Latest Action: 06/27/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 854.

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A bill to address record high gas prices at the pump, and for other purposes. 6/26/2008--Introduced. Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to prescribe procedures for petition, by the governor of a state with a new producing area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the state's submerged land, to make the new producing area available for oil and gas leasing. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit specified percentages of outer Continental Shelf revenues into: (1) the general fund of the Treasury; and (2) into a special account in the Treasury for disbursal to both new producing states and to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, to repeal the prohibition against funding: (1) regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands; or (2) an oil shale lease [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4846; text as passed Senate: CR S4846; text of measure as introduced: CR S4808)

Bill Text
A resolution to express the sense of the Senate regarding the use of gasoline and other fuels by Federal departments and agencies.

5/22/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Calls for the President to require all federal agencies to take initiatives to reduce their daily consumption of gasoline and other fuels.

Latest Action: 04/07/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to repeal a requirement with respect to the procurement and acquisition of alternative fuels.

4/7/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting any federal agency from entering into a contract for procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use, other than for research or testing, unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel must be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel.

Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Kuhl (NY). Petition No: 110-10. (Discharge petition text with signatures.)

Bill Text
To repeal a requirement with respect to the procurement and acquisition of alternative fuels.

3/31/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting any federal agency from entering into a contract for procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use, other than for research or testing, unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel must be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel.

Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H13301-13302)

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Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 11/7/2007--Introduced. Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Appropriates funds for FY2008 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing construction and related operation and maintenance for the military departments and DOD; (4) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (5) DOD chemical demilitarization construction; and (6) the Department of Defense Base Closure Accounts of 1990 and 2005. Appropriates funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) [...]

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Latest Action: 11/05/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to encourage and facilitate the use of renewable fuel in the United States. 11/5/2007--Introduced. Renewable Fuels Strategy Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. agricultural, forest, and working land should: (1) provide from renewable resources at least 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States; and (2) continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.Amends federal transportation law to require the manufacture each model year of increasing percentages of flexible fuel automobiles.Sets forth a minimum renewable fuels infrastructure assurance program under which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall issue regulations to ensure the installation of renewable fuel pumps, including a system of production credits.Instructs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop standards for biofuel dispenser systems.Amends the Petroleum [...]

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Latest Action: 09/20/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11857-11859)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to require the President to designate certain geographical areas as national renewable energy zones, and for other purposes. 9/20/2007--Introduced. Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the President to designate as national renewable energy zones specified areas that have the potential to generate 1 gigawatt of electricity from renewable energy, a significant portion of which could be generated in a rural area or on federal land. Prohibits the President from including in such zones specified federal land that is subject to protective management policies that are inconsistent with energy development.Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to promulgate regulations to ensure that: (1) specified public utility transmission providers that finance renewable electricity connection facilities in such zones recover incurred costs and a reasonable return on equity [...]

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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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Latest Action: 08/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

Bill Text
To promote advanced plug-in hybrid vehicles and vehicle components. 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.) Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to: (1) provide loan guarantees for the construction of facilities for the manufacture of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems; (2) provide grants to state governments, local governments, metropolitan transportation authorities, air pollution control districts, or private or nonprofit entities to carry out projects to encourage the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles or other emerging electric vehicle technologies; (3) provide electric drive transportation education nationwide, including to establish a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle competition known as the Dr. Andrew Frank Plug-in Hybrid Electric [...]

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Latest Action: 09/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
Moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure. 7/30/2007--Introduced. New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act - Incorporates various legislative initiatives for energy conservation, independence, and security.Green Jobs Act of 2007 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor to: (1) establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program; (2) collect and analyze labor market data to track workforce trends resulting from energy-related initiatives under this Act; and (3) award National Energy Training Partnerships Grants to community based nonprofit organizations to carry out training programs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and develop an [...]

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Latest Action: 09/27/2008 - Hearings Held by Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Prior to Introduction and Referral (05/15/2007)..

Bill Text
A bill to provide needed housing reform and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment.    (There are 3 other summaries) American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - Title I: FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention - FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act of 2008 - Subtitle A: Homeownership Retention - (Sec. 112) Amends the National Housing Act (NHA) to create the Refinance Program Oversight Board, which shall establish and oversee a program for insuring homeownership retention mortgages. Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insure any homeownership retention mortgage covering a one- to four-family residence made to pay or prepay outstanding obligations under an existing mortgage on the residence. Sets forth mortgagor eligibility criteria, including mortgagor certification that: (1) the residence is the only residence [...]

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Latest Action: 07/30/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To enable States to acquire hybrid motor vehicles to satisfy certain fleet acquisition requirements.

7/30/2007--Introduced.

New Opportunities for Fuel Efficient Fleets Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 regarding mandatory state fleet programs to consider a hybrid motor vehicle to be an alternative fueled vehicle when acquired by a state if publicly available fueling facilities that dispense E85 fuel are not convenient or accessible in the state.

Defines a hybrid motor vehicle as one that achieves at least: (1) 25% better fuel economy ratings than comparable gasoline fueled vehicles; or (2) 10% better fuel economy ratings than comparable gasoline fueled vehicles, and is determined by the Secretary of Energy to be appropriate for consideration as an alternative fueled vehicle on the basis of improved emissions, availability, or technological innovation.

Latest Action: 07/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10155-10156)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to reauthorize and improve agricultural energy programs, and for other purposes. 7/26/2007--Introduced. Harvesting Energy Act of 2007 - Extends: (1) federal procurement of biobased products; (2) biorefinery development grants; (3) the biodiesel fuel education program; (4) the energy audit and renewable energy development program; (5) the biomass research and development program; (6) assistance for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements, including pyrolysis and thermochemical conversion systems; (7) cooperative research and extension projects; (8) the bioenergy program, including establishment of feedstock residue management and transition assistance programs; (9) research, extension, and educational programs on biobased technologies and products; (10) the environmental quality incentives program; and (11) high-priority research and extension initiatives.Establishes: (1) a biochar [...]

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Latest Action: 07/26/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

Bill Text
To provide for the establishment of Federal fleet refueling centers.

7/19/2007--Introduced.

Requires federal agencies to install at least one renewable fuel pump at each federal fleet fueling center in the United States by January 1, 2010.

Requires the President to report to Congress annually on agency compliance.

Latest Action: 07/16/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to reauthorize, and increase funding for, the biodiesel fuel education program.

7/16/2007--Introduced.

Biodiesel Education and Expansion Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to increase, and extend through FY2012, funding for the biodiesel fuel education program.

Latest Action: 06/12/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to improve the energy security of the United States by promoting diverse energy supplies and energy efficiency, and for other purposes. 6/12/2007--Introduced. Clean, Reliable, Efficient and Secure Energy Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish the Appliance Efficiency Standards Commission.Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to: (1) require an electric utility to demonstrate that alternative investments in advanced grid technologies have been considered before undertaking investments in nonadvanced grid technologies; and (2) prescribe a Clean Energy Portfolio Standard, including a credit program. Establishes the Clean Energy Technology Trust Fund.Transfers to the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) specified lands for use for high-level radioactive waste disposal and spent nuclear fuel. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to require the Secretary to apply to the Nuclear Regulatory [...]

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