HR-271 : Still Just a Bill

Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that any emergency order issued under such Act for the interconnection of facilities for the generation, transmission, and sale of electric energy that may result in a conflict with a requirement of any environmental law shall: (1) require generation, delivery, interchange, or transmission of electric energy only during hours necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest; and (2) to the maximum extent practical, be consistent with any other applicable environmental law and minimize any adverse environmental impacts.

Provides that any omission or action taken by a party to comply with such an order that results in noncompliance with any environmental law shall not: (1) be considered a violation of such law; or (2) subject such party to any requirement of, or any civil or criminal liability under, such law.

Requires such an order that may result in a conflict with environmental law to expire within 90 days after it is issued. Authorizes FERC to renew or reissue such order for subsequent periods, not to exceed 90 days each, as necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest.

Requires FERC, in renewing or reissuing such order, to: (1) consult with the primary federal agency with expertise in the environmental interest protected by such law and include in any such order conditions determined to be necessary to minimize any adverse environmental impacts, and (2) make such conditions available to the public. Authorizes FERC to exclude such a condition from the order if such condition would prevent the order from adequately addressing the emergency.

Authorizes, during an emergency, a municipality engaged in the transmission or sale of electric energy and not otherwise subject to FERC's jurisdiction to make temporary connections with public utilities subject to FERC's jurisdiction and construct temporary facilities for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce as may be necessary or appropriate to meet such emergency.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2013-06-03CalendarsRead the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 82.Senate
2013-05-23IntroReferralReceived in the Senate, read the first time.Senate
2013-05-22FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2013-05-22FloorOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2898)House floor actions
2013-05-22FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 271.House floor actions
2013-05-22FloorConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2898-2899)House floor actions
2013-05-22FloorMr. Olson moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
2013-05-20CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 61.House floor actions
2013-05-20CommitteeReported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 113-86.House floor actions
2013-05-15CommitteeOrdered to be Reported by Voice Vote.House committee actions
2013-05-15CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2013-05-14CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2013-05-14CommitteeSubcommittee on Energy and Power Discharged.House committee actions
2013-01-18CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.House committee actions
2013-01-15IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
2013-01-15IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Energy
See Subjects
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Electric power generation and transmission
  • Emergency planning and evacuation
  • Energy storage, supplies, demand
  • Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
  • Pollution liability
  • Public utilities and utility rates

Related Bills

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