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Latest Action: 11/18/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1118 under authority of the order of the Senate of 11/17/2008.

Bill Text
To advance the national security interests of the United States by reducing its dependency on oil through renewable and clean, alternative fuel technologies while building a bridge to the future through expanded access to Federal oil and natural gas resources, revising the relationship between the oil and gas industry and the consumers who own those resources and deserve a fair return from the development of publicly owned oil and gas, ending tax subsidies for large oil and gas companies, and facilitating energy efficiencies in the building, housing, and transportation sectors, and for other purposes. 9/15/2008--Introduced. Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act - Prohibits oil and gas preleasing or leasing of any area of the Outer Continental Shelf that was not available for oil and gas leasing as of July 1, 2008, unless that action is expressly authorized by this Act or a statute enacted by Congress after the date of enactment of this Act. [...]

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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 make permanent certain tax incentives for ethanol and biodiesel used as a fuel, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Renewable Fuels and Energy Independence Promotion Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income and excise tax credits for alcohol and biodiesel used as fuel.

Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to move the effective date for tariff duties on ethyl alcohol and ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ethanol) to the effective date of this Act.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S127-128)

Bill Text
A bill to promote the national security and stability of the economy of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. American Fuels Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Office of Energy Security to oversee all federal energy security programs, including coordination of all federal agency efforts to assist the United States in achieving full energy independence. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide: (1) a tax credit, against both ordinary and alternative minimum tax, for production of qualified flexible fuel motor vehicles; and (2) an alternative fuel retail sales credit. Amends the Clayton Act and the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to prohibit restrictions on the installation of alternative fuel pumps within fuel franchise documents. Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator [...]

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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: 05/23/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.

Bill Text
Supporting the research and development in the State of California of biodiesel and other biofuels from agricultural products and byproducts.

5/23/2007--Introduced.

Reiterates Congress' commitment to developing alternative and renewable energy, in particular biodiesel and other biofuels, and expressly supports the research and development of biodiesel and biofuels from agricultural products and byproducts within California.

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

Bill Text
To 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, and for other purposes. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Independence from Oil with Agriculture Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to delete provisions that terminate tax credits after a certain time (thus extending such credits) for: (1) alcohol fuels; (2) biodiesel fuels; (3) alcohol fuel mixtures; (4) biodiesel mixtures; (5) electricity produced from wind and open-loop or close-loop biomass facilities; and (6) alternative fuel vehicle refueling property.Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) increase the applicable volume of renewable fuel for calendar years 2008-2012 that must be part of gasoline in the United States (except in noncontiguous states or territories); and (2) increase the number of gallons of renewable fuel in the calculation used to determine the required volume of renewable fuel [...]

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Latest Action: 02/17/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
To facilitate the development of markets for biofuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel through research and development and data collection. 2/8/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act - Instructs the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a program of research and development of materials to be added to biofuels to make them more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels to the point of final sale. Cites problem areas to be addressed, including microbial contamination. Directs the Assistant Administrator to: (1) implement a research, development, demonstration program on portable, low-cost, and accurate methods and technologies for testing sulfur content in fuel, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel; and (2) begin [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

Bill Text
To increase the renewable fuel content of gasoline sold in the United States by the year 2025 to 25 billion gallons, and for other purposes.

1/31/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Clean Air Act to prescribe: (1) the volume of renewable fuel that gasoline sold in the United States must contain in calendar years 2013 through 2025; and (2) a formula for determining the applicable volume for calendar years after 2025. Repeals provisions requiring a minimum quantity of renewable fuel to be derived from cellulosic biomass. Provides that 1.0 gallon of a fuel blend containing 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline shall be considered to be the equivalent of 1.5 gallons of renewable fuel.

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

Bill Text
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the head of each Federal agency to ensure that, in areas in which ethanol-blended gasoline is reasonably available at a generally competitive price, the Federal agency purchases ethanol-blended gasoline containing at least 10 percent ethanol rather than nonethanol-blended gasoline, for use in vehicles used by the agency that use gasoline. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Growing Responsible Energy and Environment Nationally through Federal Energy Decisions Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to repeal a certain lease charge reduction incentive program for encouraging federal agencies to use alternative fueled vehicles. Requires the head of each federal agency to ensure that, in areas in which ethanol-blended gasoline or biodiesel-blended diesel fuel is reasonably available at a generally competitive price, the agency purchases for use in appropriate vehicles: (1) ethanol-blended gasoline containing at least 10% ethanol rather [...]

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Latest Action: 03/06/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2707-2708)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to improve the nutrition and health of schoolchildren by updating the definition of "food of minimal nutritional value" to conform to current nutrition science and to protect the Federal investment in the national school lunch and breakfast programs. 3/6/2007--Introduced. Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to revise the definition of "food of minimal nutritional value," the sale of which in areas where school meals are sold or eaten is prohibited as a condition for federal funding of school lunch and breakfast programs. Applies such definition (and prohibition) to all food sold outside such programs anywhere on school campuses at any time of the day, with the possible limited exemption of food sold at school fundraisers. Requires the Secretary, when revising such definition, to consider the [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 11/18/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1118 under authority of the order of the Senate of 11/17/2008.

Bill Text
To advance the national security interests of the United States by reducing its dependency on oil through renewable and clean, alternative fuel technologies while building a bridge to the future through expanded access to Federal oil and natural gas resources, revising the relationship between the oil and gas industry and the consumers who own those resources and deserve a fair return from the development of publicly owned oil and gas, ending tax subsidies for large oil and gas companies, and facilitating energy efficiencies in the building, housing, and transportation sectors, and for other purposes. 9/15/2008--Introduced. Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act - Prohibits oil and gas preleasing or leasing of any area of the Outer Continental Shelf that was not available for oil and gas leasing as of July 1, 2008, unless that action is expressly authorized by this Act or a statute enacted by Congress after the date of enactment of this Act. [...]

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Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

Bill Text
To amend the Clean Air Act to extend the compliance period for persons subject to the renewable fuel mandate in the years 2008, 2009, and 2010.

5/5/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Clean Air Act to allow any person that is unable to generate or purchase sufficient credits to meet renewable fuel requirements to carry forward a renewable fuel deficit in calendar year 2008, 2009, or 2010 for three years in lieu of the one calendar year currently allowed.

Latest Action: 04/04/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the eligibility for certain fuels credits for fuel with insufficient nexus to the United States.

4/4/2008--Introduced.

Splash and Dash Correction Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow income and excise tax credits for alcohol and biodiesel used as fuel and other alternative fuels or mixtures unless such fuels are produced in or imported into the United States for consumption.

Latest Action: 02/28/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation. 2/27/2008--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.)Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to renewable energy sources and energy conservation. Title I: Production Incentives - (Sec. 101) Extends through 2011 the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources (e.g., wind, closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal energy, small irrigation power, municipal solid waste, and qualified hydropower). Imposes a limit on such tax credit based upon investment in renewable resource facilities placed in service after 2009 in lieu of the current phaseout provisions for [...]

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Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

Bill Text
To amend the Clean Air Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the use of ethanol and bio-diesel, and for other purposes. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the term "renewable fuel" to mean ethanol produced from renewable biomass. Increases the volume of renewable fuel that must be contained in fuel sold in the United States for 2009-2012. Prescribes the volume of: (1) renewable fuel that must be contained in fuel sold in the United States for 2013-2022; and (2) biomass-based diesel that must be contained in fuel sold in the United States for 2008-2012. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine the volume of renewable fuel and biomass-based diesel that fuel sold in the United States must contain for other calendar years.Requires the Secretary of Energy to ensure that by 2009 each covered owner installs one or more pumps that dispense ethanol-blend fuel and bio-diesel blend fuel [...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To prohibit commercial fishing of Atlantic menhaden for reduction purposes in inland, State, and Federal waters along the Atlantic coast of the United States, and for other purposes.

10/16/2007--Introduced.

Atlantic Menhaden Conservation Act - Imposes a fishing moratorium regarding Atlantic menhaden that are reduced to meal and oil for the coastal waters of each coastal state north of South Carolina, including Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission.

Requires studies and reports.

Makes it unlawful to engage, or to attempt to engage, in the commercial harvesting, in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), of Atlantic menhaden that are reduced to meal and oil.

Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To prohibit the commercial harvesting of Atlantic menhaden for reduction purposes in the coastal waters and the exclusive economic zone.

10/16/2007--Introduced.

Makes it unlawful to engage, or to attempt to engage, in commercial harvesting of Atlantic menhaden for reduction purposes in Atlantic coastal waters or in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Requires a related report to Congress from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Latest Action: 10/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To direct the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to revise the Federal regulations applicable to the declaration of the trans fat content of a food on the label and in the labeling of the food when such content is less than 0.5 gram.

10/9/2007--Introduced.

Trans Fat Truth in Labeling Act of 2007 - Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to promulgate a final regulation revising federal regulations applicable to the declaration of the trans fat content on a food label to require that if the trans fat content of a serving of a food is less than .5 grams and is declared in the nutrition information on the label or in the labeling of the food, such content shall be expressed through the use of an asterisk or other notation stating that such content is less than .5 grams (instead of zero).

Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Bill Text
To improve energy security of the United States through a reduction in the oil intensity of the economy of the United States and expansion of secure oil supplies, to be achieved by increasing the availability of alternative fuel sources, fostering responsible oil exploration and production, and improving international arrangements to secure the global oil supply, and for other purposes. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Security and Fuel Efficiency Energy Act of 2007, or the SAFE Energy Act of 2007 - Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) revise renewable fuel standards for calendar years 2006-2020; (2) instruct the Secretary of Energy to assess the progress made toward creation of adequate infrastructure for the production and distribution of ethanol-blend fuel; and (3) require the Secretary to establish an incentives program for production of cellulosic ethanol and other emerging biofuels derived from renewable sources (including municipal solid waste). Directs the Administrator of [...]

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Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - For Further Action See Public Law 110-140 (H.R. 6).

Bill Text
To promote the development of renewable fuels infrastructure, and for other purposes. 8/3/2007--Reported to House without amendment, Part I.    (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.) Title I: Renewable Fuel Infrastructure - (Sec. 101) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish an infrastructure development grants program to assist motor fuel dealers to implement motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure for renewable fuel; (2) enter into contracts with entities to install and market renewable fuels; and (3) establish requirements for grant recipients to provide renewable fuel to the public. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2014. Prohibits grants to a large, vertically integrated oil company.(Sec. 102) Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to prohibit franchise agreement [...]

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