energy conservation and renewable energy electric resource development by federal transmitting utilities.Requires the Bonneville Power Administration and the Western Area Power Administration to establish: (1) a program focusing on improving the integration of wind energy into their transmission grids; and (2) a joint program focusing on the development and integration of geothermal energy resources into their grids, as well as non-grid, distributed applications in their service territories.Requires the Federal Power Administrations and the Tennessee Valley Authority to establish a program focusing on integrating solar energy into their grids and into remote and distributed applications in their service territories.Requires the federal transmitting utilities to undertake geographically diverse projects within their respective service territories to acquire and demonstrate electric and hybrid vehicles and related technologies as part of their fleets of vehicles.Requires such programs to develop technology and devices to use electricity from renewable energy sources as the main fuel source for vehicles.

Date: 2007-09-20
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Hydrogen Tax Incentives Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit through December 31, 2010, for hydrogen installation and infrastructure costs and hydrogen fuel costs.

Date: 2007-10-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
International Clean Energy Technologies Deployment and Global Energy Markets Investment Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to set forth a program for clean energy assistance to developing countries. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a pilot program of financial assistance for clean energy projects in developing countries that will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) make a loan or loan guarantee for not more than 50% of project costs for each pilot program participant. Includes in such pilot program projects for clean energy technologies, including clean coal, small or advanced nuclear, small or advanced hydropower, biofuels, renewable, and energy efficiency technologies. Directs the President to establish a Task Force on International Clean Energy Technologies Cooperation. Requires the Task Force to establish an Interagency Working Group on Clean Energy Technology Exports. Requires such Task Force to identify developing countries that represent the predominant share of energy use, and to submit to the President a strategy that includes: (1) adoption and deployment of clean energy technologies and strategies in developing countries; (2) expansion of clean energy technology markets and facilitation of clean energy technology exports to developing countries; (3) integration into U.S. foreign policy objectives of the promotion of clean energy technology deployment and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries, and clean energy technology exports; (4) a pilot program of financial assistance for qualifying projects; and (5) development of financial mechanisms and instruments that are cost-effective and facilitate private capital investment in such technologies.

Date: 2007-10-04
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: International affairs
Renewable Fuels Strategy Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. agricultural, forest, and working land should: (1) provide from renewable resources at least 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States; and (2) continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.Amends federal transportation law to require the manufacture each model year of increasing percentages of flexible fuel automobiles.Sets forth a minimum renewable fuels infrastructure assurance program under which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall issue regulations to ensure the installation of renewable fuel pumps, including a system of production credits.Instructs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop standards for biofuel dispenser systems.Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to prohibit any franchisor from restricting a franchisee from installing alternative fuel pumps or selling alternative fuel.Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish grants for: (1) state, tribal, and local governments to implement an infrastructure corridors program for renewable fuels; and (2) installation, replacement, or conversion of motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure for renewable fuel. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to instruct the Secretary to implement a research, development, and demonstration program regarding infrastructure for existing transportation fuel distribution and new alternative distribution.Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe regulations requiring manufacturers of automobiles to prominently display a permanent badge or emblem on each automobile that indicates it is capable of operating on alternative fuel.Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to set forth a federal agency renewable fuel purchasing requirement.Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to require that flexible fuel vehicles of the federal fleet be operated on alternative fuels.Requires the head of each federal agency to install a renewable fuel pump at each domestic federal fleet fueling center under its jurisdiction.Authorizes public access to federal alternative refueling stations.Authorizes construction of a Capitol complex renewable fuel refueling station.

Date: 2007-11-05
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Geothermal Heat Pump Development Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) to include equipment that uses the ground or ground water as a thermal energy source or sink to heal or cool a structure (i.e., geothermal heat pump systems) as energy property for purposes of the energy tax credit; (2) allow a residential energy efficient property tax credit for 30% of qualified geothermal heat pump property expenditures; and (3) allow accelerated three-year depreciation of geothermal heat pump systems.

Date: 2007-11-06
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
American Renewable Energy Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require that electric utilities that sell electricity to consumers generate or purchase a specified percentage (increasing from 2% in 2010 to 20% in 2024) of their electricity from renewable resources (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal, ocean, biomass, landfill gas, or incremental hydropower or geothermal energy).Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for investment in renewable energy sources and conversation, including by: (1) extending the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources, the energy tax credit, the small ethanol producer tax credit, and the tax credits for investment in clean new renewable energy bonds, biodiesel used as fuel, alternative fuel motor vehicles and refueling property, nonbusiness energy property, and new energy efficient homes, and the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; (2) allowing accelerated depreciation of qualified energy management devices and certain reuse and recycling property; and (3) allowing new tax credits for residential wind property, production of cellulosic biomass alcohol, fossil free alcohol production, and plug-in electric drive motor vehicles.Extends the tariff duty on ethanol until 2011. Denies major integrated oil companies the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, natural gas, and related products. Increases and extends through 2017 the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund tax. Imposes taxes on: (1) crude oil and natural gas produced from the outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) taxable fuels in foreign trade zones. Revises tax rules relating to: (1) penalties for sale of fuel failing to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations; (2) tax credits for fuels produced outside the United States and foreign oil and gas extraction income; (3) treatment of alcohol and biodiesel fuel mixtures as taxable fuels; (3) foreign corporation inversion transactions; (4) leasing of tax-exempt use property to foreign entities; and (5) taxation of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who revoke citizenship or resident status to avoid U.S. taxation (expatriates).

Date: 2008-02-14
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Clean Energy Investment Bank Act of 2008 - Establishes the Clean Energy Investment Bank of the United States, which shall be a U.S. agency and a government corporation.Requires the bank to assist in the financing, and facilitate the commercial use, of clean energy and energy efficient technologies within the United States. Authorizes the Bank to make investments: (1) in projects in the United States related to the production or use of energy that use a commercial technology that avoids, reduces, or sequesters one or more air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases more effectively than other technology options available to the project developer; or (2) under provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 concerning incentives for innovative technologies. Authorizes the Bank to establish an equity finance program under which it may purchase, invest in, or otherwise acquire equity or quasi-equity securities of firms or entities for the purpose of providing capital for any project that is consistent with this Act.Establishes in the Treasury the Clean Energy Investment Bank Fund that shall be available for discharge of Bank liabilities.Transfers to the Bank's Board of Directors specified functions and authority of the Secretary of Energy concerning guarantees, loans, and credit assistance, including programs and authorities under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 concerning incentives for innovative technologies. Revises provisions of such Act concerning the terms and conditions of loan guarantees for such incentives.

Date: 2008-03-06
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting any federal agency from entering into a contract for procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use, other than for research or testing, unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel must be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel.

Date: 2008-04-07
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
National Energy Efficiency Development Act - Establishes the National Energy Efficiency Development Administration, headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate, to increase the efficiency of the production and use of energy in all sectors of the economy and reduce U.S. imports of oil by 50% by 2020. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Policy Advisory Committee; (2) an Office of Administration (to include an Energy Efficiency Economics Division, an Education Division, and the position of General Counsel); (3) an Office of Policy, Research, and Development; and (4) an Office of Market Transformation. Authorizes the Administrator to solicit the development of energy-efficient technologies.

Date: 2008-04-28
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2008 or the Non-Foreign AREA Act of 2008 - Revises federal employee locality-based comparability payments provisions to include U.S. territories and possessions, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, within a pay locality. Sets forth maximum rates of pay for Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel in such areas.Revises the calculation of allowances based on living costs and conditions of environment for pay of employees stationed outside the continental United States or in Alaska to apply it only to areas designated as of December 31, 2008. Provides a formula for adjustment of such rate using a transition schedule for calendar years 2009-2011.Requires adjustment of special rates of pay in such areas in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for VA personnel. Allows a temporarily raised limitation on the amount of special rates during the transition period.Expresses the sense of Congress that application of this Act to an employee should not result in a decrease in take home pay.Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Bureau of Labor Statistics will conduct separate surveys pursuant to the establishment by the President's Pay Agent of one new locality area for each of the entire state of Hawaii and the entire state of Alaska; and (2) upon the completion of the phase-in period no employee shall receive less than the rest of the U.S. locality pay rate.Describes application of this Act to postal employees.Defines as covered employees for purposes of this Act those who are or will be eligible for a cost-of-living allowance (COLA).Allows an employee subject to this Act's transition schedule and who retires from service during the period from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2011, to elect to have the COLA paid during that period considered as basic pay for purposes of annuity computation.

Date: 2008-05-13
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Oil Shale and Tar Sands Leasing Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) report to Congress on a commercial leasing program for oil shale and tar sands; and (2) arrange with the National Academy of Sciences to assess for a report to Congress the environmental and commercial framework for oil shale and tar sands development. Authorizes the senior executive of an affected state or local governmental unit to submit recommendations to the Secretary with respect to size, timing, or location of either a proposed lease sale, or a proposed development and production plan.Requires an environmental impact statement prior to: (1) any lease sale under the commercial leasing program under this Act; and (2) authorization, on a site-specific basis, of development activity on leased land.

Date: 2008-05-14
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Flex Fuel for All Americans Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the purchase of a new qualified flexible fuel motor vehicle and an additional credit for the purchase of an optimum flexible fuel vehicle. Defines "new qualified flexible fuel motor vehicle" as any motor vehicle which is capable of operating on blends of gasoline, ethanol, methanol, diesel, and biodiesel fuel and "optimum flexible fuel vehicle" as a flexible fuel vehicle certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to achieve certain higher levels of fuel efficiency.

Date: 2008-05-15
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
The White House Conference on Food and Nutrition - Directs: (1) the President to call the White House Conference on Food and Nutrition to be convened in order to make fundamental policy recommendations on ways to end hunger and to improve nutrition in the United States; and (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the Treasury to plan and conduct the Conference. Sets forth Conference provisions.

Date: 2008-06-10
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Agriculture and food
KC-Tanker Recompete Act - Prohibits funds from being used by the Department of Defense (DOD) on the KC-X (aerial refueling) tanker contract. Defines such contract as the contract awarded by the Department of the Air Force on February 29, 2008, for such aircraft. Outlines requirements and conditions as part of the acquisition process for the award of a contract for a replacement for the KC-135 tanker, including: (1) an independent cost estimate; (2) an increase in the proposal cost or price by the amount of any illegal subsidization by a subsidized person; (3) ensuring an evaluation of the cost borne by a supplier and the cost borne by a foreign government; (4) the consideration of national security impacts; (5) defense industrial base considerations; (6) consideration of the loss of U.S. employee and corporate tax revenue when awarding contracts to foreign entities; and (7) the impact of U.S. regulatory burdens. Directs the Secretary of Defense and the contract source selection authority to require any prospective defense contractor or subcontractor not already covered by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to comply with such Act's requirements as a contract award condition. Allows a waiver of such requirement for national security purposes.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Bipartisan Electronic Voting Reform Act of 2008 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require any voting system other than one using paper ballots personally marked by the voter to permit independent verification of cast ballots by various specified means, including paper or electronic.Requires each state to conduct an audit of every federal election to ensure that each certificate of election is justified by the vote totals. Directs the Federal Election Commission to establish an Audit Guidelines Development Task Force to assist the Commission in developing model audit guidelines.Prescribes election security requirements for voting systems, including: (1) chain of custody protocols; (2) disclosure of election-dedicated software; and (3) minimum state standards to ensure the integrity of the voting process and education and training of poll workers.Establishes accreditation requirements for laboratories involved in testing of voting system hardware and software. Directs the Commission to establish the Testing Escrow Account for payments to accredited laboratories for testing of such hardware and software.Requires the Commission to make grants for: (1) development and testing of new voting systems, technologies, and innovations to meet independent verification requirements under this Act; and (2) pilot programs for such testing.Directs the Commission to establish a task force to study and develop recommendations regarding the appropriate level of funding for requirements payments.Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to prohibit state refusal to accept voter registration and absentee ballot applications and federal write-in absentee ballots for failure to meet nonessential requirements.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Government operations and politics
10 Million-Solar Roofs Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide rebates (for each watt of installed capacity) to eligible individuals or entities for the purchase and installation of photovoltaic systems, over a 10-year period, of at least an additional 10 million solar systems in the United States with a cumulative capacity of at least 30,000 megawatts.Provides eligibility requirements for homeowners, businesses, nonprofit entities, and state and local governments. Sets minimum Energy Star or equivalent ratings that must be achieved by the buildings for which the photovoltaic system is installed.Limits the total amount of a rebate to 50 percent of the purchase and installation cost of the system.

Date: 2008-07-07
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Nanotechnology Innovation and Prize Competition Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to award prizes to eligible persons for achievement in one or more applications of nanotechnology for: (1) improvement of the environment, consistent with Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (2) development of alternative energy that has the potential to lessen the dependence of the United States on fossil fuels; (3) improvement of human health, consistent with regulations promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and (4) development of consumer products. Describes an eligible person as an individual who is: (1) a citizen or legal resident of the United States; (2) a member of a group that includes U.S. citizens or legal residents; or (3) an entity that is incorporated and maintains its primary place of business in the United States. Requires establishment of a board to administer and make awards under such program by: (1) holding a financial award competition and making an award to the first competitor to meet such criteria as the board shall establish; and (2) recognizing (without financial remuneration) an eligible person for superlative achievement in one or more of the nanotechnology applications described above. Authorizes the board to contract with a private organization to administer such a financial award competition. Prohibits the federal government from acquiring an intellectual property right in any product or idea by virtue of the submission of such product or idea in any such competition. Requires the board to submit annual reports to Congress on the nanotechnology award program established by this Act.

Date: 2008-07-16
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Revises the definition of "commercial motor vehicle" with respect to federal commercial motor vehicle safety laws to include vehicles primarily engaged in the transportation of agricultural commodities or farm supplies having a gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight of at least the minimum weight of a commercial motor vehicle as defined by the state. (Current law applies to vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds, whichever is greater.)Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from withholding commercial motor vehicle safety improvement grants from a state solely because it authorizes drivers of farm vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of between 10,000 and 26,001 pounds to operate without complying with federal commercial motor vehicle safety laws.

Date: 2008-07-16
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Transportation and public works
New Clean Energy Tax Extenders Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various energy production and conservation provisions.Extends through 2012: (1) the tax credits for producing electricity from certain renewable resources (e.g., for wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower facilities), for residential energy efficient property, and for investment in clean renewable energy bonds; and (2) the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. Expands the tax credit for production of electricity from renewable resources to include marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource. Extends through 2016 the energy tax credits for solar, fuel cell, and microturbine property and the tax credit for residential energy efficient property. Repeals the dollar per kilowatt limitation on the energy tax credit for fuel cell property.Extends through 2011 the tax credit for energy efficiency improvements to existing homes. Makes biomass fuel burning stoves eligible for such credit. Extends the tax credit for energy efficient household appliances produced after 2007.Denies major integrated oil companies a tax deduction for income attributable to the domestic production of oil, gas, or any primary product thereof. Revises the treatment of foreign oil and gas extraction income and foreign oil related income for purposes of the foreign tax credit.

Date: 2008-07-25
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Energy and Technology Advancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Agriculture, in order to further the adoption of technologies developed by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), to establish criteria and procedures to facilitate and encourage businesses and other organizations to: (1) rent government equipment and property for the development of new and improved products and processes; (2) authorize USDA and private sector employees to work together in experimental or production facilities owned by the federal government or a private entity; (3) provide business support services to start-up and small businesses; and (4) enter into cooperative agreements with educational and governmental units to support business incubators for businesses that use technologies and products of interest to the Secretary.Requires the Secretary to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for the development and construction of a biorefinery pilot plant that is able to: (1) produce liquid fuels from woody, agricultural, and other biomass in a flexible, multi-bioproduct manner, in a sustainable manner that addresses life-cycle inputs and outputs, and in quantities sufficient to provide proof of process and to allow for business incubator and support services; and (2) employ thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes in the production of liquid fuels.Requires the Secretary to include in the plan a comprehensive estimate of each cost relating to the development and construction of the biorefinery pilot plant.

Date: 2008-09-11
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the percentage rate of the tax credit for the purchase of alternative fuel motor vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquefied natural gas; and (2) extend through 2017 the tax credit for new qualified alternative fuel vehicles. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to: (1) increase the percentages for grant funding to replace school buses under the clean school bus program; and (2) increase and extend funding for such program for FY2010-FY2015.Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to study and report to Congress on increasing the number of natural gas vehicles in the federal fleet.

Date: 2008-09-17
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a competitive program to provide between three and seven grants of up to $3 million in each of three years to advance research and development and to demonstrate technologies, including plug-in hybrid technology, for advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles (vehicles with a gross weight of between 14,000 and 33,000 pounds that are fueled, in part, by a rechargeable energy storage system); and (2) conduct research into alternative power train designs for use in advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.Amends the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary to conduct an applied research program on energy storage systems to support vehicles with a gross weight over 16,000 pounds.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for producing electricity from closed or open-loop biomass facilities equipped with a metering device to determine electricity consumption or sale to allow a tax credit after 2008 for electricity produced and consumed at such facilities and to extend the credit period for such production.

Date: 2008-10-02
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an offset against the alternative minimum tax of alternative motor vehicle tax credit amounts.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
21st Century Energy Independence Act of 2009 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to seek to ensure: (1) the availability of 200% of the volume of renewable fuels required to be available in the United States by 2013 under the Energy Policy Act of 2005; and (2) the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from the production and use of renewable fuels by 25%.Directs the Secretary to establish a loan guarantee program for up to 80% of the cost of a project for: (1) the harvesting, storing, and delivery of agriculture residues for use in cellulosic or traditional ethanol production plants; (2) cellulosic ethanol production technologies that will reduce the initial capital cost to $2.50 per annual gallon, and operation and maintenance costs to 125% of those at traditional corn ethanol plants; (3) advanced biomass gasifiers that can provide specified thermal input requirements for traditional ethanol plants to produce syngas; and (4) scaled catalytic conversion projects to convert syngas to liquid fuels.Permits such loan guarantees for: (1) a traditional ethanol plant only if the agriculture residue products are used as feedstock to replace thermal input requirements otherwise provided by fossil fuels; and (2) an existing ethanol plant only if the applicant demonstrates the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions related to ethanol production by at least 75%.Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants for up to 50% of the capital costs of the initial commercialization for certain cellulosic ethanol production technologies.

Date: 2009-01-07
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Solar Stimulus for Job Creation and Energy Independence Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for the refundability of the residential energy efficiency tax credit for solar electric and water heating property, and for business-related solar energy tax credits, through 2010; (2) allow an election to take an increased depreciation allowance for solar energy property until 2011; (3) exempt solar energy property from private activity bond usage and loan financing rules; and (4) allow a refundable energy tax credit for investment in property used to manufacture solar energy property. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to limit to 25 years the contract period for federal purchases of renewable energy.

Date: 2009-01-14
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Solar Manurfacturing Advancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow through 2016 a 30% energy tax credit for investment in property used to manufacture certain solar energy property; and (2) make such credit refundable.

Date: 2009-01-15
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for producing electricity from closed or open-loop biomass facilities equipped with a metering device to determine electricity consumption or sale to allow a tax credit after 2008 for electricity produced and consumed at such facilities and to extend the credit period for such production.

Date: 2009-01-21
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Cleaner Trucks for America Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the credit amount for new qualified alternative fuel motor vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings of more than 26,000 pounds from $40,000 to $80,000 and allow the transferability of such credit; (2) allow an increased tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling properties that dispense compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas; and (3) allow such credit amounts against the regular and alternative minimum tax.

Date: 2009-01-22
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Emergency Solar Power Permit Act - Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to exempt any action relating to the development, deployment, or operation of a solar energy project on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from environmental impact statement (EIS) requirements.Requires each federal agency, for any such action relating to a solar energy project, to cease the preparation of an EIS to the extent that its preparation would delay or otherwise interfere with the action.

Date: 2009-02-10
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting any federal agency from entering into a contract for procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use, other than for research or testing, unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel must be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel.

Date: 2009-02-13
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
E-85 Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property by: (1) increasing to 75% the rate of such credit for property using 85% ethanol fuel; (2) reducing the maximum dollar amount of such credit in 2013 and 2014 for ethanol-related refueling property; and (3) extending such credit through 2016 for ethanol-related refueling property.

Date: 2009-02-23
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Biogas Production Incentive Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for the production, sale, or use of biogas. Defines "biogas" as a gas that is derived by processing qualified energy feedstock (i.e., manure of agricultural livestock and other organic agricultural or food industry byproduct waste material) in an anaerobic digester and that contains at least 52% methane and carbon dioxide and trace gases. Provides an increased credit for biogas produced from qualified cellulosic energy feedstock.

Date: 2009-02-24
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Renewable Biomass Facilitation Act of 2009 - Amends the Clean Air Act to redefine the term "renewable biomass" as: (1) materials, precommercial thinnings, or exotic species that are removed as byproducts of preventive treatments to reduce hazardous fuels, to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation, or to restore ecosystem health, that would not otherwise be used for higher-value products, and that are harvested from National Forest System land or public lands in accordance with federal and state law, land management plans, and requirements for old-growth maintenance, restoration, management direction, and large-tree retention under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003; or (2) any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis from non-federal land or Indian land held in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, including renewable plant material (including feed grains, other agricultural commodities, other plants and trees, and algae) and waste material (including crop residue, other vegetative waste material, animal waste and byproducts, and construction, food, and yard waste).

Date: 2009-02-25
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Equipping a 21st Century Green Workforce Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an increased charitable tax deduction for contributions of certain alternative energy property for educational purposes.

Date: 2009-03-02
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Coastal State Renewable Energy Promotion Act - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize grants to eligible coastal states to support voluntary state efforts to initiate and complete surveys of portions of coastal state waters and federal waters adjacent to a state's coastal zone to identify potential areas suitable or unsuitable for the exploration, development, and production of renewable (wind, wave, current, tidal, or ocean thermal) energy that are consistent with the enforceable policies of coastal management plans. Requires that survey results be made available to the public. Requires suitable areas to be given priority consideration by federal agencies for the siting, licensing, leasing, or permitting of renewable energy facilities.

Date: 2009-03-24
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Vehicles for the Future Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish standards for electric utilities regarding electric vehicle infrastructure. Requires electric utilities to develop a plan to support the use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles that provides for the deployment of electrical charging stations and charging infrastructure. Directs each state regulatory authority (in the case of each electric utility for which it has ratemaking authority) and each utility (in the case of a nonregulated utility) to: (1) require that infrastructure deployed is interoperable with products of all manufactures; (2) establish protocols and standards for integrating plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles into an electrical distribution system, including smart grid systems and devices; (3) include the ability of each vehicle to be identified individually and to be associated with its owner's electric utility account; and (4) review their determinations on time-based metering and communications. Sets forth provisions concerning compliance with such standards.

Date: 2009-03-26
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Wind Incentives for a New Decade Energy Act of 2009 or the WIND Energy Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2019 the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable wind resources; (2) extend such credit through 2019 for other renewable resources, including biomass, geothermal or solar energy, municipal solid waste, trash, and hydropower; and (3) allow such credit as an offset against the alternative minimum tax.

Date: 2009-03-26
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
E85 and Biodiesel Access Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a special rule for increasing the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle commercial refueling property expenditures in states in which 15% of the retail fuel facilities store and dispense clean-burning fuel.

Date: 2009-03-26
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an excise tax credit through 2027 for alternative fuels and fuel mixtures involving compressed or liquefied natural gas; (2) allow an income tax credit through 2027 for alternative fuel motor vehicles powered by compressed or liquefied natural gas; (3) modify the tax credit percentage for alternative fuel vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquefied natural gas; (4) allow a new tax credit for the production of vehicles fueled by natural gas or liquefied natural gas; and (5) extend through 2027 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures for refueling property relating to compressed or liquefied natural gas and allow an increased credit for such property. Requires 50% of all new vehicles purchased or placed in service by the U.S. government by December 31, 2014, to be capable of operating on compressed or liquefied natural gas. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to manufacturers of light and heavy duty natural gas vehicles for the development of engines that reduce emissions, improve performance and efficiency, and lower cost.

Date: 2009-04-01
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Military LEEDs Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Defense, for each military construction or housing project authorized after FY2009, to incorporate the design criteria promulgated in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, as developed by the United States Green Building Council, to achieve not less than the silver standard. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned, in designing any new facilities, to consider the use of sustainable construction materials. Requires military construction renewable energy goals to include specific goals to increase the use of renewable energy sources on all military installations in the United States and overseas.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Rural Energy Equity Act of 2009 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions requiring a reduction in the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources by grants and other credits to exempt certain loan guarantees or grants issued by the Secretary of Agriculture under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (i.e., Rural Energy for America (REAP) Program).

Date: 2009-04-22
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Marine Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2009 - Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program of marine renewable energy research, separated from the Wind and Hydropower program, focused on: (1) developing new marine renewable energy technologies; (2) reducing the manufacturing and operation costs of such technologies; (3) increasing the reliability and survivability of marine renewable energy facilities; (4) integrating marine renewable energy into the national electric grid; (5) identifying opportunities for cross pollination and development of economies of scale between offshore wind and marine renewable energy sources; (6) identifying the environmental impacts of marine renewable energy and ways to address negative impacts; (7) applying advanced systems engineering and system integration methods to identify critical interfaces and develop open standards for marine renewable energy; (8) transferring the resulting intellectual property to industry stakeholders as public information through published interface definitions, standards, and demonstration projects; and (9) developing incentives for industry to comply with such standards. Requires DOE to establish a Marine-based Energy Device Verification Program to provide a bridge from the wave, tidal, or current energy capture device design and development efforts underway across the industry to commercial deployment of marine renewable energy devices. Requires the Program to fund, facilitate the development and installation of, and evaluate marine renewable energy projects, in partnership with the Electric Power Research Institute, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Marine Sciences Laboratory, and the Sandia National Laboratories in order to: (1) increase marine renewable energy experience; and (2) build and operate enough candidate devices to obtain statistically significant operating and maintenance data. Requires DOE to establish an Adaptive Management and Environmental Fund to provide grants for complying with requirements to assess and demonstrate the environmental effects of marine renewable energy projects. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include as "five-year property" for purposes of accelerated depreciation provisions equipment that converts marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy into useable electricity.

Date: 2009-04-28
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 25%, up to $1,000, of the cost of certain nonroad equipment (e.g., lawn, garden, or forestry power equipment) powered by alternative power sources.

Date: 2009-04-28
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a program to provide zero-interest loans to covered institutions (i.e., an institution of higher education, an elementary or secondary school, or a hospital) for capital costs for converting to the use of biomass for energy generation; and (2) ensure that an institution receiving such a loan will use woody biomass for not less than 75% of the energy generation resulting from such conversion. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving fund for such program. Requires the Secretary to: (1) deposit amounts received as payment on loans provided under such program into such revolving fund; and (2) make available $100 million of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to such revolving fund.

Date: 2009-04-29
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy