Morgan Meguire News

On July 30, by a largely party-line vote of 51-43, the Senate again failed to advance a package of renewable energy tax-credit extensions, and other tax extenders (S. 3335, the Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act).  Sixty votes were needed on a procedural motion ("cloture") to consider the merits of the bill.  ...

On July 29, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety held a hearing on the implications of the recent surprise DC Circuit Court opinion, which vacated the EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR).  The EPA rule was developed to regulate certain emissions (ozone & fine ...

On July 31, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held its second oversight hearing on the U.S. transmission grid, this time concentrating on the siting, reliability and implementation of the new authorities Congress gave the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ...

On July 31, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) responded to a July 18 letter from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) regarding certain business practices of electric coops and the association's role in its members' business activity.  The Waxman inquiry is a ...

On July 31, Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) introduced the U.S. Climate Action Now (CAN) Act.  The bill would:Require DOE to adopt national standards to improve efficiency of buildings 30 percent by 2010 and states to certify to DOE they are in compliance; Authorize the President to identify National Renewable Energy Zones (NREZs), areas with the ...

On July 24, the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials held a hearing to investigate the effect that carbon capture and storage (CCS) would have on drinking water and to give Members a better understanding of the technical nature of the technology.  Members from both parties voiced ...

A number of New England congressional staff are on the move.  Heather Zichal, Legislative Director for Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), has been hired to be the Energy Advisor to the Barak Obama presidential campaign.  Kathleen Frangione will continue to handle the energy and environmental issues for the Senator. David McIntosh, Sen. Joe ...