Category Archives: Legislation

Congressional Hearing on Natural Gas Act


The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the Natural Gas Act on Wednesday February 5, 2020.  Included in the hearing will be discussion on H.R.5454 – Fairness for Landowners Facing Eminent Domain Act. The hearing is open to the public on Wednesday, February 5, at 10 am in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Modernizing the Natural Gas Act to Ensure it Works for Everyone.”

The House Committee’s press release, with information on the hearing, is here.  Information for this hearing, including the Committee Memorandum, witness list, testimony and a live webcast will be posted here as they become available.

H.R.5454 – Fairness for Landowners Facing Eminent Domain Act that is being referenced in the hearing is here.

A press release from the Fairness for Landowners bill’s sponsor, NJ Representative Tom Malinowski, is here.

Virginia Legislators Unveil “Virginia Clean Economy Act”

On December 19, 2019, the proposed Virginia Clean Economy Act was unveiled. The bill patrons are State Senator Jennifer McClellan (patron in the Senate), Delegate Rip Sullivan (patron in the House) Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy (chief co-patron in the House), and Delegate Alfonso Lopez (chief co-patron in the House).

A two page document explains the Virginia Clean Economy Act – Frequently Asked Questions.

Press coverage and analysis of he Act is in a Blue Virginia article.

Important Action Alert from Wild Virginia

An action alert from David Sligh, Wild Virginia’s Conservation Director:

We’ve just received word that a special deal may soon be attached to a bill in Congress to allow Dominion to change the rules in their favor so they can fast track the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. We need your help today to send a strong message to our elected representatives.  We need them to know to watch for tricks like this from Dominion and to be ready to vote in opposition to any legislation like this.

The time is NOW to contact your senators and representative in Congress today and urge them to oppose any legislation that makes way for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.   Don’t know your senators or representative? No problem!  Find out here.

Note: We don’t currently have a bill number or specific information about the measure that is circulating in Congress but don’t let that deter you from making the contacts. Time could be of the essence and you shouldn’t wait – it is important that our legislators be looking for these attempts whenever they arise and act quickly.

Background:
The proposed route for Dominion’s 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline has been a mess from the beginning. It carves through family farms, steep mountain ridges, and public water supplies, and it is slated to cross the Appalachian Trail on U.S. Forest Service land, a move that federal judges say is not legal. Rather than reconsider their poorly-planned project, Dominion is asking the U.S. Congress to change laws to make way for its unneeded gas pipeline.

We will oppose Dominion’s efforts and call on you to do the same – TODAY!  Tell your senators and your representative in Congress that you oppose legislation that would change the rules to make way for Dominion’s unneeded and destructive pipeline.

Thank you again for stepping up and taking action to protect the mountain streams, family farms, private property, water supplies, and Appalachian Trail.

Sincerely,

David Sligh 
Wild Virginia
Conservation Director

 

The ACP and the Appalachian Trail

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline, thwarted in its intent to cross the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the George Washington National Forest (GWNF), now wants special treatment from the U.S. Congress — a law that would force through its proposed AT crossing in the GWNF. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has prepared a set of maps and documents with the most current facts, legal status, and research. The documents are intended to help groups and individuals facilitate conversations with elected officials (and others) about the threat to the Appalachian Trail,

Resources include:

  1. ACP Factsheet (this is a colorful one pager that you can distribute and take to meetings)
  2. The Case Against the ACP (this is a longer 2 page memo on the facts including citations; good background reading for you prior to a meeting)
  3. Contact Info (all 13 Virginia members of Congress with DC and District office contact info)
  4. Letter House (the letters that were sent to our Congressional Representatives–good to distribute and take to meetings)
  5. Letter Senate (the letters that were sent to our U.S. Senators–good to distribute and take to meetings)
  6. Map US House (this shows Congressional districts and the MVP & ACP routes)
  7. Map VA House (this shows state delegate districts and the MVP & ACP routes)
  8. Map VA Senate (this shows state senate districts and the MVP & ACP routes)

With many permits revoked or in court, Dominion now wants to legislate the ACP route. We urge everyone to use SELC’s materials and contact elected officials, community members, and the media to educate them with up-to-date information, including the many reasons why the proposed AT crossing is unlawful and should not receive special treatment from Congress – and why the ACP is simply not necessary!

Legislation Introduced to Boost Public Participation in FERC Processes

From ABRA Update #230:

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced legislation on May 15 to create an Office of Public Participation and Consumer Advocacy at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Public Engagement at FERC Act, S. 1477, will assist residential and small commercial energy consumers in participating in FERC proceedings, ensuring the public has a strong role in shaping the nation’s energy future. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Cardin (DMD) and Mark Warner (D-VA) are co-sponsors. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Sen. Shaheen introduced a similar bill in the last Congress, which was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, as was S. 1477, but there were no hearings. It remains to be seen whether this new version will have a more positive fate.