June 3, 2011

The House Appropriations Committee began work on the FY 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations bill this week. 

The bill funds the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and various regional water and power authorities.  It cleared the subcommittee by voice vote on Thursday, June 2 and Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, indicated he would move the bill through the full committee and onto the floor before the August recess.

Last January, President Obama issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to review all existing regulations to ensure that they “protect our safety, health and environment while promoting economic growth”.  Results of this review were released on May 26. 

On June 2 the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a draft Action Plan to help Federal agencies assure adequate water supplies, safeguard water quality, and protect public health and property. The draft Action Plan will be available for a 45 day public comment period. 

On June 2 the Obama Administration announced a series of public meetings and the release of nine draft Action Plans to implement the nation's first comprehensive ocean policy.

Listening sessions will be held throughout the month of June in Washington, DC, Barrow, AK, Anchorage, AK, Chicago, IL, Jacksonville, FL, Honolulu, HI, Exeter, NH, Galveston, TX, Ocean Shores, WA, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, West Long Branch, NJ, and Portland, OR.   

Last week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), heard testimony from Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, President Obama's nominee to be Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to examine harmful algal blooms, hypoxia research and action plans to implement, monitor, prevent, mitigate and control both marine and fresh water bloom and hypoxia events.

The Subcommittee also reviewed draft legislation entitled “The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2011.” 

The House Water and Power subcommittee, Chaired by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-4), today held a hearing on H.R. 1837, legislation by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-21) and co-sponsored by Reps. Kevin McCarthy (R-22) and Jeff Denham (R-19) to address certain water-related concerns on the San Joaquin River, and for other purposes.

Other attending California members included ranking member Grace Napolitano (D-38), Jim Costa (D-20), John Garamendi (D-10).