ECA Update: July 24, 2012
Published: Tue, 07/24/12
House Energy & Commerce Committee Hearing on NRC Policy and Governance Oversight (streaming live this morning)
House Energy & Commerce Committee July 24, 2012 The live video weblink will appear in the "Featured Story" area in the top right of the committee hompage shortly before 10:00 a.m.
Witness List:
Allison Macfarlane
Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission Kristine Svinicki
Commissioner Nuclear Regulatory Commission William Magwood
Commissioner Nuclear Regulatory Commission William Ostendorff
Commissioner Nuclear Regulatory Commission The week ahead: House Energy Committee set to tackle Yucca Mountain, Solyndra federal loan program Zack Colman, The Hill July 23, 2012 The hearing will tackle NRC policy and governance oversight, with NRC commissioners Kristine Svinicki, William Magwood and William Ostendorff joining the new chairwoman as witnesses.
Macfarlane, whom the Senate confirmed in June, is sure to raise the ire of at least a few committee members with her views on the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste disposal site. She, like President Obama and her predecessor, Gregory Jaczko, opposes using the site to store spent nuclear fuel.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle railed against the administration and the NRC for what they felt was a unilateral decision to close Yucca Mountain. Lawmakers said the administration's actions violated the Constitution.
The NRC contends there wasn't enough money to continue reviews of the site, but House lawmakers were happy to give the commission more money, voting in June to give it an additional $10 million to carry out the review.
The House Energy and Commerce panel will also hold a markup this week of the "No More Solyndras" bill.
That legislation aims to sunset the Energy Department program that gave a $535 million federal loan guarantee to California solar panel maker Solyndra, only to see the firm go bust in 2011.
The Department of Energy says the bill would harm the program and does nothing to improve taxpayer protections.
The Wednesday markup, originally scheduled last week, should feature a host of colorful comments as Republicans try to make political hay out of the Solyndra failure.
Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a Tuesday hearing on the opportunities for, and obstacles to, using natural gas as a transportation fuel.
And the House Natural Resources Committee will keep chipping away at the Obama administration's offshore drilling policies when it calls a handful of Interior Department officials in for a Wednesday hearing.
The House Science, Space and Technology Committee will host a pair of hearings as well. On Wednesday, the full committee will discuss national drought forecasting capabilities, and on Thursday, the Energy and Environment subcommittee will delve into the Energy Department's spending activities on its vehicle technology program.
Off Capitol Hill, think tank NDN will sponsor a Wednesday event titled "Department of Defense and Next Generation Energy Technology." It is the 11th event NDN is holding as part of its clean-energy solutions series.
Jeff Marqusee, director of a pair of Defense Department environmental and technology programs, the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, will speak at the event. He will be joined by Jeff Weiss, co-founder and chief financial officer of solar energy firm Digital Sun, and Holmes Hummel, senior policy advisor for policy and international affairs with the Energy Department.
The American Enterprise Institute is hosting Robert Zubrin on Thursday to talk about his new eye-catching book Merchants of despair: Radical environmentalists, criminal pseudo-scientists, and the fatal cult of antihumanism.
Approximately $167 Million in Funding Available for State, Local, and Tribal Governments Tribal Energy Program Information Release July 18, 2012 The Tribal Energy Program is pleased to forward the following information on the availability of nearly $167 million in current funding opportunities and technical assistance for state, local, and tribal governments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Economic Development Agency (EDA), Department of Energy (DOE), Bloomberg Philanthropies, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), IBM, and American Institute of Architects (AIA) that can be used to support climate and energy initiatives, including smart growth, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and economic development. For full eligibility and application details, please visit the links provided below.
In addition, please visit the calendar of 2012 EPA grant opportunities that may be of particular interest to communities.
________________________________________ IRS Releases Public Guidance on Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds
On June 25, 2012, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service released guidance regarding certain qualified conservation purposes eligible for financing with qualified energy conservation bonds (QECBs). The guidance is expected to make it easier for state and local governments to access more than $2 billion in existing low-cost financing to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through QECBs. QECBs provide state and local governments with access to low-cost financing to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. For more information, view the IRS notice.
Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayors Challenge - $9 million RSVPs due: July 16, 2012
Applications due: September 14, 2012 Eligible entities: Cities with 30,000 or more residents residing within their official municipal boundaries as of the 2010 Census. Applications must be submitted by city hall under the direction of the mayor. The Mayors Challenge is designed to celebrate the creative problem solving and innovation that is happening in city halls from coast to coast. Project ideas will be evaluated based on boldness, strength of planning, potential for impact, and replicability. Twenty finalists will be invited to attend Ideas Camp this fall, a two-day gathering of city innovators to strengthen each other's ideas and plans. The five boldest ideas with the greatest potential for impact will be awarded funding. For more information, visit the Challenge page.
USDA High Energy Cost Grants - $7 million
Applications due: July 30, 2012
Eligible entities: County governments, city or township governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, private institutions of higher education, for- profit organizations other than small businesses
The Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the USDA, announces the availability of competitive grants to assist communities with extremely high energy costs. The grant funds may be used to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade, or otherwise improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving communities in which the average residential expenditure for home energy exceeds 275 percent of the national average. For more information, see the grant opportunity synopsis.
EDA Strong Cities, Strong Communities Visioning Challenge - $6 million
Applications due: July 31, 2012
Eligible entities: Cities with a population of at least 100,000 persons residing within their official municipal boundaries as of the 2010 Census. Cities must also meet EDA's economic distress criteria. The Strong Cities, Strong Communities Visioning Challenge is designed to assist cities experiencing chronic economic distress with leveraging innovative ideas and approaches from diverse perspectives to create and adopt actionable economic development proposals and plans. Each city selected for an award under this grant will hold challenge competitions that will incentivize teams of professionals from various fields related to economic development, such as transportation planning and engineering, to submit economic development proposals that outline how cutting-edge concepts and ideas could be applied to address the persistent economic development challenges faced by the city. For more information, visit the EDA Challenge page.
DOE State Energy Program Program Year 2012 Formula Grants - $30 million
Applications due: Varies by program year; next due date is August 1, 2012
Eligible entities: States, territories, and the District of Columbia DOE is soliciting annual grant applications under the State Energy Program for Program Year 2012. The program seeks to provide grants to state energy offices in all states and U.S. territories to design and carry out their own energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. States use grants to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. For more information, visit the DOE grant opportunity synopsis.
DOE Program Year 2012 Weatherization Formula Grants - $65 million
Applications due: Varies by program year; next due date is August 1, 2012
Eligible entities: State governments and federally recognized tribes The purpose of the Weatherization Assistance Program is to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce their total residential expenditures, and improve their health and safety. The priority population for the Weatherization Assistance Program is people who are particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with high energy burden. In fiscal year 2012, a total of $65 million is available. For more information, visit the DOE grant opportunity synopsis.
USGBC 2012 Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program - $250,000
Applications due: August 10, 2012
Eligible entities: Public agencies or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations involved in the ownership, development, or financing of the project The 2012 Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program will award grants and provide educational resources to affordable housing developers and related public agencies that choose to pursue LEED 2009 for Neighborhood Development certification (LEED-ND). LEED-ND promotes integration of the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building into a system for neighborhood design. Preference will be given to qualifying projects that meet additional goals, including effort to strengthen the surrounding neighborhoods, commitment to engage stakeholders in the development process, and the provision of green housing for a range of income levels. For more information, visit the USGBC grant opportunity synopsis.
IBM Smarter Cities Challenge - Technical Assistance
Applications due: September 7, 2012
Eligible entities: Cities with a letter of affirmation from the mayor or equivalent executive officer of the municipal government The Smarter Cities Challenge is designed to help cities address some of the critical challenges they are facing, such as energy efficiency and climate change impacts. Selected cities will receive assistance from IBM experts from different business units and geographies, who will work on the ground with city leaders and deliver recommendations on how to make the city smarter and more effective. For more information, visit the Challenge page.
EDA Economic Development Assistance Programs Federal Funding Opportunity -$50.06 million
Applications due: Varies by program year; next due date is September 14, 2012
Eligible entities: State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, institutions of higher education Under the Economic Development Assistance Programs (EDAP) Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement, EDA will make construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs. Grants made under these programs will leverage regional assets to support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Through the EDAP FFO, EDA solicits applications from rural and urban communities to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions. In fiscal year 2012, a total of $50,060,000 is available. For more information, visit the EDA grant opportunity synopsis.
AIA Sustainable Design Assessment Teams (SDAT) - Technical Assistance
Applications due: Two review cycles; upcoming due date is October 12, 2012
Eligible entities: Committees with a cross-section of residents, local government agencies, businesses, institutions, and community groups. A letter of support from the local AIA chapter is required The Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) program focuses on the importance of developing sustainable communities through design. The American Institute of Architects' Center for Communities by Design is seeking potential partner communities that can demonstrate the capacity to convene a diverse set of community leaders and stakeholders for an intensive, collaborative planning process focused on long-term sustainability. The Center is particularly focused on identifying communities that have the ability to leverage local resources and build strong partnerships for implementation of an SDAT process. Awarded communities will receive pro bono services from a multidisciplinary team through the program, and the AIA commits to funding up to $15,000 for each project to cover team expenses. For more information, visit the AIA SDAT page.
Funders Network Local Sustainability Matching Fund - Advanced Notice
The Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network have joined together to launch a Local Sustainability Matching Fund. The fund will provide matching investments from national foundations on a competitive basis to build partnerships between sustainability directors and local place-based foundations to advance discrete sustainability initiatives that demonstrate broad-based community support and engagement. The Local Sustainability Matching Fund will begin accepting applications for its next round of funding in late summer 2012. For more information, visit the Funders' Network.
*** State and local officials interested in additional information about developing and implementing cost-effective climate and energy strategies that help further environmental goals and achieve public health and economic benefits may visit EPA's State and Local Climate and Energy Program site.
BPC Nuclear Initiative Co-Chairmen Domenici and Miller Release Final Report Lourdes Long, Bipartisan Policy Center July 19, 2012 Over the course of the last year, the Nuclear Initiative convened a series of four public events featuring a wide range of experts and stakeholders and aimed at raising the level of dialogue about nuclear energy's future in the United States. The report summarizes the major insights from each of these events.
The report outlines five strategic goals for maintaining U.S. leadership in nuclear energy domestically and internationally and identifies available policy levers to take advantage of key opportunities and overcome current challenges facing nuclear power in the United States.
Kelly named as new manager of DOE's Oak Ridge Office Beverly Majors, The Oak Ridger July 20, 2012 The DOE's Office of Science made the announcement Thursday afternoon.
Most recently, Kelly served as ORO's acting manager; and he previously served as acting deputy manager and the assistant manager for Environment, Safety & Health (ES&H).
"After completing a nationwide search of qualified candidates, Larry separated himself as the perfect choice for this position," Joe McBrearty, deputy director of field operations for DOE's Office of Science, stated in a July 19 release.
"With the changes happening in Oak Ridge, we wanted to institute and establish a very strong leadership team that can work the new organization as it is envisioned and interact well with the other parts of the organization locally and nationally."
Responding to a request for additional comments from The Oak Ridger late Thursday afternoon, Kelly stated: "I'm excited for the opportunity to lead this great organization.
"My primary focus will be on our people and our mission, and we will continue to find ways to work efficiently and remain good stewards to the taxpayer.
"The Oak Ridge Office has been part of my professional life for more than 20 years," the new DOE-ORO chief added. "It is a true honor to be selected manager."
As the manager of one of DOE's most diverse field locations, Kelly's executive responsibilities include management of the Oak Ridge Integrated Support Center, which provides critical mission support services in the personnel, finance, budget, procurement, legal, security and emergency management, and employee health and safety arenas on a national and local level.
Kelly will also be responsible for management of the 32,000-acre Oak Ridge Reservation, which will include addressing cross-cutting issues and activities among major organizations such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the East Tennessee Technology Park (formerly the K-25 Site), and the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office.
Larry Kelly has been a member of the Oak Ridge community since 1990 and has more than 30 years of federal service, including 21 years with the Oak Ridge Office, where he has overseen programs in the areas of environment, safety, health and quality assurance through the Office of Science's Integrated Support Center.
Prior to joining the Department of Energy, he worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority for nine years as an engineer and manager -- providing expertise in design, construction and operation of commercial nuclear power plants.
He also worked in the private sector as an environmental engineer for International Paper Co.
A native of Oxford, Miss., Kelly earned his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering at the University of Mississippi and his master of business administration from the University of Tennessee.
Kelly and his wife, Rubenia, live in Knoxville and they have one daughter, Kristyn.
Wash. fines Energy Department over Hanford The Associated Press July 20, 2012 RICHLAND, Wash. --
Washington has fined the U.S. Department of Energy $5,000 for a missed deadline at the Hanford nuclear reservation. The state sued the Energy Department in 2008 for missing deadlines to empty leak-prone tanks of underground waste and complete construction of a massive was treatment plant. The lawsuit was settled in 2010 with new deadlines. The fine was for missing one of those deadlines.
It's the first deadline missed under the settlement agreement.
John Price of the Washington Department of Ecology told The Tri-City Herald for a story Friday (http://bit.ly/NDFnUW) that the amount isn't large, but it emphasizes the state's expectation that the agency honor its commitments.
The Energy Department announced last month that it would delay a new cost and schedule for the plant until technical problems can be resolved.
British businessman asks Obama to help develop nuclear reactor Zack Colman,The Hill July 20, 2012 Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson wants President Obama to commercialize next-generation nuclear reactor technology.
Branson wrote a letter asking to meet with Obama and Energy Secretary Steven Chu about the idea, writes The Guardian.
Obama declined.
Still, Obama has been friendly to nuclear power during his administration, perhaps one of the few pieces of common ground he shares with Republicans on energy issues.
Before the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in March 2011 in Japan, Obama had sought tens of billions of dollars in government insurance for new nuclear plants. And in February of 2010, the administration offered an $8.3 billion loan guarantee for the first reactors licensed since 1978.
Billionaire Branson's inquiry might highlight a developing race to develop integral fast reactors, The Guardian posits. Branson's move might mean he is competing with Bill Gates's new firm, TerraPower, which is working on a different type of nuclear reactor technology.
Integral fast reactors make use of nuclear waste by burning plutonium and uranium. But not everyone agrees the reactors are safe.
The U.S. government ran a prototype integral fast reactor between 1964 and 1994. Congress defunded the program because of safety concerns. |
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