zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Commonsense Legislative Exceptional Events Reforms Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise provisions concerning state petitions to exclude air quality monitoring data influenced by exceptional events from determinations of exceedences or violations of the national ambient air quality standards by requiring criteria used in determining if there has been a demonstration of an exceptional event to be stated with specificity in order to minimize the discretion of the Administrator in approving or disapproving such demonstration. Requires: (1) the Administrator to develop such criteria in conjunction with input from states, and (2) such criteria to reflect the technical expertise and resources available in state and local agencies and the availability of meteorological and other monitoring data in rural areas. Authorizes such criteria to vary with respect to different regions. Requires the Administrator, in developing such criteria, to consider using an expedited or streamlined approval process and conditions under which such demonstrations may be suitable for such process. Requires the Administrator: (1) to approve or disapprove an exceptional event demonstration within 90 days of such demonstration; or (2) if the Administrator requests additional information from a state regarding such demonstration, to approve or disapprove such demonstration within 90 days of submission of such information. Considers such demonstrations to be approved if the Administrator does not take action within such time frames. Requires: (1) such approval or disapproval to be based on a preponderance of the evidence, and (2) the Administrator to accord substantial deference to state findings on such demonstration. Authorizes the Administrator to develop and use analyses and consider evidence not provided by such demonstration. Considers such approval or disapproval to be final action subject to judicial review. Requires the Administrator to revise regulations concerning air quality monitoring data influenced by exceptional events to meet the requirements of this Act within 180 days of this Act's enactment.

Date: 2012-05-07
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Phantom Fuel Reform Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by requiring the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, in estimating the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel to be sold or introduced into commerce in the next year, to determine for each cfacility producing such biofuel during the current year: (1) the average monthly volume of biofuel produced by such facility based on the actual volume produced through October 31, and (2) the estimated annualized volume of biofuel production for such facility for the current year based on such average monthly production. Requires the estimate of cellulosic biofuel projected to be sold or introduced into commerce in the following year to equal the total of the estimated annual volumes of cellulosic biofuel production for all such facilities. Requires (currently, authorizes) the Administrator, in any year in which the Administrator reduces the applicable volume of cellulosic biofuel required in gasoline, to also reduce the applicable volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels required by the same (currently, by the same or a lesser) volume.

Date: 2012-06-28
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Energy
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing any rule imposing a standard of performance for carbon dioxide emissions from any existing or new source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit unless and until three of four specified officials (the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, the Comptroller General, the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology) publish and submit to Congress a report finding that carbon capture and storage is technologically and economically feasible for such units.

Date: 2012-07-24
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Asthma Inhalers Relief Act of 2012 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) permit the distribution, sale, and consumption in the United States of remaining inventories of CFC epinephrine inhalers manufactured pursuant to the exception for medical devices under the Clean Air Act; (2) not take any enforcement action or otherwise seek to restrict the distribution, sale, or consumption of such inhalers on the basis of any federal law implementing the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; and (3) issue, in response to a request of any distributor or seller of such inhalers, a No Action Assurance Letter stating that the EPA will not initiate an enforcement action relating to the distribution or sale of any such inhaler occurring prior to August 1, 2013. Defines "CFC epinephrine inhaler" to mean any epinephrine inhaler containing chlorofluorocarbons that was manufactured and classified as over-the-counter before January 1, 2012. Terminates this Act on August 1, 2013.

Date: 2012-07-25
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
General Duty Clarification Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act, with respect to provisions relating to the prevention of accidental releases of hazardous air pollutants, to provide that no entity may be found in violation of such provisions until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): (1) promulgates final regulations establishing criteria defining the terms "extremely hazardous substance," "appropriate hazard assessment techniques," and "design and maintain a safe facility"; and (2) issues guidelines to ensure that enforcement of such provisions is handled by the regional offices of EPA in a uniform and appropriate manner across all regions of the United States. Modifies the definition of "accidental release" to exclude an emission resulting from an intentional act.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Stop RIN Fraud Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), by January 1, 2013, to establish and maintain a system under which: (1) the Administrator certifies, or authorizes accredited third parties to certify, upon generation, credits as valid and authentic for use by and transfer among persons required to comply with the renewable fuel program; and (2) each such certification is publicly disclosed. Requires the Administrator to treat any credit so certified as valid for compliance with such program.

Date: 2012-09-20
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2012 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing a proposed rule under the Clean Air Act that imposes any performance standard for emissions of any greenhouse gas from any existing or new source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit if a state regulatory authority informs the Administrator that the rule is likely to lead to a 3% or greater increase in the price of electricity for end-use consumers.

Date: 2012-09-21
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Energy
Promoting Nuanced Taconite Regulations Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to consider as approved with respect to a taconite ore processing facility, under ambient air quality standard implementation plans for a state, any implementation plan submitted by the state (including any such plan submitted prior to enactment of this Act) that specifies the best available retrofit technology for any such facility for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any impairment of visibility. Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if a state has submitted such a plan, from promulgating, implementing, or enforcing any requirement pursuant to a federal implementation plan under the CAA with respect to such facility for such purpose. Makes this Act applicable until January 1, 2022.

Date: 2012-09-21
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Amends the Clean Air Act, with respect to reductions in requirements to use cellulosic biofuel under the renewable fuel program, to remove the requirement that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determine volumes of transportation fuel based upon estimates of projected sales provided by the Energy Information Administration. Revises cellulosic biofuel use requirements to require the Administrator to reduce the applicable volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels requirement by the same or a lesser volume of the cellulosic biofuel requirements of the renewable fuel program. Limits, for such purposes, the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel production for a calendar year to not more than 5 percent or 1 million gallons (whichever is greater) more than the total volume of cellulosic biofuel that was commercially available for the most recent calendar year for which such volume is known.

Date: 2012-09-21
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the head of any other federal agency from regulating carbon dioxide emissions until the Secretary of Commerce certifies that China, India, and Russia have initiated measures that require carbon dioxide emission reductions that are substantially similar to those proposed for the United States.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Pollution and Costs Reduction Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Building Pollution Reduction Program to provide assistance to building owners to reduce the emission of air pollutants and building operating costs by constructing highly efficient buildings and increasing the efficiency of, and reducing the emissions associated with, existing buildings. Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide such assistance to building owners based on the extent to which projects relating to the buildings of the owners result in verifiable, additional, and enforceable reductions in emissions of air pollutants through operational improvements such as improved energy efficiency, increased water-use efficiency, and use of renewable energy sources; and (2) give priority to projects that achieve minimum scores in energy performance evaluations and result in measurable pollution reduction benefits not encompassed within the metrics of the Energy Star program.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
EPA Stationary Source Regulations Suspension Act - Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), until the end of the two-year period beginning after this Act's enactment, from taking any action under the Clean Air Act (CAA) with respect to any stationary source permitting requirement or requirement concerning standards of performance for new stationary sources relating to carbon dioxide or methane. Prohibits any action taken by the Administrator before the end of such period (including any action before enactment of this Act) from being considered to make carbon dioxide or methane a pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA for any source other than a new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine. Exempts from such prohibitions: (1) any action under the CAA's emission standards for motor vehicles, (2) any action relating to the preparation of a report or the enforcement of a reporting requirement, or (3) any action relating to the provision of technical support at a state's request.

Date: 2011-01-31
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas (GHG) to address climate change. Excludes GHGs from the definition of "air pollutant" for purposes of addressing climate change. Exempts from such prohibition: (1) implementation and enforcement of the rule, "Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards" and finalization, implementation, enforcement, and revision of the proposed rule, "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles"; (2) implementation of the renewable fuel program; (3) statutorily authorized federal research, development, and demonstration programs addressing climate change; (4) implementation and enforcement of stratospheric ozone protection to the extent that such implementation or enforcement only involves class I or II substances; and (5) implementation and enforcement of requirements for monitoring and reporting of carbon dioxide emissions. Provides that none of such exemptions shall cause a GHG to be subject to regulations relating to prevention of significant deterioration of air quality or considered an air pollutant for purposes of air pollution prevention and control permits. Repeals and makes ineffective specified rules and actions concerning permit requirements or emission standards for GHGs to address climate change. Prohibits the Administrator from waiving, and invalidates waivers given by the Administrator before the enactment of this Act, the ban on states from adopting or enforcing standards relating to the control of emissions from new motor vehicles or engines with respect to GHG emissions for model year 2017 or any subsequent model year.

Date: 2011-03-03
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Boutique Fuel Reduction Act of 2011 - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to temporarily waive a control or prohibition respecting the use of a fuel or fuel additive if: (1) it is in the public interest to grant such a waiver; and (2) the Administrator determines, and the Secretary of Energy (DOE) concurs, that extreme and unusual fuel or fuel additive supply circumstances exist that are the result of an unexpected problem with distribution or delivery equipment. Requires the Administrator, after providing notice and an opportunity for comment, to remove a fuel from the list of approved fuels under all state implementation plans (SIPs) if the Administrator determines that the fuel: (1) has ceased to be included in any SIP (current law), or (2) is identical to a federal fuel control or prohibition established and enforced by the Administrator (currently, identical to a federal fuel formulation implemented by the Administrator). Directs the Administrator, on removing a fuel from the list, to publish a revised list that reflects such removal. Repeals the limitation on the Administrator's authority to approve a control or prohibition respecting any new fuel in a SIP plan if such new fuel increases the total number of fuels on such list. Provides that nothing in such Act limits the authority of the Administrator to approve a control or prohibition relating to any new fuel in a SIP if: (1) the new fuel completely replaces a fuel on the list published; and (2) the Administrator publishes in the Federal Register, after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment, a determination that the control or prohibition will not cause any fuel supply or distribution interruption or have any significant adverse impact on fuel producibility in the affected area or any contiguous area.

Date: 2011-03-08
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Energy
Carbon Dioxide Capture Technology Prize Act of 2011 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish and award competitive technology financial awards for the development and implementation of technology to capture carbon dioxide from media in which the concentration of carbon dioxide is dilute. Conditions receipt of such a financial award on an applicant agreeing to vest the intellectual property derived from the technology in one or more entities that are incorporated in the United States. Establishes the Carbon Dioxide Capture Technology Advisory Board to advise the Secretary in carrying out duties under this Act. Terminates the Board and all authorities under this Act five years after the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2011-04-07
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Clean Air Act to redefine "renewable biomass" as: (1) materials (including trees, wood, brush, thinnings, and chips) or invasive species from certain National Forest System land and public lands, including slash and other materials, that would not otherwise be used for higher-value manufactured forest products and that are removed to reduce hazardous fuels, to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation, or to restore or maintain ecosystem health or that are removed from a federally approved vegetation management project, and that are harvested in accordance with applicable law and land management plans and specified requirements for old-growth forests; (2) any organic matter, including specified renewable plant material and waste material (including vegetative, animal, food, and yard waste), that is available on a renewable or recurring basis from non-federal land, land belonging to an Indian or Indian tribe that is held in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, or any Indian reservation; and (3) residues or byproducts from wood, pulp, or paper product facilities.

Date: 2011-04-08
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Flint Hills Preservation Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to require states and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in determining whether an exceedance or violation of a national ambient air quality standard has occurred with respect to a specific air pollutant, to exclude data from a particular air quality monitoring location if emissions from prescribed fires in the Flint Hills Region cause a concentration of the air pollutant at the location to be in excess of the standard. Prohibits, if such emission data is excluded: (1) the Administrator from finding that a state has failed to enforce, or that a person has violated, a state implementation plan (SIP) for national primary or secondary ambient air quality standards as a result of such emissions; or (2) a state from finding that a person has violated, or from bringing an enforcement action for violation of, a SIP for such standards as a result of such emissions. Prohibits: (1) the Administrator from requiring, or a state from adopting, a smoke management plan under such Act in connection with any prescribed fire in such region; and (2) a building, structure, facility, or installation from being treated as a stationary source under new stationary source performance standards as a result of such prescribed fires. Provides that no person shall be required to obtain or modify an operating permit under Title V of the Clean Air Act in connection with such a prescribed fire.

Date: 2011-05-12
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by: (1) requiring the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that transportation fuel sold or introduced into commerce in the United States, on an annual average basis, contains at least the applicable volume of "next generation biofuel" (currently "cellulosic biofuel"); and (2) replacing the term "cellulosic biofuel" with "next generation biofuel." Defines "next generation biofuel" to mean: (1) renewable fuel that is derived from any cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, or algae that is derived from renewable biomass; or (2) nonethanol renewable fuel that is derived from renewable biomass. Directs the Administrator to allow states that enact a law that elects to not participate in the applicable volume of renewable to not so participate, other than the applicable volumes of renewable fuel required for advanced biofuel, next generation biofuel, and biomass-based diesel.

Date: 2011-05-26
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Offshore Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require any air quality impact of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sources to be measured or modeled and determined solely with respect to the impacts in the corresponding onshore area. Provides that: (1) emissions from any vessel servicing or associated with an OCS source, including emissions while at the OCS source or in route to or from the OCS source within 25 miles of the OCS source, shall be considered direct emissions from the OCS source (current law) but shall not be subject to any emission control requirement applicable to such source; (2) an OCS source, for platform or drill ship exploration, is established when drilling commences at a location and ceases to exist when drilling activity ends at such location or is temporarily interrupted because the platform or drill ship relocates; and (3) an OCS source activity includes platform and drill ship exploration, construction, development, production, processing, and transportation. Requires: (1) final agency action on a permit application for platform or drill ship exploration for an OCS source under such Act to be taken no later than 180 days after the filing of such  application; (2) such final agency action to be considered to be nationally applicable under judicial review; and (3) judicial review of such action to be without additional administrative review or adjudication. Prohibits: (1) the Environmental Appeals Board of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from having any authority to consider any matter relating to the consideration, issuance, or denial of such permit; and (2) extending any administrative stay of the effectiveness of such permit beyond 180 days after the date of filing of such application.

Date: 2011-06-16
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to exempt nuisance dust from the CAA and excludes nuisance dust from references in the CAA to particulate matter, except with respect to geographic areas where such dust is not regulated under state, tribal, or local law to the extent the Administrator finds that: (1) nuisance dust (or any subcategory of nuisance dust) causes substantial adverse public health and welfare effects at ambient concentrations; and (2) the benefits of applying CAA standards and other requirements to such dust outweigh the costs. Defines "nuisance dust" as particulate matter: (1) generated from natural sources, unpaved roads, agricultural activities, earth moving, or other activities typically conducted in rural areas; or (2) consisting primarily of soil, other natural or biological materials, windblown dust, or some combination of such materials. Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from  proposing, finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any regulation revising the national primary ambient air quality standard or the national secondary ambient air quality standard applicable to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter greater than 2.5 micrometers under the CAA for one year.

Date: 2011-09-08
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Renewable Fuel Parity Act of 2011 - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program to include: (1) "cellulosic biofuel" within the definition of "advanced biofuel," and (2) fuel derived from algae among the types of fuels eligible for consideration as advanced biofuel.

Date: 2011-09-15
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Permanent Guarantee of Sensible Treatment of Farm Dust Act of 2011- Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from  proposing, finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any regulation revising the national primary ambient air quality standard or the national secondary ambient air quality standard applicable to nuisance dust with an aerodynamic diameter greater than 2.5 micrometers under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Exempts nuisance dust from the CAA and excludes nuisance dust from references in such Act to particulate matter, except with respect to geographical areas where such dust is not regulated under state, tribal, or local law if the Administrator finds that: (1) nuisance dust (or any subcategory of nuisance dust) causes substantial adverse public health and welfare effects at ambient concentrations; and (2) the benefits of applying CAA standards and other requirements to such dust outweigh the costs. Defines "nuisance dust" as particulate matter: (1) generated from natural sources, unpaved roads, agricultural activities, earth moving, or other activities typically conducted in rural areas; or (2) consisting primarily of soil, other natural or biological materials, windblown dust, or some combination thereof.

Date: 2011-11-03
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from rejecting a state implementation plan (SIP) or determining it to be inadequate, or from requiring compliance with a federal implementation plan for national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards, in any case in which the Administrator has not provided the state submitting the SIP at least two years after the date of promulgation of any final rule establishing an applicable standard intended to reduce the interstate transport of fine particulate matter and ozone to develop and submit an SIP. Prohibits the Administrator from rejecting a SIP during such two-year development period if, as a result of such a rejection, the state would be required to comply with such rule by not later than a year after the date of submission of the SIP. Requires the Administrator to provide in a timely manner to a requesting state any reasonable technical support, clarification, guidance, or data (including integrated planning models and other modeling) regarding the content of any final rule or regulation material to an SIP. Prohibits: (1) the proposed rule entitled "Federal Implementation Plans To Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone" from being or becoming effective until at least 18 months after this Act's enactment, or (2) requiring compliance with any standard or requirement under such rule or further regulatory action triggered by such rule until the final rule becomes effective. Requires the Administrator to continue to implement the final rule commonly known as the "Clean Air Interstate Rule'" and the rule establishing federal implementation plans for that rule as promulgated and modified by the Administrator until final action with respect to any federal regulatory mandate becomes effective in accordance with this Act.

Date: 2011-11-03
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Cross State Air Pollution Act - Enacts into law the final rule entitled "Federal Implementation Plans: Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone and Correction of SIP Approvals." Makes such rule effective on: (1) January 1, 2012, for phase I sulfur dioxide and annual nitrogen oxide reductions; (2) May 1, 2012, for ozone season nitrogen oxide reductions; and (3) January 1, 2015, for phase II sulfur dioxide reductions. Requires compliance with such rule by: (1) April 1, 2014, and annually thereafter for phase I sulfur dioxide and annual nitrogen oxide reductions and ozone season nitrogen oxide reductions; and (2) April 1, 2016, and annually thereafter for phase II sulfur dioxide reductions.

Date: 2011-11-07
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Renewable Fuel Standard Flexibility Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): (1) by November 30 each year, to determine and publish the estimated U.S. corn stocks-to-use ratio for the applicable crop year; and (2) to waive the renewable fuel program's requirements for the next calendar year by reducing the national quantity of renewable fuel otherwise required by specified amounts based on the ratio determined. Prohibits: (1) waivers granted under this Act from affecting the volume of advanced biofuel under such program, or (2) the Administrator from allowing any volume of conventional biofuel to be used to satisfy the requirement for advanced biofuel.

Date: 2012-07-24
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Energy
General Duty Clarification Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act, with respect to provisions relating to the prevention of accidental releases of hazardous air pollutants, to provide that no entity may be found in violation of such provisions until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): (1) promulgates final regulations establishing criteria defining the terms "extremely hazardous substance," "appropriate hazard assessment techniques," and "design and maintain a safe facility"; and (2) issues guidelines to ensure that enforcement of such provisions is handled by the regional offices of EPA in a uniform and appropriate manner across all regions of the United States. Modifies the definition of "accidental release" to exclude an emission resulting from an intentional act.

Date: 2012-09-11
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration, to: (1) establish a national limitation for such credit based upon metric tons of qualified carbon dioxide (defined as carbon dioxide captured from an industrial source that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as industrial emission of greenhouse gas and that is measured at the source of capture and verified at the point of disposal or injection); (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish processes and procedures for allocating the national limitation and for certifying projects for which an allocation has been made; (3) impose a 10-year limitation period for such credit; (4) identify the primary taxpayer eligible to claim such credit as the taxpayer who captures the qualified carbon dioxide and disposes, through contract or otherwise, of the qualified carbon dioxide in a specified manner; and (5) provide for the transferability of such credit.

Date: 2012-09-20
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Taxation
Common Sense Waiver Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive any emission standard or other requirements for hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act applicable to the control of asbestos emissions in the demolition or renovation of a building if the building has been condemned and there is a reasonable expectation of the building's structural failure.

Requires the Administrator to approve or disapprove a request for such a waiver within 90 days or the request shall be deemed to be approved.

Date: 2013-01-04
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Clean Vehicles Incentive Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain businesses located in areas designated as nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act a general business tax credit for the cost of certain clean-fuel vehicle property and the use of clean-burning fuel. Allows the credit to be taken against regular and alternative minimum tax liabilities. Allows a tax deduction for any unused clean fuel credit amounts.

Allows a new qualified hybrid motor vehicle tax credit for any taxable year after 2012 only for such a vehicle which is placed in service after December 31, 2012, by an eligible business and substantially all of the use of which is in a nonattainment area.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Taxation
Heat Island and Smog Reduction Act of 2013 - Requires each federal agency, by April 1, 2013, to develop a heat island reduction plan for all federal property and facilities under its possession or control that are located in an area designated under the Clean Air Act as being in nonattainment with national ambient air quality standards for ozone. Requires each plan to include measures to: (1) maximize tree cover on federal property; and (2) increase solar reflectivity through techniques such as using roofs with high solar reflectivity (cool roofs), vegetated roofs, and paving materials with higher solar reflectivity.

Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to submit annual reports to specified congressional committees assessing agency progress in developing and implementing such plans.

Date: 2013-02-04
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Phantom Fuel Reform Act of 2013 - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by requiring the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, in estimating the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel to be sold or introduced into commerce in the next year, to determine for each facility producing such biofuel during the current year: (1) the average monthly volume of biofuel produced by such facility based on the actual volume produced through October 31, and (2) the estimated annualized volume of biofuel production for such facility for the current year based on such average monthly production. Requires the estimate of cellulosic biofuel projected to be sold or introduced into commerce in the following year to equal the total of the estimated annual volumes of cellulosic biofuel production for all such facilities.

Requires (currently, authorizes) the Administrator, in any year in which the Administrator reduces the applicable volume of cellulosic biofuel required in gasoline, to also reduce the applicable volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels required by the same (currently, by the same or a lesser) volume.

Date: 2013-02-06
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Energy
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Clean Air Act to remove the requirement that a dealer of new light-duty motor vehicles furnish a certification to the purchaser that the vehicle conforms to applicable regulations concerning emission standards, including notice of warranty rights should the vehicle fail to conform to such regulations.

Date: 2013-02-14
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Amends the Clean Air Act, with respect to reductions in requirements to use cellulosic biofuel under the renewable fuel program, to remove the requirement that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determine volumes of transportation fuel based upon estimates of projected sales provided by the Energy Information Administration.

Revises cellulosic biofuel use requirements to require the Administrator to reduce the applicable volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels requirement by the same or a lesser volume of the cellulosic biofuel requirements of the renewable fuel program. Limits, for such purposes, the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel production for a calendar year to not more than 5% or 1 million gallons (whichever is greater) more than the total volume of cellulosic biofuel that was commercially available for the most recent calendar year for which such volume is known.

Date: 2013-02-15
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
General Duty Clarification Act of 2013 - Amends the Clean Air Act, with respect to provisions relating to the prevention of accidental releases of hazardous air pollutants, to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) promulgate final regulations establishing criteria defining the terms "extremely hazardous substance," "appropriate hazard assessment techniques," and "design and maintain a safe facility"; and (2) issue guidelines to ensure that enforcement of such provisions is handled by the regional offices of EPA in a uniform and appropriate manner across all regions of the United States.

Modifies the definition of "accidental release" to exclude an emission resulting from an act intended to cause harm.

Date: 2013-02-28
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Accountability in Grants Act of 2013 - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from awarding grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance under the national research and development program for the prevention and control of air pollution for any program, project, or activity to occur outside the United States and its territories and possessions.

Date: 2013-03-05
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Bringing Reductions to Energy's Airborne Toxic Health Effects Act or the BREATHE Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal prohibitions against: (1) aggregating emissions from any oil or gas exploration or production well and emissions from any pipeline compressor or pump station with emissions from other similar units, whether or not such units are in a contiguous area or under common control, to determine whether such units or stations are major sources of listed toxic air pollutants under such Act; (2) aggregating such emissions for any purpose under such Act, in the case of any oil or gas exploration or production well; and (3) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listing an oil and gas production well as an area source category of toxic air pollutants under such Act.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) issue a final rule adding hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants; and (2) revise such list within 365 days after issuing such rule to include categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources of hydrogen sulfide, including oil and gas wells.

Date: 2013-03-14
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
No Carbon Tax Act of 2013 - Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from devising or implementing a carbon tax. Defines "carbon tax" to mean a tax, fee, or price on: (1) emissions, including carbon dioxide emissions generated by the burning of coal, natural gas, or oil; or (2) coal, natural gas, or oil based on emissions, including carbon dioxide emissions that would be generated through the fuel's combustion.

Date: 2013-04-11
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Super Pollutant Emissions Reduction Act of 2013 or the SUPER Act of 2013 - Requires the President to establish the Task Force on Super Pollutants to:

 review existing and potential policies and measures that promote reduction of short-lived climate pollutants, in part by identifying and evaluating programs and activities of the federal government that contribute to such reduction; identify and recommend specific existing programs and activities that are duplicative and that can be consolidated to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness; identify gaps where programs do not exist and recommend focused programs and activities to fill such gaps to achieve reductions of short-lived climate pollutants, with an emphasis on industry standards and public-private partnerships; identify, compile, evaluate, and develop best practices for reductions of short-lived climate pollutants; and report to Congress on its findings and recommendations. Defines "short-lived climate pollutant" as black carbon, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, tropospheric ozone and its precursors, or emissions from banks of ozone-depleting substances.

Date: 2013-05-09
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the impact of climate change on health systems.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) publish and implement a national strategic action plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the impact of climate change on public health in the United States and other nations, particularly developing nations; (2) revise the plan periodically to reflect new information; (3) establish a permanent science advisory board; and (4) contract with the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine to assess the need for health professionals to prepare for and respond to the impact of climate change on public health.

Date: 2013-05-16
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Health
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing any rule imposing a standard of performance under the Clean Air Act for carbon dioxide emissions from any existing or new source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit until:

 the Administrator determines that carbon capture and storage is the best system of emission reduction; and carbon capture and storage is found to be technologically and economically feasible for such units in a report submitted by at least three of the following officials: the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, the Comptroller General (GAO), the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology. Prohibits the Administrator, in proposing or finalizing any such rule, from combining in the same category of stationary sources: (1) an electric utility steam generating unit that is constructed for supplying more than one-third of its potential electric output capacity and more than 25 megawatt net-electrical output to any utility power distribution system for sale, and (2) a combined cycle electric generating unit that is subject to standards of performance for stationary combustion turbines.

Date: 2013-05-23
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Social Cost of Carbon Transparency Enhancement Act of 2013 - Prohibits the head of a federal agency from using an estimate for the social cost of carbon until the completion of the rulemaking notice period and the receipt of public comment on such estimate.

Requires an agency head, after the completion of any cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis used to promulgate rules or guidelines or to determine administrative actions, to: (1) submit to relevant congressional committees a report on the result of, and methods (including any method that determines the social cost of carbon) used to calculate, the cost-benefits or regulatory impact analysis; and (2) publish such report in the Federal Register. Prohibits the finalization of any cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis for 60 days after the submission of such report and requires an agency head, during such 60-day period, to evaluate the potential benefits of each cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis using specified criteria.

Date: 2013-07-31
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Taking Hold of Regulations to Increase Vital Employment In Energy Act - Prohibits a federal agency from using the social cost of carbon to incorporate any social benefits of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in any regulatory impact analysis unless and until a federal law is enacted authorizing such use.

Date: 2013-08-02
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Ensure Reliable and Affordable American Energy Act of 2013 - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit a regulation concerning emissions of carbon dioxide from a fossil fuel-fired electric generating unit to address climate change from taking effect until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies that a sufficient number of countries have put into effect regulations concerning such emissions that are at least as stringent as the regulation under the Act.

Defines "sufficient number" to mean a number of countries that, in the aggregate, account for at least 80% of global carbon dioxide emissions, excluding those in the United States, in the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the regulation under the Act would be enforced.

Date: 2013-09-19
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to direct the U.S. Executive Director at each multilateral development bank to: (1) disregard the document entitled "Guidance for U.S. Positions on MDBs Engaging with Developing Countries on Coal-Fired Power Generation" and any other document issued subsequently by the Secretary that sets forth policies, strategies, procedures, or positions substantially similar to those set forth in that document; and (2) not use U.S. influence to propose, advance, or implement any policy, strategy, procedure, or position set forth in that document.

Date: 2013-11-21
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: International affairs
Listen to Americans First Act of 2013 - Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of federal funds for travel outside the United States or its territories by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) until: (1) EPA conducts public listening sessions on rulemaking targeting carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants in each of the 15 states with the highest percentage of electricity generated by coal in 2012 (West Virginia, Kentucky, Wyoming, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Utah, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Montana, and Wisconsin); and (2) the Administrator certifies to Congress that such sessions have taken place.

Date: 2013-12-10
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Keep the EPA Honest Act of 2013 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from proposing any standard of performance under the Clean Air Act for carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units before finalizing and publishing a standard of performance for such emissions from new fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units.

Date: 2013-12-12
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection
Prohibits any federal agency or official from imposing a fee or tax on gaseous emissions emitted directly by livestock in carrying out any Act or program to reduce the effects of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change.

Date: 2014-04-03
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Taxation
Wood Stove Regulatory Relief Act of 2014 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for an eight-year period, from finalizing, issuing, implementing, or enforcing rules under the Clean Air Act applicable to any new source of air pollutants that is a residential wood heater, a residential hydronic heater, a forced-air furnace, or a residential masonry heater unless the rules comply with this Act.

Prohibits the Administrator from setting particulate matter emission limits below a specified threshold for adjustable rate wood heaters, single burn rate wood heaters, pellet heaters/stoves, residential hydronic heaters, and forced-air furnaces.

Phases in requirements for complying with emission limits.

Sets forth provisions requiring third-party testing of compliance with emission limits.

Date: 2014-04-04
Topic: Environment (Air Pollution)
Subject: Environmental protection