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 promote the mapping and development of U.S. geothermal resources by establishing a direct loan program for high risk geothermal exploration wells and amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to improve geothermal energy technology and demonstrate the use of geothermal energy in large-scale thermal applications.

would expand geothermal production.

would provide for environmental restoration activities and forest management activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

would provide local communities with tools to make solar permitting more efficient.

would direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement to provide for management of the free-roaming wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge.

would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to allow the construction and operation of natural gas pipeline facilities in the Gateway National Recreation Area.

would authorize microenterprise assistance for renewable energy projects in developing countries.

would expand the workforce of veterinarians specialized in the care and conservation of wild animals and their ecosystems, and develop educational programs focused on wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine.

would provide for the conveyance of eight cemeteries that are located on National Forest System land in Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota.

would provide a prize to the first manufacturer of highly-efficient mid-sized automobiles powered by gasoline.