1. Dec. 2015 Sep. 2015 Nov. 2015 Energy and Environment Timeline of Key Recent Federal Actions on Energy Potential Actions in 114 th Congress Senate will continue their debate and discussion on the comprehensive energy bill S. 2012. Both Republicans and Democrats are considering attaching amendments. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and other mid-western Senators are expected to introduce amendments making it more difficult for the Secretary of the Interior to conduct environmental reviews of federal coal leases. There is the possibility that Congress passes a comprehensive energy bill this year. The House has already passed its own version as the Senate debate continues. In order for this to happen, the Senate would need to pass their bill and reconcile it with the House. For it to become law, Obama would need to sign the bill, a move that might be difficult if certain amendments are included curtailing his executive actions on climate change. Environmental Protection Agency Introduced Clean Power Plan: The EPA’s Clean Power Plan is a comprehensive set of rules regulating CO 2 emissions. The Clean Power Plan sets targets for carbon emission reductions to be met by 2030. States are required to submit plans to EPA outlining how they will reduce their carbon emissions. Senate Energy and Commerce Committee approved S.2012 “Energy and Policy Modernization Act of 2015”: Chairman Lisa Murkowski pushed bipartisan comprehensive energy bill through her committee. The bill aims to expedite liquefied natural gas exports, strengthen the electrical grid, authorize more hydropower project and other measures. Obama blocked Keystone XL Pipeline: Obama announced he would be rejecting construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline on the U.S. side of the border. House Passed Comprehensive Energy Bill, H.R. 8 : H.R. 8 seeks to bolster energy infrastructure, improve energy efficiency in buildings and products, along with other measures. H.R. 8 is the companion bill to the Senate’s S. 2012 energy bill. Obama signed law lifting 40 year crude oil export ban: For the first time since the 1970s oil crisis, US crude oil producers would be able to export their product. However, since the market is glutted with oil, the immediate impact on US oil exports will be limited. Obama Issued Executive Order Placing a Moratorium on New Federal Coal Leases: The moratorium lasts for three years while the Department of Interior conducts an assessment of the environmental impact of coal leases on federal land. Senate Began Debate of Comprehensive Energy Bill, S. 2012: The Senate has taken up S. 2012 and has begun introducing amendments to the bill including Michigan Senators Gary Peters (D) and Debbie Stabenow’s (D) Flint, Michigan $400 million water fund. Aug. 2015 February 1, 2016 | Ben Booker Sources: Valerie Volcovio, “Senate Starts Debate on Broad Energy Bill,” Reuters, January 27, 2016; Katherine Conlon, “Clean Power Plan Primer”, National Journal, August 5, 2015; Devin Hurry, “House Passes Energy Policy Bill Overhaul,” The Hill, December 3, 2015; Timothy Cama, “Obama Halts New Federal Coal Mining”, The Hill, January 15, 2016; US Spending Bill Lifts 40-year Ban On Crude Oil Exports Ban,” BBC News, December 18, 2015; GovTrack.us, January 28, 2016; Coral Davenport, “Citing Climate Change, Obama Rejects Construction of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline,” The NY Times, November 6, 2015 LEGISLATIVE FORECAST FOR THE 114 TH CONGRESSPRESENTATION CENTER Dec 2015 Jan. 2016