Summary:
Requiring Equal Sleep for Truckers Act of 2016 or the REST Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to revise federal regulations regarding hours of service of drivers to require that: (1) in the case of specially trained drivers of commercial motor vehicles that are specially constructed to service oil wells, on-duty time shall include waiting time at a natural gas or oil well site; and (2) the requirements relating to rest breaks and maximum driving time for commercial motor vehicles are applied, without exception, to such drivers and to drivers of commercial motor vehicles used exclusively in the transportation of oil field equipment.

requiring equal sleep truckers act rest act bill directs department_of_transportation revise federal regulations hours service drivers require case specially trained drivers commercial motor vehicles specially constructed service oil wells duty time shall include waiting time natural gas oil site requirements relating rest breaks maximum driving time commercial motor vehicles applied exception drivers drivers commercial motor vehicles exclusively transportation oil field equipment


Summary:
Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2016 or the PIPES Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes through FY2019 the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline and related programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT), including Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) operational expenses, one-call notification programs, community pipeline safety information grants, and the pipeline integrity program.

 (Sec. 3) The DOT Inspector General shall report to DOT, PHMSA, and Congress a list of each statutory pipeline safety mandate contained in the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011, as well as those pipeline safety statutory mandates contained in this Act and other prior Acts, that have not been implemented.

DOT shall periodically report to Congress on specific actions taken to implement such mandates and make such report publicly available on its website.

(Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report to Congress on the natural gas integrity management and hazardous liquid integrity management programs.

(Sec. 6) Two of the individuals selected for each Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and each Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee must be state officials (currently, state commissioners). DOT must consult with national organizations representing commissioners (as under current law) or governors before making such a selection.

DOT shall fill all vacancies on technical safety standards committees within 90 days of enactment of this bill, and after that period, not later than 60 days after a vacancy occurs.

(Sec. 7) After completion of any PHMSA pipeline safety inspection, the PHMSA, or the certified state authority, shall:

 conduct a post-inspection briefing with the gas or hazardous liquid pipeline owner or operator outlining any concerns, and give the owner or operator written preliminary findings of the inspection. (Sec. 8) The GAO shall study improving existing damage prevention programs through technological improvements in location and communications practices to prevent excavation damage to a pipe or its coating.

(Sec. 9) The DOT Inspector General shall review PHMSA staff resource management, including any recommendations to address hiring challenges, training needs, and any other staff resource challenges.

(Sec. 10) DOT shall convene a working group to consider development of a voluntary information sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing regarding natural gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis.

(Sec. 11) DOT shall establish a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database to improve communication and collaboration between the PHMSA and state pipeline regulators.

(Sec. 12) DOT shall issue minimum safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities.

A state authority may adopt additional or more stringent safety standards for such facilities if they are compatible with the minimum standards.

The bill imposes a fee on the operator of an underground natural gas storage facility, and establishes the Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility Safety Account in the Pipeline Safety Fund to receive such fees.

(Sec. 13) DOT shall allow for a state authority with a pipeline safety program certification, at its request, to participate in the inspection of an interstate pipeline facility.

(Sec. 14) Each hazardous liquid pipeline owner or operator shall provide safety data sheets on any spilled oil to the designated federal On-Scene Coordinator and state officials within six hours of notice of a spill to the National Response Center.

(Sec. 15) DOT shall issue an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to take public comment on the petition for rulemaking dated October 28, 2015, titled "Corrections to title 49 CFR 172.336 identification numbers; special provisions" (P-1667), regarding the display of hazardous materials identification numbers on transport vehicles or freight containers.

(Sec. 16) DOT may issue an emergency order, without prior notice or hearing, for an unsafe condition or practice, or combination thereof, constituting or causing an imminent hazard.

(Sec. 17) The bill revises DOT authority to withhold any part of a payment from a state authority under a state pipeline safety grant if the state authority is not maintaining a satisfactory effort to carry out a safety program or is not acting satisfactorily as an agent.

DOT may, if a state certification is rejected or otherwise suspended or interrupted, use any unobligated or deobligated grant funds to carry out pipeline safety activities in that state.

(Sec. 18) Each hazardous liquid pipeline owner or operator required to prepare a response plan shall consider the impact of a discharge into or on navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, including those covered by ice.

(Sec. 19) DOT shall revise certain regulations to state explicitly that the Great Lakes and any marine coastal waters (including coastal estuaries) are USA ecological resources for purposes of determining whether a pipeline is in a high consequence area.

(Sec. 20) The DOT Inspector General shall report to Congress on the community pipeline safety technical assistance grants program.

(Sec. 21) The GAO shall study materials, training, and corrosion prevention technologies used in pipeline transportation.

(Sec. 22) The GAO shall report to Congress on PHMSA's research and development program for pipeline facility integrity.

Certain DOT biennial reporting requirements regarding gas and hazardous liquid pipeline safety are revised to require an analysis and evaluation of each R&D pipeline facility integrity project using federal and non-federal entities as well as a review of how the project affects safety.

The bill amends the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 to revise requirements for the allocation of funding costs of pipeline transportation R&D using non-federal sources.

DOT shall implement processes and procedures to ensure that such projects produce results that are factual and peer-reviewed by independent experts.

(Sec. 23) DOT shall issue formal guidance to gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility owners and operators and state regulatory authorities regarding actions required to change the status of a pipeline facility from active to abandoned.

(Sec. 24) The GAO shall complete a study on state pipeline safety agreements within two years of the enactment of this bill.

protecting pipes act sec bill reauthorizes fy2019 gas hazardous liquid pipeline related programs department_of_transportation dot including pipeline_and_hazardous_materials_safety_administration phmsa operational expenses notification programs community pipeline safety information grants pipeline integrity program sec dot_inspector general shall report dot phmsa congress list statutory pipeline safety mandate contained job creation act pipeline safety statutory mandates contained act prior acts implemented dot shall periodically report congress specific actions taken implement mandates report publicly available website sec government_accountability_office gao shall report congress natural gas integrity management hazardous liquid integrity management programs sec individuals selected state officials currently state commissioners dot consult national organizations representing commissioners current law governors making selection dot shall fill vacancies technical safety standards committees days enactment bill period later days vacancy occurs sec completion phmsa pipeline safety inspection phmsa certified state authority shall conduct post inspection briefing gas hazardous liquid pipeline owner operator outlining concerns owner operator written preliminary findings inspection sec gao shall study improving existing damage prevention programs technological improvements location communications practices prevent excavation damage pipe coating sec dot_inspector general shall review phmsa staff resource management including recommendations address hiring challenges training needs staff resource challenges sec dot shall convene working group consider development voluntary information sharing system encourage collaborative efforts improve inspection information feedback information sharing natural gas transmission hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk analysis sec dot shall establish national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database improve communication collaboration phmsa state pipeline regulators sec dot shall issue minimum safety standards underground natural gas storage facilities state authority adopt additional stringent safety standards facilities compatible minimum standards bill imposes fee operator underground natural gas storage facility establishes receive fees sec dot shall allow state authority pipeline safety program certification request participate inspection interstate pipeline facility sec hazardous liquid pipeline owner operator shall provide safety data sheets oil designated federal scene coordinator state officials hours notice spill national_response_center sec dot shall issue advanced notice proposed rulemaking public comment petition rulemaking dated october titled corrections title cfr identification numbers special provisions display hazardous materials identification numbers transport vehicles freight containers sec dot issue emergency order prior notice hearing unsafe condition practice combination thereof constituting causing imminent hazard sec bill revises dot authority withhold payment state authority state pipeline safety grant state authority maintaining satisfactory effort carry safety program acting satisfactorily agent dot state certification rejected suspended interrupted use unobligated grant funds carry pipeline safety activities state sec hazardous liquid pipeline owner operator required prepare response plan shall consider impact discharge navigable waters adjoining shorelines including covered ice sec dot shall revise certain regulations state explicitly great lakes marine coastal waters including coastal estuaries usa ecological resources purposes determining pipeline high consequence area sec dot_inspector general shall report congress community pipeline safety technical assistance grants program sec gao shall study materials training corrosion prevention technologies pipeline transportation sec gao shall report congress phmsa research development program pipeline facility integrity certain dot biennial reporting requirements gas hazardous liquid pipeline safety revised require analysis evaluation pipeline facility integrity project federal non federal entities review project affects safety bill amends revise requirements allocation funding costs pipeline transportation non federal sources dot shall implement processes procedures ensure projects produce results factual peer reviewed independent experts sec dot shall issue formal guidance gas hazardous liquid pipeline facility owners operators state regulatory authorities actions required change status pipeline facility active abandoned sec gao shall complete study state pipeline safety agreements years enactment bill


Summary: This bill directs the Department of Energy to update its report on the energy and environmental benefits of re-refining used lubricating oil and submit to Congress a strategic plan to increase the beneficial reuse of lubricating oil.

bill directs department_of_energy update report energy environmental benefits refining lubricating oil submit congress strategic plan increase beneficial reuse lubricating oil


Summary:
Prosecuting Irresponsible Pipeline Explosions Act of 2016 or the PIPE Act of 2016

This bill imposes criminal penalties upon persons who recklessly damage or destroy certain gas pipelines or hazardous liquid pipelines through deliberate indifference to or conscious disregard of the consequences of their conduct.

prosecuting pipeline explosions act pipe act bill imposes criminal penalties persons recklessly damage destroy certain gas pipelines hazardous liquid pipelines deliberate indifference conscious disregard consequences conduct


Summary:
Pipeline Safety Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to report to specified congressional committees on the status of a final rule for required pipeline safety regulations for which no interim final rule or direct final rule has been issued.

(Sec. 3) The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) shall complete rulemaking for each such outstanding pipeline safety regulation before beginning any new rulemaking, except where there is a significant need to do so.

(Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report on the integrity management programs for natural gas pipeline facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.

(Sec. 5) Two of the individuals selected for each Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and each Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee must be state officials (currently, state commissioners). DOT must consult with national organizations representing commissioners (as under current law) or utility regulators when making such a selection.

(Sec. 6) After completion of any pipeline safety inspection, DOT, or the certified state pipeline safety authority, shall:

 conduct a post-inspection briefing with the natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline operator, outlining any concerns, and provide written findings of the inspection. (Sec. 7) DOT shall conduct a study on improving requirements for damage prevention programs for natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.

(Sec. 8) The bill grants PHMSA authority to appoint qualified candidates to positions relating to pipeline safety.

PHMSA shall report annually to Congress on:

 the use of such authority, and its efforts to hire women, minorities, and veterans as inspectors. (Sec. 9) DOT shall convene a working group to consider development of a voluntary information-sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing regarding natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk assessment and integrity management.

(Sec. 10) DOT shall:

 report on the feasibility of establishing a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database to improve communication and collaboration between the PHMSA and state pipeline regulators; and issue minimum safety standards for the operation and integrity management, and environmental protection, of underground gas storage facilities. The bill imposes a fee on the operator of an underground natural gas storage facility and establishes an underground natural gas storage facility safety account in the Pipeline Safety Fund to receive such fees.

(Sec. 12) Each hazardous liquid pipeline facility operator shall ensure that:

 pipeline integrity assessments using internal inspection technology are done once every 12 months; and such assessments using pipeline route surveys, pressure tests, external corrosion direct assessment, or other technology that determine the pipeline condition are completed on a schedule based on the risk that the facility poses to a high consequence area (urban area). (Sec. 13) PHMSA shall require, and each hazardous liquid pipeline operator shall ensure, that any response plan includes procedures and a list of resources for responding to a worst case oil discharge and to a substantial threat thereof, including when such discharge may impact navigable waters or adjoining shorelines covered by ice.

(Sec. 14) The bill adds the Great Lakes and coastal beaches as areas that are unusually sensitive to environmental damage if there is a hazardous liquid pipeline accident.

(Sec. 15) DOT may issue an emergency order, without prior notice or hearing, imposing emergency restrictions, prohibitions, and safety measures for an unsafe condition or practice that constitutes or is causing an imminent hazard to a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility.

(Sec. 16) DOT's Inspector General shall conduct an audit of the community pipeline safety technical assistance grants program to review compliance by PHMSA and grant recipients.

(Sec. 17) DOT shall: (1) make available to the public the cost-benefit analyses of its rulemakings, and (2) identify the substantive changes between a draft rulemaking submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review and the final version published in the Federal Register.

(Sec. 18) The GAO shall report to Congress on corrosion control for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.

(Sec. 19) DOT shall enter into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to study regulatory requirements, techniques, and best practices for pipeline facilities transporting or storing only petroleum gas or mixtures of petroleum gas and air to 100 or fewer customers.

(Sec. 20) The bill requires DOT to consider: (1) national security when prescribing minimum safety standards for deciding on the location of a new liquefied natural gas pipeline facility, and (2) cybersecurity measures in prescribing minimum operating and maintenance standards for such facilities.

(Sec. 21) The bill reauthorizes through FY2021 the DOT gas and hazardous liquid pipeline and related programs, including PHMSA operational expenses, one-call notification program grants, community pipeline safety information grants, and the pipeline integrity program.

pipeline safety act sec bill directs department_of_transportation dot report specified congressional committees status final rule required pipeline safety regulations interim final rule direct final rule issued sec pipeline hazardous_materials_safety_administration phmsa shall complete rulemaking outstanding pipeline safety regulation beginning new rulemaking significant need sec government_accountability_office gao shall report integrity management programs natural gas pipeline facilities hazardous liquid pipeline facilities sec individuals selected state officials currently state commissioners dot consult national organizations representing commissioners current law utility regulators making selection sec completion pipeline safety inspection dot certified state pipeline safety authority shall conduct post inspection briefing natural gas hazardous liquid pipeline operator outlining concerns provide written findings inspection sec dot shall conduct study improving requirements damage prevention programs natural gas hazardous liquid pipeline facilities sec bill grants phmsa authority appoint qualified candidates positions relating pipeline safety phmsa shall report annually congress use authority efforts hire women minorities veterans inspectors sec dot shall convene working group consider development voluntary information sharing system encourage collaborative efforts improve inspection information feedback information sharing natural gas hazardous liquid pipeline integrity risk assessment integrity management sec dot shall report feasibility establishing national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database improve communication collaboration phmsa state pipeline regulators issue minimum safety standards operation integrity management environmental protection underground gas storage facilities bill imposes fee operator underground natural gas storage facility establishes underground natural gas storage facility safety account receive fees sec hazardous liquid pipeline facility operator shall ensure pipeline integrity assessments internal inspection technology months assessments pipeline route surveys pressure tests external corrosion direct assessment technology determine pipeline condition completed schedule based risk facility poses high consequence area urban area sec phmsa shall require hazardous liquid pipeline operator shall ensure response plan includes procedures list resources responding worst case oil discharge substantial threat thereof including discharge impact navigable waters adjoining shorelines covered ice sec bill adds great_lakes coastal beaches areas unusually sensitive environmental damage hazardous liquid pipeline accident sec dot issue emergency order prior notice hearing imposing emergency restrictions prohibitions safety measures unsafe condition practice constitutes causing imminent hazard gas hazardous liquid pipeline facility sec dot inspector general shall conduct audit community pipeline safety technical assistance grants program review compliance phmsa grant recipients sec dot shall available public cost benefit analyses rulemakings identify substantive changes draft rulemaking submitted office_of_management_and_budget review final version published federal_register sec gao shall report congress corrosion control gas hazardous liquid pipeline facilities sec dot shall enter agreement transportation_research_board national_academy_of_sciences study regulatory requirements techniques best practices pipeline facilities transporting storing petroleum gas mixtures petroleum gas air fewer customers sec bill requires dot consider national security prescribing minimum safety standards deciding location new liquefied natural gas pipeline facility cybersecurity measures prescribing minimum operating maintenance standards facilities sec bill reauthorizes fy2021 dot gas hazardous liquid pipeline related programs including phmsa operational expenses notification program grants community pipeline safety information grants pipeline integrity program


Summary:
Great Lakes Pipeline Safety Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a study to determine the economic and environmental risks of oil or hazardous liquids spills or leaks in the Straits of Mackinac that a failure of onshore, underwater pipeline facilities within the straits would pose to the Great Lakes.

In addition, DOT must evaluate the condition and structural integrity of the facilities.

DOT shall terminate operations of a facility upon a determination, based on such studies, that risk of hazard to life, property, or the environment warrants termination.

bill directs department_of_transportation dot conduct study determine economic environmental risks oil hazardous liquids spills leaks failure onshore underwater pipeline facilities straits pose great lakes addition dot evaluate condition structural integrity facilities dot shall terminate operations facility determination based studies risk hazard life property environment warrants termination


Summary:
PHMSA Accountability Act

This bill allows a private person to bring a civil action for a writ of mandamus in an appropriate U.S. district court to compel the Department of Transportation to perform a nondiscretionary duty under federal pipeline safety provisions that it has failed to perform.

phmsa accountability act bill allows private person bring civil action writ appropriate district court compel department_of_transportation perform nondiscretionary duty federal pipeline safety provisions failed perform


Summary:
Innovation in Offshore Leasing Act

(Sec. 2)This bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)to conduct offshore oil and gas lease sales through Internet-based bidding methods.

Before conducting any Internet-based sale, BOEM is required to gather information from each company present for bidding at the 10 most recent oil and gas lease sales conducted under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The information is designed to provide the bidding public sufficient opportunity to share ideas, methods, and concerns regarding Internet-based leasing.

All Internet-based sales must meet certain requirements and BOEM shall publicly disclose statistical data regarding any sale on the day the sale is executed.

Additionally, BOEM must conduct at least one Internet-based lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Region within 18 months.

BOEM must also provide a report to Congress within 90 days after it conducts a third Internet-based lease sale.

innovation offshore leasing act sec bill amends outer_continental_shelf_lands_act authorize bureau_of_ocean_energy_management conduct offshore oil gas lease sales internet based bidding methods conducting internet based sale boem required gather information company present bidding recent oil gas lease sales conducted outer_continental_shelf_lands_act information designed provide bidding public sufficient opportunity share ideas methods concerns internet based leasing internet based sales meet certain requirements boem shall publicly disclose statistical data sale day sale executed additionally boem conduct internet based lease sale months boem provide report congress days conducts internet based lease sale


Summary:
Safe and Accountable Federal Energy Review for Pipelines Act of 2016 or the Safer Pipelines Act of 2016

This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), before granting a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a proposed pipeline expansion project, to:

 conduct a full evidentiary hearing on the need for the expansion or a cumulative review of planned energy infrastructure projects in the region of the proposed expansion; and consider matters that include existing capacity, renewable energy goals, and the ability to otherwise meet energy needs. Additionally, FERC must: (1) consider, in the case of interstate pipeline projects, the cumulative environmental impacts of other interstate or regional projects; and (2) monitor approved pipeline projects for five years to ensure that environmental mitigation steps have been implemented.

safe safer pipelines act bill amends natural gas act require federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc granting certificate public convenience necessity proposed pipeline expansion project conduct evidentiary hearing need expansion cumulative review planned energy infrastructure projects region proposed expansion consider matters include existing capacity renewable energy goals ability meet energy needs additionally ferc consider case interstate pipeline projects cumulative environmental impacts interstate regional projects monitor approved pipeline projects years ensure environmental mitigation steps implemented


Summary:
Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act

This bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit conducting geological or geophysical activities in support of oil or gas exploration and development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf.

The geological and geophysical activities are described in a final programmatic environmental impact statement by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management entitled "Atlantic OCS Proposed Geological and Geophysical Activities, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas."

bill amends outer_continental_shelf_lands_act prohibit conducting geological geophysical activities support oil gas exploration development geological geophysical activities described final programmatic environmental impact statement bureau_of_ocean_energy_management entitled atlantic ocs proposed geological geophysical activities mid-atlantic south atlantic planning areas


Summary:
Transparency in Energy Production Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of the Interior to publicly disclose the amounts of fossil fuel production, including amounts of gas released (as by flaring), and renewable energy production on public lands.

The data shall present amounts of greenhouse gas emissions using the 20- and 100-year Global Warming Potential-weighted emission values and, for renewable energy production, compare fossil fuel-generated emissions resulting from the same amount of energy.

 As determined necessary to implement this bill, Interior shall promulgate regulations regarding accurate measurement and reporting of methane emissions.

transparency energy production act bill requires department_of_the_interior publicly disclose amounts fossil fuel production including amounts gas released renewable energy production public lands data shall present amounts greenhouse gas emissions year potential weighted emission values renewable energy production compare fossil fuel generated emissions resulting energy determined necessary implement bill interior shall promulgate regulations accurate measurement reporting methane emissions


Summary:
Know Your Oil Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE)to issue regulations thatrequire companies that extract or refine oil to disclose oil data, including the amounts and sourcesof greenhouse gas emitted during the oilextraction, refining, and combustion process.

DOE must consult with federal agencies and state and tribal governments to carry out this bill.Additionally, DOE must publicly disclose and maintain thedata it collects on greenhouse gas emissions and oil field resources.

know oil act bill directs department_of_energy issue regulations companies extract refine oil disclose oil data including amounts greenhouse gas emitted refining combustion process doe consult federal agencies state tribal governments carry bill additionally doe publicly disclose maintain collects greenhouse gas emissions oil field resources


Summary:
Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to revise requirements governing the liability of parties that are responsible for oil discharges from offshore facilities into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. Currently, responsible parties are liable for the total of all removal costs plus $75 million. The bill: (1) removes the cap of $75 million on liability, and (2) makes the responsible parties liable for all covered damages. Covered damages includes damages for: (1) loss of natural resources, property, revenue, or profits; or (2) costs of providing increased public services during or after removal activities, such as fire protection.

big_oil_bailout_prevention_unlimited_liability_act bill amends oil pollution act revise requirements governing liability parties responsible oil discharges offshore facilities navigable waters adjoining shorelines currently responsible parties liable total removal costs plus million bill removes cap million liability makes responsible parties liable covered damages covered damages includes damages loss natural resources property revenue profits costs providing increased public services removal activities fire protection


Summary:
Big Oil Bailout Prevention Trust Fund Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate: (1) the $1 billion per incident limitation on expenditures from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for cleanup of oil spills, (2) the $500 million per incident limitation on expenditures from the trust fund for natural resource damage assessments and claims in connection with oil spills, and (3) the limitation on the borrowing authority of the trust fund.

The bill also amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to direct the President to promulgate regulations to allow advance payments from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to states and localities to prepare for and mitigate substantial threats from the discharge of oil.

bill amends internal_revenue_code eliminate billion incident limitation expenditures oil_spill_liability_trust_fund cleanup oil spills million incident limitation expenditures trust fund natural resource damage assessments claims connection oil spills limitation borrowing authority trust fund bill amends oil pollution act direct president promulgate regulations allow advance payments oil_spill_liability_trust_fund states localities prepare mitigate substantial threats discharge oil


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on January 29, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act

(Sec. 2) Authorizes TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities specified in an application filed by TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State on May 4, 2012.

Deems the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement regarding the pipeline issued by the Secretary of State in January 2014 to fully satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and any law that requires federal agency consultation or review, including the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Maintains in effect any applicable federal permit or authorization issued before enactment of this Act.

Grants original and exclusive jurisdiction, except for review in the Supreme Court, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over any civil action for the review of a federal agency action regarding the pipeline and related facilities.

Declares that this Act does not alter any federal, state, or local process or condition in effect on the date of enactment of this Act that is necessary to secure access from an owner of private property to construct the pipeline and cross-border facilities.

Allows acquisition of land or an interest in land for the pipeline and cross-border facilities only in a manner consistent with the Constitution.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to act as the lead federal agency for coordinating and disseminating information on existing federal programs and assistance that may be used to help initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools.

Requires DOE to: (1) carry out a review of existing programs and financing mechanisms available in or from appropriate federal agencies with jurisdiction over energy financing and facilitation that are currently used or may be used for such purposes; (2) establish a federal collaborative coordination, education, and outreach effort to streamline communication and promote available federal opportunities and assistance for such projects that enables states, local educational agencies, and schools to use federal opportunities more effectively and to form partnerships with governors, state energy programs, state and local officials, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to support project initiation; (3) provide technical assistance for states, local educational agencies, and schools to help develop and finance projects that meet specified requirements; (4) develop and maintain a single website with contact information for relevant technical assistance and support staff in the Office for states, local educational agencies, and schools to effectively access and use federal opportunities and assistance to develop such projects; and (5) establish a process for recognition of schools that have successfully implemented such projects and are willing to serve as resources for other local educational agencies and schools to assist similar efforts.

(Sec. 4) Declares that nothing in this Act relieves the United States of its responsibility to consult with Indian nations as required under Executive Order 13175.

(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of the Senate that climate change is real and not a hoax.

(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should approve a bill, originated by the House, to ensure that all forms of bitumen or synthetic crude oil derived from bitumen are subject to the per-barrel excise tax associated with the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.

DIVISION B [sic]--ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT

Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015

TITLE I--BETTER BUILDINGS

Better Buildings Act of 2015

(Sec. 102) Requires the General Services Administration, in consultation with DOE, to develop and publish model commercial leasing provisions for use in leasing documents that designate a federal agency as a landlord or tenant that encourage building owners and tenants to invest in cost-effective energy and water efficiency measures.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) develop policies and best practices to implement such measures for the realty services; and (2) make available such model leasing provisions and best practices to state and local governments for use in managing owned and leased building space to encourage investment in such energy and water efficiency measures.

(Sec. 103) Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to study the feasibility of: (1) significantly improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings through the design and construction of separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures, and (2) encouraging owners and tenants to implement such measures in separate spaces. Requires the Secretary to publish such study on DOE's website.

(Sec. 104) Requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a voluntary Tenant Star program within the Energy Star program to recognize tenants in commercial buildings that voluntarily achieve high levels of energy efficiency in separate spaces. Requires the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to collect data on categories of building occupancy that consume significant quantities of energy and on other aspects of the property, building operation, or building occupancy determined to be relevant to lowering energy consumption. Requires the EIA, with respect to the first such survey conducted after enactment of this Act, to the extent full compliance with the data collection requirements is not feasible, to conduct activities to develop the capability to collect such data and to begin such collection.

TITLE II--GRID-ENABLED WATER HEATERS

(Sec. 201) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to provide additional energy conservation standards applicable to grid-enabled water heaters for use as part of an electric thermal storage or demand response program (a program that enables customers to reduce or shift their power use during peak demand periods).

Requires annual reports from: (1) manufacturers of such water heaters regarding the quantity of the products shipped each year, and (2) utilities and other demand response and thermal storage program operators regarding the quantity of products activated for their programs.

Requires the Secretary to publish analyses of data collected from such reports and to establish procedures to prevent product diversion if sales of the products exceed by at least 15% the quantity activated for use in the demand response and thermal storage programs annually.

Maintains the standards and publication procedures established by this Act until DOE determines that: (1) such water heaters do not require a separate efficiency requirement, or (2) procedures to prevent product diversion for non-program purposes would not be adequate to prevent such product diversion.

Requires DOE to consider the impact of EPCA electric water heater standards on thermal storage and demand response programs, including on energy savings, electric bills, peak load reduction, electric reliability, integration of renewable resources, and the environment.

Directs DOE to require the water heaters be equipped with communication capability to enable the grid-enabled water heaters to participate in ancillary services programs if the technology is available, practical, and cost-effective.

Makes it unlawful for any person to: (1) activate an activation lock for a grid-enabled water heater with knowledge that it is not used as part of such program, (2) distribute an activation key for such a water heater with knowledge that it will be used to activate a heater that is not used as part of the program, (3) enable such water heater to operate at its designed specification and capabilities with knowledge that it is not used as part of the program, or (4) knowingly remove or render illegible the label of a such water heater.

TITLE III--ENERGY INFORMATION FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

(Sec. 301) Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to revise exceptions to the requirement that federal agencies must lease space in buildings that have earned the Energy Star label.

Requires a space leased by an agency in a building that has not earned the Energy Star label to be benchmarked under a nationally recognized, online, free benchmarking program, with public disclosure. Exempts from such requirement a space for which owners cannot access whole building utility consumption data. Requires an agency that is a tenant of a space that has not earned such label to provide to a building owner, or authorize the owner to obtain from the utility, the energy consumption information of the space for the benchmarking and disclosure requirements.

Requires DOE to study and report on: (1) the impact of state and local performance benchmarking and disclosure policies, and any associated building efficiency policies, for commercial and multifamily buildings and the impact of programs and systems in which utilities provide aggregated information regarding whole building energy consumption and usage information to owners of multitenant commercial, residential, and mixed-use buildings; and (2) best practice policy approaches that have resulted in the greatest improvements in building energy efficiency.

Directs DOE to maintain, and if necessary create, a database to store and make publicly available energy-related information on commercial and multifamily buildings. Requires the database to complement, but not duplicate, the functions of the EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool.

measure amended passed senate january summary version repeated keystone pipeline approval act sec authorizes transcanada keystone pipeline construct connect operate maintain pipeline cross border facilities specified application filed transcanada_corporation department_of_state deems final supplemental environmental impact statement pipeline issued secretary state january fully satisfy national_environmental_policy_act law requires federal agency consultation review including endangered species act maintains effect applicable federal permit authorization issued enactment act grants original exclusive jurisdiction review supreme_court civil action review federal agency action pipeline related facilities declares act alter federal state local process condition effect date enactment act necessary secure access owner private property construct pipeline cross border facilities allows acquisition land interest land pipeline cross border facilities manner consistent constitution sec directs department_of_energy renewable energy act lead federal agency coordinating disseminating information existing federal programs assistance help initiate develop finance energy efficiency renewable energy energy retrofitting projects schools requires doe carry review existing programs financing mechanisms available appropriate federal agencies jurisdiction energy financing facilitation currently purposes establish federal collaborative coordination education outreach effort streamline communication promote available federal opportunities assistance projects enables states local educational agencies schools use federal opportunities effectively form partnerships governors state energy programs state local officials nonprofit organizations entities support project initiation provide technical assistance states local educational agencies schools help develop finance projects meet specified requirements develop maintain single website contact information relevant technical assistance support staff office states local educational agencies schools effectively access use federal opportunities assistance develop projects establish process recognition schools successfully implemented projects willing serve resources local educational agencies schools assist similar efforts sec declares act relieves united_states responsibility consult indian nations required executive order sec expresses sense senate climate change real sec expresses sense senate congress approve bill originated house ensure forms bitumen synthetic crude oil derived bitumen subject barrel excise tax associated oil_spill_liability_trust_fund division efficiency improvement energy efficiency improvement act title better buildings better buildings act sec requires general_services_administration consultation doe develop publish model commercial leasing provisions use leasing documents designate federal agency landlord tenant encourage building owners tenants invest cost effective energy water efficiency measures requires administrator develop policies best practices implement measures services available model leasing provisions best practices state local governments use managing owned leased building space encourage investment energy water efficiency measures sec amends energy independence security act require study feasibility significantly improving energy efficiency commercial buildings design construction separate spaces high performance energy efficiency measures encouraging owners tenants implement measures separate spaces requires secretary publish study doe website sec requires environmental_protection_agency epa develop voluntary program energy_star program recognize tenants commercial buildings voluntarily achieve high levels energy efficiency separate spaces requires administrator energy_information_administration eia collect data categories building occupancy consume significant quantities energy aspects property building operation building occupancy determined relevant lowering energy consumption requires eia respect survey conducted enactment act extent compliance data collection requirements feasible conduct activities develop capability collect data begin collection title grid enabled water heaters sec amends energy_policy_and_conservation_act epca provide additional energy conservation standards applicable grid enabled water heaters use electric thermal storage demand response program program enables customers reduce shift power use peak demand periods requires annual reports manufacturers water heaters quantity products shipped year utilities demand response thermal storage program operators quantity products activated programs requires secretary publish analyses data collected reports establish procedures prevent product diversion sales products exceed quantity activated use demand response thermal storage programs annually maintains standards publication procedures established act doe determines water heaters require separate efficiency requirement procedures prevent product diversion non program purposes adequate prevent product diversion requires doe consider impact epca electric water heater standards thermal storage demand response programs including energy savings electric bills peak load reduction electric reliability integration renewable resources environment directs doe require water heaters equipped communication capability enable grid enabled water heaters participate ancillary services programs technology available practical cost effective makes unlawful person activate activation lock grid enabled water heater knowledge program distribute activation key water heater knowledge activate heater program enable water heater operate designed specification capabilities knowledge program knowingly remove render label water heater title iii energy information commercial buildings sec amends energy independence security act revise exceptions requirement federal agencies lease space buildings earned energy star label requires space leased agency building earned energy_star label nationally recognized online free program public disclosure exempts requirement space owners access building utility consumption data requires agency tenant space earned label provide building owner authorize owner obtain utility energy consumption information space disclosure requirements requires doe study report impact state local performance disclosure policies associated building efficiency policies commercial multifamily buildings impact programs systems utilities provide aggregated information building energy consumption usage information owners commercial residential mixed use buildings best practice policy approaches resulted greatest improvements building energy efficiency directs doe maintain necessary create database store publicly available energy related information commercial multifamily buildings requires database complement duplicate functions portfolio manager tool


Summary:
Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act

Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to prohibit the Department of the Interior from enforcing any federal regulation, guidance, or permit requirement regarding hydraulic fracturing (including any component of that process), relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on or under any land in any state that has regulations, guidance, or permit requirements for that activity.

Requires Interior to recognize and defer to state regulations, permitting, and guidance, for all activities regarding hydraulic fracturing relating to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities on federal land regardless of whether those rules are duplicative, more or less restrictive, have different requirements, or do not meet federal regulations, guidance, or permit requirements.

Defines "hydraulic fracturing" as the process by which fracturing fluids (including a fracturing fluid system) are pumped into an underground geologic formation to generate fractures or cracks, thereby increasing rock permeability near the wellbore and improving production of natural gas or oil.

rights promote american energy security act amends mineral leasing act prohibit department_of_the_interior enforcing federal regulation guidance permit requirement hydraulic fracturing including component process relating oil gas geothermal production activities land state regulations guidance permit requirements activity requires interior recognize defer state regulations permitting guidance activities hydraulic fracturing relating oil gas geothermal production activities federal land regardless rules duplicative restrictive different requirements meet federal regulations guidance permit requirements defines hydraulic fracturing process fracturing fluids including fracturing fluid system pumped underground geologic formation generate fractures increasing rock near wellbore improving production natural gas oil


Summary:
LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act

Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE), for proposals that must also obtain authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the United States Maritime Administration to site, construct, expand, or operate liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities, to issue a decision on an application for authorization to export natural gas within 45 days after the later of: (1) the conclusion of the review to site, construct, expand, or operate the LNG facilities required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); or (2) the date of enactment of this Act.

Deems a NEPA review to be concluded when the lead agency: (1) publishes an Environmental Impact Statement if the project requires one; (2) publishes a Finding of No Significant Impact if the project needs an Environmental Assessment; or (3) determines that an application is eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to NEPA regulations.

(A "categorical exclusion" under NEPA is a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency in implementing environmental regulations and for which, therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is required.) Confers upon either the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or the circuit in which the export facility will be located original and exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action for the review of: (1) a DOE order regarding the application; or (2) DOE failure to issue a final decision on the application.

Requires the Court, if it finds in a civil action that DOE has failed to issue a final decision on an application, to order DOE to issue a decision within 30 days.

Requires the Court to set any civil action brought under this Act on the docket, for expedited consideration, as soon as practical after the filing date of the initial pleading.

Amends the Natural Gas Act to direct the Secretary, in the case of any LNG export authorization, to require the applicant to report to DOE, according to specified timelines, the names of the one or more countries of destination to which the exported LNG is delivered.

lng permitting certainty transparency_act directs secretary energy doe proposals obtain authorization federal_energy_regulatory_commission site construct expand operate liquefied natural gas lng export facilities issue decision application authorization export natural gas days later conclusion review site construct expand operate lng facilities required national_environmental_policy_act nepa date enactment act deems nepa review concluded lead agency publishes environmental impact statement project requires publishes finding significant impact project needs environmental assessment determines application eligible categorical exclusion pursuant nepa regulations categorical exclusion nepa category actions individually cumulatively significant effect human environment found effect procedures adopted federal agency implementing environmental regulations environmental assessment environmental impact statement required confers circuit export facility located original exclusive jurisdiction civil action review doe order application doe failure issue final decision application requires court finds civil action doe failed issue final decision application order doe issue decision days requires court set civil action brought act docket expedited consideration soon practical filing date initial pleading amends natural gas act direct secretary case lng export authorization require applicant report doe according specified timelines names countries destination exported lng delivered


Summary:
Deems the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015, issued by the Secretary of the Interior, to be the final oil and gas leasing program for the period FY2015-FY2020.

Considers the Secretary to have issued a final environmental impact statement to the FY2013-FY2018 oil and gas leasing program in accordance with certain requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Excludes Lease Sales 214, 232, and 239, from the FY2015-FY2020 final oil and gas leasing program.

Declares that this Act does not affect restrictions on oil and gas leasing under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006.

deems draft proposed outer continental shelf oil gas leasing program issued secretary interior final oil gas leasing program period considers secretary issued final environmental impact statement fy2013 fy2018 oil gas leasing program accordance certain requirements national_environmental_policy_act excludes lease sales fy2015 fy2020 final oil gas leasing program declares act affect restrictions oil gas leasing gulf_of_mexico_energy_security_act


Summary:
Strategic Petroleum Supplies Act

Prohibits the Administration from authorizing sales of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the date all requisite permits under Executive Order 13337 for the Keystone XL pipeline project application filed on September 19, 2008, have been issued.

Excepts from such prohibition U.S. obligations under the international energy program.

strategic petroleum supplies act prohibits administration authorizing sales petroleum products strategic_petroleum_reserve date requisite permits executive order keystone_xl pipeline project application filed september issued excepts prohibition obligations international energy program


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act

(Sec. 2) Authorizes TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities specified in an application filed by TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State on May 4, 2012.

Deems the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement regarding the pipeline issued by the Secretary of State in January 2014 to fully satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and any law that requires federal agency consultation or review, including the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Maintains in effect any applicable federal permit or authorization issued before enactment of this Act.

Grants original and exclusive jurisdiction, except for review in the Supreme Court, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit over any civil action for the review of a federal agency action regarding the pipeline and related facilities.

Declares that this Act does not alter any federal, state, or local process or condition in effect on the date of enactment of this Act that is necessary to secure access from an owner of private property to construct the pipeline and cross-border facilities.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure keystone pipeline approval act sec authorizes transcanada keystone pipeline construct connect operate maintain pipeline cross border facilities specified application filed transcanada_corporation department_of_state deems final supplemental environmental impact statement pipeline issued secretary state january fully satisfy national_environmental_policy_act law requires federal agency consultation review including endangered species act maintains effect applicable federal permit authorization issued enactment act grants original exclusive jurisdiction review supreme_court civil action review federal agency action pipeline related facilities declares act alter federal state local process condition effect date enactment act necessary secure access owner private property construct pipeline cross border facilities


Summary:
Directs the Secretary of Energy to ensure that any crude oil and bitumen transported into the United States by the Keystone XL pipeline, and all refined petroleum fuel products originating from that crude oil or bitumen, will be entered into domestic commerce in the United States for use as fuel or the manufacture of another product.

Authorizes the President to waive such requirement in the national interest in specified circumstances, including where: (1) an exchange of crude oil or refined product provides for no net loss of crude oil or refined product consumed domestically; or (2) a waiver is necessary under the Constitution, a law, or an international agreement.

directs secretary energy ensure crude oil bitumen transported united_states keystone pipeline refined petroleum fuel products originating crude oil bitumen entered domestic commerce united_states use fuel manufacture product authorizes president waive requirement national interest specified circumstances including exchange crude oil refined product provides net loss crude oil refined product consumed domestically waiver necessary constitution law international agreement


Summary: This bill equalizes the excise tax on liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas by establishing a rate of 18.3 cents per energy equivalent of a gallon of gasoline for liquefied petroleum gas and 24.3 cents per energy equivalent of a gallon of diesel for liquefied natural gas.

bill excise tax liquefied petroleum gas liquefied natural gas establishing rate cents energy equivalent gallon gasoline liquefied petroleum gas cents energy equivalent gallon diesel liquefied natural gas


Summary:
Natural Gas Gathering Enhancement Act

 Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant a right of way for natural gas pipelines through a unit of the National Park System for a maximum term of 30 years, and a maximum width of 50 feet.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to permit the use of rights of way for natural gas pipelines through public lands, forest, and other reservations of the United States, and specified national parks in California.

Defines "gas gathering line and associated field compression unit" as: (1) a pipeline installed to transport natural gas production associated with one or more wells drilled and completed to produce oil or gas; and (2) if necessary, a compressor to raise the pressure of that transported natural gas to higher pressures suitable to enable the gas to flow into pipelines and other facilities.

Excludes from such definition any pipeline or compression unit installed to transport natural gas from a processing plant to a common carrier pipeline or facility.

Excludes from federal lands, for purposes of gas gathering line and associated field compression units, any unit of the National Park System, any unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, or Indian land.

Deems the issuance of a sundry notice or right-of-way for a gas gathering line and associated field compression unit located on federal or Indian land and servicing an oil well to be an action categorically excluded for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), if the line and the compression unit are: (1) within a field or unit for which an approved land use plan or an environmental document prepared pursuant to NEPA analyzed transportation of natural gas produced from one or more oil wells in that field or unit as a reasonably foreseeable activity, and (2) located adjacent to or within an existing disturbed area or an existing corridor for a right-of-way.

(A "categorical exclusion" is a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency in implementing environmental regulations and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.) Applies this categorical exclusion to Indian land if the Indian tribe with jurisdiction over the land requests in writing that the exclusion apply.

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary to study permissible actions or proposed changes to federal law which would expedite permitting for gas gathering lines and associated field compression units located on federal land or Indian land to transport natural gas associated with oil and gas production on any land, to a processing plant or a common carrier pipeline for delivery to markets.

Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to direct the appropriate agency head to issue a sundry notice or right-of-way for a gas gathering line and associated field compression unit located on federal land within 90 days after receiving the request for a line and compression unit described in this Act, unless the Secretary or agency head finds that the sundry notice or right-of-way would violate either the National Historic Preservation Act or the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

natural gas gathering enhancement act authorizes secretary interior grant right way natural gas pipelines unit national_park_system maximum term years maximum width feet authorizes secretary interior permit use rights way natural gas pipelines public lands forest reservations united_states specified national parks california defines gas gathering line associated field compression unit pipeline installed transport natural gas production associated wells drilled completed produce oil gas necessary compressor raise pressure transported natural gas higher pressures suitable enable gas flow pipelines facilities excludes definition pipeline compression unit installed transport natural gas processing plant common carrier pipeline facility excludes federal lands purposes gas gathering line associated field compression units unit national_park_system unit national_wildlife_refuge_system component national_wilderness_preservation_system indian land deems issuance sundry notice right way gas gathering line associated field compression unit located federal indian land servicing oil action categorically excluded purposes national_environmental_policy_act nepa line compression unit field unit approved land use plan environmental document prepared pursuant nepa analyzed transportation natural gas produced oil wells field unit reasonably foreseeable activity located adjacent existing disturbed area existing corridor right way categorical exclusion category actions individually cumulatively significant effect human environment found effect procedures adopted federal agency implementing environmental regulations environmental assessment environmental impact statement required applies categorical exclusion indian land indian tribe jurisdiction land requests writing exclusion apply amends energy policy act direct secretary study permissible actions proposed changes federal law expedite permitting gas gathering lines associated field compression units located federal land indian land transport natural gas associated oil gas production land processing plant common carrier pipeline delivery markets amends mineral leasing act direct appropriate agency head issue sundry notice right way gas gathering line associated field compression unit located federal land days receiving request line compression unit described act secretary agency head finds sundry notice right way violate national_historic_preservation_act endangered species act


Summary:
Authorizing Alaska Production Act

 Authorizes the exploration, leasing, development, production, and economically feasible and prudent transportation of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain of Alaska.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program for oil and gas exploration, development, and production on the Coastal Plain.

Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal the prohibition against production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

States that, in connection with specified environmental protection laws, the Secretary shall neither: (1) identify nonleasing alternative courses of action, nor (2) analyze the environmental effects of those actions.

Prohibits the Secretary from closing land within the Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing, exploration, development, or production except in accordance with this Act.

Directs the Secretary, within one year after the first lease sale is conducted under this Act, to conduct a second lease sale (and additional sales if sufficient interest in exploration or development exists).

Prescribes procedures for lease sales and lease grants on the Coastal Plain that include the requirement that the standard for land reclamation be either: (1) a condition capable of supporting the uses that the land was capable of supporting before any exploration, development, or production activities; or (2) a higher or better standard, as approved by the Secretary, upon the lessee's application.

Prescribes Coastal Plain environmental protection standards that require the Secretary to administer this Act: (1) using a no significant adverse effect standard to govern authorized Coastal Plain activities; (2) implementing site-specific assessment and mitigation measures; (3) promulgating regulations to protect coastal plain fish and wildlife resources, subsistence users, and the environment; (4) requiring compliance with federal and state environmental laws; and (5) ensuring that local residents have reasonable access to public land for traditional uses.

Deems any rights-of-way or easements across the Coastal Plain for the exploration, development, production, or transportation of oil and gas to be established incident to the management of the Coastal Plain.

Requires the Secretary to convey to: (1) the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation the surface estate of certain land, and (2) the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation the remaining subsurface estate to which that Corporation is entitled under a specified agreement.

Establishes in the Treasury the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance to certain entities in Alaska directly impacted by oil or gas exploration or production on the Coastal Plain. Restricts the use of such financial assistance to specified purposes.

authorizing alaska production act authorizes exploration leasing development production economically feasible prudent transportation oil gas coastal_plain_of_alaska directs secretary interior establish competitive oil gas leasing program oil gas exploration development production coastal_plain amends alaska_national_interest_lands_conservation_act repeal prohibition production oil gas arctic_national_wildlife_refuge states connection specified environmental protection laws secretary shall identify nonleasing alternative courses action analyze environmental effects actions prohibits secretary closing land coastal_plain oil gas leasing exploration development production accordance act directs secretary year lease sale conducted act conduct second lease sale additional sales sufficient interest exploration development exists prescribes procedures lease sales lease grants coastal_plain include requirement standard land reclamation condition capable supporting uses land capable supporting exploration development production activities higher better standard approved secretary lessee application prescribes coastal_plain environmental protection standards require secretary administer act significant adverse effect standard govern authorized coastal_plain activities implementing site specific assessment mitigation measures promulgating regulations protect coastal plain fish wildlife resources subsistence users environment requiring compliance federal state environmental laws ensuring local residents reasonable access public land traditional uses deems rights way easements coastal_plain exploration development production transportation oil gas established incident management coastal_plain requires secretary convey kaktovik_inupiat_corporation surface estate certain land arctic_slope_regional_corporation remaining subsurface estate corporation entitled specified agreement establishes treasury coastal_plain_local_government_impact_aid_assistance_fund provide financial assistance certain entities alaska directly impacted oil gas exploration production coastal_plain restricts use financial assistance specified purposes


Summary:
American Natural Gas Security and Consumer Protection Act

Amends the Natural Gas Act to prohibit exporting natural gas from the United States to a foreign country without first having secured an order of the Secretary of Energy (DOE) authorizing the exportation.

Allows DOE to: (1) authorize such exportation after determining that it is consistent with the public interest, and (2) modify the export application as DOE determines necessary.

Requires the Secretary to issue: (1) an environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 on such an order, and (2) a summary of an analysis on the impact of extraction of exported natural gas upon the environment in those communities where the natural gas is extracted.

Directs DOE to promulgate final regulations to establish the processes for determining whether a proposed exportation of natural gas from the United States to a foreign country is in the public interest.

Exempts any export authorization order from the EIS and public interest requirements if the natural gas would be exported solely to meet certain requirements of: (1) the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, (2) the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or (3) the Trading with the Enemy Act. Authorizes DOE, furthermore, to issue such orders without modification or delay after receiving an application.

States that this Act does not affect certain authority under the Natural Gas Act regarding the importation or exportation of natural gas to a nation with which a free trade agreement is in effect.

consumer protection act amends natural gas act prohibit exporting natural gas united_states foreign country having secured order secretary energy doe authorizing exportation allows doe authorize exportation determining consistent public interest modify export application doe determines necessary requires secretary issue environmental impact statement eis national_environmental_policy_act order summary analysis impact extraction exported natural gas environment communities natural gas extracted directs doe promulgate final regulations establish processes determining proposed exportation natural gas united_states foreign country public interest exempts export authorization order eis public interest requirements natural gas exported solely meet certain requirements energy_policy_and_conservation_act international_emergency_economic_powers_act trading enemy act authorizes doe furthermore issue orders modification delay receiving application states act affect certain authority natural gas act importation exportation natural gas nation free trade agreement effect


Summary:
Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act or the FRAC Act

This bill repeals the exemption for hydraulic fracturing operations relating to oil and natural gas production activities under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the geological formation.

The bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prescribe regulations that authorize a state to seek primary enforcement responsibility for hydraulic fracturing operations for oil and natural gas without seeking to assume primary enforcement responsibility for other types of underground injection control wells.

The chemicals intended for use in underground injections must be disclosed before the hydraulic fracturing operations commence. The chemicals actually used must also be disclosed at the end of the operations. The disclosure must be made to the state or, if the EPA has primary enforcement responsibility, to the EPA. The state or the EPA must ensure the accuracy and completeness of the disclosed information and make it available to the public.

When a medical emergency exists and the proprietary chemical formula of a chemical used in such hydraulic fracturing is necessary for medical diagnosis, treatment, or emergency response, hydraulic fracturing operations must disclose the formula or the specific chemical identity of a trade secret chemical to the state, the EPA, a first responder, or a health care practitioner upon request, regardless of the existence of a written statement of need or a confidentiality agreement. Hydraulic fracturing operations may require the execution of the statement and agreement as soon as practicable. First responders or health care practitioners may share any information disclosed with other persons if the information is medically necessary, but such personnel may not make the information publicly available.

act bill repeals exemption hydraulic fracturing operations relating oil natural gas production activities safe_drinking_water_act hydraulic fracturing fracking process extract underground resources oil gas geologic formation injecting water propping agent sand chemical additives pressure fracture geological formation bill amends safe_drinking_water_act allow environmental_protection_agency epa prescribe regulations authorize state seek primary enforcement responsibility hydraulic fracturing operations oil natural gas seeking assume primary enforcement responsibility types underground injection control wells chemicals intended use underground injections disclosed hydraulic fracturing operations commence chemicals actually disclosed end operations disclosure state epa primary enforcement responsibility epa state epa ensure accuracy completeness disclosed information available public medical emergency exists proprietary chemical formula chemical hydraulic fracturing necessary medical diagnosis treatment emergency response hydraulic fracturing operations disclose formula specific chemical identity trade secret chemical state epa responder health care practitioner request regardless existence written statement need confidentiality agreement hydraulic fracturing operations require execution statement agreement soon practicable responders health care practitioners share information disclosed persons information medically necessary personnel information publicly available