zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Fuel Cell Tax Extenders Act of 2015 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2021:

 the residential energy efficient property tax credit for qualified fuel cell property, the energy tax credit for qualified fuel cell property, the alternative motor vehicle tax credit for qualified fuel cell motor vehicles, the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property relating to hydrogen, and the excise tax credit for the sale or use of alternative fuels involving hydrogen.

Date: 2015-09-18
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Prioritizing Energy-Efficient Renewables Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for producing electricity from wind, geothermal and solar energy, hydropower, and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy facilities; (2) repeal the tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs for oil and gas wells; (3) repeal the tax deduction for income attributable to the production, refining, transportation, or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any primary product thereof; and (4) repeal the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells.

Date: 2015-10-09
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill requires the Department of Energy to study and report on solar net energy metering, which allows electric consumers to offset their electricity bills for any excess electricity they do not use if that excess was: (1) generated from an eligible, on-site solar generating facility, and (2) delivered to local distribution facilities. The study must analyze the benefits of implementing solar net energy metering.

Date: 2015-10-28
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018 the tax credit for qualified fuel cell property.

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018 the energy tax credit for investment in qualified microturbine property.

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2108 the energy tax credit for investment in qualified small wind energy property (i.e., property which uses a wind turbine with a nameplate capacity of not more than 100 kilowatts to generate electricity).

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018 the energy tax credit for investment in solar energy property.

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018 the energy tax credit for investment in thermal energy property.

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2017 the tax credit for qualified fuel cell property.

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2017 the energy tax credit for investment in qualified microturbine property.

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2107 the energy tax credit for investment in qualified small wind energy property (i.e., property which uses a wind turbine with a nameplate capacity of not more than 100 kilowatts to generate electricity).

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2017 the energy tax credit for investment in solar energy property.

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2017 the energy tax credit for investment in thermal energy property.

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Promoting Offshore Wind Power Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 30% tax credit for investment in a qualifying offshore wind facility (an offshore facility using wind to produce electricity), and (2) direct the Department of the Treasury to establish a qualifying credit for offshore wind facilities program to consider and award certifications for investments eligible for such a credit to qualifying offshore wind facility sponsors.

The bill requires Treasury to review credits allocated under this Act periodically and authorizes Treasury to make additional allocations and reallocations of such credits upon determining that: (1) the limit on the total amount of megawatt capacity for offshore facilities with respect to which credits may be allocated under the program has not been attained, or (2) scheduled placed-in-service dates of previously certified facilities have been significantly delayed and the applicant for certification will not meet the required timeline.

Date: 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Vehicle Innovation Act of 2015

This bill authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application of vehicles and related technologies for FY2016-FY2020.

The bill requires DOE to:

 conduct a program of research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application activities (R&D activities) on materials, technologies, and processes with the potential to substantially reduce or eliminate petroleum use and the emissions of the nation's passenger and commercial vehicles; ensure that it continues to support R&D activities and maintains competency in mid- to long-term transformational vehicle technologies with potential to achieve deep reductions in petroleum use and emissions; conduct research, development, engineering, demonstration, and deployment activities on connectivity of vehicle roadway, vulnerable road users, traffic control systems, and transportation data systems, including technologies that allow for improved safety, reduced energy and fuel use, optimized traffic flow, and vehicle electrification; carry out a program of R&D activities on advanced vehicle manufacturing technologies and practices; carry out a program of cooperative research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities on advanced technologies for medium- to heavy-duty commercial, vocational, recreational, and transit vehicles; conduct a competitive grant program to demonstrate the integration of multiple advanced technologies on Class 8 (heavy duty) truck and trailer platforms; develop standard testing procedures and technologies for evaluating the performance of advanced heavy vehicle technologies under a range of representative duty cycles and operating conditions and evaluate heavy vehicle performance using work performance-based metrics other than those based on miles per gallon and appropriate metrics based on the work performed by nonroad systems; and undertake a pilot program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications of technologies to improve total machine or system efficiency for nonroad mobile equipment and to seek opportunities to transfer relevant research findings and technologies between the nonroad and on-highway equipment and vehicle sectors. DOE may construct heavy duty truck and bus testing facilities.

Date: 2015-11-19
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue, and promote the purchase of, Clean Energy Victory Bonds to pay for the energy-related tax benefits established or extended by this Act.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to:

 extend through 2023 the tax credit for investment in solar energy property, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cell property, microturbine property, combined heat and power system property, and small wind energy property; allow an energy tax credit for investment in offshore wind facilities placed in service before January 1, 2022; extend through 2024 the tax credit for residential energy efficiency improvements; extend through 2023 the placed-in-service requirement for wind facilities and other renewable energy facilities for purposes of the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources; extend through 2023 the tax credit for nonbusiness residential energy property; allow a new tax credit, through 2024, for home energy efficiency improvements that increase energy efficiency by at least 20%; extend through 2023 the tax credit for new energy efficient homes; and increase, and extend through 2023, the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. The bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a voluntary voucher program, through 2018, for the purchase of plug-in electric vehicles.

Date: 2015-12-02
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel used as fuel to: (1) allow a $1.00 tax credit for each gallon of biodiesel produced, (2) provide for an increased income tax credit for small biodiesel producers, (3) revise the definitions of "biodiesel" and "eligible small biodiesel producer," (4) treat renewable diesel in the same manner as biodiesel for income tax purposes, and (5) extend the biodiesel income and excise tax credits through December 31, 2018.

Date: 2015-12-03
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a research and development program to: (1) improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wind energy generation; (2) optimize the design and adaptability of wind energy systems to the broadest practical range of atmospheric conditions; and (3) reduce the cost of permitting, construction, operation, and maintenance of wind energy systems.

DOE must also conduct a wind energy technology validation and market transformation program for demonstrating and validating new wind energy technologies with the potential to be cost-competitive for land-based, offshore, and distributed applications.

DOE must conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities to reduce barriers to the widespread adoption of wind power. The program must support developing new wildlife impact mitigation technologies to reduce the potential impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife species.

DOE must maintain a wind energy incubator program to support innovative technologies that are not represented in a significant way in DOE's current portfolio of wind energy research activities or in current technology roadmaps.

Date: 2016-02-01
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Renewable Fuel Utilization, Expansion, and Leadership Act or the REFUEL Act

This bill amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Department of Agriculture (USDA)to establish a competitive grant program for renewable and alternative energy fueling infrastructure projects.

Projects may be new or for the retrofit of existing renewable and alternative energy infrastructure and must be capable of dispensing fuel or energy not widely available.

 USDA must prioritize awarding grants for projects locatedin rural areas.

Entities that receive funding from USDA must contribute at least30% of any allotted amount towards the project and are eligible to receive a maximum of $100,000.

Date: 2016-03-02
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Stop Animal Fat Tax Credits Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make fuels derived from animal fats ineligible for the tax credits for: (1) biodiesel and renewable diesel, and (2) alternative fuels.

Date: 2016-04-20
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Solar Expansion of Distributed Generation Exponentially Act or the Solar EDGE Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase for two years tax credits that apply to solar property with a nameplate capacity of less than 20 kilowatts. The increases apply to the investment tax credit and the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures.

Date: 2016-04-21
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Food and Fuel Consumer Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Clean Air Act by revising the renewable fuel program, which requires transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must cap the total volume of ethanol blended into the transportation fuel supply at 9.7% of projected gasoline demand as determined by the Energy Information Administration.

Date: 2016-05-10
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Environmental protection
Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify and extend: (1) the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel, and (2) the excise tax credit for biodiesel fuel mixtures.

The bill: (1) makes the credits available to domestic producers of the fuels rather than the policy under current law of providing a mixture credit to the blender of the fuel, (2) increases the income tax credit for certain small biodiesel producers, and (3) extends the credits through 2019.

Date: 2016-05-13
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Consortia-Led Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Networks Act

This bill requires the Department of Commerce to carry out a grant program for establishing consortia to enhance U.S. economic, environmental, and energy security by promoting domestic research, development, manufacture, and deployment of clean technologies and advanced manufacturing processes. Clean technology means technologies, production processes, or methodologies that:

 produce energy from renewable energy sources; transmit, distribute, or store energy more efficiently; enhance energy efficiency for buildings and industry; enable the development of a Smart Grid (an evolving electric power network that utilizes new information technology systems, including those that enable customers to reduce or shift their power use during peak demand periods); produce an advanced or sustainable material with energy or energy efficiency applications; improve energy efficiency for transportation; or enhance water security through improved water management, conservation, distribution, or end use applications.

Date: 2016-05-19
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Energy Tax Fairness Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax credit for investment in energy property to include qualified high-efficiency linear generator property.

A stationary linear generator power plant is an integrated system consisting of translators, cylinders, electricity generating equipment, and associated balance of plant components which converts a fuel or waste heat into electricity for stationary applications. Qualified high-efficiency linear generator property is a stationary linear generator power plant which has: (1) a nameplate capacity of less than 2,000 kilowatts, and (2) an electricity-only generation efficiency of greater than 30%.

For high-efficiency linear generator property that is placed in service during the taxable year, the credit for the year may not exceed $1,500 for each 0.5 kilowatt of capacity of the property.

Date: 2016-05-19
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit certain regulated companies to elect out of the limitation on the tax credit for investments in energy property with respect to public utility property that uses solar energy and is placed in service after December 31, 2015.

Date: 2016-06-09
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow energy tax credits through 2020 for investments in: (1) qualified biogas property, or (2) qualified manure resource recovery property. The bill also permits new clean renewable energy bonds to be used for such properties.

"Qualified biogas property" comprises a system that: (1) uses anaerobic digesters or other specified processes to convert biomass into a gas which is at least 52% methane; and (2) captures the gas for use as a fuel. The term includes property that cleans and conditions the gas for use as a fuel.

"Qualified manure resource recovery property" comprises a system that uses specified processes to recover the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus from a non-treated digestate or animal manure by reducing or separating at least 50% of the nutrients, excluding any reductions during the incineration, storage, composting, or field application of the non-treated digestate or animal manure. The term also includes certain processing equipment.

The Department of the Treasury must enter into an agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for a study of biogas and report to Congress on the study.

Date: 2016-06-15
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Solar Fuels Innovation Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by requiring the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out the Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative to expand scientific knowledge about converting solar energy into chemical energy. Specifically, DOE must support research about: (1) replicating natural photosynthetic processes in artificial photosynthesis processes, and (2) generating a variety of fuels produced from sunlight through artificial photosynthesis. (A photosynthetic process is one used by plants to convert light from the sun into chemical energy. Artificial, human-made photosynthesis mimics the natural process.)

Appropriations authorized under the bill may not be obligated or expended for commercial application of energy technology.

The bill repeals a requirement for DOE to support a research and development program in catalysis science (the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst).

Date: 2016-07-06
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Incentive Extension Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018: (1) the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel, (2) the excise tax credit for biodiesel mixtures, and (3) the payments that are equivalent to the biodiesel mixture excise tax credit.

Date: 2016-09-12
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development Act or the Offshore WIND Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax credit for investment in energy property to include a qualified offshore wind property until January 1, 2026. Under the bill, a qualified offshore wind property is an offshore facility that uses wind to produce electricity, excluding certain small wind energy property which uses a small wind turbine to generate electricity.

Date: 2016-09-15
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Natural Gas Truck Tax Parity Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax rate on the retail sale of heavy trucks and trailers by 35% for any automobile truck chassis, automobile truck body, or tractor that is fueled wholly or partially by an alternative fuel.

The term "alternative fuel" means compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, and any liquid whose volume is at least 85% methanol.

Date: 2016-09-21
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2021: (1) the excise tax credit for alternative fuel, (2) the excise tax credit for alternative fuel mixtures, and (3) the payments that are equivalent to the alternative fuel excise tax credit.

The bill also allows the alternative fuel excise tax credit to be used for fuel sold by the taxpayer for use as fuel in qualified landscaping equipment. Qualifying landscaping equipment is: (1) used in landscaping or similar activities, (2) powered by an engine capable of running only on alternative fuel, and (3) is not designed primarily for carrying or towing persons or loads from one place to another.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018:

 the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel, the excise tax credit for biodiesel mixtures, the payments that are equivalent to the biodiesel mixture excise tax credit, the excise tax credit for alternative fuels, the excise tax credit for alternative fuel mixtures, and the payments that are equivalent to the alternative fuels excise tax credit.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the income tax credit for new qualified fuel cell motor vehicles.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the income tax credit for new qualified fuel cell motor vehicles.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the income tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the income tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the tax credit for qualified microturbine property.

Date: 2016-11-18
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the tax credit for qualified microturbine property.

Date: 2016-11-18
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the tax credit for qualified fuel cell property.

Date: 2016-11-18
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the tax credit for qualified fuel cell property.

Date: 2016-11-18
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Protection of Military Airfields from Wind Turbine Encroachment Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make new wind facilities located near certain military installations ineligible for the tax credits for: (1) electricity produced from renewable resources, and (2) investments in qualified small wind energy property.

The bill applies to facilities that are originally placed in service after the date of enactment of this bill and are located within a 40-mile radius of: (1) an airfield or airbase that is under the jurisdiction of a military department and in active use; or (2) an air traffic control radar site, weather radar site, or aircraft navigation aid that is owned or operated by the Department of Defense and is a permanent land-based structure at a fixed location.

Date: 2016-11-29
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Geothermal Exploration Opportunities Act of 2015 

This bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to categorically exclude from the requirements for an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) a geothermal exploration test project on National Forest System land or land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) if the project is either:

 a geophysical exploration activity that does not require drilling; test drilling causing soil or vegetation disruption of fewer than 10 acres, including access, that is completed in fewer than 90 days and meets other requirements, such as for restoration of the site; test drilling causing an individual surface disturbance of fewer than 5 acres with a total surface disturbance of fewer than 150 acres when a site specific analysis has been prepared; test drilling on a site at which drilling has occurred within 5 years; or test drilling on the site of a developed field that has been approved for drilling in the last 10 years pursuant to an approved land use plan or any NEPA environmental documents. A leaseholder of a geothermal lease on federal land intending to carry out a geothermal exploration test project must provide notice to the Department of the Interior, with respect to BLM land, or to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to National Forest System land . BLM and USDA must: review those projects, notify the leaseholder of project deficiencies that preclude the NEPA exemption, and allow leaseholders an opportunity to remedy those deficiencies prior to the date that the leaseholder intended to start drilling.

Date: 2015-02-25
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by eliminating the annual renewable fuel standard that requires 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into transportation fuel by 2022.

The bill would not affect the separate requirements for the following renewable fuels that are not corn starch ethanol: advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, or biomass-based diesel.

Date: 2015-02-26
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Environmental protection
Geothermal Production Expansion Act of 2015

This bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the Department of the Interior to award noncompetitive leases on up to 640 acres of federal land for geothermal development if: (1) the land is available for leasing and not already leased or nominated to be leased, (2) the lessee has a legal right to develop geothermal resources on land adjacent to the federal land that will be leased, (3) sufficient data was submitted to Interior to show there is a valid discovery of geothermal resources on the adjacent land and that the thermal feature extends into the adjoining federal land, and (4) the lessee has not previously received a noncompetitive lease for the discovery.

Interior must lease the land at fair market value, publish a notice of any lease requests, and provide review of the final determination of fair market value.

 Lessees must make annual rental payments equal to those required for lands that are leased competitively.

Date: 2015-03-19
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2015

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise provisions concerning alternative fuel.

Currently, a change to the original configuration of a certified vehicle or engine, including alternative fuel conversion, may be a potential violation of the Act's prohibition against tampering with devices used to control emissions from vehicles. The bill prohibits the aftermarket conversion of a vehicle to alternative fuel operation from: (1) being considered tampering under the Act if the conversion technology is matched to an appropriate vehicle and does not degrade emission performance, or (2) requiring the issuance by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of any certificate of conformity. The bill also establishes labelling requirements for an aftermarket conversion.

The EPA may not prohibit or control biomass fuel under the Act. Biomass fuel is produced by conversion of certain organic matter which is available on a renewable basis.

If a fuel choice enabling manufacturer (certain manufacturers of vehicles that operate with alternative fuels) is in compliance with applicable fuel economy standards, the vehicles it makes are deemed to be in compliance with greenhouse gas regulations established by the EPA under the Act. The requirements governing the calculation of average fuel economy are revised, including by giving an average fuel economy bonus for those manufacturers.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to adjust the excise tax on liquefied natural gas to 24.3 cents per energy equivalent of a gallon of diesel.

The Clean Air Act places Reid vapor pressure limitations, or gasoline volatility limits, on gasoline during the summer ozone season. Gasoline blended with 10% ethanol may exceed this limitation by a certain amount under the Act. The bill extends this waiver to gasoline blended with more than 10% ethanol.

Date: 2015-03-26
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Environmental protection
Energy Productivity Innovation Challenge Act of 2015 or the EPIC Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a voluntary electric and thermal energy productivity challenge grant program for providing support to states for:

 advancing industrial energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, combined heat and power, and waste heat-to-power utilization; advancing energy efficiency construction and retrofits for commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and residential buildings; expanding residential policies and programs designed to implement best practice policies and tools for residential retrofit programs that reduce administrative and delivery costs for energy efficiency projects, encourage streamlining and automation to support contractor engagement, and implement systems that encourage private investment and market innovation; establishing or expanding incentives in the electric utility sector to enhance demand response and energy efficiency; and promoting state activities involving both facilities and vehicle fleets than can be a model for other action to promote energy efficiency. DOE must: (1) provide subsequent grants for activities to assist energy policy innovation in the states and to promote the goal of doubling electric and thermal energy productivity by January 1, 2030, and (2) invite Indian tribes to participate in the productivity challenge grant program.

As an offset to the cost of this bill, the bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reduce the authorized amount of appropriations for FY2016-FY2017 for the Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative.

Date: 2015-03-26
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an energy tax credit for investment in waste heat to power property. The property cannot have a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts.

The bill defines "waste heat to power property" as property: (1) comprising a system which generates electricity through the recovery of a qualified waste heat resource; and (2) that is placed in service before January 1, 2017. "Qualified waste heat resource" is defined as: (1) exhaust heat or flared gas from an industrial process that does not have as its primary purpose the production of electricity, and (2) a pressure drop in any gas for an industrial or commercial process.

The bill provides for a formula to limit the basis of any waste heat to power property for purposes of calculating the credit.

The amendments made by this section apply to taxable years ending after the enactment date of this Act.

(Sec. 2) The bill also increases from 30% to 35% the rate of the continuous levy on payments made after 180 days after the enactment date of this Act to Medicare providers and suppliers for unpaid taxes.

Date: 2015-04-14
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Taxation
Phantom Fuel Reform Act

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel standard program. Beginning on January 1, 2015, the renewable fuel that is required to be blended into gasoline must be advanced biofuel, which cannot be ethanol derived from corn starch.

This bill revises the renewable fuel standards by decreasing the total volume of renewable fuel that must be contained in gasoline sold or introduced into commerce for years 2015 through 2022.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must determine the target amount of cellulosic biofuel to be blended into transportation fuel based on the actual volume of cellulosic biofuel produced in the current year.

The EPA must reduce the required volume of renewable fuel in transportation fuel by the same volume of cellulosic biofuel in the fuel.

Cellulosic biofuel does not include any compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or electricity used to power electric vehicles that is produced from biogas from a landfill, a municipal wastewater treatment facility digester, an agricultural digester, or a separated municipal solid waste digester.

Date: 2015-04-14
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
North American Alternative Fuels Act

This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal a requirement that the greenhouse gas emissions from any alternative or synthetic fuel procured by a federal agency for mobility-related uses be less than or equal to greenhouse gas emissions from an equivalent conventional fuel from conventional petroleum sources.

Date: 2015-04-21
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
This bill amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize federal agencies to participate in programs conducted by utilities that support the use of alternative fueled vehicles or the fueling or charging infrastructure necessary for those vehicles.

Agencies may also enter into energy savings performance contracts for designing, acquiring, installing, testing, operating, maintaining, and repairing a measure to support the use of those vehicles or their infrastructure.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Geothermal Energy Opportunities Act or the GEO Act

This bill requires the Bureau of Land Management to identify high priority areas for new geothermal development and facilitate that development.

The bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the holder of an oil and gas lease of federal land to also apply for a noncompetitive lease for the production of geothermal energy if: (1) the holder of the oil and gas lease also has an approved drilling permit, (2) geothermal energy will be produced from a well producing or capable of producing oil and gas, (3) the geothermal lease will improve national energy security, and (4) oil and gas production is currently occurring under the existing lease.

To promote the goals of new geothermal energy capacity, the Department of Energy (DOE) may conduct a federally funded program of cost-shared drilling with industry partners to: (1) explore and document new geothermal resources; and (2) develop improved tools and methods for geothermal resource identification and extraction. Certain revenues from geothermal leases must be deposited into a separate account in the Treasury to carry out that program.

The bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the Department of the Interior to award noncompetitive leases on up to 640 acres of federal land for geothermal development under certain circumstances. Lessees must make annual rental payments equal to those required for lands that are leased competitively.

The bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require DOE to establish a program of research, development, and demonstration for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2015

This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to revise and reauthorize through FY2019 the program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to accelerate the introduction of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy production. The program must give priority to fostering accelerated research, development, and commercialization of technology.

The meaning of "marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy" is expanded to include all forms of energy, not just electricity, from: (1) waves, tides, and currents in oceans, estuaries, and tidal areas; (2) free flowing water in rivers, lakes, and streams; (3) free flowing water in man-made channels; and (4) differentials in ocean temperature (ocean thermal energy conversion).

National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers must support in-water testing and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, including facilities capable of testing: (1) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems of various technology readiness levels and scales, (2) a variety of technologies in multiple test berths at a single location, and (3) arrays of technology devices.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Geothermal Exploration and Technology Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a direct loan program for high risk geothermal exploration wells, and gives preference to loans to carry out projects that are likely to lead to successful new geothermal development leading to electricity production. Data from exploratory wells must be provided to DOE and the Department of the Interior for use in mapping national geothermal resources and other uses. DOE must determine the number of wells for each selected geothermal project for which a loan may be made.

The Geothermal Investment Fund is established to carry out the program. Amounts repaid on loans must be deposited in the Fund.

The bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require DOE to establish a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy. In carrying out the program, DOE must identify and mitigate potential environmental impacts. DOE must make grants to promote the development of geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy, giving priority to proposals that apply to large buildings, commercial districts, and residential communities.

The bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the holder of an oil and gas lease of public land to also lease the land for the production of geothermal energy if: (1) the holder of the oil and gas lease has an approved drilling permit, (2) the geothermal energy will be produced from a well producing or capable of producing oil and gas, (3) the geothermal lease would serve the public interest, and (4) oil and gas production is currently occurring under the existing lease.

Date: 2015-04-30
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
This bill allows federal agencies to: (1) construct, operate, and maintain alternative fuel infrastructure on their property; and (2) provide alternative fuel on a reimbursable basis on their property for use by privately-owned vehicles used by federal employees, members of a uniformed service, contractors, or a visitor to a federal agency or facility (covered individuals).

Agencies: (1) cannot provide compensation, benefits, or any other payment to covered individuals for purchasing alternative fuel; and (2) must charge fees for alternative fuel provided that are sufficient to cover the costs of only the alternative fuel.

After collected fees or commissions are put into the appropriate account in the Treasury, they will be available to the agency that collected them during the fiscal year the fees or commissions were collected and the following fiscal year.

Date: 2015-05-05
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Methane Hydrate Research and Development Amendments Act of 2015

This bill amends the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 2000 to revise and reauthorize the Department of Energy's (DOE) program of methane hydrate research and development.

In carrying out the program, DOE may award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, institutions that: (1) drill a test well and perform a long-term hydrate production test on land in the U.S. Arctic region within 4 years, (2) drill a test well and perform a long-term hydrate production test in a marine environment within 10 years, or (3) drill a full-scale production test well at a location to be determined by DOE.

 DOE must conduct a long-term environmental monitoring program to study the effects of production from methane hydrate reservoirs.

Date: 2015-05-06
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
This bill requires the Department of Energy to develop an implementation strategy to promote the development of hybrid micro-grid systems for isolated communities, particularly communities exposed to extreme weather conditions and high costs of energy, including electricity, space heating and cooling, and transportation.

A hybrid micro-grid system is a stand-alone electrical system composed of conventional generation and at least one alternative energy resource.

Mandatory considerations in developing the strategy include:

 the potential for renewable resources, including wind, solar, and hydropower, to be integrated into a hybrid micro-grid system; the capacity of the local workforce to operate, maintain, and repair a hybrid micro-grid system; and the need for basic infrastructure to develop, deploy, and sustain a hybrid micro-grid system.

Date: 2015-05-06
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Advancing Grid Storage Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish certain energy storage programs.

The bill establishes a program for the research of energy storage systems within DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.

DOE must establish a loan program to provide loans to states and other government entities, educational institutions, and electric utilities for: (1) the demonstration and deployment of energy storage systems in a specific project, and (2) programs to finance the demonstration and deployment of multiple energy storage systems through a financial assistance program. Loans may only be used to fund programs relating to the demonstration and deployment of energy storage systems in households, businesses, and communities.

DOE must establish a technical assistance and grant program to: (1) disseminate information and provide technical assistance directly to nonprofit or for-profit entities so those entities can identify, evaluate, plan, and design energy storage systems; and (2) make grants to such entities so that they may contract to obtain technical assistance to identify, evaluate, plan, and design energy storage systems.

Date: 2015-05-07
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy
Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2015

 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to: (1) establish a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to ensure that U.S. clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to be competitive and to create clean energy technology sector jobs; and (2) administer the Fund to promote policies that will reduce production costs and encourage innovation, investment, and productivity in the clean energy technology sector, and implement a national clean energy technology export strategy. The Fund must be administered through the International Trade Administration.

Clean energy technology includes technology related to the production, use, transmission, storage, control, or conservation of energy that will contribute to a stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations through reduction, avoidance, or sequestration of energy-related emissions and that will: (1) reduce the need for additional energy supplies by using existing supplies with greater efficiency or by transmitting, distributing, or transporting energy with greater effectiveness through U.S. infrastructure; or (2) diversify the sources of the energy supply to strengthen energy security and to increase supplies with a favorable balance of environmental effects if the entire technology system is considered.

Commerce must provide information, tools, and other assistance to U.S. businesses to promote clean energy technology manufacturing and facilitate the export of clean energy technology products and services. This assistance must be consistent with the National Export Initiative.

Date: 2015-05-07
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Renewable Electricity Standard Act 

 Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require a retail electric supplier to submit to the Department of Energy (DOE) for 2015 and thereafter one or more of the following: (1) specified federal renewable energy credits, (2) certification of the renewable energy generated and electricity savings, and (3) specified alternative compliance payments. Prescribes, for 2015 through 2039, a schedule of graduated annual percentages of a retail electric supplier's base amount that shall be generated from renewable energy resources (increasing from 7.5% in 2015 to 30% in 2030).

Directs DOE to establish a program to: (1) verify and issue federal renewable energy credits to generators of renewable energy; (2) track the sale, exchange, and retirement of the credits; and (3) enforce the federal renewable energy credits program.

Directs DOE to issue a generator of electric energy one federal renewable energy credit for each kilowatt hour of electric energy generated by the use of a renewable energy resource at an eligible facility.

Prescribes rules for federal renewable energy credit trading and for borrowing and repayment of federal renewable energy credits.

Provides that this Act does not diminish the authority of a state or its political subdivision to: (1) adopt or enforce any law (including regulations) respecting renewable energy, or (2) regulate the acquisition and disposition of federal renewable energy credits by retail electric suppliers.

Permits an electric utility that has sales of electric energy subject to rate regulation to recover the full cost of renewable energy obtained to comply with this Act.

Establishes in the Treasury a state renewable energy account for a grant program for promoting renewable energy production and providing energy assistance and weatherization services to low-income consumers.

Date: 2015-05-11
Topic: Energy (Alternative & Renewable)
Subject: Energy