Summary:
Powering America for Tomorrow Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to designate one or more regions within the Eastern Interconnection and the Western Interconnection to be represented by specified regional transmission planners.

Sets forth application and approval procedures for regional transmission planners.

Prescribes: (1) a regional transmission plan design, and (2) a regional transmission planning process.

Requires the federal power marketing administrations and transmitting utilities in a designated region to integrate their transmission plans with the regional transmission plans required under this Act, and to otherwise participate in a regional transmission planning process.

Directs FERC to require that: (1) all regional high voltage electric transmission cost allocation processes and methodologies adhere to a clear and consistent set of specified regulatory principles, and (2) regional transmission planners coordinate planning across regional boundaries within an Interconnection.

Authorizes a regional transmission planner, as part of a plan submitted to FERC, to identify regional transmission projects required by, and consistent with, the public convenience and necessity.

Directs FERC, in issuing a certificate of public convenience and necessity, to give substantial deference to any proposed finding of public convenience and necessity in the plan submitted by a regional transmission planner.

Excludes from review for any environmental assessment or environmental impact statement required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 any proposed finding by a regional transmission planner of public convenience and necessity with respect to a regional transmission project.

Retains state exclusive authority over the siting of any transmission facility that is not a part of a regional transmission project.

Specifies federal siting authority with respect to any transmission facility identified as part or all of a regional transmission project for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity has been issued.

powering america tomorrow act amends federal power act direct federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc designate regions western_interconnection represented specified regional transmission planners sets forth application approval procedures regional transmission planners prescribes regional transmission plan design regional transmission planning process requires federal power marketing administrations transmitting utilities designated region integrate transmission plans regional transmission plans required act participate regional transmission planning process directs ferc require regional high voltage electric transmission cost allocation processes methodologies adhere clear consistent set specified regulatory principles regional transmission planners coordinate planning regional boundaries interconnection authorizes regional transmission planner plan submitted ferc identify regional transmission projects required consistent public convenience necessity directs ferc issuing certificate public convenience necessity substantial deference proposed finding public convenience necessity plan submitted regional transmission planner excludes review environmental assessment environmental impact statement required national_environmental_policy_act proposed finding regional transmission planner public convenience necessity respect regional transmission project retains state exclusive authority siting transmission facility regional transmission project specifies federal siting authority respect transmission facility identified regional transmission project certificate public convenience necessity issued


Summary:
Saving More American Resources Today Grid Study Act of 2013 or SMART Grid Study Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), and the heads of other federal departments and agencies, as necessary, to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council to research the future resilience and reliability of the nation's electric power transmission and distribution system.

Names such research the "Saving More American Resources Today Study" or "SMART Study."

saving american resources today grid study act directs secretary homeland_security dhs heads federal departments agencies necessary enter agreement national_research_council research future resilience reliability nation electric power transmission distribution system names research smart study


Summary:
Renewable Electricity Standard Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to require a retail electric supplier to submit to the Secretary of Energy (DOE) for 2014 and thereafter one or more of the following: (1) specified federal renewable energy credits, (2) certification of the renewable energy generated and electricity savings, and (3) specified alternative compliance payments. Prescribes, for 2014 through 2039, a schedule of graduated annual percentages of a retail electric supplier's base amount that shall be generated from renewable energy resources (increasing from 6% in 2014 to 25% in 2025).

Directs the Secretary to establish a program to: (1) verify and issue federal renewable energy credits to generators of renewable energy; (2) track the sale, exchange, and retirement of the credits; and (3) enforce the federal renewable energy credits program.

Directs the Secretary to issue a generator of electric energy one federal renewable energy credit for each kilowatt hour of electric energy generated by the use of a renewable energy resource at an eligible facility.

Prescribes rules for federal renewable energy credit trading and for borrowing and repayment of federal renewable energy credits.

Provides that this Act does not diminish the authority of a state or its political subdivision to: (1) adopt or enforce any law (including regulations) respecting renewable energy, or (2) regulate the acquisition and disposition of federal renewable energy credits by retail electric suppliers.

Permits an electric utility that has sales of electric energy subject to rate regulation to recover the full cost of renewable energy obtained to comply with this Act.

Establishes in the Treasury a state renewable energy account for a grant program for promoting renewable energy production and providing energy assistance and weatherization services to low-income consumers.

renewable electricity standard act amends public utility regulatory policies act purpa require retail electric supplier submit secretary energy doe following specified federal renewable energy credits certification renewable energy generated electricity savings specified alternative compliance payments prescribes schedule graduated annual percentages retail electric supplier base shall generated renewable energy resources increasing directs secretary establish program verify issue federal renewable energy credits generators renewable energy track sale exchange retirement credits enforce federal renewable energy credits program directs secretary issue generator electric energy federal renewable energy credit kilowatt hour electric energy generated use renewable energy resource eligible facility prescribes rules federal renewable energy credit trading borrowing repayment federal renewable energy credits provides act diminish authority state political subdivision adopt enforce law including regulations respecting renewable energy regulate acquisition disposition federal renewable energy credits retail electric suppliers permits electric utility sales electric energy subject rate regulation recover cost renewable energy obtained comply act establishes treasury state renewable energy account grant program promoting renewable energy production providing energy assistance weatherization services low income consumers


Summary: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Agreement Act of 2014 - Directs the National Park Service (NPS) to transfer $4 million to counties within Great Smoky Mountains National Park in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement entered into by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Department of the Interior, dated February 2010, that supersedes the agreement of July 30, 1943.

great mountains national park agreement act directs national_park_service nps transfer million counties accordance memorandum agreement entered tennessee_valley_authority tva department_of_the_interior dated february supersedes agreement july


Summary:
Electricity Security and Affordability Act - (Sec. 2) Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing, implementing, or enforcing any proposed or final rule under the Clean Air Act that establishes a performance standard for greenhouse gas emissions from any new source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit unless the rule meets specified requirements of this Act.

Requires the Administrator to separate sources fueled with coal and natural gas into separate categories.

Prohibits the Administrator, however, from setting a standard based on the best system of emission reduction for new sources within a fossil-fuel category unless it has been achieved on average for at least one continuous 12-month period (excluding planned outages) by each of at least 6 units within the category. Requires each such unit to: (1) be located at a different electric generating station in the United States, (2) be representative of the operating characteristics of electric generation at its location, and (3) be operated for the entire 12-month period on a full commercial basis. Prohibits the use of any results obtained from a demonstration project in setting the standard.

Requires the Administrator, in separating sources fueled with coal into a separate category, to establish a separate subcategory for new sources that are fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units using coal with an average heat content of 8300 or less British Thermal Units (BTUs) per pound.

Prohibits the Administrator, in issuing any rule establishing performance standards for greenhouse gas emissions from new sources in such subcategory, from setting a standard based on the best system of emission reduction unless the standard has been achieved on average for at least one continuous 12-month period (excluding planned outages) by each of at least 3 units within such subcategory that meets the unit requirements specified by this Act for the coal category.

Prohibits this Act from being construed to preclude the issuance, implementation, or enforcement of a standard of performance that: (1) is based on the use of technologies that are developed in a foreign country, but has been demonstrated to be achievable at fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units in the United States; and (2) meets the requirements of this Act.

(Sec. 3) Precludes from taking effect, unless a federal law is enacted specifying an effective date, any EPA rule or guideline that: (1) establishes any performance standard for greenhouse gas emissions from a modified or reconstructed source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit, or (2) applies to greenhouse gas emissions from such an existing source.

Requires, in order for the rule or guidelines to take effect, that the Administrator submit a report that contains: (1) the text of the rule or guidelines; (2) the economic impacts of such rule or guidelines, including potential effects on electricity ratepayers, on economic growth, competitiveness, and jobs in the United States and on required capital investments and projected costs for operation and maintenance of new equipment required to be installed; and (3) the amount of greenhouse gas emissions projected to be reduced as compared to overall global greenhouse gas emissions.

Requires the Administrator, in carrying out such reporting requirements, to consult with the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, the Comptroller General (GAO), the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology.

(Sec. 4) Nullifies the force and effect of specified proposed rules (or similar successor proposed or final rules) for Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions for New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units that are issued before enactment of this Act.

electricity security affordability act sec prohibits administrator environmental_protection_agency epa issuing implementing enforcing proposed final rule clean air act establishes performance standard greenhouse gas emissions new source fossil fuel fired electric utility generating unit rule meets specified requirements act requires administrator separate sources fueled coal natural gas separate categories prohibits administrator setting standard based best system emission reduction new sources fossil fuel category achieved average continuous month period excluding planned outages units category requires unit located different electric generating station united_states representative operating characteristics electric generation location operated entire month period commercial basis prohibits use results obtained demonstration project setting standard requires administrator separating sources fueled coal separate category establish separate subcategory new sources fossil fuel fired electric utility generating units coal average heat content british thermal units pound prohibits administrator issuing rule establishing performance standards greenhouse gas emissions new sources subcategory setting standard based best system emission reduction standard achieved average continuous month period excluding planned outages units subcategory meets unit requirements specified act coal category prohibits act construed preclude issuance implementation enforcement standard performance based use technologies developed foreign country demonstrated achievable fossil fuel fired electric utility generating units united_states meets requirements act sec precludes taking effect federal law enacted specifying effective date epa rule guideline establishes performance standard greenhouse gas emissions modified reconstructed source fossil fuel fired electric utility generating unit applies greenhouse gas emissions existing source requires order rule guidelines effect administrator submit report contains text rule guidelines economic impacts rule guidelines including potential effects electricity ratepayers economic growth competitiveness jobs united_states required capital investments projected costs operation maintenance new equipment required installed greenhouse gas emissions projected reduced compared overall global greenhouse gas emissions requires administrator carrying reporting requirements consult administrator energy_information_administration comptroller_general gao director national_energy_technology_laboratory secretary sec nullifies force effect specified proposed rules similar successor proposed final rules standards performance new stationary sources electric utility generating units issued enactment act


Summary:
Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to publish a cost-benefit analysis before issuing any decision that would either: (1) authorize creation of a new capacity zone, or (2) affect the supply and demand curves or models used to determine prices at points in a capacity zone.

Prohibits FERC from issuing any such decision if it determines that such analysis shows that costs will be raised for ratepayers.

requires federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc publish cost benefit analysis issuing decision authorize creation new capacity zone affect supply demand curves models determine prices points capacity zone prohibits ferc issuing decision determines analysis shows costs raised ratepayers


Summary:
Supporting Home Owner Rights Enforcement Act - Amends the Federal Power Act, regarding the issuance of licenses for construction of dams, conduits, and reservoirs, to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), when deciding whether to issue a license for project works, to give equal consideration to minimizing infringement on the useful exercise and enjoyment of property rights held by nonlicensees.

Requires the licensee, in developing any recreational resource within the project boundary, to consider private landownership as a means to encourage and facilitate private investment, increased tourism, and recreational use.

federal power act issuance licenses construction dams conduits reservoirs direct federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc deciding issue license project works equal consideration minimizing infringement useful exercise enjoyment property rights held requires licensee developing recreational resource project boundary consider private means encourage facilitate private investment increased tourism recreational use


Summary:
Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2014 - Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to integrate water considerations into its energy research, development, and demonstration programs and projects by: (1) advancing energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices that meet the objectives of minimizing freshwater withdrawal and consumption, increasing water use efficiency, and utilizing nontraditional water sources with efforts to improve the quality of the water from those sources; (2) considering the effects climate variability may have on water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel production; and (3) improving the understanding of the energy required to provide reliable water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies.

Directs DOE to develop and update every five years a strategic plan to carry out the integration.

Requires DOE to establish an Energy-Water Subcommittee of the Energy Advisory Board to promote and enable improved energy and water resource data collection, reporting, and technological innovation.

Prohibits this Act from being construed to require state, tribal, or local governments to take any action that may result in an increased financial burden by restricting their water use.

requires department_of_energy doe integrate water considerations energy research development demonstration programs projects advancing energy energy efficiency technologies practices meet objectives minimizing freshwater withdrawal consumption increasing water use efficiency utilizing nontraditional water sources efforts improve quality water sources considering effects climate variability water supplies quality energy generation fuel production improving understanding energy required provide reliable water supplies water required provide reliable energy supplies directs doe develop update years strategic plan carry integration requires doe establish promote enable improved energy water resource data collection reporting technological innovation prohibits act construed require state tribal local governments action result increased financial burden restricting water use


Summary:
Providing Opportunities to Work for Energy Reliability Act or the POWER Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review any decision by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NAERC) to approve a new balancing authority that would alter cost allocations under an existing system support resources agreement.

Precludes such new balancing authority from taking effect until approved by FERC.

Requires FERC to publish a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed NAERC decision, including its likely financial impact upon ratepayers, before issuing a decision to approve, disapprove, or modify the NAERC decision.

providing opportunities work energy reliability act power act amends federal power act direct federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc review decision north_american_electric_reliability_corporation approve new balancing authority alter cost allocations existing system support resources agreement precludes new balancing authority taking effect approved ferc requires ferc publish cost benefit analysis proposed decision including likely financial impact ratepayers issuing decision approve disapprove modify decision


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 11, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, with respect to the implementation of direct spending reductions, to require the President to order a sequestration for FY2024 on the date the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issues its sequestration preview report for such fiscal year.

Makes the reduction in annual cost-of-living adjustments of military retired pay for armed forces members under age 62 enacted by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 inapplicable to those who first became members before January 1, 2014. (That Act reduced the cost-of-living adjustments from the full Consumer Price Index [CPI] to the CPI less 1%.)

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to replace the requirement to establish a Medicare Improvement Fund with one that requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a Transitional Fund for Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Reform, available to provide funds to pay for physicians' services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to supplement the conversion factor for 2017 if the conversion factor for that year is less than that for 2013. Makes $2.3 billion available to the Fund from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for expenditures during or after 2017.

measure amended passed house february summary version repeated amends balanced_budget emergency deficit control act respect implementation direct spending reductions require president order sequestration fy2024 date office_of_management_and_budget omb issues sequestration report fiscal year makes reduction annual cost living adjustments military retired pay armed forces members age enacted bipartisan_budget_act inapplicable members january act reduced cost living adjustments consumer price index cpi cpi amends title xviii medicare social security act replace requirement establish medicare_improvement_fund requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish sgr reform available provide funds pay physicians services supplement conversion factor conversion factor year makes billion available fund federal_supplementary_medical_insurance_trust_fund expenditures


Summary: Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of the licensee for the project numbered 12063 (Little Wood River Ranch, Idaho), to: (1) extend for three years after enactment of this Act the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of project works; or (2) if the license for Project No. 12063 has been terminated, reinstate the license and extend for three years after enactment of this Act the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of project works.

directs federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc request licensee project numbered idaho extend years enactment act time period licensee required commence construction project works license project terminated reinstate license extend years enactment act time period licensee required commence construction project works


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of the licensee for the project numbered 12423 (American Falls Reservoir, Idaho), to reinstate the license and extend for three years after enactment of this Act the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of project works.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated directs federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc request licensee project numbered idaho reinstate license extend years enactment act time period licensee required commence construction project works


Summary:
Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to increase from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may exempt from its license requirements.

 (Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the limitation on the maximum installation capacity of qualifying conduit hydropower facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements.

 Requires any person, state, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility to file with FERC a notice of intent to do so. Requires FERC, within 15 days after receiving such a notice of intent, to make an initial determination as to whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria.

Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses for electric power generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has a maximum installed capacity of 5 megawatts, and (3) is not currently licensed or exempted from license requirements.

 Redefines "conduit" to specify any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity.

Authorizes FERC to: (1) exempt from license requirements any electric power generation facility that utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, and has an installed capacity or 40 megawatts or fewer; and (2) extend the preliminary permit period for up to 2 additional years beyond the 3 years otherwise allowed if it finds that the permittee has implemented activities under the permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence.

 (Sec. 6) Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of issuing a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects during a two-year period, and (2) hold workshops and develop hydropower pilot projects.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to study: (1) the technical flexibility that existing pumped storage facilities can provide to support intermittent renewable electric energy generation, including the potential for such facilities to be upgraded or retrofitted with advanced commercially available technology; and (2) the technical potential of existing pumped storage facilities and new advanced pumped storage facilities to provide grid reliability benefits.

hydropower regulatory efficiency act sec amends public utility regulatory policies act purpa increase kilowatts size small hydroelectric power projects federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc exempt license requirements sec amends federal power act revise limitation maximum installation capacity qualifying conduit hydropower facilities eligible exemption licensing requirements requires person state municipality proposing construct qualifying conduit hydropower facility file ferc notice intent requires_ferc days receiving notice intent initial determination facility meets qualifying criteria waives license requirements conduit hydroelectric facility uses electric power generation hydroelectric potential non federally owned conduit maximum installed capacity megawatts currently licensed exempted license requirements redefines conduit specify tunnel canal pipeline aqueduct flume ditch similar manmade water conveyance operated distribution water agricultural municipal industrial consumption primarily generation electricity authorizes ferc exempt license requirements electric power generation facility utilizes generation hydroelectric potential conduit installed capacity megawatts fewer extend preliminary permit period additional years years allowed finds permittee implemented activities permit good faith reasonable diligence sec directs ferc investigate feasibility issuing license hydropower development dams closed loop pumped storage projects year period hold workshops develop hydropower pilot projects sec directs secretary energy doe study technical flexibility existing pumped storage facilities provide support intermittent renewable electric energy generation including potential facilities upgraded retrofitted advanced commercially available technology technical potential existing pumped storage facilities new advanced pumped storage facilities provide grid reliability benefits


Summary: Amends the Federal Power Act regarding annual charges payable by licensees to the United States for use of federal lands to exclude land that has been sold, exchanged, or otherwise transferred from federal ownership, yet remains subject to a power site reservation under the Act.

amends federal power act annual charges payable licensees united_states use federal lands exclude land sold exchanged transferred federal ownership remains subject power site reservation act


Summary: Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships as corporations, to expand the definition of "qualifying income" for such partnerships to include income and gains from renewable and alternative fuels (in addition to fossil fuels), including energy derived from thermal resources, waste, renewable fuels and chemicals, energy efficient buildings, gasification, and carbon capture in secure geological storage.

master limited partnerships parity act amends internal revenue code respect tax treatment publicly traded partnerships corporations expand definition qualifying income partnerships include income gains renewable alternative fuels addition fossil fuels including energy derived thermal resources waste renewable fuels chemicals energy efficient buildings gasification carbon capture secure geological storage


Summary:
Electricity Security and Affordability Act - Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing, implementing, or enforcing any proposed or final rule under the Clean Air Act that establishes a performance standard for greenhouse gas emissions from any new source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit unless the rule meets specified requirements of this Act.

Requires the Administrator to separate sources fueled with coal and natural gas into separate categories.

Prohibits the Administrator, however, from setting a standard based on the best system of emission reduction for new sources within the coal category unless it has been achieved on average for at least one continuous 12-month period (excluding planned outages) by each of at least 6 units within the category. Requires each such unit to: (1) be located at a different electric generating station in the United States, (2) be representative of the operating characteristics of electric generation at its location, and (3) be operated for the entire 12-month period on a full commercial basis. Prohibits the use of any results obtained from a demonstration project in setting the standard.

Requires the Administrator, in separating sources fueled with coal into a separate category, to establish a separate subcategory for new sources that are fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units using coal with an average heat content of 8300 or less British Thermal Units (BTUs) per pound.

Prohibits the Administrator, in issuing any rule establishing performance standards for greenhouse gas emissions from new sources in such subcategory, from setting a standard based on the best system of emission reduction unless the standard has been achieved on average for at least one continuous 12-month period (excluding planned outages) by each of at least 3 units within such subcategory that meets the unit requirements specified by this Act for the coal category.

Precludes from taking effect, unless a federal law is enacted specifying an effective date, any EPA rule or guideline that: (1) establishes any performance standard for greenhouse gas emissions from a modified or reconstructed source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit, or (2) applies to greenhouse gas emissions from such an existing source.

Nullifies the force and effect of specified proposed rules (or similar successor proposed or final rules) for Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions for New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units that are issued before enactment of this Act.

electricity security affordability act prohibits administrator environmental_protection_agency epa issuing implementing enforcing proposed final rule clean air act establishes performance standard greenhouse gas emissions new source fossil fuel fired electric utility generating unit rule meets specified requirements act requires administrator separate sources fueled coal natural gas separate categories prohibits administrator setting standard based best system emission reduction new sources coal category achieved average continuous month period excluding planned outages units category requires unit located different electric generating station united_states representative operating characteristics electric generation location operated entire month period commercial basis prohibits use results obtained demonstration project setting standard requires administrator separating sources fueled coal separate category establish separate subcategory new sources fossil fuel fired electric utility generating units coal average heat content british thermal units pound prohibits administrator issuing rule establishing performance standards greenhouse gas emissions new sources subcategory setting standard based best system emission reduction standard achieved average continuous month period excluding planned outages units subcategory meets unit requirements specified act coal category precludes taking effect federal law enacted specifying effective date epa rule guideline establishes performance standard greenhouse gas emissions modified reconstructed source fossil fuel fired electric utility generating unit applies greenhouse gas emissions existing source nullifies force effect specified proposed rules similar successor proposed final rules standards performance new stationary sources electric utility generating units issued enactment act


Summary:
War Powers Consultation Act of 2014 - States that: (1) the purpose of this Act is to establish a means by which the judgment of both the President and Congress can be brought to bear when deciding whether the United States should engage in a significant armed conflict; and (2) this Act is not meant to define, circumscribe, or enhance the constitutional war powers of either the executive or legislative branch of government.

Repeals the War Powers Resolution.

Establishes the Joint Congressional Consultation Committee.

Directs the President to: (1) consult regularly with the Committee regarding significant matters of foreign policy and national security; (2) before ordering the deployment of members of the Armed Forces into a significant armed conflict, consult with and report to the Committee regarding the circumstances necessitating the significant armed conflict, the objectives, and the conflict's estimated scope and duration; and (3) consult with the Committee at least every two months for the duration of any significant armed conflict.

States that, if the President determines that the need for secrecy or other emergency circumstances preclude carrying out such reporting before significant armed conflict is ordered or begins, the President shall carry out such reporting not later than three days after the beginning of the significant armed conflict.

Declares that, within 30 days after the deployment of members of the Armed Forces into a significant armed conflict for which Congress has not enacted a formal declaration of war or otherwise enacted a specific authorization for the use of military force, the chair and vice chair of the Committee shall introduce a joint resolution of approval. Sets forth related congressional procedures, including the introduction of a joint resolution of disapproval if a vote against a resolution of approval's passage has taken place.

States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as modifying U.S. obligations under any treaty or international agreement.

war powers consultation act states purpose act establish means judgment president congress brought bear deciding united_states engage significant armed conflict act meant define enhance constitutional war powers executive legislative branch government repeals war powers resolution establishes directs president consult regularly committee significant matters foreign policy national security ordering deployment members armed_forces significant armed conflict consult report committee circumstances necessitating significant armed conflict objectives conflict estimated scope duration consult committee months duration significant armed conflict states president determines need secrecy emergency circumstances preclude carrying reporting significant armed conflict ordered begins president shall carry reporting later days beginning significant armed conflict declares days deployment members armed_forces significant armed conflict congress enacted formal declaration war enacted specific authorization use military force chair vice chair committee shall introduce joint resolution approval sets forth related congressional procedures including introduction joint resolution disapproval vote resolution approval passage taken place states act shall construed modifying obligations treaty international agreement


Summary:
Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to publish a cost-benefit analysis before issuing any decision that would either: (1) authorize creation of a new capacity zone, or (2) affect the supply and demand curves or models used to determine prices at points in a capacity zone.

Prohibits FERC from issuing any such decision if it determines that such analysis shows that costs will be raised for ratepayers.

 Backdates the effective date of this Act to January 1, 2014.

requires federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc publish cost benefit analysis issuing decision authorize creation new capacity zone affect supply demand curves models determine prices points capacity zone prohibits ferc issuing decision determines analysis shows costs raised ratepayers effective date act january


Summary:
Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2015

This bill amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that any emergency order that may result in conflict with federal, state, or local environmental law or regulations:

 requires generation, delivery, interchange, or transmission of electricity only during hours necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest; be consistent with applicable environmental law; and minimizes any adverse environmental impacts to the maximum extent practical. Any necessary action or omission in such an emergency that does not comply with federal, state, or local environmental law or regulation shall not be considered a violation of it, or subject the party involved to any related requirement, civil or criminal liability, or a citizen suit.

Such emergency orders must expire within 90 days. FERC may renew or reissue an order for subsequent periods of no more than 90 days each as necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest.

During an emergency, a municipality engaged in the transmission or sale of electricity, and not otherwise subject to FERC jurisdiction, may make temporary connections with public utilities that are subject to FERC jurisdiction, and construct necessary or appropriate temporary electricity transmission facilities, without becoming subject to FERC jurisdiction by reason of that temporary connection or construction.

resolving environmental grid reliability conflicts act bill amends federal power act require federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc ensure emergency order result conflict federal state local environmental law regulations requires generation delivery interchange transmission electricity hours necessary meet emergency serve public interest consistent applicable environmental law minimizes adverse environmental impacts maximum extent practical necessary action omission emergency comply federal state local environmental law regulation shall considered violation subject party involved related requirement civil criminal liability citizen suit emergency orders expire days ferc renew reissue order subsequent periods days necessary meet emergency serve public interest emergency municipality engaged transmission sale electricity subject ferc jurisdiction temporary connections public utilities subject ferc jurisdiction construct necessary appropriate temporary electricity transmission facilities subject ferc jurisdiction reason temporary connection construction


Summary:
Environmental Compliance Cost Transparency Act of 2015

This bill requires the Bonneville Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Southeastern Power Administration to include in monthly billing statements sent to each customer estimates of the customer's share of such administration's direct and indirect costs for compliance with any relevant federal environmental laws impacting the conservation of fish and wildlife.

Each administration must report each year on: (1) estimates of its total direct and indirect compliance costs, and (2) sources of replacement power.

environmental compliance cost transparency act bill requires bonneville_power_administration western_area_power_administration southwestern_power_administration southeastern_power_administration include monthly billing statements sent customer estimates customer share administration direct indirect costs compliance relevant federal environmental laws impacting conservation fish wildlife administration report year estimates total direct indirect compliance costs sources replacement power


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

(Sec. 1) This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, upon request, to reinstate the construction license granted to Clark Canyon Hydro Company for the Clark Canyon Dam Hydroelectric Project located on the Beaverhead River in Beaverhead County, Montana.

Clark Canyon Hydro Company is required to commence construction on the project within three years.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill requires federal_energy_regulatory_commission request reinstate construction license granted clark canyon dam hydroelectric project located montana required commence construction project years


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

(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend by six years the time period during which Gibson Dam Hydroelectric Company is required to commence construction on the Gibson Dam Hydroelectric Project located on the Sun River in Lewis, Clark, and Teton Counties, Montana.

The six-year time period starts upon expiration of the last extension.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill authorizes federal_energy_regulatory_commission extend years time period required commence construction located lewis clark montana year time period starts expiration extension


Summary:
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE), acting through the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, to submit to Congress a plan to establish a Strategic Transformer Reserve for the storage, in strategically located facilities, of spare large power transformers in sufficient numbers to temporarily replace critically damaged large power transformers.

DOE may not establish a Strategic Transformer Reserve until Congress has approved the plan.

bill requires department_of_energy doe acting submit congress plan establish strategic reserve storage strategically located facilities spare large power transformers sufficient numbers temporarily replace critically damaged large power transformers doe establish strategic reserve congress approved plan


Summary:
Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to lands under their respective jurisdictions, to provide direction under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to ensure that all existing and future rights-of-way for electrical transmission and distribution facilities on such lands include requirements meeting specified criteria for utility vegetation management, facility inspection, and operation and maintenance activities.

Interior and the USDA shall: (1) give facility owners and operators the option to submit their own vegetation management, facility inspection, and operation and maintenance plans for approval; and (2) develop jointly a consolidated and coordinated process for review and approval of those plans.

Interior and the USDA shall apply their respective categorical exclusion processes under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to any plans developed on existing transmission and distribution rights-of-way located on lands under their respective jurisdictions.

(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.)

A plan approved under this section shall become part of the authorization governing the covered right-of-way and hazard trees adjacent to that right-of-way. A hazard tree is any tree inside or located outside a right-of-way that has been found by either the transmission or distribution facility owner or operator, or by Interior or the USDA, to be likely to fail and cause a high risk of injury, damage, or disruption within 10 feet or less of an electric power line or related structure if it fell.

If vegetation on federal lands within, or hazard trees on federal lands adjacent to, an electrical transmission or distribution right-of-way granted by Interior or the USDA has contacted, or is in imminent danger of contacting, one or more electric transmission or distribution lines, the owner or operator:

 may prune or remove the vegetation to avoid disruption of electric service and risk of fire; and shall notify the local agent of the relevant Department within 24 hours after such removal. The owner or operator of a transmission or distribution facility, after notifying Interior or the USDA, as appropriate, may also conduct vegetation management activities on federal lands to meet clearance requirements under standards established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation or by state and local authorities.

An owner or operator of a transmission or distribution facility shall not be held liable for wildfire damage, loss, or injury, including the cost of fire suppression, if Interior or the USDA fails to allow it to:

 operate consistently with an approved vegetation management, facility inspection, and operation and maintenance plan on federal lands within or adjacent to a right-of-way to comply with federal, state, or local electric system reliability and fire safety standards; or perform vegetation management activities in response to an identified hazard tree or a tree in imminent danger of contacting the owner's or operator's transmission or distribution facility. Interior and the USDA should develop a program to train their personnel involved in vegetation management decisions relating to transmission and distribution facilities to ensure that they:

 understand electric system reliability and fire safety requirements, assist transmission and distribution facility owners and operators to comply with applicable electric reliability and fire safety requirements, and encourage and assist willing owners and operators to incorporate voluntarily vegetation management practices to enhance habitats and forage for pollinators and for other wildlife so long as those practices are compatible with the integrated vegetation management practices necessary for reliability and safety.

electricity reliability forest protection act sec bill requires department_of_the_interior_and_the_department_of_agriculture usda respect lands respective jurisdictions provide direction federal_land_policy_and_management_act ensure existing future rights way electrical transmission distribution facilities lands include requirements meeting specified criteria utility vegetation management facility inspection operation maintenance activities interior usda shall facility owners operators option submit vegetation management facility inspection operation maintenance plans approval develop jointly consolidated coordinated process review approval plans interior usda shall apply respective categorical exclusion processes national environmental policy act nepa plans developed existing transmission distribution rights way located lands respective jurisdictions 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 plan approved section shall authorization governing covered right way hazard trees adjacent right way hazard tree tree inside located outside right way found transmission distribution facility owner operator interior usda likely fail cause high risk injury damage disruption feet electric power line related structure vegetation federal lands hazard trees federal lands adjacent electrical transmission distribution right way granted interior usda contacted imminent danger contacting electric transmission distribution lines owner operator remove vegetation avoid disruption electric service risk fire shall notify local agent relevant department hours removal owner operator transmission distribution facility notifying interior usda appropriate conduct vegetation management activities federal lands meet clearance requirements standards established north_american_electric_reliability_corporation state local authorities owner operator transmission distribution facility shall held liable wildfire damage loss injury including cost fire suppression interior usda fails allow operate consistently approved vegetation management facility inspection operation maintenance plan federal lands adjacent right way comply federal state local electric system reliability fire safety standards perform vegetation management activities response identified hazard tree tree imminent danger contacting owner operator transmission distribution facility interior usda develop program train personnel involved vegetation management decisions relating transmission distribution facilities ensure understand electric system reliability fire safety requirements assist transmission distribution facility owners operators comply applicable electric reliability fire safety requirements encourage assist willing owners operators incorporate voluntarily vegetation management practices enhance habitats forage pollinators wildlife long practices compatible integrated vegetation management practices necessary reliability safety


Summary:
Reliable Investment in Vital Energy Reauthorization Act or the RIVER Act

This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize through FY2025 the program of hydroelectric production incentives and incentive payments to the owners or operators of hydroelectric facilities at existing dams to make capital improvements directly related to improving efficiency.

reliable investment vital energy reauthorization act river act bill amends energy policy act reauthorize fy2025 program hydroelectric production incentives incentive payments owners operators hydroelectric facilities existing dams capital improvements directly related improving efficiency


Summary:
Supporting Home Owner Rights Enforcement Act

Amends the Federal Power Act, regarding the issuance of licenses for construction of dams, conduits, and reservoirs, to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, when deciding whether to issue a license for project works, to give equal consideration to minimizing infringement on the useful exercise and enjoyment of property rights held by nonlicensees.

Requires the licensee, in developing any recreational resource within the project boundary, to consider private landownership as a means to encourage and facilitate private investment, increased tourism, and recreational use.

act amends federal power act issuance licenses construction dams conduits reservoirs direct federal_energy_regulatory_commission deciding issue license project works equal consideration minimizing infringement useful exercise enjoyment property rights held requires licensee developing recreational resource project boundary consider private means encourage facilitate private investment increased tourism recreational use


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

Fair Ratepayer Accountability, Transparency, and Efficiency Standards Act or the Fair RATES Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Federal Power Act to permit a party to seek a rehearing and subsequent judicial review of any rate change filed by a public utility that takes effect without the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issuing an order making such change effective. (Public utilities must give FERC and the public a 60-day notice before a proposed rate change can take effect.)

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure fair accountability transparency efficiency standards act fair rates act sec bill amends federal power act permit party seek rehearing subsequent judicial review rate change filed public utility takes effect federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc issuing order making change effective public utilities ferc public day notice proposed rate change effect


Summary:
(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend by six years the time period during which Wilkesboro Hydroelectric Company is required to commence construction on the W. Kerr Scott Hydropower Project located on the Yadkin River in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

In addition, FERC must reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

sec bill authorizes federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc extend years time period required commence construction located north_carolina addition ferc reinstate construction license expired


Summary:
This bill authorizes the licensee for the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC] project number 2743) to occupy up to 20 acres of federal land to construct, operate, and maintain the Upper Hidden Basin Diversion Expansion without further authorization of the Department of the Interior or under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

This is the expansion of the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project described in the Upper Hidden Basin Grant Application dated July 2, 2014, as submitted by Kodiak Electric Association, Inc., to the Alaska Energy Authority Renewable Energy Fund Round VIII.

The Expansion must meet the terms and conditions contained in any amendment to a license which may be issued by FERC subsequent to its environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

bill authorizes licensee ferc project number occupy acres federal land construct operate maintain authorization department_of_the_interior alaska_national_interest_lands_conservation_act expansion described dated july submitted expansion meet terms conditions contained amendment license issued ferc subsequent environmental review national_environmental_policy_act


Summary:
21st Century Power Grid Act

This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a financial assistance program to carry out eligible projects related to the modernization of the electric grid, including the application of technologies to improve observability, advanced controls, and prediction of system performance on the distribution system and related transmission system inter-dependencies.

To be eligible for financial assistance, a project shall: (1) be designed to improve the performance and efficiency of the future electric grid, while ensuring the continued provision of safe, secure, reliable, and affordable power, and provide new options for customer-owned resources; and (2) demonstrate secure integration and management of energy resources and secure integration and interoperability of communications and information technologies.

An eligible project shall include the participation of a partnership consisting of two or more entities that: (1) may include any institution of higher education, a National Laboratory, a representative of a state or local government, a representative of an Indian tribe, or a federal power marketing administration; and (2) shall include an investor-owned electric utility, a publicly owned utility, a technology provider, a rural electric cooperative, a regional transmission organization, or an independent system operator.

Each eligible project shall include: (1) the development of a cybersecurity plan written in accordance with guidelines developed by DOE; and (2) a privacy impact assessment that evaluates the project against the five core concepts in DOE's Voluntary Code of Conduct, commonly known as the DataGuard Energy Data Privacy Program, or the most recent revisions to DOE's privacy program.

21st grid act bill directs department_of_energy doe establish financial assistance program carry eligible projects related modernization electric grid including application technologies improve advanced controls prediction system performance distribution system related transmission system inter eligible financial assistance project shall designed improve performance efficiency future electric grid ensuring continued provision safe secure reliable affordable power provide new options customer owned resources demonstrate secure integration management energy resources secure integration interoperability communications information technologies eligible project shall include participation partnership consisting entities include institution higher education national_laboratory representative state local government representative indian tribe federal power marketing administration shall include investor owned electric utility publicly owned utility technology provider rural electric cooperative regional transmission organization independent system operator eligible project shall include development cybersecurity plan written accordance guidelines developed doe privacy impact assessment evaluates project core concepts doe conduct commonly known recent revisions doe privacy program


Summary:
Ratepayer Fairness Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to require a state regulatory authority and a nonregulated electric utility (entities), to the extent that they allow electric utility rates to include charges that subsidize customer-side technology, to consider whether that subsidy would:

 result in benefits predominately enjoyed by only the users of the customer-side technology; shift costs of a customer-side technology to electricity consumers that do not use it, particularly in cases in which disparate economic or resource conditions exist among the electricity consumers cross-subsidizing the customer-side technology; negatively affect resource utilization, fuel diversity, grid reliability, or grid security; give any unfair competitive advantage to market the customer-side technology, including an analysis of whether a state regulatory authority has uncovered fraudulent customer-side technology marketing practices; and be necessary to fulfill an obligation to serve electric consumers. The bill sets deadlines within which the entities must set a hearing date to consider and subsequently determine the subsidization of customer-side technology.

fairness act bill amends public_utility_regulatory_policies_act purpa require state regulatory authority nonregulated electric utility entities extent allow electric utility rates include charges subsidize customer technology consider subsidy result benefits predominately users customer technology shift costs customer technology electricity consumers use particularly cases disparate economic resource conditions exist electricity consumers cross subsidizing customer technology negatively affect resource utilization fuel diversity grid reliability grid security unfair competitive advantage market customer technology including analysis state regulatory authority uncovered fraudulent customer technology marketing practices necessary fulfill obligation serve electric consumers bill sets deadlines entities set hearing date consider subsequently determine subsidization customer technology


Summary:
Clean Distributed Energy Grid Integration Act

This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to: (1) study the status of integration of clean distributed energy into electric grids, (2) identify issues requiring additional research or regulatory development, and (3) make grants for research proposals that address technical barriers identified in the study.

"Clean distributed energy" means energy technologies that are located on the customer site operating on the customer side of the electric meter and are interconnected with the electric grid. DOE shall convene a stakeholder working group to:

 address regulatory barriers to deployment of intelligent grid integration of clean distributed energy technologies; and provide guidance on how to address the technical, regulatory, and economic factors that limit widespread integration of grid-level clean distributed energy use in order to advance the integration of such energy into electric grids. DOE may make grants to implement integration demonstration projects, based on study findings, to state and local agencies, public institutions, private companies, electric utilities, and equipment manufacturers.

bill directs department_of_energy doe study status integration clean distributed energy electric identify issues requiring additional research regulatory development grants research proposals address technical barriers identified study clean distributed energy means energy technologies located customer site operating customer electric meter interconnected electric grid doe shall convene stakeholder working group address regulatory barriers deployment grid integration clean distributed energy technologies provide guidance address technical regulatory economic factors limit widespread integration grid level clean distributed energy use order advance integration energy electric doe grants implement integration demonstration projects based study findings state local agencies public institutions private companies electric utilities equipment manufacturers


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

(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend by six years the time period during which Jordan Hydroelectric Limited Partnership is required to commence construction on the Gathright Hydroelectric Project located in Alleghany County, Virginia.

In addition, FERC is authorized to reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill authorizes federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc extend years time period required commence construction located virginia addition ferc authorized reinstate construction license expired


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

(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend by six years the time period during which Jordan Hydroelectric Limited Partnership is required to commence construction on the Flannagan Dam and Reservoir Hydroelectric Project located in Dickenson County, Virginia.

In addition, FERC is authorized to reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill authorizes federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc extend years time period required commence construction reservoir hydroelectric project located virginia addition ferc authorized reinstate construction license expired


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

(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend by six years the time period during which Fairlawn Hydroelectric Company is required to commence construction on the Jennings Randolph Hydroelectric Project located on the North Branch of the Potomac River in Garrett County, Maryland, and Mineral County, West Virginia.

In addition, FERC is authorized to reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill authorizes federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc extend years time period required commence construction hydroelectric project located potomac_river maryland west_virginia addition ferc authorized reinstate construction license expired


Summary:
This bill amends the Federal Power Act with respect to the prohibition regarding mergers or consolidations by a public utility. Any merger or consolidation of a public utility whose value exceeds $10 million must first be authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

In addition, FERC is required to promulgate a rule within 180 days that mandates any public utility seeking to merge or consolidate to notify FERC, within 30 days of transaction consummation, if the value of such merger or consolidation exceeds $1 million but is less than $10 million.

bill amends federal power act respect prohibition mergers consolidations public utility merger consolidation public utility value exceeds million authorized federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc addition ferc required promulgate rule days mandates public utility seeking merge consolidate notify ferc days transaction consummation value merger consolidation exceeds million million


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

(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of the licensee for FERC project numbered 13287 (Cannonsville Hydroelectric Project, New York), to extend the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of the project for up to four consecutive two-year periods from the date of the expiration of the extension originally issued by FERC.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill authorizes federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc request licensee ferc project numbered new_york extend time period licensee required commence construction project consecutive year periods date expiration extension originally issued ferc


Summary:
This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request of the City of Saxman, Alaska, to issue a stay of the statutory deadline by which the city must commence construction on the Mahoney Lake Hydroelectric Project located in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska.

In addition, upon request, FERC must reinstate the construction license and make it effective as of the date the stay is lifted.

Subject to certain conditions, FERC is required to extend for up to six years the statutory deadline by which the city must commence construction on the project.

bill requires federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc request alaska issue stay statutory deadline city commence construction located ketchikan gateway borough alaska addition request ferc reinstate construction license effective date stay lifted subject certain conditions ferc required extend years statutory deadline city commence construction project


Summary:
Public Engagement at FERC Act

This bill amends the Federal Power Act to revise and expand the Office of Public Participation in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)and rename it as the Office of Public Participation and Consumer Advocacy.

The office may participate in FERC proceedings on rates, service, and infrastructure siting to represent the interests of the public and issue guidance for potential improvements to industry and FERC practices.

Additionally, the office must establish a Public and Consumer Advocacy Advisory Committee to review rates, services, and disputes and make recommendations to the office.

public engagement ferc act bill amends federal power act revise expand federal_energy_regulatory_commission rename consumer advocacy office participate ferc proceedings rates service infrastructure siting represent interests public issue guidance potential improvements industry ferc practices additionally office establish public review rates services disputes recommendations office


Summary:
Energy Contracting Opportunities Act

This bill expands, from 10 to 30 years, the maximum length of a federal agency contract for the acquisition of renewable energy or energy from cogeneration facilities.

In addition, the Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior must establish an interagency working group to study the impact thatenergy development hashad on bird populations.

energy contracting opportunities act bill expands years maximum length federal agency contract acquisition renewable energy energy facilities addition department_of_energy department_of_the_interior establish interagency working group study impact development bird populations


Summary:
Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project Boundary Correction Act

This bill directs the Department of the Interior, after consulting with the U.S. Forest Service, to modify the boundary of the Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2911) in southeast Alaska and to convey any additional land necessary for the project to the state of Alaska.

bill directs department_of_the_interior consulting modify boundary lake hydroelectric project ferc southeast alaska convey additional land necessary project state alaska


Summary:
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)to extend by six yearsthe time period during which Okanogan CountyPublic Utility District No. 1is required to commence construction on the Enloe Hydroelectric Project located on the Similkameen River in Okanogan County, Washington.

In addition, FERC is authorized to reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

bill authorizes federal_energy_regulatory_commission extend time period district required commence construction located washington addition ferc authorized reinstate construction license expired


Summary:
Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2016

 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to integrate water considerations into its energy research, development, and demonstration programs and projects by: (1) advancing energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices that meet the objectives of minimizing freshwater withdrawal and consumption, increasing water use efficiency, and utilizing nontraditional water sources with efforts to improve the quality of the water from those sources; (2) considering the effects climate variability may have on water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel production; and (3) improving the understanding of the energy required to provide reliable water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies.

DOE shall develop and update every five years a strategic plan to carry out the integration.

DOE shall establish an Energy-Water Subcommittee of the Energy Advisory Board to promote and enable improved energy and water resource data collection, reporting, and technological innovation.

This bill shall not be construed to require state, tribal, or local governments to take any action that may result in an increased financial burden by restricting their water use.

bill requires department_of_energy doe integrate water considerations energy research development demonstration programs projects advancing energy energy efficiency technologies practices meet objectives minimizing freshwater withdrawal consumption increasing water use efficiency utilizing nontraditional water sources efforts improve quality water sources considering effects climate variability water supplies quality energy generation fuel production improving understanding energy required provide reliable water supplies water required provide reliable energy supplies doe shall develop update years strategic plan carry integration doe shall establish promote enable improved energy water resource data collection reporting technological innovation bill shall construed require state tribal local governments action result increased financial burden restricting water use


Summary:
Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2015

This bill amends the Federal Power Act with respect to orders by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to generate, transmit, or sell electricity to prevent an emergency in energy reliability, where the order may result in a conflict with environmental law. FERC must ensure that the order: (1) requires generation, delivery, interchange, or transmission of electricity only during hours necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest; and (2) be consistent with applicable environmental law and minimize any adverse environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable.

Compliance with such an order shall not be considered a violation of conflicting federal, state, or local environmental laws.

Orders that may result in a conflict with environmental law must expire within 90 days and may be renewed or reissued for subsequent periods as necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest.

During an emergency, a municipality engaged in the transmission or sale of electricity and not otherwise subject to FERC's jurisdiction may make temporary connections with public utilities subject to FERC's jurisdiction and construct temporary facilities for the transmission of electricity in interstate commerce as may be necessary or appropriate to meet the emergency.

resolving environmental grid reliability conflicts act bill amends federal power act respect orders federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc generate transmit sell electricity prevent emergency energy reliability order result conflict environmental law ferc ensure order requires generation delivery interchange transmission electricity hours necessary meet emergency serve public interest consistent applicable environmental law minimize adverse environmental impacts maximum extent practicable compliance order shall considered violation conflicting federal state local environmental laws orders result conflict environmental law expire days renewed reissued subsequent periods necessary meet emergency serve public interest emergency municipality engaged transmission sale electricity subject ferc jurisdiction temporary connections public utilities subject ferc jurisdiction construct temporary facilities transmission electricity interstate commerce necessary appropriate meet emergency


Summary:
This bill amends the Federal Power Act to declare U.S. policy regarding the national interstate electricity transmission system, and to ensure that high-priority regional transmission (HPRT) projects are in the public interest.

The bill prohibits a project developer from seeking a certificate for construction without first seeking authorization under applicable state law.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may authorize HPRT project construction found to be required by public convenience and necessity if the state:

 fails to approve the project, rejects the project application, has no authority to approve the project siting, or authorizes the project subject to conditions that unreasonably interfere with an HPRT project. FERC is designated the lead agency to coordinate both federal authorizations and related environmental reviews for an HPRT project.

FERC shall: (1) coordinate the federal authorization and related environmental review process with any Indian tribe, multistate entity, or state agency responsible for separate permitting or environmental review of a project; and (2) ensure timely and efficient review and permit decisions.

FERC must incorporate into the certificate certain mitigation measures recommended by federal and state agencies, including affected Indian tribes.

Excludes from coverage by this Act Alaska, Hawaii, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

bill amends federal power act declare policy national interstate electricity transmission system ensure high priority regional transmission projects public interest bill prohibits project developer seeking certificate construction seeking authorization applicable state law federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc authorize project construction found required public convenience necessity state fails approve project rejects project application authority approve project siting authorizes project subject conditions unreasonably interfere project ferc designated lead agency coordinate federal authorizations related environmental reviews project ferc shall coordinate federal authorization related environmental review process indian tribe multistate entity state agency responsible separate permitting environmental review project ensure timely efficient review permit decisions ferc incorporate certificate certain mitigation measures recommended federal state agencies including affected indian tribes excludes coverage hawaii


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, upon the request of the licensee for the project numbered 12429 (Clark Canyon Dam, Montana), to reinstate the license and extend for three years after enactment of this Act the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of project works.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated directs federal_energy_regulatory_commission request licensee project numbered montana reinstate license extend years enactment act time period licensee required commence construction project works


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of the licensee for the project numbered 12478-003 (Gibson Dam, Montana), to extend the time period during which the licensee is required to commence construction for six years beginning on the date of expiration of the previous extension issued by FERC before enactment of this Act.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated bill authorizes federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc request licensee project numbered dam montana extend time period licensee required commence construction years beginning date expiration previous extension issued ferc enactment act


Summary:
Next Generation Electric Systems Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grants program for eligible partnerships to develop and implement projects related to achieving the transformation of the future electric grid by the year 2030 using a comprehensive approach to electric system design and architecture.

Eligible partnerships may include any institution of higher education, National Laboratory, representative of a state or local government, representative of an Indian tribe, federal power marketing administration, industry expert, or nonprofit industry trade association, but must include at least one electric utility (either investor-owned or publicly owned), technology provider, rural electric cooperative, Regional Transmission Organization, or Independent System Operator.

DOE must, when selecting eligible partnerships to receive grants, give priority to those proposing projects for which a cost-share is to be provided.

act bill requires department_of_energy doe establish grants program eligible partnerships develop implement projects related achieving transformation future electric grid year comprehensive approach electric system design architecture eligible partnerships include institution higher education national_laboratory representative state local government representative indian tribe federal power marketing administration industry expert nonprofit industry trade association include electric utility investor owned publicly owned technology provider rural electric cooperative doe selecting eligible partnerships receive grants priority proposing projects cost share provided


Summary:
Bulk-Power System Reliability Impact Statement Act

This bill amends the Federal Power Act to require reliability coordinators registered with the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to report to certain congressional committees and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding:

 the state of and prospects for the reliability and affordability of electricity within their respective geographic areas, and the most significant risks to the reliability of the bulk-power system that might arise or need to be monitored within such geographic areas, including risks from proposed or final federal regulations. FERC must:

 solicit a reliability impact statement from the affected reliability coordinator within 15 days after a federal agency proposes a major rule that may significantly affect the reliable operation of the bulk-power system, and transmit the coordinator's reliability impact statement to the head of the federal agency for inclusion in the public record. A reliability coordinator may also submit voluntarily a reliability impact statement for any proposed major federal rule that the coordinator determines would significantly affect the reliable operation of the bulk-power system within the coordinator's jurisdiction.

If a proposed rule subject to a reliability impact statement affects an area broader than the jurisdiction of a single reliability coordinator, the ERO must convene a committee of the affected reliability coordinators in order to produce a single statement that demonstrates for each affected area the reliability impact of the proposed rule.

When issuing a proposed major rule subject to a reliability impact statement, the head of the federal agency must:

 consider the reliability impact statement in issuing the proposed rule, and include in the final rule a detailed response to the reliability impact statement.

statement act bill amends federal power act require reliability coordinators registered report certain congressional committees federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc state prospects reliability affordability electricity respective geographic areas significant risks reliability bulk power system arise need monitored geographic areas including risks proposed final federal regulations ferc solicit reliability impact statement affected reliability coordinator days federal agency proposes major rule significantly affect reliable operation bulk power system transmit coordinator reliability impact statement head federal agency inclusion public record reliability coordinator submit voluntarily reliability impact statement proposed major federal rule coordinator determines significantly affect reliable operation bulk power system coordinator jurisdiction proposed rule subject reliability impact statement affects area broader jurisdiction single reliability coordinator convene committee affected reliability coordinators order produce single statement demonstrates affected area reliability impact proposed rule issuing proposed major rule subject reliability impact statement head federal agency consider reliability impact statement issuing proposed rule include final rule detailed response reliability impact statement


Summary:
Continuity of Electric Capacity Resources Act

This bill amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to notify transmission organizations that they must file an electric capacity resources report if they have a tariff on file that addresses the procurement of electric capacity resources.

Report contents must:

 identify electric capacity resources available to the transmission organization; describe the fuel sources and operational characteristics of each electric capacity resource; evaluate the financial health, viability, and projected remaining years of service of these available electric capacity resources; and assess the current and projected reliability of the elements of the bulk-power system under the transmission organization's control. Subsequent to this report, transmission organizations must also submit tariff amendments that would achieve specified objectives, including a diverse generation portfolio and the availability of transmission facilities and transmission support services that would provide a continuous supply of electricity for customers.

The bill shields any person from liability for actions taken to comply with a FERC order for temporary connections and exchanges of facilities during war or an energy emergency.

continuity act bill amends federal power act require federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc notify transmission organizations file electric capacity resources report tariff file addresses procurement electric capacity resources report contents identify electric capacity resources available transmission organization describe fuel sources operational characteristics electric capacity resource evaluate financial health viability projected remaining years service available electric capacity resources assess current projected reliability elements bulk power system transmission organization control subsequent report transmission organizations submit tariff amendments achieve specified objectives including diverse generation portfolio availability transmission facilities transmission support services provide continuous supply electricity customers bill shields person liability actions taken comply ferc order temporary connections exchanges facilities war energy emergency


Summary:
PURPA's Legislative Upgrade to State Authority Act or the PURPA PLUS Act

Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, with respect to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authority to prescribe rules requiring electric utilities to offer to sell and purchase electric energy to and from any qualifying cogeneration or small power production facility.

Permits state regulatory authorities or nonregulated electric utilities, acting under state authority, to set rates exceeding the incremental cost of alternative electric energy for purchases from any such qualifying facility of up to two megawatts capacity. (Current law requires FERC to set rates that do not exceed the incremental cost to the electric utility of alternative electric energy.)

purpa legislative upgrade state authority act purpa plus act amends public utility regulatory policies act respect federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc authority prescribe rules requiring electric utilities offer sell purchase electric energy qualifying small power production facility permits state regulatory authorities nonregulated electric utilities acting state authority set rates exceeding incremental cost alternative electric energy purchases qualifying facility megawatts capacity current law requires ferc set rates exceed incremental cost electric utility alternative electric energy


Summary:
Enhanced Grid Security Act of 2015

This bill designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the lead Sector-Specific Agency for cybersecurity for the energy sector (this action comports with the presidential policy directive entitled "Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience" dated February 12, 2013).

 DOE shall:

 develop advanced cybersecurity applications and technologies for the energy sector; advance the security of field devices and third-party control systems; leverage electric grid architecture as a means to assess risks to the energy sector, including by implementing an all-hazards approach to communications infrastructure, control systems architecture, and power systems architecture; perform pilot demonstration projects with the energy sector to gain experience with new technologies; and develop workforce development curricula for energy sector-related cybersecurity. DOE shall also implement within the energy sector cybertesting and cyberresilience programs that target:

 DOE emergency response capabilities, cooperation with the intelligence communities for energy sector-related threat collection and analysis, enhancing the tools of DOE and the Electricity Sector Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ES-ISAC) for monitoring the status of the energy sector, expanding industry participation in ES-ISAC, and technical assistance to small electric utilities to assess cybermaturity posture. DOE must develop an advanced energy security program that secures diverse energy networks in order to increase the functional preservation of the electric grid operations or natural gas and oil operations in the face of natural and human-made threats and hazards, including electric magnetic pulse and geomagnetic disturbances.

DOE shall study alternative management structures and funding mechanisms to expand industry membership and participation in ES-ISAC.

enhanced grid security act bill designates department_of_energy doe lead cybersecurity energy sector action comports presidential policy directive entitled critical infrastructure security resilience dated february doe shall develop advanced cybersecurity applications technologies energy sector advance security field devices party control systems leverage electric grid architecture means assess risks energy sector including implementing hazards approach communications infrastructure control systems architecture power systems architecture perform pilot demonstration projects energy sector gain experience new technologies develop workforce development curricula energy sector related cybersecurity doe shall implement energy sector programs target doe emergency response capabilities cooperation intelligence communities energy sector related threat collection analysis enhancing tools doe analysis center monitoring status energy sector expanding industry participation technical assistance small electric utilities assess posture doe develop advanced energy security program secures diverse energy networks order increase functional preservation electric grid operations natural gas oil operations face natural human threats hazards including electric magnetic pulse disturbances doe shall study alternative management structures funding mechanisms expand industry membership participation


Summary:
Grid Modernization Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a program of research and development of electric grid energy storage that addresses the principal challenges identified in the 2013 Department of Energy Strategic Plan for Grid Energy Storage.

DOE shall establish and facilitate a collaborative process to develop model grid architecture and a set of future scenarios for the electric system to examine the impacts of different combinations of resources on the electric grid (including different quantities of distributed energy resources and large-scale, central generation).

DOE shall also:

 conduct modeling based upon the scenarios developed; and analyze and evaluate the technical and financial impacts of the models to assist states, utilities, and other stakeholders in enhancing strategic planning efforts, avoiding stranded investments, and maximizing the cost-effectiveness of future grid-related investments. DOE shall: (1) conduct six demonstration projects to expand the application of technologies to improve observability, advanced controls, and prediction of system performance on the distribution system; and (2) establish a program for the development and promotion of grid-scale energy storage with microgrids to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure.

The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 establishes a new resilience standard requiring each electric utility, each state authority regulating one, and each nonregulated electric utility to incorporate consideration of electric grid resilience (the ability of the electric grid to adapt to changing conditions and withstand and rapidly recover from disruptions) into its integrated resource planning.

DOE shall: (1) initiate development of voluntary model pathways for modernizing the electric grid through a collaborative, public-private effort; and (2) establish a steering committee to facilitate development of the pathways.

DOE must develop baseline, voluntary model performance metrics to facilitate and promote the adoption of best practices and processes for electricity infrastructure providers to design, build, and implement a modernized electric grid and maximize opportunities to enhance progress in grid technologies and capabilities, consumer engagement, and policy.

DOE shall also, upon request, partner with the states and regional organizations to facilitate development of state and regional distribution plans.

grid modernization act bill requires department_of_energy doe conduct program research development electric grid energy storage addresses principal challenges identified doe shall establish facilitate collaborative process develop model grid architecture set future scenarios electric system examine impacts different combinations resources electric grid including different quantities distributed energy resources large scale central generation doe shall conduct modeling based scenarios developed analyze evaluate technical financial impacts models assist states utilities stakeholders enhancing strategic planning efforts avoiding stranded investments maximizing cost effectiveness future grid related investments doe shall conduct demonstration projects expand application technologies improve advanced controls prediction system performance distribution system establish program development promotion grid scale energy storage enhance resilience critical infrastructure public_utility_regulatory_policies_act establishes new resilience standard requiring electric utility state authority regulating nonregulated electric utility incorporate consideration electric grid resilience ability electric grid adapt changing conditions withstand rapidly recover disruptions integrated resource planning doe shall initiate development voluntary model pathways modernizing electric grid collaborative public private effort establish steering committee facilitate development pathways doe develop baseline voluntary model performance metrics facilitate promote adoption best practices processes electricity infrastructure providers design build implement modernized electric grid maximize opportunities enhance progress grid technologies capabilities consumer engagement policy doe shall request partner states regional organizations facilitate development state regional distribution plans


Summary:
Reliable Investment in Vital Energy Reauthorization Act or the RIVER Act

This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize through FY2025 the program of hydroelectric production incentives and incentive payments to the owners or operators of hydroelectric facilities at existing dams to make capital improvements directly related to improving efficiency.

reliable investment vital energy reauthorization act river act bill amends energy policy act reauthorize fy2025 program hydroelectric production incentives incentive payments owners operators hydroelectric facilities existing dams capital improvements directly related improving efficiency


Summary:
(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the licensee for the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC] project number 2743) to occupy up to 20 acres of federal land to construct, operate, and maintain the Upper Hidden Basin Diversion Expansion without further authorization of the Department of the Interior or under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

This is the expansion of the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project described in the Upper Hidden Basin Grant Application dated July 2, 2014, as submitted by Kodiak Electric Association, Inc., to the Alaska Energy Authority Renewable Energy Fund Round VIII.

The Expansion must meet the terms and conditions contained in any amendment to a license which may be issued by FERC subsequent to its environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

sec bill authorizes licensee ferc project number occupy acres federal land construct operate maintain authorization department_of_the_interior alaska_national_interest_lands_conservation_act expansion described dated july submitted expansion meet terms conditions contained amendment license issued ferc subsequent environmental review national_environmental_policy_act


Summary:
This bill directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of the licensee of FERC project 11393, to continue the current stay of the license.

 Upon subsequent licensee request, but no later than 10 years after enactment of this Act, FERC shall: (1) lift the stay of the license, and (2) make the license's effective date the one upon which the stay is lifted.

Also upon licensee request, FERC shall extend for up to 3 consecutive 2-year periods the time period during which the licensee must commence project construction.

bill directs federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc request licensee ferc project continue current stay license subsequent licensee request later years enactment act ferc shall lift stay license license effective date stay lifted licensee request ferc shall extend consecutive year periods time period licensee commence project construction