Recent Federal Bills

Below are summaries of Bills Introduced, Committee Reports, Chamber Actions, and Public Laws reported in the most recent issue of ELR's Weekly Update.

would authorize the Secretary of Energy to make loan guarantees for cellulosic ethanol production technology development.

would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the Rialto-Colton Basin in the state of California.

would suspend, during the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, any EPA action under the CAA with respect to carbon dioxide or methane pursuant to certain proceedings, other than with respect to motor vehicle emissions.

would expand the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

would establish certain wilderness areas in central Idaho and authorize various land conveyances involving National Forest System land and BLM land in central Idaho.

would prohibit funding for EPA to be used to implement or enforce a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gases.

would preserve the Arctic coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.

would provide for additions to the Cucamonga and Sheep Mountain Wilderness Areas in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests and the protection of existing property rights in such additions; require the Secretary of Agriculture to take steps to prevent and prepare for wildfires in the Cucamonga, Sheep Mountain, and San Gabriel Wilderness Areas; and address the backlog of maintenance in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests.

would amend the CAA to provide that greenhouse gases are not subject to the Act.

would repeal certain amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with respect to lighting energy efficiency.