zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2009 - Directs the President to promulgate regulations to ensure that aviation fuel, motor vehicle fuel, home heating oil, and boiler fuel sold or introduced into commerce in the United States, on an annual average basis, contains the applicable volume of clean coal-derived fuel, determined in accordance with this Act. Exempts small refineries from compliance with such regulations until calendar 2018. Directs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to the President and Congress on whether compliance with the requirements of this Act would impose a disproportionate economic hardship on small refineries. Requires the President to extend such exemption if it would. Allows a small refinery to: (1) petition the President for an exemption at any time for the reason of disproportionate economic hardship; and (2) opt-in and be subject to such regulations if it notifies the President that it waives the exemption.

Date: 2009-04-01
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
California Ocean and Coastal Protection Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit oil and gas preleasing, leasing, and related activities in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf located off the coast of California.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Authorizes Niagara, Erie, and Chautauqua Counties, New York, to establish a Regional Development Corporation. Requires submission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval of any agreement to establish the Corporation. Limits the use of Corporation funds to construction, engineering, architecture, and related projects for the development of the waterfront in Niagara, Chautauqua, and Erie Counties, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, the Olmsted Park system, regional cultural institutions in Niagara, Chautauqua, and Erie Counties, downtown Niagara Falls redevelopment initiatives, and the Buffalo Niagara Medical campus. Requires transfer to the Corporation by the New York Power Authority of all unused proceeds from the sale of electric power generated by the Niagara Power Project and allocated to the replacement power and expansion power programs.

Date: 2009-04-28
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
National Clean Energy Superhighways Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Power Act to: (1) authorize states of the Eastern interconnection and the Western Interconnection to establish interconnection-wide multistate transmission planning (MTA) authorities; (2) require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish procedures governing MTA certification; (3) direct each MTA to exercise sustainable transmission grid (STG) transmission planning functions for its region and produce a biennial STG transmission plan that identifies needed STG projects and areas to be avoided in siting of STG projects; (4) require the Commission to develop an interconnection plan if no MTA for the Eastern or Western Interconnection is certified within a year; (5) direct MTAs to ensure that multiple certified plans are integrated with each other; (6) permit MTAs and states to recover costs for planning activities pursuant to a transmission surcharge that the Commission is required to establish under this Act; (7) authorize MTAs within an Interconnection, jointly, to submit an integrated Interconnection-wide cost allocation methodology; (8) give the Commission authority over regional planning entities to implement planning efforts, except the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and entities in Alaska and Hawaii; (9) require public utilities to apply to the Commission for a certificate of public convenience and necessity in order to construct or modify an STG project; (10) require STG construction certificates to incorporate a condition that prohibits the direct interconnection to the STG transmission line by any electricity generator that has a greenhouse gas emission rate greater than that of a singe-cycle natural gas-fired combustion turbine; (11) terminate such condition upon the implementation of a greenhouse gas regulatory program applicable to the electricity sector; (12) set forth provisions concerning exercising eminent domain to acquire the necessary right-of-way and property necessary to construct, operate, and maintain STG projects and long-term transmission rights; and (13) direct the Commission to encourage methods and structures for grid operations to better accommodate renewable energy resources. Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to analyze, recommend, and report to Congress on metrics for transmission grid performance covering transmission grid facilities.

Date: 2009-04-30
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Electric Transportation Advancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary of Energy to make loans as well as (under current law) grants for qualified electric transportation projects, especially near-term projects. Directs the Secretary to inventory existing electric transportation technologies and hybrid transportation technologies and markets and implement methods of promoting them. Directs the Secretary to: (1) work with utilities to develop low-cost, simple methods of using off-peak electricity or managing on-peak electricity use; (2) develop systems to enable plug-in electric drive vehicles to enhance the availability of emergency back-up power for consumers and work with utilities to study and demonstrate the implications of the introduction of plug-in electric drive vehicles and other types of electric transportation technology on electrical production from renewable resources; and (3) study and demonstrate the potential value to the electric grid of using energy stored in on-board storage systems of plug-in electric drive vehicles. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a program to certify: (1) emissions of criteria pollutants, fuel economy, and petroleum usage of plug-in hybrid electric drive vehicles; and (2) emissions reductions, fuel economy improvements, and petroleum usage reductions from other forms of electric transportation technology. Requires the EPA Administrator to establish a task force to recommend certification protocols. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to Congress on the benefits of and barriers to the widespread deployment of City Cars with performance capability that exceeds that of low-speed vehicles but is less than that of passenger vehicles, and that may be battery electric, fuel cell electric, or plug-in hybrid electric drive vehicles. Directs the EPA Administrator to: (1) recommend to Congress how vehicle fuel definitions may be changed to be fuel and technology neutral; and (2) report to Congress on how petroleum, emissions, and pollutant reductions may be incorporated into the fuel and technology neutral emissions reduction program. Limits the amount of certain electric vehicle energy storage research and development funding available to the National Laboratories.

Date: 2009-05-04
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Oil Savings Act of 2009 - Requires a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), appointed by the FTC Chairperson, to establish, and serve as Director of, an interagency working group, which shall publish in the Federal Register an action plan for achieving oil savings. Authorizes the working group to publish a revised action plan if intermediate oil savings targets set by the action plan are not met. Requires the working group to determine the baseline level of U.S. consumption of barrels of oil per day on average.

Date: 2009-05-07
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), by September 30 of each calendar year 2012-2030, to distribute among the states 1.5% of the emission allowances that the Administrator has established for the year. Requires the Administrator to distribute emission allowances among the states ratably each year, based on the ratio of: (1) the carbon content of home heating oil and propane sold to consumers within each state in the preceding year for residential or commercial purposes; to (2) the carbon content of home heating oil and propane sold that year for such purposes throughout the United States. Directs each state receiving emission allowances to sell them within one year of receipt, either directly or through consignment to the Administrator for auction. Requires any emission allowances that are not sold within one year of receipt to be returned to the Administrator, who shall distribute them to the remaining states ratably in accordance with the formula. Requires states to use the proceeds from such sales exclusively for the benefit of consumers of home heating oil or propane for residential or commercial purposes, particularly: (1) cost-effective energy efficiency programs; or (2) rebates or other direct financial assistance programs for them.

Date: 2009-05-12
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Environmental protection
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing a lease, permit, or license for oil exploration or extraction from specified submerged Outer Continental Shelf lands located within 125 miles of the coast of New Jersey, including areas with respect to which a moratorium on oil and gas leasing activities existed before enactment of this Act.

Date: 2009-05-14
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Prevent Unfair Manipulation of Prices Act of 2009 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to cover: (1) energy transactions; and (2) coal, crude oil, gasoline, electricity (except financial transmission rights subject to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC]), natural gas, and any substance used as a source of energy (other than an excluded commodity, a metal, or an agricultural commodity). Extends the regulatory authority of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to swap transactions in: (1) energy commodities; (2) energy transactions; and (3) energy transactions on foreign boards of trade. Prohibits the CFTC from exempting energy transactions from futures trading regulation, unless certain notice and public comment requirements are observed. Requires the CFTC to fix limits upon the aggregate number of energy transaction positions held by any person for each month across all markets subject to its jurisdiction. Grants the CFTC exclusive authority to grant exemptions from position limits imposed upon energy transactions for bona fide hedging transactions and positions. Requires the CFTC to disaggregate and publicize specified market data with respect to index traders and swap dealers and the identity of holders of positions in indexes in excess of position limits. Empowers the CFTC to set limits to prevent excessive speculation in indexes. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 with respect to the CFTC Inspector General. Excludes from CFTC jurisdiction certain derivative transactions, swap transactions, and transactions in exempt commodities which settle and clear through a derivatives clearing organization registered with the CFTC. Prescribes requirements for alternatives to clearing through designated clearing organizations. Specifies requirements for eligibility to purchase credit default swaps. Requires the CFTC to charge and collect transaction fees from clearing organizations. Amends the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to: (1) grant the Federal Power Commission (FPC) and FERC cease and desist authority regarding violations; and (2) instruct the FPC to establish a refund effective date for an initiated proceeding. Grants the CFTC oversight authority over carbon derivatives markets.

Date: 2009-05-14
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Protecting Investment in Oil shale the Next generation of Environmental, Energy and Resource Security (PIONEERS) Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to hold a lease sale offering an additional 10 parcels for lease for research, development, and demonstration of oil shale resources under the terms offered in the solicitation of bids for such leases published on January 15, 2009. Applies the oil shale management final rules published by the Department of the Interior on November 18, 2008, to all commercial leasing for the management of federally owned oil shale, and any associated minerals, located on federal lands. Authorizes the Secretary to reduce temporarily any royalties, fees, rentals, bonus, or other payments for leases of federal lands for oil shale resources development and production as necessary to incentivize and encourage development of such resources, if the Secretary determines that such payments, otherwise authorized by law, are hindering production of such resources.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Affordable Gas Price Act - Declares without force or effect all provisions of existing federal law that prohibit spending appropriated funds to conduct oil or natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf. Revokes all existing withdrawals by the President under the authority of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal: (1) the withdrawal of public lands within the Coastal Plain from entry or appropriation under federal mining or mineral leasing laws; and (2) the prohibition against the production, leasing, and development of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to shield from judicial review mandatory statements by certain federal officials regarding the environmental impact of federal actions upon the quality of the human environment. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) set forth additional incentives for investment in oil refineries; (2) suspend the tax on highway motor fuels when retail gasoline exceeds a certain benchmark; and (3) increase mileage reimbursement rates. Authorizes the President to extend normal trade relations treatment to the products of the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct and report to Congress on: (1) an assessment of all available domestic technological capabilities required for the location and the efficient and environmentally sound recovery of minerals, other than oil and natural gas, from the shallow and deep seabed of the United States; (2) a survey of the shallow and deep seabed of the United States to identify sites for the recovery of such minerals; and (3) an economic feasibility study on the recovery of such minerals. Defines "shallow and deep seabed of the United States" as areas of the seabed contiguous to and within 200 miles of the territorial sea of the United States and the resources of which are subject to its jurisdiction or control. Includes in that definition such areas that are contiguous to and within 200 miles of the territorial sea around any inhabited and uninhabited territory or possession of the United States, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Midway Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands, Midway Islands, Wake Island, Johnston Atoll, Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, Kingman Reef, Navassa Island, Serranilla Bank, Bajo Nuevo Bank, and Palmyra Atoll.

Date: 2009-06-11
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
National Strategic Gasoline Reserve for Purposes of National Security Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Strategic Gasoline Reserve system with a total capacity of 10 million barrels of regular unleaded gasoline. Directs the Secretary to: (1) transmit to Congress, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the governor of each state in which a Gasoline Reserve will be sited a plan for the transportation of its contents to wholesale or retail markets in the event of an emergency sale; (2) complete the process of filling the Gasoline Reserve to a minimum of 90% within two years of submitting a transportation plan to Congress; (3) review the gasoline supply annually to ensure the reserves in the Gasoline Reserve do not exceed their shelf life; and (4) have in place a plan for assuring that the inventory is sold and replaced in a manner that assures the integrity of the product at all times. Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell gasoline from the Gasoline Reserve if the governor of an affected state submits a written request and the President issues an Executive order requiring immediate release from any or all Gasoline Reserves at any time that the President determines certain emergency conditions are satisfied.

Date: 2009-06-23
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a research, development, and technology demonstration program to improve the efficiency of gas turbines used in power generation systems and to identify the technologies that will lead to gas turbine combined cycle efficiency of 65% or simple cycle efficiency of 50%. Requires the program to: (1) support first-of-a-kind engineering and detailed gas turbine design for megawatt-scale and utility-scale electric power generation; (2) include technology demonstration through component testing, subscale testing, and full scale testing in existing fleets; (3) include field demonstrations of the developed technology elements to demonstrate technical and economic feasibility; and (4) assess overall combined cycle and simple cycle system performance. Sets forth as program goals: (1) in phase I, to develop the conceptual design of, and to develop and demonstrate the technology required for, advanced high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at least 62% combined cycle efficiency or 47% simple cycle efficiency on a lower heating value basis; and (2) in phase II, to develop the conceptual design for advanced high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at least 65% combined cycle efficiency or 50% simple cycle efficiency on a lower heating value basis. Directs the Secretary, in selecting program proposals, to emphasize the extent to which the proposal will: (1) stimulate the creation or increased retention of jobs in the United States; and (2) promote and enhance U.S. technology leadership. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2009-06-24
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) establish a pilot program to be known as the Road User Fee Pilot Project to study alternatives to the system of taxing motor vehicle fuels, including alternatives based upon the mileage of vehicles subject to tax (miles based program); (2) coordinate with technology, transportation system, and environmental working groups in carrying out the pilot program; and (3) establish a grant program to aid in the development of onboard technologies necessary for a miles based program.

Date: 2009-07-23
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Clean Cities Program Authorization Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to carry out a Clean Cities program, as a partnership between government and industry, to encourage and accelerate the use of non-petroleum based fuels, alternative fuel vehicles, and other advanced vehicle technologies and practices that achieve significant reduction in the overall use of petroleum in the transportation sector. Requires the program to: (1) promote the establishment of vehicle and infrastructure projects that incorporate petroleum reduction technologies, including educational efforts on the benefits and advantages of using alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles; (2) provide training, technical assistance, and tools to end-users that adopt petroleum reduction technologies; (3) collaborate with and train fire officials, emergency first responders, and safety code officials; (4) undertake coordinating efforts between federal, local, and state agencies and the alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle industry; (5) facilitate the development of necessary refueling and service support infrastructure for petroleum reduction technologies; and (6) develop Internet-based tools and resources for the education and training of consumers and program stakeholders. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to local and state government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle stakeholders who are working with Clean Cities coalitions to support the deployment and use of alternative fuels and petroleum reduction technologies in on-road vehicles. Directs the Secretary to encourage and support the voluntary formation of local Clean Cities organizations around the country.

Date: 2009-07-31
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Surface Transportation and Taxation Equity Act or the STATE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the federal excise tax on gasoline and special fuels (but not below two cents per gallon) by corresponding increases in fuel taxes imposed by states after March 17, 2009.

Date: 2009-09-17
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Federal Exploration and Production Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to revise requirements for review and approval of outer Continental Shelf (OCS) plans for geological and geophysical exploration on any area under an oil and gas lease. Repeals the requirement that approval be denied if: (1) any proposed activity under the plan would result in serious harm or damage to life (including fish and other aquatic life), to property, to any mineral, to the national security or defense, or to the marine, coastal, or human environment; and (2) such proposed activity cannot be modified to avoid such harm or damage. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to cancel the lease or permit if the plan is disapproved. Revises requirements for review and approval of OCS oil and gas development and production plans. Requires the Secretary to seek and accept the assistance of the Department of Defense in the review of any plan prepared for a lease containing military operating stipulations or other restrictions. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary require modification of a plan without adequate provision for safe operations on the lease area or for protection of the human, marine, or coastal environment. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise requirements for regulation of surface-disturbing activities, including preparation of exploration and development and production plans. Eliminates the requirement of an adequate bond, surety, or other financial arrangement before commencement of surface-disturbing activities on any lease to ensure reclamation of the lease tract, and restoration of any lands or surface waters adversely affected by lease operations after abandonment or cessation of oil and gas operations on the lease. Repeals the prohibition against issuance of a lease, or approval of its assignment, if reclamation requirements and other related standards have not been complied with.

Date: 2009-09-22
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Green Energy Investment Zone Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow various energy-related tax credits for investment in energy property in high job-loss zones. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 to allow increased grant amounts for investment in energy property in high job-loss zones.

Date: 2009-10-15
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010 the suspension of the taxable income limitation on percentage depletion for oil and natural gas produced from marginal properties.

Date: 2009-12-03
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand the definition of "qualified refinery" for purposes of the taxpayer election to expense the costs of refinery property to include refineries for processing non-virgin lube oil from used, refined products (including used lube oil originally derived from crude oil or qualified fuels); (2) extend through 2016 the expensing allowance with respect to such refineries; and (3) allow a business-related tax credit for the production of qualified re-refined lubricating oil.

Date: 2009-12-08
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010 the excise tax credit for alternative fuels and fuel mixtures for any sale or use involving liquified petroleum gas.

Date: 2009-12-08
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to allow a contract for the acquisition of renewable energy for the federal government to be made for a period of up to 30 years.

Date: 2009-12-09
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax deduction for accelerated depreciation, to rename natural gas distribution lines as natural gas distribution facilities and make permanent the classification of such facilities as 15-year property for depreciation purposes.

Date: 2009-12-19
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Country-of-Origin Labeling for Fuels Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress with recommendations for appropriate methods and standards for requiring: (1) motor vehicle fuel suppliers to disclose to the next person in the motor vehicle fuel supply chain information regarding each country in which the fuel or any of its components were extracted, refined, or otherwise processed; and (2) motor vehicle retailers to disclose this information to consumers. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring disclosure of country-of-origin information by motor vehicle fuel suppliers and retailers in accordance with such recommendations. Prohibits such regulations, however, from requiring the listing of more than one country-of-origin for a fuel blend containing fuel 70% or more of which originated in a single country. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty of up to $10,000 on any person that knowingly violates such regulations.

Date: 2010-01-26
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Royalty Relief for American Consumers Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to agree to a request by a lessee to amend any lease issued for any Central and Western Gulf of Mexico tract between January 1, 1998, and January 1, 2000, to incorporate price thresholds applicable to royalty suspension provisions that are equal to or less than specified price thresholds described in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Requires: (1) an amended lease to impose the new or revised price thresholds effective October 1, 2010; and (2) existing lease provisions to prevail through September 30, 2010. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing a new lease to certain persons or entities with any direct or indirect interest in, or who derive any benefit from, a covered lease unless they renegotiate the lease to include such price thresholds or have paid or formally agreed to pay all conservation of resources fees established under this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a conservation of resources fee for producing and nonproducing federal oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico. Applies the same lease renegotiation and conservation of resources fee payment eligibility criteria to any lessee or other interested person who seeks to obtain by sale or transfer (including through a swap, spinoff, servicing, or other agreement) any covered lease, the economic benefit of any covered lease, or any other lease for the production of oil or natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico under OCSLA.

Date: 2010-01-26
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Renewable Energy Expansion Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow taxpayers an election to receive a direct payment for investing in or producing specified energy property in lieu of existing energy tax credits; and (2) extend eligibility for such payments until January 1, 2013.

Date: 2010-02-04
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Renewable Fuel Pipeline Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to allow federally-guaranteed loans for renewable fuel pipelines in amounts equal to 80% of the project cost of the facility that is the subject of the guarantee, as estimated at the time the guarantee is issued. Defines "renewable fuel" to mean fuel that: (1) is produced from renewable biomass and that is used to replace or reduce the quantity of fossil fuel present in a transportation fuel; and (2) includes ethanol and biodiesel.

Date: 2010-02-24
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Minerals Management Service, to conduct and report to Congress on: (1) an assessment of all available domestic technological capabilities required for the location and the efficient and environmentally sound recovery of minerals, other than oil and natural gas, from the shallow and deep seabed of the United States; (2) a survey of the shallow and deep seabed of the United States to identify sites for the recovery of such minerals; and (3) an economic feasibility study on the recovery of such minerals. Defines "shallow and deep seabed of the United States" as areas of the seabed contiguous to and within 200 miles of the territorial sea of the United States and the resources of which are subject to its jurisdiction or control. Includes in that definition such areas that are contiguous to and within 200 miles of the territorial sea around any inhabited and uninhabited territory or possession of the United States, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Midway Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands, Midway Islands, Wake Island, Johnston Atoll, Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, Kingman Reef, Navassa Island, Serranilla Bank, Bajo Nuevo Bank, and Palmyra Atoll.

Date: 2010-03-09
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal provisions amending the Natural Gas Act to extend its jurisdiction to: (1) the exportation or importation of natural gas in foreign commerce and to persons engaged in it; and (2) liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals. States that the Natural Gas Act shall be applied and administered as if such provisions and attendant amendments had not been enacted.

Date: 2010-03-24
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Virginia Access to Energy Act or the VA Energy Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct offshore oil and gas Lease Sale 220 on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) by as soon as practicable, but not later than one year, after the date the Secretary receives a petition from the governor requesting that the lease sale be conducted. Provides for the disposition of revenues received from such lease sale for both federal and non-federal purposes, including payments to the state of Virginia. Establishes in the Treasury the Alternative Energy Trust Fund, consisting of a portion of such revenues, which may be used for making grants for a coal and related technologies program, solar and wind technologies, and nuclear power loan guarantees, among other things.

Date: 2010-03-25
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Research and Development Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to entitle as the Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Research and Development Program the existing program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies for ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resource exploration and production. Requires the Secretary of Energy to seek to establish partnerships with research performers in institutions of higher education and the private sector to undertake research and development not likely otherwise to be undertaken in the absence of support from the program. Directs the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to submit to the Secretary of Energy its complementary annual research plan for inclusion as a component of the President's annual budget request to Congress. Authorizes the program to make awards in the form of grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other transactions. Directs the Secretary, instead of the NETL on the Secretary's behalf, to conduct program review and oversight. Extends the program through FY2017. Revises the limitation on program administration funds to set a maximum of the greater of $4 million or (as under current law) 10% of the total funds allocated under the program. Increases from $50 million to $150 million the amount required to be deposited each fiscal year into the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Research Fund after certain allocations have been made from federal royalties, rents, and bonuses derived from federal onshore and offshore oil and gas leases issued under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

Date: 2010-04-15
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the tax deduction for domestic oil related production activities to limit the 3% reduction in such deduction to major integrated oil companies (companies which have an average daily worldwide annual production of crude oil of at least 500,000 barrels and annual gross receipts in excess of $1 billion).

Date: 2010-04-21
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Nuclear Energy Research Initiative Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct research to lower the cost of nuclear reactor systems; and (2) develop and publish on the Department of Energy (DOE) website a schedule outlining a five-year strategy to lower such cost effectively. Includes among research subjects: (1) modular and small-scale reactors; (2) balance-of-plant issues; (3) cost-efficient manufacturing and construction; (4) licensing issues; and (5) enhanced proliferation controls.

Date: 2010-04-28
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2010 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit Secretary of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in any area of the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, or Washington.

Date: 2010-05-05
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act of 2010 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to: (1) increase the liability of the party responsible for an offshore facility, except a deepwater port, from which oil is discharged into or upon navigable waters or adjoining shorelines to the total of all discharge removal costs plus $10 billion (currently, $75 million) for each incident; and (2) direct the President to promulgate regulations to allow advance payments from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to states and localities to prepare for and mitigate substantial threats from the discharge of oil. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate: (1) the $1 billion per incident limitation on expenditures from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for cleanup of oil spills: and (2) restrictions on the borrowing authority of such Trust Fund. Makes this Act effective on April 15, 2010.

Date: 2010-05-05
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Environmental protection
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to suspend until a certain date: (1) all activities relating to the development of a new or revised five-year plan for the outer Continental Shelf (OCS); (2) new OCS exploration, development, and production activities (including geological and geophysical surveys); and (3) any exploration or development activities commenced before the enactment of this Act, unless the Secretary certifies they pose no significant risk of accident. Continues the suspension of such activities until completion of: (1) the joint investigation by the Secretaries of the Interior and of Homeland Security into the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) a final report identifying methods to prevent future incidents in the OCS. Grandfathers any production activities commenced before enactment of this Act.

Date: 2010-05-05
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Military Energy Security Act or the MESA Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to carry out a collaborative energy security pilot program involving one or more partnerships between a military installation and a national laboratory, for the purpose of evaluating and validating secure, salable microgrid components and systems for deployment. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to jointly select a military installation and national laboratory for such purposes. Requires an initial and final pilot program report from the Secretary to the congressional defense and energy committees.

Date: 2010-05-06
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
No New Drilling Act of 2010 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the issuance of any lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil, gas, or any other mineral on the outer Continental Shelf.

Date: 2010-05-06
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to accelerate from FY2017 to FY2011 the allocation of certain Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease revenues from covered leases among the affected states (thus increasing each state's share).

Date: 2010-05-11
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Offshore Safety and Response Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study acoustic control systems for offshore oil rigs and to promulgate regulations that: (1) identify approved acoustic control systems for such rigs; and (2) require certain lessees using an offshore oil rig to install such systems within two years after publication of the regulations. Directs the Secretary, in lieu of such actions, to submit to Congress, and make available to the public, a report describing in detail the reasons acoustic control systems are not necessary for offshore oil rigs. Directs the President, acting through the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to revise the National Contingency Plan developed under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to include specific response procedures for various predetermined scenarios and conditions relating to oil discharges, including the location and amount of a discharge, and the length of time that has elapsed since a discharge occurred. Directs the EPA Administrator and the Secretary jointly to review and report to Congress on oil spill removal technologies, including: (1) those used in federal responses; (2) those that are available worldwide and in development; and (3) investments by the EPA and the Department of the Interior in the development of improved oil spill removal technologies and methods.

Date: 2010-05-13
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Florida Coastal Protection Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from offering for oil and gas leasing or preleasing (including any related activity) any tract located in: (1) a specified area of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico; (2) the South Atlantic Planning Area; or (3) the Straits of Florida Planning Area.

Date: 2010-05-20
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Big Oil Accountability Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2015: (1) the tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel and the excise tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel mixtures; (2) the tax credit for alcohol used as fuel, the cellulosic biofuel producer credit, and the credit amount for ethanol blenders; (3) the excise tax credit for alcohol fuel mixtures; and (4) the tax credit for the production of electricity from certain renewable resources (e.g., biomass, geothermal or solar energy facilities, and hydropower facilities). Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend until 2016 the additional tariff on ethyl alcohol blends (ethanol) used as fuel. Denies a tax deduction for income attributable to the domestic production, refining, processing, transportation, or distribution of oil (or any primary products thereof).

Date: 2010-05-27
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to exempt from the applicability of No-Load Mode energy efficiency standards an external power supply manufactured before July 1, 2017, that: (1) is an AC-to-AC external power supply; (2) has a nameplate output of 20 watts or more; (3) is certified by the Secretary of Energy (DOE) as being designed to be connected to a security or life safety alarm or surveillance system component; and (4) is permanently marked with a distinguishing mark established within the External Power Supply International Efficiency Marking Protocol for Single Voltage External AC-DC and AC-AC Power Supplies. Defines a "security or life safety alarm or surveillance system" as equipment designed and marketed to, on a continuous basis: (1) monitor, detect, record, or provide notification of intrusion or access to real property or physical assets or notification of threats to life safety; (2) deter or control access to real property or physical assets or to prevent the unauthorized removal of physical assets; or (3) monitor, detect, record, or provide notification of fire, gas, smoke, flooding, or other physical threats to real property, physical assets, or life safety. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require, with appropriate safeguard for the protection of confidential business information, the submission of unit shipment data on an annual basis; and (2) restrict the eligibility of external power supplies for the exemption provided on a finding that a substantial number of external power supplies are being marketed to or installed in applications other than security or life safety alarm or surveillance systems.

Date: 2010-05-28
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Authorizes the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records, correspondence, memoranda, and other documents. Requires the Commission, before issuing such a subpoena, to notify the Attorney General (or a designee) of the Commission's intent to issue a subpoena, the identity of the witness, and the nature of the testimony sought. Prohibits the Commission from issuing a subpoena if the Attorney General objects on the basis that the taking of the testimony is likely to interfere with any: (1) federal or state criminal investigation or prosecution; or (2) pending investigation under the Civil False Claims Act or other federal statute providing for civil remedies, or any civil litigation to which the United States or any of its agencies is or is likely to be a party. Requires the Commission, in the case of contumacy of any person issued a subpoena or refusal by such person to comply with the subpoena, to request the Attorney General to seek enforcement of the subpoena in any U.S. district court for a district in which a person issued a subpoena under this Act resides, is served, or may be found, or where the subpoena is returnable. Deems failure to obey an order requiring the subpoenaed person to appear at any designated place to testify or produce documentary or other evidence to be contempt of court.

Date: 2010-06-08
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Oil Pollution Environmental Review Act or OPERA - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require the head of any federal agency to treat the issuance of any exploration plans, development production plans, development operation coordination documents, and lease sales required under federal law for offshore drilling activity on the outer Continental Shelf as a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and requiring detailed environmental analysis of proposed actions and reasonably foreseeable subsequent actions. Defines "offshore drilling activity" as drilling for oil or gas under a lease, or conducting a major geophysical seismic survey, under such Act, including for exploration, development, or production of oil or gas. Repeals a provision requiring the Secretary of the Interior to approve a plan for geological and geophysical exploration in the outer Continental Shelf within 30 days of its submission.

Date: 2010-06-10
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Spilled Oil Royalty Collection Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to declare that any royalty under an oil and gas lease on submerged lands of the outer Continental Shelf, except a deepwater lease, shall apply to all oil that is saved, removed, sold, or discharged, without regard to whether any of the oil is unavoidably lost or used on, or for the benefit of, the lease. Declares that: (1) royalty shall apply to all oil discharged under a deepwater lease, at a rate of not less than 12.5% fixed by the Secretary of the Interior in amount or value of any oil that is discharged; and (2) such royalty shall apply without regard to whether any of the oil is thereafter unavoidably lost. Declares April 15, 2010, the effective date of this Act (five days before the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico).

Date: 2010-06-10
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy
Energy Efficient Heat Pump Tax Parity Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow, for periods ending before January 1, 2017, an energy tax credit for investment in equipment that uses natural gas to heat and cool a structure; and (2) allow a residential energy efficient property tax credit for 30% of the qualified natural gas heat pump property expenditures for a taxpayer's residence. Defines "qualified natural gas heat pump property" as equipment that uses natural gas as an energy source to heat and cool a dwelling unit and that has a specified heating and cooling performance measure.

Date: 2010-06-10
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Taxation
Gulf Coast Jobs Preservation Act - Terminates the moratorium on deepwater drilling set forth in the Minerals Management Service Notice to Lessees No. 2010-N04, dated May 30, 2010, and declares without force or effect any suspension of deepwater drilling operations issued in connection with such moratorium. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) act expeditiously to ensure that deepwater drilling operations are conducted in compliance with federal law; and (2) identify additional measures to ensure the safety of deepwater drilling, based on the most accurate information available about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill incident.

Date: 2010-06-14
Topic: Energy (Natural Gas & Oil)
Subject: Energy