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Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015
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The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 (S. 2012) is a bipartisan energy bill that attempts to update the nation's energy infrastructure and improve energy efficiency. The act is sponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), both of whom are ranking members of the Senate Energy Committee.[1] If passed, the bill would be the first major update to federal energy policy since the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This bill would also be one of the first major pieces of bipartisan legislation in 2016. In order to garner support on both sides of the aisle, this legislation does not address controversial topics such as climate change or oil and gas production on federal lands. There is some concern that a "poison pill" amendment could be added to the bill that would prevent it from being passed; for example, Republicans could add an amendment addressing coal leasing on public lands—something President Obama would oppose.[2][3]
Status: The U.S. Senate voted 85-12 to pass the bill on April 20, 2016. The bill will now to go a conference committee with the House of Representatives where differences between this Senate bill and "a more politically contentious House bill" will try to be reconciled. Previously, the bill had been blocked by Senate Democrats after a disagreement over an amendment that would have provided $600 million to residents of Flint, Michigan. The bill had passed the Senate Energy Committee on April 19, 2016, in an 18-4 vote.[4][5][6]
Key features
According to the Senate Energy Committee, this bill has five key features:[7]
- Accountability
This bill would reform certain aspects of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan program, remove outdated portions of the U.S. code, and prioritize electrical grid reliability. - Conservation projects
The bill permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Historic Preservation Fund. The Energy Policy Modernization Act creates a National Park Maintenance and Revitalization Fund to support a backlog of work at national parks. - Energy efficiency
This bill reauthorizes state energy and weatherization programs intended to increase energy efficiency. - Infrastructure
One of the main drivers behind this bill is an attempt to update the nation's electrical grid. Shifts in how energy is produced in the United States are affecting where and how electricity is demanded, putting increased pressure on the energy grid. This bill addresses that and would also "enhance cybersecurity safeguards, maintain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, [and] provide a streamlined process for natural gas export projects." - Energy supply
This bill contains provisions to increase geothermal energy and hydropower use. It also alters critical mineral policies in an attempt to decrease domestic reliance on foreign mineral sources.
Budget impact
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 would result in the following costs:[8]
- Appropriation (spending from annual appropriation bills)
- $32 billion from 2016 to 2020
- $11 billion after 2020
- Direct spending (spending controlled by laws other than appropriation bills)
- $659 million from 2016 to 2025
The CBO estimated that the bill would have an insignificant effect on federal revenue.[9]
Legislative history
See bill: Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 (S. 2012)
Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 |
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| United States Congress |
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| Legislative history |
| Introduced: January 27, 2016 (introduced in the United States Senate) |
| President: Barack Obama |
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Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced the bill to the Senate Energy Committee on September 9, 2015. According to The New York Times, the bill is "compromise legislation that has been carefully written over months of hearings, passed through the energy panel on a bipartisan vote of 18 to 4." The four votes against the bill were split evenly between Democrats and Republicans. On January 27, 2016, the bill was introduced to the United States Senate for floor consideration.[2][3][10]
Background
Energy policy in the United States has been revolutionized by technological advances that have made previously untapped fossil fuel reserves economically recoverable. The vast abundance of natural gas and oil being produced is making the United States more energy-independent. At the same time, wind and solar power costs are decreasing, leading to an increase in the production of electricity from those sources.[2]
During these shifts, the federal government has crafted several new programs as a response to the expected impacts of climate change and other environmental concerns: the Clean Power Plan (111(d) rule), new methane emissions limits, increased mercury and air toxics standards (MATS) for power plants, increased National Ambient Air Quality Standards regulating ozone emissions and the Cross State Air Pollution Rule, among other measures. The combination of these measures has pitted many fossil fuel producers against the federal government, namely the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is responsible for implementing these rules. Energy producers and other groups opposed to the new regulations have argued that the rules are too expensive and will ultimately cost consumers billions of dollars and jobs while decreasing the reliability of the electricity grid, potentially causing blackouts. Proponents of the new regulations argue that the costs are outweighed by the predicted human health benefits, increased environmental quality and climate benefits. This debate affects citizens because energy costs affect discretionary spending in homes, businesses, and even government. According to one member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), "We are now in an era of rising electricity prices." If prices increase, the trade-offs being made among environmental, production, investment and regulatory considerations will become more pronounced.[11]
The Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is the principal funding source used by federal land management agencies to acquire additional land, and it finances recreation and conservation projects at the federal and state levels. In September 2015, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Rob Bishop (R-Utah), allowed the LWCF to expire, citing the use of the fund to increase federal land ownership. The LWCF was eventually renewed for three years.[12][13][14][15][16]
Energy policy in the 50 states
Click on a state below to read more about that state's energy policy and use.
See also
Recent news
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Footnotes
- ↑ As of February 2, 2016, Cantwell had not been listed as an official co-sponsor of the bill, though several media outlets reported her as such.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The New York Times, "Senate Begins Debate on Comprehensive Bipartisan Energy Bill," January 27, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Christian Science Monitor, "How two senators, opposing parties, got a bipartisan energy bill to the floor," February 1, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "Senate Democrats Block Energy Bill in Dispute Over Aid for Flint," February 4, 2016
- ↑ The Washington Post, "The surprising things Democrats and Republicans agree on when it comes to energy," April 19, 2016
- ↑ The Washington Post, "The Senate just passed — overwhelmingly — an actually bipartisan energy bill," April 20, 2016
- ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, "S. 2012 - The Energy Policy Modernization Act (EPMA)," July 22, 2015
- ↑ Congressional Budget Office, "S. 2012, Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015," October 15, 2015
- ↑ Congressional Budget Office, "Frequently Asked Questions About CBO Cost Estimates," accessed February 2, 2016
- ↑ Congress.Gov, "S.2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015," accessed February 1, 2016
- ↑ L.A. Times, "U.S. Electricity prices may be going up for good," April 25, 2014
- ↑ U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, "Bishop: Special Interests Will Not Prevent Congress from Modernizing LWCF, Protecting State and Local Recreational Access," September 25, 2015
- ↑ U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, "PARC Act," accessed November 23, 2015
- ↑ U.S. Congressional Research Service, "Land and Water Conservation Fund: Overview, Funding History, and Issues," October 21, 2014
- ↑ The Salt Lake Tribune, "Congress set to renew land conservation fund Utah’s Bishop wanted to overhaul," December 17, 2015
