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 require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to foster enhanced coexistence between ocean users and North Atlantic right whales and other large cetacean species.

would direct the Administrator of EPA to revise 40 C.F.R. §61.206 to approve certain distribution or use of phosphogypsum.

would direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Climate Adaptation Science Center and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers to respond to the effects of extreme weather events and climate trends.

would require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to maintain a communications program to communicate with the general public about patterns and trends with respect to changing weather and climate.

would cap the emissions of greenhouse gases through a requirement to purchase carbon permits and distribute the proceeds of such purchases to eligible individuals.

would direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Climate Adaptation Science Center and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers to respond to the effects of extreme weather events and climate trends.

would require the Secretary of Defense to enhance the readiness of DOD to challenges relating to climate change and to improve the energy and resource efficiency of the Department.

would amend the definition of "production facility" in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to exclude an equipment or device capable of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in a manner that does not separate plutonium from other transuranic elements.

would require the use of the voice and vote of the United States in international financial institutions to advance the cause of transitioning the global economy to a clean energy economy and to prohibit U.S. government assistance to countries or entities to support fossil fuel activity.

would establish a program to fund electric public transportation in rural communities.