Energy & Transportation Update
An Information Service of the AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
June 8, 2001
Volume II, Number 4
Energy Policy Issue
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:
- Exploring options for creating long-term energy public education awareness programs, funded by energy industries
- 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
- Directing EPA to propose multi-pollutant legislation that aims to significantly reduce and cap emission of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury from power plants
- Establishing an inter-agency task force to ensure coordination between federal, state, tribal and local energy permitting activity in regions where increased activity is expected
- Promoting aggressive federal energy conservation and efficiency programs
- Reviewing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards with consideration of the National Academy of Sciences Study due to be released in July
- Developing legislation to increase energy efficiency with a tax credit for fuel-efficient vehicles
- Utilizing technological advances to better protect our environment such as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and fuel-celled powered transit bus programs
- 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
- Increasing USDOE's funds for research and development of renewable sources. However, NCSL disapproves of the overall decreases in the proposed budget considering the nation's energy concerns
- Working with FERC to improve reliability of the interstate transmission system. However, NCSL opposes expansion of FERC jurisdiction to include authority over intrastate transmission
- Improving safety of natural gas pipelines and, relatedly, protect the environment and strengthen emergency preparedness
NCSL expressed concern on the following elements of the report:
- Identifying only the National Governors' Association and regional governors for dialogue with the administration
- Recommending legislation to allow funds dedicated for the Weatherization of State Energy Programs be transferred to LIHEAP and providing USDOE with the authority to determine that shift
- 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 sent to President Bush can be seen on the NCSL web site at www.ncsl.org/statefed/NEPltra.htm.
You may access the administration's full National Energy Policy report at www.whitehouse.gov/energy/.
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 |
