Energy & Transportation Update
An Information Service of the AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
March 29, 2001
Volume II, Number 3
The Senate Gets Busy on Energy Policy
Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Bingaman (D-NM) recently introduced their comprehensive energy policy in response to Sen. Murkowski's (R-Alaska) GOP energy package. The Democrats' bill includes provisions to increase domestic supply of both oil and gas. It includes provisions to scale back demand by capping sport utility vehicle (SUV) growth and setting tougher standards on fuel efficiency. The bill includes various tax incentives for electricity, natural gas and renewables. The legislation would also increase funding for U.S. Dept. of Energy research and development for clean coal, nuclear, fuel cells and renewable technologies. Murkowski's bill emphasizes increasing domestic production by opening up restricted land such as ANWR, the Rocky Mountains and offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Some environmentalist are less than enthusiastic about the Democrats' version of the energy policy, claiming there is little difference between the two pieces of legislation. However others contend that the Bingaman bill is a balanced measure that emphasizes development of both traditional resources and renewable sources of energy. No congressional action is expected on the two energy policies until the president's task force on energy policy submits its report. The administration's energy policy is expected to be submitted to Congress by the end of April.
Rail Lobbying Day
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), The Council of State Governments (CSG) and The Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) organized "The High Speed Rail Investment Act Advocacy Day" which took place March 1, 2001. The purpose of the Advocacy Day was to boost support for S. 250, The High Speed Rail Investment Act. The Act proposes to provide $12 billion in funding through the sale of bonds for Amtrak to invest in higher speed and more frequent rail passenger service in key corridors across the country. It also provides $1 billion for non high-speed rail corridors. A related House bill is expected to be introduced sometime next month. Representative Joan Bray (D-Missouri), Chair of NCSL's Rail Working Group and Senator Sheila Kiscaden (R-Minnesota) led the lobbying charge.
Senate Version of Bankruptcy Bill Includes Increased LIHEAP Funds
On March 15, 2001, the Senate adopted an amendment to the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2001 (S. 420) that would increase the authorization level for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The amendment would expand LIHEAP emergency and grant funds from $1.7 billion each year to $3.4 billion for each year FY 2001 through FY 2005. States could potentially receive $2 billion or a 143 percent increase in funds. The amendment would also allow states, starting in FY 2002, to expand program eligibility for individuals with incomes up to 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Those guidelines currently set eligibility at 150 percent. The amendment also increases authorization for state energy conservation grants and weatherization assistance. The House version of the bankruptcy bill, passed March 1, 2001, does not include the amendment. The differences will most likely be resolved in a conference committee. The conference members have not yet been named.
Proposed Mandate on Child Safety Restraint Laws
Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) recently introduced legislation that would mandate states to strengthen their child safety restraint laws. Pallone cited the results of a recent study released by National Safe Kids Campaign that assigned states grades according to their children's safety restraint laws as the main reason for sponsoring the bill. The study assigned failing grades to nearly half of the states.
Currently, there is no federal requirement for states to adopt child safety restraint laws. However, there are provisions contained in TEA-21 such as Seat Belt Use Incentive Grants, Occupant Protection Incentive Grants and Child Passenger Protection Education Grants, which are aimed at providing rewards for states that enforce passenger protection programs. Congressman Pallone's bill, H.R. 597, would force states to adopt a law that would require passengers under 16 to wear a safety belt or child safety seat. States that did not adopt a child safety restraint law by FY 2005 would have four percent of their federal-aid highway funds redirected to implement a statewide passenger protection education program. The amount redirected if a state did not have a child safety restraint law would increase to 6 percent in FY 2006, 8 percent in FY 2007 and 10 percent in FY 2008 and every year thereafter. The bill has not yet been considered in the Highways and Transit subcommittee. More information on the results of the National Safe Kids Campaign study may be found at www.safekids.org.
NCSL Staff:
Eileen Doherty
Committee Director
AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
(202)624-8687
Laurie Holmes
Staff Assistant
AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
(202)624-8695 |
