Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

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To provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies. 9/17/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 8, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Energy Technology Transfer Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to award grants for a five-year period to nonprofit institutions, state and local governments, cooperative extension services, or institutions of higher education to establish a geographically dispersed network of Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers, located in areas the Secretary determines have the greatest need of their services.Requires the Secretary to: (1) give priority to applicants already operating or partnered with an outreach program capable of transferring such [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.

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To establish a program of demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy efficiency technologies and systems for buildings, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Energy Efficient Buildings Act of 2007 - 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. 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 [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit for the purchase of idling reduction systems for diesel-powered on-highways vehicles.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Idling Reduction Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for 25% of the cost of a qualifying idling reduction device, up to $1,000. Defines "qualifying idling reduction device" as any device that is: (1) installed on a heavy-duty diesel-powered on-highway vehicle to provide services that would otherwise require the operation of the main drive engine while the vehicle is temporarily parked or stationary; and (2) certified by the Secretary of Energy to reduce long-duration idling. Directs the Secretary to publish standards for certifying such devices.

Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

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To provide that no more than 50 percent of funding made available under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 for any fiscal year be provided for home heating purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

LIHEAP Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 governing state allotments under the low-income energy assistance program (LIHEAP) to limit to 50% the earmark for home heating purposes of amounts appropriated for program implementation.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the alcohol credit and the alternative fuel credit, to amend the Clean Air Act to promote the installation of fuel pumps for E-85 fuel, to amend title 49 of the United States Code to require the manufacture of dual fueled automobiles, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. National Fuels Initiative - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the alcohol fuels tax credit and the alternative fuel tax credit by calculating such rates based on a formula related to the average price of a barrel of oil. Sets tax credit rates for alcohol fuels, qualified alcohol fuel mixtures, and alternative fuels sold or used before January 1, 2011. Extends such credits. Sets forth sunset provisions terminating the small ethanol producer tax credit. Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Secretary of Energy to promulgate regulations to ensure that each major oil company that sells gasoline in the United States through [...]

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Latest Action: 09/04/2007 - Received in the House.

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A bill to improve the disaster loan program of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes. 8/3/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Extends through October 31, 2007, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through February 2, 2007, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Title I: Disaster Planning and Response - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans to nonprofit organizations: (1) located or operating in an area affected by a natural or other disaster; or (2) providing services to persons who have evacuated from any such area. (Sec. 102) Increases from $1.5 million to $2 million [...]

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Latest Action: 03/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

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To improve efficiency in the Federal Government through the use of high-performance green buildings, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to establish an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings. Requires the Office Director to: (1) establish a Green Building Advisory Committee; (2) carry out public outreach; (3) develop and recommend a high-performance green building research plan; (4) analyze current budget and contracting practices that affect achievement of high-performance green buildings; and (5) develop and implement a comprehensive indoor air quality program for federal facilities. Requires the Director to identify incentives to encourage the use of green buildings and related technology in federal government operations. Requires the Director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to: (1) revise applicable acquisition regulations; and (2) issue [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the need for a nationwide diversified energy portfolio, and for other purposes.

5/22/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress and the Executive Branch should aggressively pursue development and rapid, commercial deployment of a diverse portfolio of new and existing energy technologies; (2) Congress should pursue development of policies to promote specified efficiency initiatives; (3) Congress should pursue policies that create a sustainable market for the commercial deployment of alternative and energy efficiency technologies; and (4) Congress, the Executive Branch, and state and local governments, as well as utilities and industry leaders, should be actively engaged in consumer education initiatives surrounding available approaches to energy diversity and efficiency.

Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to temporarily provide a shorter recovery period for the depreciation of certain systems installed in nonresidential buildings.

1/9/2007--Introduced.

Cool and Efficient Buildings Investment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 20-year depreciation recovery period, calculated on a straight line basis, for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or commercial refrigeration systems installed in nonresidential buildings and placed in service between December 31, 2006, and January 1, 2009.

Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
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, and for other purposes. 1/18/2007--Introduced. Dependence Reduction through Innovation in Vehicles and Energy Act or DRIVE Act - Instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to publish in the Federal Register an oil savings target and action plan for specified calendar years.Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop: (1) a fuel efficiency consumer education program for motor vehicle tires; (2) a fuel efficiency program for passenger automobile and light truck tires; and (3) a program to designate Transit-Oriented Development Corridors.Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) develop a testing and assessment program to determine heavy duty vehicle fuel economy; (2) establish a task force to develop minimum certification [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable credit against income tax to assist individuals with high residential energy costs, and for other purposes. 9/24/2008--Introduced. Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief Act of 2008 or the HEATR Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income-based refundable tax credit for residential energy costs. Limits such credit to the lesser of 33% of such costs or $500.Eliminates for major integrated oil companies: (1) the tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs in taxable years in which the average price of crude oil is greater than $34.71 per barrel and the average price of natural gas is greater that $4.34 per 1,000 cubic feet; and (2) the tax credit for enhanced oil recovery costs in taxable years in which the average price of crude oil is greater than $34.71 per barrel. Denies such oil companies and certain producers or refiners of crude oil [...]

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Latest Action: 11/18/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1124 under authority of the order of the Senate of 11/17/2008.

Bill Text
Making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 9/26/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008 - Title I: Infrastructure Investments - Chapter I: Transportation - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 for infrastructure investments to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for: (1) the Federal Aviation Administration, grants-in-aid for airports; (2) Federal Highway Administration, highway infrastructure investment; (3) Federal Railroad Administration, capital and debt service grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK); (4) Federal Transit Administration,[...]

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Latest Action: 07/28/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7575-7576)

Bill Text
A bill to increase energy assistance for low-income persons, to extend energy tax incentives, and for other purpose. 7/28/2008--Introduced. Energy Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2011 for the home weatherization program. Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Assistance Fund to finance low interest loans for the purchase and installation of energy efficient property, idling reduction devices and advanced insulation for heavy trucks, and alternative refueling stations.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax credit, up to $500, for the cost of replacing a residential wood stove with: (1) a wood-burning stove that complies with current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards; and (2) a pellet or corn-burning stove. Extends the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities through 2009 and the credit for closed and open-loop [...]

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Latest Action: 07/25/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy. 7/25/2008--Introduced. New Clean Energy Tax Extenders Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various energy production and conservation provisions.Extends through 2012: (1) the tax credits for producing electricity from certain renewable resources (e.g., for wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower facilities), for residential energy efficient property, and for investment in clean renewable energy bonds; and (2) the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. Expands the tax credit for production of electricity from renewable resources to include marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource. Extends through 2016 the energy tax credits for solar, fuel cell, and microturbine property and the tax credit for residential energy efficient property. Repeals the dollar per [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to provide weatherization and home heating assistance to low income households, and to provide a heating oil tax credit for middle income households.

7/24/2008--Introduced.

Weatherization, Assistance, and Relief for Middle-Income Households Act of 2008 or the WARM Act of 2008 - Makes additional appropriations in FY2008 for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a income-based tax credit for 50% of home heating oil expenditures made on or after June 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2009, up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns); (2) deny major integrated oil companies a tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production, refining, processing, transportation, or distribution of oil, gas, or primary products thereof; and (3) establish a fair market value standard for determining foreign oil and gas extraction income.

Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide assistance to States to establish and implement response plans to address rising heating oil, natural gas, diesel, and other energy costs, and for other purposes.

7/17/2008--Introduced.

Emergency Energy Response Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to make grants to states to pay the federal share of the cost of establishing and implementing response plans to address rising heating oil, natural gas, diesel, and other energy costs.

Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Dorgan. With written report No. 110-416.

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An original bill making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/14/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Corps of Engineers-Civil - Makes FY2009 appropriations for: (1) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for civil functions pertaining to rivers and harbors, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, and aquatic ecosystem restoration; (2) general investigations and construction; (3) flood damage reduction for the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape Girardeau, Missouri; (4) operation and maintenance expenses; (5) administration of laws pertaining to regulation of navigable waters and wetlands; (6) cleanup of contamination from sites in the United States resulting from work performed as part of the early atomic energy [...]

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Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the

Bill Text
To amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to modify the conditions for the release of products from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve Account, and for other purposes. 7/10/2008--Introduced. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise requirements for the sale by the Secretary of Energy of products from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. Authorizes the Secretary to sell from the Reserve if the President finds that: (1) there is a severe energy supply interruption (as under existing law); or (2) the price of home heating oil threatens the health and safety of residents of the Northeast. Requires the Secretary to sell specified percentages of the quantity of products in the Reserve as of November 1 of a fiscal year if the President finds that, on successive monthly winter dates of the same fiscal year, the average retail price of No.2 heating oil in the Northeast is equal to or more than $4.00 per gallon. Requires the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture.

Bill Text
To establish a small business energy emergency disaster loan program. 7/8/2008--Introduced. Small Business Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make disaster loans to assist small businesses that have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of a significant increase in the price of heating fuel occurring on or after October 1, 2007. Prohibits such loan from being made if the total amount outstanding and committed to the borrower would exceed $1.5 million, unless the borrower is a major source of employment in its surrounding area. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to farm operations that qualify as a small business and that have or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury on or after October 1, 2007, as the result of a significant increase in energy costs in connection [...]

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Latest Action: 06/27/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to promote the energy security of the United States, and for other purposes. 6/27/2008--Introduced. Energy Transition Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to modify requirements governing publication and uses of projected state lines on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Authorizes a state governor to petition the Secretary of Energy to make available for oil and gas leasing any moratorium area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the submerged land of a state that is located greater than 50 miles from the state coastline (new producing areas). Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) to repeal the prohibition against producing oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Sets forth an oil and gas leasing program for the Alaskan Coastal Plain, including the Refuge. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management,[...]

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