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News of Note

EPA’s Science Advisory Board Announces Independent Panel to Peer Review Agency’s Hydraulic Fracturing Research

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (independent Science Advisory Board has announced the formation of its Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory panel. This panel of independent experts will peer review EPA’s 2014 draft report of results for its national study on any potential health and environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources.   Read More ...

Judge Rules for Utah County in Fight Over Roads Crossing Federal Tracts

Greenwire
A federal district judge in Utah ruled last week that a dozen dirt roads -- including four running through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument -- may remain open to the public in a decision hailed by the state as a major victory.  The 121-page ruling by U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups was in response to a 2008 lawsuit by Kane County in southern Utah that sought to keep open to the public 15 roads crisscrossing 89 miles of federal land in Utah.   Read More ...

Study: Oil Industry Economic Impact Pegged at $30B

Fuelfix.com
The economic impact of North Dakota’s oil industry has increased nearly sevenfold between 2005 and 2011, from $4.4 billion to $30.4 billion, according to a study from North Dakota State University.  The study, sponsored by the North Dakota Petroleum Council, estimates each barrel of oil produced in North Dakota generates about $150 in economic activity.   Read More ...

FERC Announces April Technical Conference: Coordination Between Natural Gas and Electricity Markets

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this week announced that its staff will hold a technical conference focused on whether and how natural gas and electric industry schedules could be harmonized.  The technical conference will take place at FERC's offices on April 25, 2013   Read More ...

In The Spotlight

Senate Energy and Climate Change Votes Point to EPA as Key Decider

NBCNews.com
Hurricane Sandy last year pushed the issue of climate change higher on the nation’s agenda. President Barack Obama indicated in his inaugural address and his State of the Union address that climate policy would be a priority for his second term. Some members of Congress said Sandy might cause Congress to redesign infrastructure spending to limit damage from future catastrophic storms.  A series of Senate votes Friday indicated what the political balance now is on energy policy and on measures to avert climate change.   Read More ...

Keystone XL Picks Up Senate Backing

The Hill
The Senate on Friday voted 62-37 to approve the proposed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline in an amendment to Senate budget.  Sen. John Hoeven’s (R-N.D.) amendment was largely symbolic, but served as a clear statement that the Senate backs the pipeline.   Read More ...

SUPREME COURT: Justices Uphold EPA's Policy on Logging Road runoff

E&E News
The Supreme Court today upheld U.S. EPA's policy for regulating stormwater runoff on logging roads in the Pacific Northwest.  The 7-1 ruling in Decker v. Northwest Environmental Defense Center backed EPA's policy that logging roads are not industrial point-source pollution and consequently don't require Clean Water Act permits.   Read More ...

EPA Likely to Delay Climate Rules for New Power Plants

Washington Post
The Obama administration is leaning toward revising its landmark proposal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants, according to several individuals briefed on the matter, a move that would delay tougher restrictions and could anger many environmentalists.    Read More ...
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For Our Members

Federal RegTrack: Pending Regulatory Proposals + Newly Finalized Regulations -- April 2013 Report

Western Business Roundtable
Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of the Western Business Roundtable's "Federal RegTrack Calendar."  This analysis tracks pending regulatory actions where federal agencies are currently asking for public input, as well as recently finalized regulatory actions.   Read More ...

Happenings in DC Impacting Western Energy/Resource Sectors - March 22, 2013

Western Business Roundtable

Welcome to the March 22, 2013 edition of the Western Business Roundtable's "Capitol Hill Wrap-Up," our weekly snap-shot report featuring short summaries regarding the key policy developments on Capitol Hill.

Both Houses, looking toward a two-week Easter/Passover recess, were eager to get out of town.  Standing between them and that goal: a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through FY13; and approval of the bodies' respective budget proposals for 2014.   As we report, the CR portion of the "to do" list is completed....while Senate debate on an FY14 budget continues into the weekend.

 

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Happenings in DC Impacting Western Energy/Resource Sectors - March 15, 2013

Western Business Roundtable

Welcome to the March 15, 2013 edition of the Western Business Roundtable's "Capitol Hill Wrap-Up," our weekly snap-shot report featuring short summaries regarding the key policy developments on Capitol Hill.

Things were humming on the Hill this week.  Though budget stories dominated the top line, there were also plenty of Congressional and regulatory actions of specific importance to the energy and resource sectors.  See many of those stories detailed below.....

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Happenings in DC Impacting Western Energy/Resource Sectors - March 8, 2013

Western Business Roundtable

Welcome to the March 8, 2013 edition of the Western Business Roundtable's "Capitol Hill Wrap-Up," our weekly snap-shot report featuring short summaries regarding the key policy developments on Capitol Hill. 

Congressional committees are rolling now.  We have lots to report on Hill energy and natural resource-related activity this week.  Read on......

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