zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
More Water, More Energy, and Less Waste Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) obstacles to reducing the quantity of produced water (water that is brought to the surface as part of the process of exploration for or development of oil, natural gas, coal-bed methane, or any other substance to be used as an energy source) and to increasing the extent to which produced water can be used for irrigation and other purposes without adversely affecting water quality or the environment; (2) actions that could reduce or eliminate such obstacles; and (3) the costs and benefits associated with reducing or eliminating such obstacles.Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the development of facilities, technologies, and processes to demonstrate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of: (1) optimizing energy resource production by reducing the quantity of produced water generated; or (2) increasing the extent to which produced water may be recovered and made suitable for irrigation, municipal, or industrial uses or other purposes without adversely affecting water quality or the environment. Requires such assistance to be provided for: (1) at least one project in each of the Upper Basin States (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming); and (2) at least one project in at least one of the Lower Basin States (Arizona, California, and Nevada). Prohibits such assistance from exceeding $1 million for any project or from being used to pay more than 50% of project cost or for facility operation or maintenance. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2007-02-07
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Water resources development
Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to prescribe requirements for a Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard for calendar years 2010 through 2039. Specifies a schedule of graduated annual percentages of a supplier's base amount that shall be generated from renewable energy resources, from 1% in 2010 up to 20 % in 2020 and thereafter. Authorizes a retail electric supplier to satisfy such requirements through submission of renewable energy credits to the Secretary of Energy. Provides for energy credit trading or borrowing among suppliers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage federally-owned utilities, municipally-owned utilities, and rural electric cooperatives that sell electric energy to electric consumers for purposes other than resale to participate in the renewable portfolio standard program; and (2) establish by December 31, 2009, a state renewable energy account program.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 15-year recovery period for the depreciation of: (1) certain property used in the transmission or distribution of electricity for sale and which is originally placed in service after enactment of this Act; and (2) initial clearing and grading land improvements with respect to any electric utility transmission and distribution plant.

Date: 2007-05-03
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Taxation
Knowledge Is Power Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require electric utilities to disclose prominently on consumers' periodic billing statements the percentage mix of energy technologies and fuels used to generate the electricity sold within the distribution utility's distribution area. Requires such disclosure to specify the percentage of electricity generated from coal, from gas, from nuclear, from any other fuel, and from any particular type of renewable energy (including solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, ocean tidal, ocean wave, ocean current, ocean thermal, geothermal, municipal solid waste, or hydroelectric). Declares compliance requirements inapplicable if before enactment of this Act: (1) the state has implemented for such utility the standard concerned, or a comparable one; (2) the state regulatory authority or relevant nonregulated electric utility has conducted a proceeding to consider the standard's implementation; or (3) the state legislature has voted on its implementation.

Date: 2007-05-03
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Knowledge Is Power Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require electric utilities to disclose prominently on consumers' periodic billing statements the percentage mix of energy technologies and fuels used to generate the electricity sold within the distribution utility's distribution area. Requires such disclosure to specify the percentage of electricity generated from coal, from gas, from nuclear, from any other fuel, and from any particular type of renewable energy (including solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, ocean tidal, ocean wave, ocean current, ocean thermal, geothermal, municipal solid waste, or hydroelectric). Declares compliance requirements inapplicable if before enactment of this Act: (1) the state has implemented for such utility the standard concerned, or a comparable one; (2) the state regulatory authority or relevant nonregulated electric utility has conducted a proceeding to consider the standard's implementation; or (3) the state legislature has voted on its implementation.

Date: 2007-05-07
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2009 the special rule for recognition of gain from the sale or disposition of: (1) property used to provide electric transmission services; or (2) any stock or partnership interest in a corporation or partnership whose principal trade or business consists of providing electric transmission services.

Date: 2007-05-23
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Taxation
Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each state regulatory authority with ratemaking authority, and each nonregulated electric utility, to conduct a hearing, and on the basis of such hearing, adopt a net metering standard. Requires retail electric suppliers to make net metering available to retail customers on a first-come-first-served basis.Prescribes implementation requirements regarding: (1) net energy measurement; (2) billing practices; (3) ownership of credits; (4) safety and performance standards; and (5) determination of compliance. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to publish model interconnection standards for the physical connection between local distribution systems and qualified generation units and qualified electric generation units that do not exceed 2,000 kilowatts of capacity. Requires states to adopt such model standards, subject to FERC approval. Prohibits a state or nonregulated utility from adopting or enforcing any standard or requirement concerning net metering or interconnection that restricts access to the electric power transmission or local distribution system by qualified generators beyond those established under this Act. Allows states to adopt or enforce additional incentives or requirements to encourage qualified generation and net metering, including any that afford: (1) greater access to the electric power transmission and local distribution systems by qualified generators; or (2) greater compensation or credit for electricity generated by qualified generators. Authorizes a contract for renewable energy for public buildings and properties for a maximum period of 30 years. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to condition receipt of certain community development block grant (CDBG) funds upon grantee certification that the cost of any permit or license, for construction or installation of any solar energy system for any structure, complies with certain requirements. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to issue regulations to prohibit any restriction impairing the ability of the owner or lessee of a one-family residential structure to install or use a solar energy system upon such property. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Center for Advanced Solar Research and Development. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations also requiring that the application for approval of such a system: (1) be processed and approved in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification to the property; and (2) not be willfully avoided or delayed.

Date: 2007-06-25
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Solar Utilization Now Demonstration Act of 2007 or the SUN Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program of grants to states to demonstrate advanced photovoltaic technology.

Date: 2007-06-27
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
No More Excuses Energy Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the taxpayer election to expense the cost of certain refinery property not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow the issuance of tax exempt facility bonds for the financing of domestic use oil refinery facilities; (2) extend through 2018 the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities; and (3) allow tax credits for the production of electricity from nuclear energy, natural gas production, and carbon dioxide tertiary injectant processes.Requires the President to designate at least 10 sites for oil or natural gas refineries on federal lands and make such sites available to the private sector for construction of refineries. Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from denying an application for nuclear waste disposal on the grounds of present or future insufficient capacity.Terminates all existing federal laws prohibiting expenditures to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing activities in the Outer Continental Shelf. American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program in the Coastal Plain of Alaska.Repeals the prohibition against producing oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.Sets forth requirements for the sale of oil and natural gas leases in the Coastal Plain, environmental protection, transportation easements, and royalty payments to Alaska.Establishes in the Treasury the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to assist Alaska jurisdictions that are directly impacted by oil and gas exploration and production in the Coastal Plain.

Date: 2007-07-18
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Rural Clean Energy Superhighways Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the President to designate an area as a National Renewable Energy Zone if it meets specified prerequisites. Requires the President, after such designation, to identify, and provide public notice of, additional renewable energy trunkline facilities and network upgrades required to increase substantially the generation of electricity from renewable energy within each Zone. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to promulgate regulations to ensure that a public utility that finances transmission capacity to transmit electricity from renewable energy from a Zone to an electricity consuming area recovers through transmission service rates all prudently incurred costs and a reasonable return on equity associated with construction and operation of the new transmission capacity. Directs FERC, in specified circumstances, to permit a renewable energy trunkline built by a public utility located in a Zone to be initially funded through transmission charges imposed upon: (1) all the utility's transmission customers in advance of significant generation interconnection requests; or (2) all the transmission customers of a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) or independent system operator, if the trunkline is built in an area served by one or the other. Prescribes cost allocation procedures for new projects and network upgrades. Requires a Federal Transmitting Utility (a Federal Power Marketing Administration, including the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), that owns or operates electric transmission facilities) to finance a network upgrade or a renewable energy trunkline facility, if within a certain time frame no privately or publicly funded entity commits to do so. Authorizes the deposit of specified funds in a Transmission Fund in the Treasury for expenditure by the Secretary of Energy in financing network upgrades or trunkline facilities. Requires the Federal Power Marketing Administrations and TVA to: (1) promote energy conservation and renewable energy electric resource development; and (2) identify opportunities for promoting development of facilities generating electricity from renewable energy on Indian lands. Authorizes each such entity to acquire, on behalf of the U.S. government, electricity from renewable energy and renewable energy credits.

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Consumer Protection and Cost Accountability Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to consider whether a rate or charge made, demanded, or received by a Transmission Organization (TO) would enable the TO to provide or facilitate reliable service to consumers at the lowest reasonable cost.Instructs FERC, in determining whether a TO filing to establish or change a rate or charge is consistent with specified requirements, to consider whether the rate or charge would: (1) provide consumer benefits that outweigh any anticipated costs to consumers as demonstrated by a cost-benefit analysis submitted by the TO; or (2) have only a de minimis impact upon the total delivered costs to the consumer.Directs FERC to ensure that each TO is subject to biennial, independent audits.

Date: 2008-03-06
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Renewable Energy Jobs and Security Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to propose rules establishing standards for the physical connection between specified types of renewable energy facilities and transmission facilities of transmitting utilities subject to FERC jurisdiction. Requires such standards to: (1) include separate expedited procedures for interconnecting 10-kilowatt maximum renewable energy facilities and for expediting interconnection for 2000-kilowatt maximum facilities; and (2) address safety, reliability, performance, cost, and network upgrades. Allows FERC to consider a clustering approach that allows concurrent interconnection of facilities where requests are placed within succeeding six-month periods.Amends the the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each electric utility to: (1) adopt standards for interconnection with renewable energy facilities as are necessary to ensure that renewable energy facilities are given priority interconnection and priority access to available capacity on the utility's transmission and distribution system over non-renewable energy facilities; and (2) permit any renewable energy facility to apply to the state regulatory authority for an order requiring the interconnection of such facility with the system of the utility.Requires the Secretary of Energy to transmit to Congress and to the Commission a report that spatially maps national renewable energy resources and conducts cost assessments for renewable energy facility development with respect to all available technologies.Requires FERC to prescribe rules to encourage the purchase of electric energy by public utilities from renewable energy facilities on a priority basis, under a standard contract, and at rates established on a uniform national basis by FERC. Provides procedures for the setting and adjusting of such rates and for application of net metering.Requires reports concerning interconnection of renewable energy facilities by utilities to the Energy Information Administration and by the Secretary to Congress and the public.Requires FERC to design a regional cost redistribution mechanism consisting of a system benefits charge payable by every end-use consumer of an electric utility to the utility, to be transferred to a national renewable energy corporation for reimbursement of the costs associated with this Act's interconnection and power purchase requirements.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Offshore Renewable Energy Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into agreements with specified persons to assess and identify sites in the coastal zone and in the exclusive economic zone of the United States for the location of facilities to generate renewable electric energy. Restricts such agreements to persons with no direct financial interest in any offshore renewable electric energy generation project. Establishes the Offshore Electric Power Generation Trust Fund to finance projects approved by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide grants from the Fund to domestic private and public entities to stimulate development of offshore renewable electric energy generation; and (2) implement a program to provide job training and career assistance in the offshore renewable generation industry. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) assist coastal states in planning to identify sites for offshore renewable energy projects; (2) assist offshore renewable energy research and development, including technology development; (3) establish marine renewable energy centers and the testing and validation of offshore wave, wind, and tidal energy technologies; (4) streamline permitting for renewable energy technology that promotes technology interaction with certain permit issuing agencies; (5) address, through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, regional strategic planning, public education, and outreach to promote improved public understanding of the benefits of offshore renewable energy; and (6) assess large-scale project siting issues.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Save America's Utility Infrastructure and Secure America Now Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Power Act to grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) enforcement powers with respect to electric reliability standards. (Currently such powers are exercised by an Electric Reliability Organization [ERO].) Revises penalty guidelines to subject to federal criminal law any person who violates a FERC-approved electric reliability standard. Requires FERC to issue a rule in connection with electric reliability standards to prohibit disturbances (other than planned maintenance) lasting greater than five days at certain substations. Instructs the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to study and report to Congress on gaps in emergency planning preparedness and management as related to specified, vulnerable populations.

Date: 2008-09-29
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax shelter activities to: (1) establish legal presumptions against the validity of transactions involving offshore secrecy jurisdictions (i.e., foreign tax havens identified in this Act and by the Secretary of the Treasury); (2) impose restrictions on foreign jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions that are of primary money laundering concern or that impede U.S. tax enforcement; (3) increase the period for Internal Revenue Service review of tax returns involving offshore secrecy jurisdictions; (4) require tax withholding agents and financial institutions to report certain information about beneficial owners of foreign-owned financial accounts and accounts established in offshore secrecy jurisdictions; and (5) disallow tax advisor opinions validating transactions in offshore secrecy jurisdictions.Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and other federal enactments to impose a penalty for failure to disclose holdings or transactions involving a foreign entity.Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publish a final rule requiring unregistered investment companies, including hedge funds or private equity funds, to establish anti-money laundering programs and to submit suspicious activity reports.Modifies requirements for certain third party summonses used to obtain information in tax investigations that do not identify the person with respect to whose liability the summons is issued (John Doe summons).Increases penalties for promoting abusive tax shelters and for aiding and abetting the understatement of tax liability.Prohibits tax advisor contingent fee agreements for obtaining tax savings or benefits.Allows increased disclosure of tax information for enforcement purposes.Directs the Secretary to impose standards for written tax opinions by tax practitioners.Denies tax deductions for certain fines and penalties for violations of law and for interest paid on certain understatements of tax.Sets forth rules for the application of the economic substance doctrine and imposes penalties for underpayments of tax due to transactions lacking economic substance.

Date: 2007-02-17
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Taxation
Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each state regulatory authority with ratemaking authority, and each nonregulated electric utility, to conduct a hearing, and on the basis of such hearing, adopt a net metering standard. Requires retail electric suppliers to offer to arrange to make net metering available to retail customers on a first-come-first-served basis. Prescribes implementation requirements regarding: (1) net energy measurement; (2) billing practices; (3) ownership of credits; (4) safety and performance standards; and (5) determination of compliance. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to publish model interconnection standards, according to specified requirements, for the physical connection between local distribution systems and qualified generation units and qualified electric generation units that do not exceed 20,000 kilowatts of capacity. Requires states to adopt such model standards, subject to FERC approval. Prohibits a state or nonregulated utility from adopting or enforcing any standard or requirement concerning net metering or interconnection that restricts access to the electric power transmission or local distribution system by qualified generators beyond those established under this Act. Allows states to adopt or enforce additional incentives or requirements to encourage qualified generation and net metering, including any that afford: (1) greater access to the electric power transmission and local distribution systems by qualified generators; or (2) greater compensation or credit for electricity generated by qualified generators. Amends federal law governing administrative services for public buildings and properties to authorize a contract for renewable energy for a maximum period of 30 years. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to issue regulations to prohibit: (1) excessive fees for solar energy systems building permits; and (2) any restriction impairing the ability of the owner or lessee of a one-family residential structure to install or use a solar energy system on such property. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations also requiring that the application for approval of such a system: (1) be processed and approved in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification to the property; and (2) not be willfully avoided or delayed.

Date: 2007-03-28
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to set forth a federal renewable energy portfolio standard applicable to calendar years 2010 to 2025. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a renewable energy credit trading program under which electric utilities shall submit to the Secretary renewable energy credits to certify their compliance with such standard; and (2) a state renewable energy account program for grants to state agencies to promote renewable energy production (including programs that promote technologies that reduce the use of electricity at customer sites such as solar water heating). Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue and enforce regulations to ensure that an electric utility recovers all prudently incurred costs associated with compliance with this Act. Instructs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods to increase transmission line capacity for wind energy development.

Date: 2007-06-07
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt, for five years after the enactment of this Act, nongovernmental operators or users of electric transmission facilities from the private business use test for tax-exempt financing of such facilities.

Date: 2007-06-14
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue a construction permit for siting an interstate electric transmission facility if it finds that an authorized state entity has: (1) approved the siting of the proposed facility; or (2) unreasonably withheld a determination, or delayed making a determination, for a period of at least two years after the date on which the permit application was filed. Repeals provisions governing: (1) rights-of-way; and (2) compensation for acquisition of rights-of-way.Prohibits FERC from issuing a permit if a state entity has denied a permit application for the same project during the two-year period beginning on the date the permit application is submitted to the entity.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Consumer Protection and Cost Accountability Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to consider whether a rate or charge made, demanded, or received by a Transmission Organization (TO) would enable the TO to provide or facilitate reliable service to consumers at the lowest reasonable cost.Instructs FERC, in determining whether a TO filing to establish or change a rate or charge is consistent with specified requirements, to consider whether the rate or charge would: (1) provide consumer benefits that outweigh any anticipated costs to consumers as demonstrated by a cost-benefit analysis submitted by the TO; or (2) have only a de minimis impact upon the total delivered costs to the consumer.Directs FERC to ensure that each TO is subject to biennial, independent audits.

Date: 2008-02-25
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization and Expansion Act of 2008 - Amends the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act to: (1) set forth the membership of the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission; (2) state the goal of the Commission as the protection and restoration of the marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest Straits region in the state of Washington to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use; and (3) enumerate the duties of the Commission and establish benchmarks for its work. Provides for the appointment of a Director of the Commission and the establishment of marine resources committees in specified counties of the state of Washington. Authorizes the Director of the Commission and the Director of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to establish the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Foundation as a nonprofit foundation to support the Commission and the marine resources committees established by this Act. Authorizes appropriations for the Commission.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Arkansas Valley Conduit Act of 2008 [sic] - Provides for the payment of not more than 35% of the cost of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, Colorado, by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires revenue derived from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or exchange contracts using project facilities to be credited towards payment of the actual cost of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir, the Fountain Valley Pipeline, and the South Outlet Works at Pueblo Dam and Reservoir, until the date on which the payments for the Conduit begin, and then towards payment of the actual cost of the Conduit. Requires any rates charged for water for municipal, domestic, or industrial use or for the use of facilities for the storage or delivery of water to be adjusted to reflect the estimated revenue derived from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or exchange contracts using project facilities.Authorizes appropriations for the construction of the Conduit. Prohibits such sums from being used for its operation or maintenance.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Water resources development
Clean Energy Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2016 the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources.

Date: 2009-01-08
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Taxation
Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for five years the tax credit for producing electricity from certain facilities using renewable resources.

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for two years the tax credit for producing electricity from certain renewable resources (e.g., wind, biomass, solar, trash, and hydropower generating facilities).

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Taxation
Produced Water Utilization Act of 2009 - Defines "produced water" to mean water from an underground source that is brought to the surface as part of the process of exploration for or development of coalbed methane, oil, natural gas, or any other substance to be used as an energy source. Requires the Secretary of Energy, in conjunction with an existing domestic petroleum production program of the Department of Energy (DOE), to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration of technologies for environmentally sustainable utilization of produced water for agriculture, irrigation, municipal, or industrial uses or other environmentally sustainable purposes. Requires the program to be designed to maximize the utilization of produced water in the United States by increasing its quality and reducing its environmental impacts. Requires that the program address: (1) produced water recovery, including research for desalination and demineralization to reduce total dissolved solids in the produced water; (2) re-injection of produced water into subsurface geological formations to increase energy production; and (3) improving safety and minimizing environmental impacts of such activities.Requires the Secretary, through the appropriate National Laboratory, to carry out research, development, and demonstration activities that are complementary to and supportive of such program.Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2009-01-13
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Water resources development
Purchasing Low-Emission Vehicles for Use in Government (PLUG) Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to instruct the Secretary of Energy to ensure that the federal government acquires not fewer than 100,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles manufactured in the United States by U.S. entities. Defines a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle as a light duty vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine or heat engine using: (1) a combustible fuel; (2) an on-board, rechargeable storage device; and (3) a device that collects electricity from an off-board source.

Date: 2009-01-15
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
American Renewable Energy Act  Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to implement and enforce a renewable electricity trading program, including requirements governing the issuance, tracking, and retirement of federal renewable electricity credits. Requires each retail electric supplier to submit to the Secretary, annually, a quantity of federal renewable electricity credits equal to the supplier's base amount (electricity sold) for the calendar year multiplied by a specified annual percentage for 2012 though 2039. Authorizes suppliers to satisfy such requirement by submitting, in lieu of each credit, a payment equal to the lesser of: (1) 200% of the average market value of a credit for the previous compliance year; or (2) five cents, adjusted each year after 2009 based on the Gross Domestic Product Implicit Price Deflator. Requires such payments to be deposited in a Renewable Electricity Deployment Fund, from which payments shall be made to suppliers that have submitted credits in compliance with their obligations for the preceding year. Requires the Secretary to issue to each generator of renewable electricity one federal renewable electricity credit for each kilowatt hour of renewable electricity generated. Provides for the issuance of credits: (1) to suppliers for renewable electricity generated with the support of payments from a supplier pursuant to a state renewable electricity program; (2) to distributed generation facilities; (3) for qualifying hydropower; and (4) to generators that produce electricity using both a renewable energy resource and a non renewable resource. Provides for: (1) the trading and banking of credits; (2) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight of the market for such credits; and (3) civil penalties for noncompliance. Requires the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to submit periodic comprehensive evaluations of the federal renewable electricity trading program. Terminates this Act on December 31, 2040.

Date: 2009-02-04
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 15-year recovery period for the depreciation of: (1) certain property used in the transmission or distribution of electricity for sale and which is originally placed in service after enactment of this Act; and (2) initial clearing and grading land improvements with respect to any electric utility transmission and distribution plant.

Date: 2009-02-23
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Taxation
Carbon Capture and Storage Early Deployment Act - Authorizes qualified industry organizations to conduct a referendum among the owners or operators of distribution utilities delivering fossil fuel-based electricity for the creation of a Carbon Storage Research Corporation to establish a program to accelerate the commercial availability of carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies and methods through the provision of grants, contracts, and financial assistance. Requires the Corporation: (1) to be established upon approval of those persons representing two-thirds of the total quantity of fossil fuel-based electricity delivered to retail consumers, unless opposed by 40% state regulatory authorities; and (2) to operate as a division or affiliate of the Electric Power Research Institute . Requires the Corporation, annually, to collect an assessment on such distribution utilities that shall reflect the relative carbon dioxide emission rates of different fossil fuel-based electricity. Sets initial rates of assessment for coal, natural gas, and oil. Authorizes the Corporation to adjust the assessments to reflect changes in the expected quantities of such electricity from different fuel types such that the assessments generate between $1.0 billion and $1.1 billion annually. Sets forth provisions concerning an assessment within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Authorizes the Corporation to collect assessments and conduct operations for 10 years. Dissolves the Corporation after 15 years. Requires the Corporation's Board to establish policies regarding the ownership of intellectual property developed as a result of Corporation support that encourage individual ingenuity and invention. Requires the Secretary of Energy to: (1) issue a rule for determining the level and type of fossil fuel electricity delivered to retail customers by each distribution utility; and (2) make and publish such determinations annually. Provides for recovery of a distribution facility's costs of complying with this Act. Establishes the Technical Advisory Committee to provide independent assessments and technical evaluations concerning Corporation activities.

Date: 2009-03-24
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to deploy and integrate plug-in electric drive vehicles in multiple regions. Lists as program goals: (1) to demonstrate the viability of a vehicle-based transportation system that is not overly dependent on petroleum as a fuel and contributes to lower carbon emissions than a system based on conventional vehicles; (2) to facilitate the integration of advanced vehicle technologies into electricity distribution areas to improve system performance and reliability; (3) to demonstrate the potential benefits of coordinated investments in vehicle electrification on personal mobility and a regional grid; (4) to demonstrate protocols and standards that facilitate vehicle integration into the grid; and (5) to investigate differences in each region and regulatory environment regarding best practices in implementing vehicle electrification. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for: (1) assisting persons in the purchase of new plug-in electric drive vehicles by offsetting the incremental cost of such vehicles above the cost of comparable conventionally fueled vehicles; (2) supporting electrical charging stations for plug-in electric drive vehicles and smart grid equipment and infrastructure to facilitate the charging and integration of such vehicles; and (3) other projects to support the large-scale deployment of such vehicles in regional deployment areas. Directs the Secretary to collect and make available to the public information regarding the cost, performance, and other technical data regarding the deployment and integration of plug-in electric drive vehicles.

Date: 2009-03-26
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Bonneville Unit Clean Hydropower Facilitation Act - Declares that, in order to facilitate hydropower development on the Diamond Fork System (Utah), a certain amount of reimbursable costs allocated to project power in the Power Appendix of the October 2004 Supplement to the 1988 Bonneville Unit Definite Plan Report shall be considered final costs, as well as specified costs in excess of the total maximum repayment obligation, subject to the same terms and conditions. States that: (1) this Act does not obligate the Western Area Power Administration to purchase or market any of the power produced by the Diamond Fork power plant; and (2) none of the costs associated with development of transmission facilities to transmit power from the Diamond Fork power plant shall be assigned to power for the purpose of Colorado River Storage Project ratemaking. Prohibits any hydroelectric power generation or transmission facility on the Diamond Fork System from being financed or refinanced with any obligation: (1) whose interest enjoys federal tax-exempt status; or (2) which enjoys certain federal tax credits. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to certain congressional committees if hydropower production on the Diamond Fork System has not commenced 24 months after enactment of this Act, stating the reasons such production has not commenced, and presenting a detailed timeline for future hydropower production. Provides that the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to vote on passage. Prohibits the use of Western Area Power Administration borrowing authority under the Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984 to fund any study or construction of transmission facilities developed as a result of this Act.

Date: 2009-04-21
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, working with other national security and intelligence agencies, to conduct research and determine if the security of federally owned programmable electronic devices and communication networks (including hardware, software, and data) essential to the operation of critical electric infrastructure has been compromised. Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Secretary to make ongoing assessments and provide periodic reports with respect to: (1) cyber vulnerabilities or threats to critical infrastructure, including critical electric infrastructure and advanced metering infrastructure; and (2) the enhancement of domestic preparedness for a cyber attack. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish mandatory interim measures to protect against known cyber vulnerabilities or threats to the operation of the critical electric infrastructure in the United States. Amends the the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to evaluate the capacity and authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies to ensure the security against a cyber attack and resilience of electronic devices and communication networks essential to the critical infrastructure sectors.

Date: 2009-04-30
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Advanced Cable Deployment Authorization Act of 2009 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to authorize the Secretary of Energy to make loan guarantees for the development, construction, acquisition, retrofitting, or engineering integration of a qualified advanced electronic transmission manufacturing plant, or the construction of a qualified high efficiency transmission property or a qualified advanced electronic transmission property. Requires any such construction to commence by September 30, 2011. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide grants for up to 50% of the costs incurred in connection with the development, construction, acquisition of components or engineering of a qualified advanced electric transmission property.

Date: 2009-05-12
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in implementing a greenhouse gas (GHG) regulatory program that provides for the sale of emission allowances in connection with an absolute limit on GHG emissions, to publish on a monthly basis the average cost per kilowatt hour of the emission allowances purchased by each person generating electricity for sale. Requires the Administrator to include in such publication an allocation of such costs, based on the generation sources, among the regions in which electric power is purchased and sold at wholesale. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each electric utility, within two years, to include in each billing statement transmitted to each electric consumer a statement of the portion of the rate charged to that consumer that represents the cost of emission allowances purchased by the utility for the period covered by such billing statement. Requires a utility that purchases electric energy in a region for which the Administrator has published the average cost per kilowatt hour of emission allowances to include the appropriate portion of such costs in each such billing statement.

Date: 2009-05-12
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources is available to taxpayers in various possessions and other areas of the United States, including: (1) Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico; (2) the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau; or (3) any U.S. installation worldwide, including miltary bases.

Date: 2009-06-16
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Taxation
Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to require each state regulatory authority with ratemaking authority, and each nonregulated electric utility, to conduct a hearing, and on the basis of such hearing, adopt a net metering standard. Requires retail electric suppliers to make net metering available to retail customers on a first-come-first-served basis.Prescribes implementation requirements regarding: (1) net energy measurement; (2) billing practices; (3) ownership of credits; (4) safety and performance standards; and (5) determination of compliance. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to publish model interconnection standards for the physical connection between local distribution systems and qualified generation units and qualified electric generation units that do not exceed 5 megawatts of capacity. Requires states to adopt such model standards, subject to FERC approval. Prohibits a state or nonregulated utility from adopting or enforcing any standard or requirement concerning net metering or interconnection that restricts access to the electric power transmission or local distribution system by qualified generators beyond those established under this Act. Allows states to adopt or enforce additional incentives or requirements to encourage qualified generation and net metering, including any that afford: (1) greater access to the electric power transmission and local distribution systems by qualified generators; or (2) greater compensation or credit for electricity generated by qualified generators. Authorizes a contract for renewable energy for public buildings and properties for a maximum period of 30 years. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to condition receipt of certain community development block grant (CDBG) funds upon grantee certification that the cost of any permit or license, for construction or installation of any solar energy system for any structure, complies with certain requirements. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to issue regulations to prohibit any restriction impairing the ability of the owner or lessee of a one-family residential structure to install or use a solar energy system upon such property. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Center for Advanced Solar Research and Development. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations also requiring that the application for approval of such a system: (1) be processed and approved in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification to the property; and (2) not be willfully avoided or delayed.

Date: 2009-06-16
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), at the request of the project licensee, and after reasonable notice, in accordance with specified good faith, due diligence, and public interest requirements and FERC procedures, to extend for up to three consecutive two-year periods the time period during which the licensee must commence construction of hydroelectric project numbered 12187 (in Illinois). Authorizes FERC to reinstate the license, effective as of its expiration date, if the existing period required for commencement of construction has expired before enactment of this Act.

Date: 2009-06-18
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy
Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act - Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) reinstate the licenses for FERC projects numbered 10822 and 10823, effective as of the date of their termination; and (2) extend the time period during which the licensee must commence project construction to February 23, 2011. Requires FERC to transfer such licenses, without delay or the institution of any proceedings, to the Town of Canton, Connecticut, by 30 days after enactment of this Act.

Date: 2009-07-15
Topic: Energy (Electricity)
Subject: Energy