Wednesday, December 13, 2000

Environmental Federalism for the 21^st Century: Part I
(Joint session with ASI Science, Energy and Environmental Resources Committee)

The managing editor from the Bureau of National Affairs' (BNA) Daily Environment Report will provide members a commentary on the recent federal election and its impact on environmental issues. Following the presentation, members will discuss the committee's environmental lobbying efforts for the upcoming year. This session will be instrumental in the committee's discussions with members of the new administration's transition team and key congressional staff which will take place on Thursday afternoon.

Speakers:

Bernard Chabel
Managing Editor, Daily Environment Report
Bureau of National Affairs

Mercury in the Environment
Mercury is the last major toxic substance without an emissions control plan. By December 15, the Environmental Protection (EPA) will announce its decision on whether to regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants-the largest domestic source of the pollutant. EPA's decision and industry concerns will be discussed.

Speakers:

Ellen Brown, Economist and Analyst
EPA Office of Air and Radiation

Quinn Shea
Edison Electric Institute

Senator Sharon Treat, Maine

3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Policy Session: National Energy Policy
(Joint session with the AFI Energy and Transportation Committee)

This will be a joint session between the Environment and Energy and Transportation committees to discuss proposed changes to NCSL's National Energy policy.

4:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

AFI Steering Committee Meeting
This time will be devoted to a discussion of the proposed changes to the NCSL Permanent Rules of Procedure.

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Reception

Thursday, December 14, 2000

8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Opening Plenary Breakfast

Today's Family Farm, Tomorrow's Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)? (Includes Policy Discussion)
(Joint Session of the AFI Agriculture & International Trade and Environment Committee)
The federal government will imminently release new rules for animal feeding operations that may reclassify what many think of as family farms as CAFOs, subject to federal clean water standards. How will the new rules impact state oversight of these facilities and what will it mean for agricultural producers and the environment? This session will include a discussion of NCSL's CAFO policy.

Speakers:

Karen Metchis
Environmental Protection Specialist
Office of Wastewater Management
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Janet Goodwin (invited)
United States Environmental Protection Agency

45a.m.-12:15 p.m.

NCSL's Work with the States
Clean air, clean water, kids and the environment, growth management...learn about NCSL's current activities on environmental issues.

Speaker:

Larry Morandi, Director
Environment, Energy and Transportation Program
National Conference of State Legislatures

12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

How Much Power Is Congress Allowed to Delegate to EPA?
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide in Environmental Protection Agency v. American Trucking Association if the EPA interpreted its authority under the Clean Air Act so broadly that it violated the constitutional nondelegation doctrine. This session will provide an overview of the November 7, 2000 oral arguments and the impact the decision will have on the authority of EPA and other federal agencies.

Speakers:

Robin Conrad (invited)
National Chamber Litigation Center
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Office of the General Counsel (invited)
Environmental Protection Agency

Environmental Federalism for the 21^st Century: Part II
(Joint with ASI Science, Energy and Environmental Resources Committee)
Members of the new administration's transition team and key Congressional staffers will be invited to participate with members of the committee in an open discussion on making a new commitment to the federal-state partnership in environmental protection.

Speakers:

To be determined following the election.

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Committee Business Meeting (Includes Policy Discussion)
Members will address any unfinished business and discuss two policies-Environmental
Federalism and State-Federal Relations for Environmental Programs.

5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

AFI Steering Committee Meeting
The Steering Committee will review policy resolutions adopted by the AFI committees.

6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Reception

Friday, December 15, 2000

• Electronic Commerce and State Sales Tax Project
• State Higher Education Programs
• Coping with the Higher Cost of Energy

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Business Meeting

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Closing Plenary Lunch
Thomas Friedman, International Correspondent, New York Times (invited)