Energy & Transportation Update
An Information Service of the AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
July 25, 2001
Volume II, Number 5
In the past few months, NCSL has sent several letters to Congress and the administration expressing views on energy legislation and on the administration's national energy proposal. You may access a list of the AFI Energy and Transportation Committee's correspondence at www.ncsl.org/statefed/ettest.htm. The following is a summary of our correspondence.
NCSL Sends Letter Regarding Senate Energy Legislation
On July 23, 2001, NCSL sent a letter signed by Sen. Clifton Below (D-N.H.), Chair of the NCSL Energy and Transportation Committee, to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources expressing views on pending energy legislation. The letter cited specifically the National Energy Security Act (S. 389), introduced by the Committee's Ranking Member Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) and the Energy Emergency Response Act (S. 352) and the Comprehensive and Balanced Energy Policy Act (S. 597) introduced by the Committee's Chairman Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.). NCSL's positions included: electric infrastructure, energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternative fuels, corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Weatherization Assistance, state energy programs and domestic production. NCSL expressed an emphasis on energy, electric and natural gas infrastructure. The letter explains that NCSL supports proposals to address electric transmission constraints and capacity concerns within the interstate electric system and programs established for improving electricity capacity and access. However, NCSL expressed opposition to proposals that would create federal eminent domain authority to obtain rights-of-way for electricity transmission lines. NCSL also stated it supports regional coordination of state energy policies and energy intrastructure planning. The Committee is holding a hearing on the energy legislation on July 25-26, 2001. You can access the letter at www.ncsl.org/statefed/723ENR.htm
NCSL Sends Letter to Congress Expressing Views on Administration's Energy Proposal
On July 3, 2001, a letter signed by Sen. Below was sent to Congress expressing support for and concerns with the administration's national energy policy proposal. Among a variety of topics, the letter stressed the following issues:
- Increasing funding for federal energy programs such as LIHEAP, Weatherization Assistance Program and Energy Program;
- Strengthening CAFE standards;
- Granting tax credits for fuel efficient vehicles and electricity produced from wind, biomass, and solar energy;
- Encouraging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to use the existing authority to promote competition and encourage investment in transmission facilities at the wholesale level;
- Working with FERC to improve reliability of the interstate transmission system. NCSL opposes however, expansion of FERC jurisdiction to include authority over intrastate transmission.
You can access the letter at www.ncsl.org/statefed/NEP703C.htm
NCSL Sends Letter Regarding Senate Appropriations
On June 22, 2001, a letter signed by Sen. Below was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee recommending funding increases in the Weatherization Assistance program. NCSL expressed support for low-income households, individuals and disabilities and the elderly are protected against large utility rate hikes. The letter urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to substantially increase funding for the Weatherization Assistance and state energy grants. You can access the letter at www.ncsl.org/statefed/wthrfy02.htm
NCSL Sends Letter Regarding Energy Appropriations
On June 22, 2001, NCSL sent a letter signed by Sen. Below to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees regarding FY 2002 appropriations for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Weatherization Assistance, state energy programs and Dept. of Energy programs. NCSL urged the Senate and House Appropriations Committee to support:
- A $18.7 billion request for the U.S. DOE programs;
- A minimum $376.8 million for the U.S. DOE renewable energy programs; and
- A $7.03 billion for U.S. DOE environmental management cleanup activities.
NCSL also urged the Senate and House Appropriations Committee to adopt significant increases for LIHEAP, the Weatherization Assistance, state energy programs and energy efficiency R&D.
The letter can be accessed at www.ncsl.org/statefed/saefy2.htm
NCSL Comments on the Administration's National Energy Policy
As the only state/local organization of elected officials with comprehensive energy policy, NCSL was able to comment on the administration's National Energy Policy proposal on June 6. NCSL supports the following recommendations made by the National Energy Policy Development (NEPD) Group:
- Minimizing impacts of high energy costs on low-income consumers by raising the funds available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ;
- Working with state organizations to address unique regional energy concerns;
- Developing legislation to increase energy efficiency with a tax credit for fuel-efficient vehicles;
- Encouraging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to use the existing authority to promote competition and encourage investment in transmission facilities at the wholesale level;
- Continuing to develop advanced clean coal technology;
- Including nuclear power in the national energy plan assuming concerns regarding plant safety and transportation, storage and disposal of nuclear waste can be resolved;
- Working with FERC to improve reliability of the interstate transmission system. However, NCSL opposes expansion of FERC jurisdiction to include authority over intrastate transmission.
NCSL expressed concern on the following elements of the report:
- Identifying only the National Governors' Association and regional governors for dialogue with the administration
- Arguing that FERC should be provided the same eminent domain authority over the electric transmission grid as it has over the natural gas pipeline system. This would be a preemption of state authority.
- NCSL also voiced concerns regarding nuclear energy stating nuclear waste disposal and treatment "should be pursued with the highest priority" and stresses that, "such a program should be developed in full consultation with all of the affected states."
The letter can be accessed at www.ncsl.org/statefed/NEPltra.htm.
NCSL Sends Letter in Support of LIHEAP Appropriation
On June 5, 2001, NCSL sent a letter signed by Sen. Below to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee members expressing support for the $150 million FY 2001 supplemental appropriation requested by Pres. Bush for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). NCSL stated that at least $150 million is needed to cover low-income household needs in anticipation of extreme summer heat, continuing high-energy prices and other energy-related problems. You can view the letter on the NCSL web site at www.ncsl.org/statefed/LIHPSA02.htm
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 |
