After months of negotiation, Congress approved the final conference report on the farm bill, H.R. 2419, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. President Bush has threatened to veto the compromise agreement, but both the House and Senate have the necessary two-thirds majority votes to override a potential veto.
Of interest to NEPPA included in the final bill are provisions to ensure federal oversight of the electronic trading of oil and gas. The language will close a regulatory gap, often referred to as the "Enron loophole," which has allowed oil and gas traders to make electronic trades without any federal oversight. This lack of oversight has led to complaints about price distortions. This provision seeks to put protections into the "over-the-counter" trading markets.
In addition, the final bill includes definitional changes that will allow public power in rural areas to apply for energy related grants. In addition, the bill includes APPA supported language that will requiring a transportation study to review reliability and pricing practices of rail and other transportation sectors.
Prior to the bills approval, on May 13, APPA signed onto a coalition letter urging the House and Senate to pass the measure.