California Center for Sustainable Energy

AIR QUALITY  |  ALTERNATIVE FUELS  |  BORDER ISSUES  |  CLIMATE CHANGE  |  ENERGY EFFICIENCY  |  ENVIRONMENT  |  LOW-INCOME ENERGY  |  NUCLEAR  |  RENEWABLE ENERGY  |  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  |  SECURITY  |  TAX/PRICE  |  TRANSPORTATION  

Air Quality

H.R. 1087 (Johnson – TX), the Mercury Emissions Reduction Act, was introduced February 15, 2007.  H.R. 1087 will amend the Clean Air Act to require that mercury emissions from electric utility steam generating units be subject to the MACT standard for hazardous air pollutants, and for other purposes.

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Alternative Fuels

H.R. 6 (Rahall – WV), the Clean Energy Act of 2007, was introduced January 12, 2007.  H.R. 6 will end subsidies for oil companies and reinvest that money into clean and renewable, and alternative energy resources, promoting new emerging energy technologies, developing greater efficiency, and creating a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve to invest in alternative energy.

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Border Issues

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Climate Change

H.R. 86 (Biggert – IL), the Oil and Gas to Alternatives Swap (OGAS) Act of 2007, was introduced on January 4, 2007.  The Oil and Gas-to-Alternatives Swap (OGAS) Act of 2007 amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the tax credit for facilities producing coke or coke gas-related fuel; (2) the classification of the tax credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source as a business-related credit; (3) accelerated amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures; and (4) the limitation on the number of new qualified hybrid and advanced lean-burn technology vehicles eligible for the tax credit for alternative motor vehicles.  H.R. 86 extends through 2012 the alternative motor vehicles tax credit for: (1) advanced lean burn technology motor vehicles; (2) qualified hybrid motor vehicles; and (3) qualified alternative fuel vehicles.  It also increases from 30 to 60% the rate of the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property and extends such credit through 2012.

H.R. 370 (Davis – KY), the Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Promotion Act of 2007, was introduced on January 10, 2007.  H.R. 370 is a three-part, comprehensive bill that will promote construction of coal-to-liquids plants.  The bill offers tax incentives for investment and production and would strengthen our domestic energy security by providing for the use of coal-to-liquids fuels in the military and as a component of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

H.R. 517 (Davis, Jo Ann – VA), the Independence from Oil with Agriculture Act of 2007, was introduced on January 17, 2007.  H.R. 517 will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent certain tax incentives for alternative energy, to amend the Clean Air Act to accelerate the use of renewable fuels.

H.R. 547 (Gordon – TN), the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act, was introduced on January 18, 2007.  H.R. 547 will facilitate the development of markets for alternative fuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel through research, development, and demonstration and data collection.

H.R. 570 (Rogers – MI), was introduced on January 18, 2007. A bill to provide grants from moneys collected from violations of the corporate average fuel economy program to be used to expand infrastructure necessary to increase the availability of alternative fuels.

H.R. 670 (Engel – NY), was introduced January 24, 2007.  H.R. 670 will promote the national security and stability of the United States economy by reducing the dependence of the United States on foreign oil through the use of alternative fuels and new vehicle technologies.

H.R. 682 (Kaptur – OH), was introduced January 24, 2007. H.R. 682 will expand the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to include alternative fuels.

H.R. 683 (Lewis – KY), was introduced January 24, 2007.  H.R. 683 will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to promote investment in energy independence through coal to liquid technology, biomass, and oil shale.

H.R. 1300 (Hoyer – MD), the Progress Act, was introduced March 1, 2007.  H.R. 1300 will strengthen national security and promote energy independence by reducing the Nation's reliance on foreign oil, improving vehicle technology and efficiency, increasing the distribution of alternative fuels, bolstering rail infrastructure, and expanding access to public transit.

H.R. 1590 (Woosley – CA), was introduced March 20, 2007.  H.R. 1590 will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the climate.

S. 331 (Thune – SD), was introduced January 18, 2007. A bill to provide grants from moneys collected from violations of the corporate average fuel economy program to be used to expand infrastructure necessary to increase the availability of alternative fuels.

S. 339 (Bayh – IN), was introduced January 18, 2007. A bill to promote the national security and stability of the United States economy by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology.

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Energy Efficiency

H.R. 84 (Biggert – IL), the Energy Efficient Buildings Act of 2007, was introduced on January 4, 2007.  H.R. 84 directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a pilot program to award grants to businesses and organizations for new construction or major renovations of energy efficient buildings that will result in innovative energy efficiency technologies, especially those sponsored by the Department of Energy; and (2) give due consideration to proposals for buildings that are likely to serve low and moderate income populations.  It defines "energy efficient building" as one that after construction or renovation: (1) uses heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems that perform at no less than Energy Star standards; or (2) if Energy Star standards are not applicable, uses Federal Energy Management Program recommended heating, ventilating, and air conditioning products.

H.R. 539 (Schwartz - PA), the Buildings for the 21st Century Act, was introduced on January 17, 2007.  H.R. 539 will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase from $1.80 to $2.25 per square foot and extend the energy efficient commercial buildings deduction until December 31, 2013.

H.R. 778 (Weller – IL), was introduced January 31, 2007.  H.R. 778 will make permanent the residential energy efficiency property credit.

H.R. 1547 (Harman – CA), was introduced March 15, 2007.  H.R. 1547 will prohibit the sale of certain inefficient light bulbs, and require the development of a plan for increasing the use of more efficient light bulbs by consumers and businesses.

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Environment

S. 151 (Boxer – CA), the California Ocean and Coastal Protection Act, was introduced January 4, 2007.  This bill will permanently prohibit oil and gas leasing off the coast of the State of California.

S. 391 (Menendez – NJ), was introduced January 25, 2007.  S. 391will amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf in the Mid-Atlantic and North Atlantic planning areas.

S. 489 (Warner – VA), was introduced February 5, 2007.  S. 489 will improve efficiency in the Federal Government through the use of green buildings.

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Low-Income Energy

H.R. 1305 (Udall – CO), the Royalty In-Kind for Energy Assistance Improvement Act of 2007, was introduced March 1, 2007.  H.R. will amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize discounted sales of royalty oil and gas taken in-kind from a Federal oil or gas lease to provide additional resources to Federal low-income energy assistance programs.

S. 669 (Cantwell – WA), the LIHEAP Emergency Reform Act, was introduced February 16, 2007.  S. 669 will amend the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to provide procedures for the release of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program contingency funds.

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Nuclear

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Renewable Energy

H.R. 550 (McNulty – NY), the Securing America's Energy Independence Act of 2007, was introduced on January 18, 2007.  H.R. 550 will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the investment tax credit with respect to solar energy property and qualified fuel cell property.  Specifically, the bill extends the 30% federal investment tax credit (currently set to expire at the end of 2008) for another 8 years (through 2016), modifies the distributed photovoltaics incentive to $1500 per half- kW of capacity and removes the $2000 residential cap.

H.R. 798 (Oberstar – MN), was introduced on February 5, 2007.  H.R. 798 provides $30 million to install a photovoltaic system at the Department of Energy headquarters in Washington, DC.

S. 6 (Reid – NV), the National Energy and Environmental Security Act of 2007, was introduced on January 4, 2007.  This bill is designed to reduce America's dependence on oil and foreign oil as well as to put more advanced technologies in the hands of consumers. It will boost production of electricity from solar, geothermal, and other renewable resources and it will grow our Nation's renewable energy jobs and manufacturing base.

S. 298 (Murkowski – AK), the Refresh Act, was introduced January 16, 2007.  S. 298 will provide incentives for renewable energy production, to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles, and to provide tax incentives for renewable energy production.

S. 386 (Chambliss – GA), was introduced January 24, 2007.  S. 386 will amend the Clean Air Act to require a higher volume of renewable fuel derived from cellulosic biomass, and for other purposes; to the

S. 425 (Smith – OR), was introduced January 29, 2007.  A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the resources eligible for the renewable energy credit to kinetic hydropower.

S. 590 (Smoth – OR), the Securing America's Energy Independence Act of 2007, was introduced February 14, 2007.  This bill is the Senate companion bill to the House’s H.R. 550, designed to further incentivize Solar technologies and extend the current tax credits through 2016.

S. 672 (Salazar – CO), was introduced February 16, 2007.  S. 672 will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax-exempt financing for qualified renewable energy facilities.

S. 673 (Salazar – CO), the Rural Wind Energy Development Act, was introduced February 16, 2007.  S. 673 will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide credits for the installation of wind energy property, including by rural homeowners, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.

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Research and Development 

H.R. 80 (Bartlett – MD), was introduced January 4, 2007.  H.R. 80 will provide federal funds for development, demonstration, and commercial application activities to enable the development of farms that are net producers of both food and energy.  Specifically, $25m will be provided for each of the following programs: Research and Technology Development, State Agricultural Demonstration, and Loans.  All programs are designed to contribute to the goal of establishing self-powered farms.

H.R. 85 (Biggert – IL), the Energy Technology Transfer Act, was introduced January 4, 2007.  H.R. 85 provides for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies.  Specifically, this measure provides grants for nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, cooperative extension services, and universities to aid in the activities and application of advanced energy methods and technologies.

H.R. 395 (Salazar – CO), the Cellulosic Ethanol Development and Implementation Act of 2007, was introduced on January 10, 2007.  This bill amends the Clean Air Act to require the Secretary of Energy to provide grants to eligible entities to carry out research, development, and demonstration projects of cellulosic ethanol and construct infrastructure that enables retail gas stations to dispense cellulosic ethanol for vehicle fuel to reduce the consumption of petroleum-based fuel.

H.R. 817 (Price – GA), was introduced February 5, 2007.  H.R. 817 will provide for the establishment of a working group to identify and advance the development and use of alternative sources for motor vehicle fuels.

S. 696 (Baucus – MT), was introduced February 27, 2007.  S. 696 will establish an Advanced Research Projects Administration-Energy to initiate high risk, innovative energy research to improve the energy security of the United States.

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