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 direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study regarding the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Naugatuck River Valley National Heritage Area in Connecticut.

would facilitate the development of offshore wind energy resources.

would promote timely exploration for geothermal resources under existing geothermal leases.

would streamline federal review to facilitate renewable energy projects.

would facilitate a land exchange involving certain National Forest System lands in the Inyo National Forest.

would amend the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to lease oil and gas in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, including at least one lease sale in the reserve each year in the period 2011 through 2021.

would prohibit the further extension or establishment of national monuments in Utah except by express authorization of Congress.

would establish the Rare Earth Policy Task Force and direct the Secretary of the Interior to develop a plan to ensure the long-term supply of rare earth materials.

would facilitate the development of wind energy resources on federal lands.

would ensure that proper information gathering and planning are undertaken to secure the preservation and recovery of the salmon and steelhead of the Columbia River Basin, and direct the Secretary of Commerce to seek scientific analysis of federal efforts to restore salmon and steelhead listed under the ESA.