Join
us
to learn about new clean energy research and message testing conducted
by the Rural Climate Partnership and Global Strategies Group. In late
2023, rural focus groups assessed community attitudes towards clean
energy and tested an array of pro- and anti-clean energy messages and
messengers.
With the rise of clean energy bans across rural America, this research
provides valuable insight into how to address real community concerns
and lessen opposition to wind and solar projects.
During the
webinar,
we’ll cover what drives community skepticism and how to build more
comfort and interest in clean energy projects through specific
research-tested messages and trusted, local rural messengers.
Jim
Huston,
Chairman, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
Nick
Myers,
Commissioner, Arizona Corporation Commission
Tricia Pridemore, Commissioner, Georgia Public Service Commission
Keith Hay, Senior Director of Policy, Colorado Energy Office
The following issues may be examined at
the hearing:
The changes in regulatory structures in the United States and their
impact on the roles and responsibilities of State utility commissions.
The current state of electricity costs and electric reliability.
The pace of electric generating unit retirements and the costs to
ratepayers associated with retiring resources and building new
infrastructure.
The impacts of the proposed standards on State responsibilities
concerning the power sector and regulation of existing electric
generating sources.
The technical challenges and cost considerations relating to the
implementation of EPA regulations (proposed
and final) on the power sector, including the Clean Power Plan 2.0.
On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 10:15 a.m. in room 1324 Longworth
House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee
on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a legislative
hearing
on the following bills:
H.R.
3119
(Rep. Soto, D-Fla.), To provide for the issuance of a Manatee
Semipostal Stamp;
Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director, Environmental
Investigation Agency
Legislative summaries:
H.R. 3119 (Rep. Soto, D-FL), To provide for the issuance of a Manatee
Semipostal Stamp
Creates a manatee postal stamp administered by the United States
Postal Service, with funds made available from the stamp transferred
to the USFWS to conserve the United States’
manatee population. Funds generated from this stamp shall be
transferred at least twice a year; the legislation does not require
these funds to be considered as part of the annual appropriations
process. The stamp must be made available for sale within one year of
enactment for at least two years.
Amends Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act to provide greater
flexibility between species classified as endangered or threatened,
granting the Secretary of the Interior the ability to promulgate rules
under Section 4(d) for both threatened and endangered species.
Specifically, the endangerment finding for the Northern Long-Eared Bat
restricts logging of its habitat. This would allow the Secretary to
permit logging, under the argument the bat is endangered because of
white-nose syndrome, not habitat destruction. Supportive organizations
included the American Farm Bureau, the Independent Petroleum
Association of America, the Forest Resources Association, and the
National Mining Association.
H.R. 6854 (Rep. Fischbach (R-MN), “Habitat Enhancement Now Act”
Seeks to protect migratory waterfowl by establishing two separate
grant programs that can be used by local governments or individuals:
one to build and maintain hen houses and another to develop breeding
ground for migratory waterfowl in California. It also establishes
Congressional findings recognizing the importance of managing wetland
ecosystems, the need to deploy new tools to sustain waterfowl
populations, and the importance of investments and incentives for
landowners to conduct these activities.
Places timelines on enforcement actions related to the Lacey Act.
Enforcing agencies must:
Not later than 5 days after the date on which merchandise is
detained, issue the importer a notice of detention or release the
detained merchandise.
Not later than 10 days after the date on which the enforcing agency
issues a notice of detention, the agency must allow the importer to
transport the merchandise to a location not controlled by the U.S.
Government.
Not later than 30 days after the date on which merchandise is
detained for inspection, the enforcing agency must release or seize
such merchandise.
allows importers to sue the enforcing agency if the agency decides to
seize the merchandise or fails to release the merchandise within those
30 days.
This is a
hearing
of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and
Emergency Management. The hearing will examine if the expanded use of
resources is impacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s
(FEMA’s) ability to carry out its disaster readiness mission. While
disaster costs in the United States continue to increase,
FEMA is being tasked more frequently with
responding to non-disaster emergencies, such as the
COVID-19 pandemic, the southern border crisis,
and Operation Allies Welcome.
Rescheduled to March 12.
Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA)
Witnesses:
Deanne Criswell, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Kristen D. Bernard, Deputy Inspector General for Audits, United States
Department of Homeland Security
Chris Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, United States
Government Accountability Office
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee
On Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. (MST), the Subcommittee on
Federal Lands will hold an oversight field
hearing
titled “Biden’s Border Crisis: The Consequences of Failing to Secure
Federal Border Lands.” The hearing will examine the environmental
consequences and national security implications of President Biden’s
failure to secure our southern federal border lands.
This hearing will be held in the Community Room at Cochise College, 901
Colombo Ave. Sierra Vista, Arizona.