S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Congressional research reportOct 25, 2013
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings
and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
(name redacted)
Specialist in Energy Policy
October 25, 2013
Congressional Research Service
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R43259
S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Summary
S. 1392—the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013—was introduced on
July 30, 2013. Often referred to as the Shaheen-Portman bill, it is a trimmed-down version of S.
761. It contains provisions for building energy codes, industrial energy efficiency, federal
agencies, and budget offsets. The bill contains voluntary provisions and was designed to be
deficit-neutral. To date, virtually all debate related to the bill has been focused on floor
amendments.
The bill was reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (SENR) on a
19-3 vote. On August 1, 2013, a motion to proceed was introduced and amendments began to be
filed. On September 11, 2013, a unanimous consent agreement on the motion launched floor
action. By September 19, 2013, 125 amendments had been proposed. Of that total, 75 directly
address energy efficiency policy, 23 address “other” energy and carbon emissions policy areas,
and 27 address non-energy policy areas.
Amendments subject to controversy address five policy areas: fossil fuel use by federal buildings,
carbon emissions regulation, regional haze regulation, Keystone XL Pipeline, and the Affordable
Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148 as amended). Only the Keystone XL Pipeline and one ACA
amendment have been the subject of major floor debate on S. 1392.
S.Amdt. 1908 on the Keystone XL Pipeline calls for a Sense of Congress resolution that
encourages the President to issue a permit needed to begin construction. In floor debate,
proponents argued that the project would create thousands of jobs; generate tax revenues for
federal, state, and local governments; reduce dependence on oil imports from Venezuela; and gain
an “environmental advantage” from using high-tech refineries on the Gulf Coast. Opponents
contend that there would be less than 100 permanent jobs, most of the oil would be exported, and
there is a “tangible risk” of a spill that could have severe environmental impacts.
S.Amdt. 1866 would amend Section 1312(d)(3)(D) of ACA and would affect how Members of
Congress, congressional staff, the President, the Vice President, and many executive branch
political appointees can obtain health insurance coverage through their federal employment.
The sponsor of S.Amdt. 1866 requested a vote on this amendment and objected to further
consideration of other amendments, which blocked voting on all other amendments. Shortly after
floor debate began, the sponsor introduced a stand-alone bill (S. 1497) with similar content and
expressed a willingness to drop the objection, if a vote could be “locked down” for S.Amdt.
1866—or if a vote on the proposal (S. 1497) could be guaranteed for any other active legislation.
Despite a tentative agreement to take votes on S.Amdt. 1908 and S.Amdt. 1866, supporters of
non-energy amendments increased their requests to include four additional non-energy
amendments. The resulting impasse led to a suspension of action on September 18, 2013, with no
fixed date to resume action. The Senate then focused attention on passing a continuing
appropriations resolution (CR) and addressing the federal debt ceiling. Floor managers have
indicated that—once the CR, shutdown, health care, and debt limit issues are resolved—they
hope to resume action on S. 1392.
Congressional Research Service
S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Contents
Background ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Action on S. 1000 in the 112th Congress ................................................................................... 1
Action on S. 761 in the 113th Congress ..................................................................................... 1
S. 761 Introduced ................................................................................................................ 1
Comparison with S. 1000 .................................................................................................... 2
Committee Action ............................................................................................................... 2
CBO Cost Estimates ............................................................................................................ 2
S. 1392 Introduced ........................................................................................................................... 3
Two Provisions of S. 761 Dropped ............................................................................................ 3
Summary of Bill Provisions ...................................................................................................... 4
Energy Savings Estimate ........................................................................................................... 5
Bill Support and Opposition ...................................................................................................... 5
Floor Action Overview .................................................................................................................... 6
Motion to Proceed ..................................................................................................................... 6
Opening Statements and Proposed Amendments ...................................................................... 6
Energy Efficiency (EE) Amendments........................................................................................ 7
Bipartisan EE Amendments ................................................................................................ 8
Energy Savings Estimates for Selected EE Amendments ................................................... 8
Other Energy and Carbon Emissions Amendments................................................................... 8
Non-Energy Amendments ......................................................................................................... 9
Floor Debates on Amendments ...................................................................................................... 10
Affordable Care Act Member Coverage (S.Amdt. 1866) ........................................................ 10
Floor Debate ...................................................................................................................... 10
Procedural Measure Blocks Action ................................................................................... 10
Keystone XL Pipeline (S.Amdt. 1908) .................................................................................... 11
Background ....................................................................................................................... 11
Floor Debate ...................................................................................................................... 11
Other Selected Controversial Amendments ................................................................................... 13
Fossil Fuel Use in New Federal Buildings (S.Amdt. 1917) .................................................... 13
Carbon Emissions Regulation ................................................................................................. 14
Regional Haze Regulation ....................................................................................................... 14
More Potentially Controversial Amendments ......................................................................... 15
Suspension of Floor Action............................................................................................................ 15
No Agreement to Limit Amendments ...................................................................................... 15
Efforts to Restart Floor Action ................................................................................................ 15
Tables
Table 1. ACEEE Energy Savings Estimates for S. 1392 ................................................................. 5
Table 2. Energy Efficiency Amendments, Grouped by Policy Area ................................................ 7
Table 3. Other Energy and Carbon Emissions Amendments, Grouped by Policy Area .................. 9
Table 4. Non-Energy Amendments, Grouped by Policy Area ......................................................... 9
Table 5. Partial List of Bipartisan Energy Efficiency Amendments .............................................. 24
Congressional Research Service
S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Table A-1. Transformer (Three-Phase) Rebate Structure............................................................... 22
Table C-1. Energy Efficiency Amendments to S. 1392 ................................................................. 25
Table D-1. Other Energy and Carbon Emissions Amendments to S. 1392.................................... 29
Table E-1. Non-Energy Amendments to S. 1392 ........................................................................... 31
Appendixes
Appendix A. Details of S. 1392 Provisions ................................................................................... 17
Appendix B. Partial List of Bipartisan Amendments..................................................................... 24
Appendix C. Energy Efficiency Amendments ............................................................................... 25
Appendix D. Other Energy and Carbon Emissions Amendments ................................................. 29
Appendix E. Non-Energy Amendments ........................................................................................ 31
Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 32
Congressional Research Service
S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Background
Action on S. 1000 in the 112th Congress
Early in the first session of the 112th Congress, the Energy Savings and Industrial
Competitiveness Act of 2011 (S. 1000) was introduced by Senators Shaheen and Portman. In July
2011, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (SENR) reported the bill on an 183 vote.1 The reported bill contained five major provisions:
•
Title I would have encouraged state and local governments to adopt model
building energy codes for residential and commercial buildings;
•
Title II would have authorized credit support (loan guarantees) for debt financing
of energy efficiency measures in commercial, multifamily residential, industrial,
municipal, governmental, and institutional (college, school, and hospital)
facilities;
•
Title III would have created grants for an industry revolving loan program to
reduce energy intensity and improve industrial competitiveness, grants for supply
chain energy efficiency, and rebates for energy efficient electric motors and
transformers;
•
Title IV would have directed DOE to issue guidance for federal agency use of
advanced computer tools, and act on other measures, to achieve energy efficiency
improvements; and
•
Title V would have reduced the authorization for the zero net energy commercial
buildings initiative, as an offset for the costs of S. 1000.
There was no further action on the bill in the 112th Congress.
Action on S. 761 in the 113th Congress
S. 761 Introduced
Early in the 113th Congress, S. 761 was introduced as a new version of the Energy Savings and
Industrial Competitiveness Act. In April 2013, S. 761 was introduced as a modified version of S.
1000 from the 112th Congress.2 The new bill was crafted with a parallel structure of five major
provisions: Title I on model building energy codes, Title II on commercial building energy
efficiency financing (grants to states), Title III on industrial/manufacturing energy efficiency,
Title IV with provisions for federal agencies, and Title V with funding authorization offsets.
1
2
S.Rept. 112-71.
An identical House bill (H.R. 1616) was introduced the same day, April 18, 2013.
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Comparison with S. 1000
Compared with S. 1000 from the 112th Congress, the committee-reported version of S. 761:
•
Dropped a $400 million Title II provision that would have provided credit
support (loan guarantees) for energy efficiency measures in commercial and
other buildings;
•
Added a new, more focused $250 million Title II provision for a Commercial
Building Energy Efficiency Financing Initiative that would provide grants to
states for retrofit projects; and
•
Dropped some federal agency provisions, including: agency implementation
plans for energy efficiency, web tracking for energy and water use, redefinition of
energy and water use to include electric vehicles, and expansion of the existing
renewable energy electricity 7.5% purchase requirement to include thermal
energy.3
In sum, compared with S. 1000, S. 761 embraced a new state grant program in Title II and
trimmed some federal agency provisions.
Committee Action
On April 23, 2013, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on S. 761 and
three hydropower bills.4 The bill was reported (S.Rept. 113-37) on June 3, 2013.5
CBO Cost Estimates
In May 2013, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a cost estimate for the SENR
Committee-reported version of S. 761.6 Considering a proposed offset from Section 422(f) of the
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA, P.L. 110-140), CBO estimated that S. 761
would have a net discretionary cost of $210 million over the 5-year period from FY2014 through
FY2018.
New authorizations of appropriations would amount to $480 million over the 5-year period from
FY2014 through FY2018, including the following:
•
$250 million under Title II, for grants to state programs to improve efficiency of
commercial buildings,
•
$200 million under Title I, to help state and tribal governments implement energy
standards that follow model building energy codes,
3
The 7.5% renewable energy electricity target was set by Section 203(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
SENR, Energy Efficiency and Hydropower, Hearing held April 23, 2013, archived webcast at
http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings-and-business-meetings?ID=d5660354-9d29-4107-af2e704edd02eefd.
5
The report is available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-113srpt37/pdf/CRPT-113srpt37.pdf.
6
CBO, S. 761 Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013: Cost Estimate, May 21, 2013, 6 p.
http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/s761_0.pdf.
4
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
•
$20 million, under Title III for rebates to purchasers of efficient motor controls
and electric power transformers, and
•
$10 million under Title III, to promote energy efficient supply chains of
manufacturers.7
The bill’s proposal to expand the authority of agencies to enter long-term energy savings
performance contracts (ESPCs) would increase direct spending by $350 million over the period
from FY2014 through FY2023. CBO found that S. 761 would establish an intergovernmental
mandate for state and tribal governments to certify that their building energy codes meet the
standards set by DOE’s model codes. However, the cost of the mandate would fall well below the
annual threshold set by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). Also, CBO found that S.
761 would impose no private-sector mandates.
S. 1392 Introduced
On July 30, 2013, S. 1392 was introduced to replace S. 761. The bill is based on voluntary
provisions and was designed to be deficit-neutral.8 The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources (SENR) reported the new bill by a vote of 19-3 on July 31, 2013.9 A motion to proceed
to S. 1392 was brought to the Senate floor on August 1, 2013, just prior to a motion to adjourn for
the August recess.10 There was no further action on the motion to proceed until after
adjournment.11
Two Provisions of S. 761 Dropped
S. 1392 was introduced as a trimmed-down version of S. 761. All provisions of S. 761 were
retained, except for two. First, Title II of S. 761 was dropped—it would have established a state
grant program to support financing for energy efficiency retrofits of private commercial
buildings. Disagreements over labor wage rates that would be specified for the program led to its
exclusion from S. 1392.12 Also, that change cut the total bill authorization by $250 million.
Second, Section 403 of S. 761was removed. That provision would have authorized federal agency
use of energy savings performance contracts and utility energy service contracts for projects
involving natural gas vehicles and electric vehicles or the fueling or charging infrastructure
necessary for such vehicles. CBO reports that S. 1392—as introduced—would have no significant
impact on direct spending or revenues.13
7
CBO, p. 3.
Congressional Record, September 11, 2013, Statement of Senator Portman, p. S6356.
9
The bill was reported without a written report.
10
Congressional Record, Promoting Energy Savings in Residential Buildings and Industry—Motion to Proceed,
August 1, 2013, p. S6161.
11
Action on the motion commenced again on September 11, 2013. See the section below on “Floor Action.”
12
One press account indicated that the provision was stripped due to disagreements over wages for labor on the
projects that would be supported. The removal of the provision also cut the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score
by about half. Environmental and Energy News, Energy Efficiency: State officials, advocates shrug as Senate bill,
federal leadership stall, (Katherine Ling) September 19, 2013.
13
There is no printed CBO report on S. 1392 because, in general, CBO only prepares formal cost estimates for bills that
are ordered reported by a full committee. Personal communication with CBO staff, October 24, 2013.
8
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Summary of Bill Provisions
This section provides a brief summary of S. 1392. A detailed description of the bill is located in
Appendix A. The bill contains provisions for building energy codes, industrial energy efficiency,
federal agencies, and budget offsets.
Title I addresses energy efficiency in buildings. Subtitle A directs the Department of Energy
(DOE) to update its model building energy codes for residential and commercial buildings, in
order to meet new targets for aggregate energy savings. States, American Indian Tribes, and local
governments would be encouraged to adopt the new energy codes, and DOE would be directed to
ensure compliance in jurisdictions that adopt the codes. Subtitle B would require DOE to create a
grant program that establishes building training and assessment centers at colleges and
universities that promote programs to expand building energy and environmental performance.
Also, DOE would be required to make grants to eligible nonprofit partnerships to pay the federal
share of career skills training programs to help students become certified to install energy
efficient buildings technologies.
Title II contains five key sections that address energy efficiency in industry. Section 202 would
reestablish and expand DOE’s industrial materials program to set sustainable manufacturing
goals, improve coordination of Industrial Research and Assessment Centers (IRACs) with other
federal programs, fund outreach to IRACs, and require the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration (SBA) to expedite loans recommended by IRACs. Section 203 would direct
DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to perform industrial process
energy efficiency assessments for manufacturers and conduct an industry-government partnership
program on new sustainable manufacturing and industrial technologies and processes. Section
211 would create a “Supply Star” program within EERE to incentivize private sector practices
and products that use highly energy- and resource-efficient supply chains. Section 221 would
establish a rebate program for energy-efficient electric motors, and Section 231 would create a
rebate program for energy-efficient electricity transformers purchased by owners of industrial
facilities, commercial buildings, and multifamily buildings.
Title III would establish three provisions to improve energy efficiency at federal agencies. Section
301 directs DOE to issue guidance for federal agencies to improve energy efficiency through the
use of information and communications technologies. Section 302 would authorize the General
Services Administration (GSA) to use appropriated funds to update a building's design to meet
energy efficiency and other resource standards for new federal buildings. Section 303 would
require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to set a goal for energy savings, cost
savings, and increased productivity that could be attained by consolidating federal data centers.
Title IV would provide a budgetary offset by reducing the authorization for the Zero Net Energy
Commercial Buildings Initiative set by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
(EISA).
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Energy Savings Estimate
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), which has publicly stated
support for the bill, has estimated the energy-saving potential for each provision of S. 1392.14
ACEEE’s report used a bottom-up analysis to generate an estimate of energy savings for each
provision of the bill. Combining those estimates yielded a total estimate for the whole bill. Then,
a 5% real discount rate was applied to estimate the potential energy cost savings. ACEEE’s
projections are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1. ACEEE Energy Savings Estimates for S. 1392
(Core bill provisions, excludes proposed amendments)
Net Annual Energy
Savings
Projection Year
Net Annual Energy
Cost Savings
(in Quadrillion Btu,Q)
($ billions)
Net Jobs Created
2020
0.3
$ 2.1
66,000
2030
1.5
$ 13.7
164,000
Source: ACEEE, Economic Impacts of the Energy Efficiency Provisions in the Energy Savings & Industrial
Competitiveness Act of 2013 and Select Amendments, September 5, 2013.
Notes: Dollar cost savings assume a real discount rate of 5%.
Also, ACEEE estimated the potential energy and cost savings for several proposed energy
efficiency amendments. Those estimates are discussed separately, in a following section of the
report.
Bill Support and Opposition
The bill sponsors cite support from a broad range of 260 business, environmental, and other
organizations.15 Business supporters include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business
Roundtable, and the National Association of Manufacturers. Environmental and energy
supporters include the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Alliance to Save
Energy, and American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Other organizations
in support include the Christian Coalition.
The Obama Administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy on S. 1392, which
expresses support for the bill. The Statement notes that the bill would (1) complement key energy
efficiency dimensions of the President’s Climate Action Plan; (2) support the President’s goal to
cut in half the energy wasted by U.S. homes and businesses by 2030; and (3) support the
Administration’s efforts to strengthen U.S. competitiveness through research and development
investments in manufacturing innovation and productivity, such as the Department of Energy’s
(DOE’s) Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative.16
14
ACEEE, Economic Impacts of the Energy Efficiency Provisions in the Energy Savings & Industrial Competitiveness
Act of 2013 and Select Amendments, September 5, 2013 http://aceee.org/white-paper/shaheen-portman-2013.
15
Statement of Senator Portman, Congressional Record, September 11, 2013, p. S6355.
16
The White House, Statement of Administration Policy on S. 1392, September 11, 2013
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/legislative/sap/113/saps1392s_20130911.pdf.
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
In opposition to the bill, Heritage Action—an advocacy group affiliated with the Heritage
Foundation—argued that the bill
would impose a set of voluntary standards on the states, offering the incentive of federal
taxpayer dollars to adopt federal standards. The legislation would have negligible
environmental benefits, and it is based on the flawed assumption that individuals will act
irrationally and inefficiently without government intervention.17
Further, Heritage Action stressed that
Businesses already know how to save money, so they don’t need the government to force
taxpayer funded voluntary mandates and regulations upon them.18
Comments on the Heritage Action blog reference a Heritage Foundation study, Issue Brief: 10
Questions Congress Should Ask About the Shaheen-Portman Energy Bill.19 The study asks the
question, “If these initiatives promise savings for families and businesses, Members of Congress
should question why taxpayer money is necessary to help fund them.”20 The document examines
the titles of S. 761 on buildings and industry, which it describes as “taxpayer handouts to
businesses and homeowners.”
Floor Action Overview
Motion to Proceed
On September 11, 2013, the Senate voted by unanimous consent to proceed to consideration of S.
1392. The consent agreement specified that “...no amendments or motions [would] be in order
relative to Syria or the use of military force during the consideration of the legislation....”21
Opening Statements and Proposed Amendments
On September 11, 2013, an amendment (S.Amdt. 1866) to the Affordable Care Act was
proposed.22 The sponsor requested a vote on the amendment and objected to “making another
amendment pending.”23 This objection effectively blocked voting action on all other amendments.
17
Heritage Action, The Foundry, Cloakroom: September 15 – September 21, September 15, 2013,
http://blog.heritage.org/2013/09/15/cloakroom-september-15-september-21/.
18
Heritage Action, “No”on the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill, September 11, 2013
http://heritageaction.com/chamber/key-vote-senate/.
19
Heritage Foundation, Issue Brief: 10 Questions Congress Should Ask About the Shaheen-Portman Energy Bill,
September 4, 2013 http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/09/shaheen-portman-energy-efficiency-bill-10questions-members-should-ask.
20
Heritage Foundation, Issue Brief, p. 1.
21
Congressional Record, Order of Procedure, p. S6350.
22
Congressional Record, September 11, 2013, Statement of Senator Vitter, p. S6359. S.Amdt. 1866 is discussed in
further detail in the subsequent section of the report on “Controversial Floor Amendments.”
23
Congressional Record, September 11, 2013, Statement of Senator Vitter, p. S6361.
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Nevertheless, opening statements and proposed amendments continued to be introduced and
discussed.24
By September 19, 2013, a total of 125 amendments had been proposed. To simplify analysis, this
report sorts the amendments into three categories: 75 on energy efficiency, 23 on other energy and
carbon emissions, and 27 on non-energy amendments covering health care and environmental
regulations. The submitted amendments were published in the Congressional Record on August 1
and September 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, 2013.25 The three groups of amendments are discussed
below, and each of the individual amendments is described briefly in the Appendixes.
Energy Efficiency (EE) Amendments
As of September 19, 2013, 75 energy efficiency amendments had been filed. Those amendments
are described in Appendix B, and are grouped by policy area in Table 1, below.
Table 2. Energy Efficiency Amendments, Grouped by Policy Area
(As of September 19, 2013)
Policy Area
Amendment Numbers
Title I Buildings
1840, 1842, 1844, 1845, 1847, 1852, 1853, 1855, 1856, 1870, 1878, 1883, 1912, 1915,
1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1938, 1940, 1961, 1962, 1963
Title II Industry
1873, 1907, 1937, 1941, 1946
Title III Federal Agencies
1846, 1851, 1861, 1862, 1868, 1877, 1886, 1894, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1923, 1927, 1930,
1933, 1947, 1949, 1950
Title IV Budget Offsets
1897, 1898
Vehicles
1850, 1859, 1872, 1887, 1924
Products
1860, 1875, 1879, 1885, 1913
Energy Productivity
1895, 1952
Water Efficiency
1904, 1905, 1953
Other
1841, 1858, 1860, 1869, 1911, 1916, 1920, 1945, 1948, 1951, 1952, 1954
Source: Congressional Record, August 1 and September 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, 2013.
Notes: Some later (higher-numbered) amendments were designed to serve as replacements for earlier (lowernumbered) ones. Appendix B cites some examples of replacement amendments. Also, amendments are not
necessarily unique: some with different sponsors cover the same, or related, policy areas.
Of the 75 energy efficiency amendments, several have been identified by floor managers and bill
sponsors as bipartisan amendments.
24
For more about Senate floor procedure, see CRS Report 96-548, The Legislative Process on the Senate Floor: An
Introduction, by (name redacted), especially the section on Amendments, p. 11.
25
The amendments appear on p. S6381, available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2013-09-11/pdf/CREC2013-09-11-pt1-PgS6381-2.pdf#page=1.
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Bipartisan EE Amendments
During floor discussion, bill sponsors and managers have alternately referred to “nearly a dozen
bipartisan amendments,” 26 or “16 bipartisan amendments,” that had been identified for floor
action.27 For example, one statement asserted:
We have ... 16 bipartisan amendments that have already been vetted by both sides on the
[Senate Energy and Natural Resources] Committee, that are ready to go, that ... could
probably get a voice vote ... because we have so much support on both sides.28
Appendix B lists some of the bipartisan amendments that have been identified in floor discussion.
Apparently, the total number of bipartisan amendments has been in a state of flux.29
Energy Savings Estimates for Selected EE Amendments
The ACEEE report estimates energy and cost savings for 13 energy efficiency amendments.30 The
covered amendments include: weatherization program reauthorization (1840), school retrofits
(1845), Better Buildings/Tenant Star (1847), building benchmarking (1855), nonprofit energy
efficiency (1856/1940), disaster relief (1860), Race to the Top (1895/1952), residential finance
(1915/1932), grid-enabled electric water heaters (1916), repeal federal fossil fuel elimination
(1917), and federal data centers (1933).
Other Energy and Carbon Emissions Amendments
As of September 19, 2013, a total of 27 amendments had been filed that involved other energy
aspects and climate concerns. Those amendments are described in Appendix C, and are grouped
by policy issue area in Table 4, below. A variety of policy areas are covered, including renewable
energy, greenhouse gas emissions, natural gas vehicles, and petroleum issues. The most notable of
the petroleum issues involves SA 1908, which seeks a sense of the Congress in support of the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Most of the remaining 26 amendments in this category address carbon/greenhouse gas emissions,
renewable energy, and other energy-related regulations. Virtually none of those amendments have
been subject to significant floor debate.
26
Congressional Record, September 17, 2013, p. S6490.
For example, references to “about a dozen bipartisan amendments” occur in the Congressional Record, September
17, 2013, p. S6490, and September 18, 2013, p. 6559; and references to “16 bipartisan amendments” occurs in the
Congressional Record September 12, 2013, p. S6411, and September 17, p. 6493.
28
Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, Statement of Senator Shaheen, p. S6411.
29
Personal communication with Robert Diznoff, Office of Senator Shaheen, October 14, 2013.
30
ACEEE, Economic Impacts of the Energy Efficiency Provisions in the Energy Savings & Industrial Competitiveness
Act of 2013 and Select Amendments. The report was released by email on September 5, 2013.
27
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Table 3. Other Energy and Carbon Emissions Amendments, Grouped by Policy Area
(As of September 19, 2013)
Policy Area
Amendment Numbers
DOE Loan Guarantee Program
1874, 1944
Renewable Energy Electricity Portfolio Standard (RPS)
1957
Renewable Energy Fuel Standard (RFS)
1865, 1884
Alternative Fuels & Bioenergy
1880, 1899, 1900
Carbon/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Regulation
1853, 1854, 1889, 1902, 1914, 1939, 1945, 1958
Energy-Related Environmental Regulations
1890, 1893, 1910
Natural Gas Vehicles
1850, 1925, 1926
Petroleum
1892, 1908, 1909, 1956
DOE Quadrennial Energy Review
1881
Source: Congressional Record, September 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, 2013)
Notes: S.Amdt. 1908, under Petroleum, addresses the Keystone XL Pipeline. Also, some amendments that have
different sponsors cover the same, or related, policy areas.
Non-Energy Amendments31
As of September 19, 2013, 23 amendments had been filed that involved health care,
environmental regulations, or other non-energy concerns. Those amendments are described in
Appendix D, and are grouped by three issue areas in Table 5, below. Each of the seven health care
amendments proposes a change to the Affordable Care Act. Perhaps the most noted of those
amendments is S.Amdt. 1866. Most of the other non-energy amendments involve changes to
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that have received much less debate and
publicity than the proposals to amend the Affordable Care Act.
Table 4. Non-Energy Amendments, Grouped by Policy Area
(As of September 19, 2013)
Policy Area
Amendment Numbers
Health Care
1866, 1867, 1871, 1876, 1896, 1921, 1934
Environmental
Regulations
1863, 1882, 1888, 1891, 1901, 1903, 1935, 1936, 1942, 1943, 1959
Other
1857, 1864, 1906, 1922, 1955
Source: Congressional Record, September 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, 2013.
31
Except when the Senate is considering appropriations, budget, and certain other measures, Senators may propose
floor amendments that are not germane (related) to the subject or purpose of the bill being debated. This permits
individual Senators to raise issues and potentially have the Senate vote on them, even if they have not been studied and
evaluated by the relevant standing committees. Germaneness can be made part of the unanimous consent agreement
that calls up a bill and it can be required when cloture is invoked. CRS Report 96-548, The Legislative Process on the
Senate Floor: An Introduction, by (name redacted).
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Floor Debates on Amendments
So far, only two amendments have been the subject of major floor debate: S.Amdt. 1866, on the
Affordable Care Act, and S.Amdt. 1908, on the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Affordable Care Act Member Coverage (S.Amdt. 1866)
Of the 23 non-energy amendments, seven would amend the Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111148 as amended). Perhaps the most noted of those seven amendments is S.Amdt. 1866.32 The
amendment would amend Section 1312(d)(3)(D) of ACA and would affect how Members of
Congress, congressional staff, the President, the Vice President, and many executive branch
political appointees can obtain health insurance coverage through their federal employment. A
detailed description of S.Amdt. 1866 is beyond the scope of this report.33
Floor Debate
Debate over S.Amdt. 1866 took place mainly on September 11, 12, and 17, 2013. This
amendment has been the most intensely debated amendment during floor action. On September
12, 2013, the amendment sponsor introduced S. 1497 as a stand-alone bill with content similar to
that of S.Amdt 1866. 34
Procedural Measure Blocks Action
The sponsor of the amendment requested that S.Amdt. 1866 be considered immediately and
“locked down for a vote,”35 objecting to further consideration of other amendments. That request
effectively blocked voting action on all other amendments. Acknowledging that “... my
amendment is not related to this bill..,” the sponsor stressed an immediate need for action, before
the open enrollment period would start on October 1, 2013.36 Eventually, the sponsor broadened
the request, emphasizing that a
vote [on S.Amdt. 1866] does not have to be on this bill [S. 1392], I will accept any fair,
reasonable, substantive vote before October 1 ...37
In other words, the sponsor sought a guarantee that the amendment’s provisions would be brought
for a vote on any active legislative vehicle,38 such as a continuing appropriations resolution (CR)
32
This amendment is entitled, “No Exemption for Washington from Obamacare Act,” Statement of Senator Vitter,
Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6410.
33
For more information about the amendment, contact Annie Mach, Analyst in Health Care Financing, Domestic
Social Policy Division.
34
For more information about the debate and the bill, contact Annie Mach, Analyst in Health Care Financing,
Domestic Social Policy Division.
35
Statement of Senator Vitter, Congressional Record, September 11, 2013, p. S6360.
36
That date marked the beginning of open enrollment for the ACA health insurance exchanges.
37
Statement of Senator Vitter, Congressional Record, September 11, 2013, p. S6360.
38
On September 12, 2013, the amendment’s sponsor introduced a stand-alone bill—S. 1497—with content identical to
that of S.Amdt. 1866.
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for FY2014.39 The enacted CR (P.L. 113-46, H.R. 2775) did not include the provisions of S.Amdt.
1866.
Keystone XL Pipeline (S.Amdt. 1908)40
Background
The issues surrounding the Keystone XL Pipeline are discussed in detail by CRS Report R41668,
Keystone XL Pipeline Project: Key Issues, by (name redacted) et al. The report notes that the
Keystone XL Pipeline, a proposed project of the TransCanada Corporation, would transport oil
sands crude from Canada’s Alberta Province and shale oil produced in North Dakota and
Montana to a market hub in Nebraska. From there, the oil would travel to Gulf Coast refineries in
Texas and Louisiana. The 875-mile pipeline would have the capacity to carry 830,000 barrels per
day.
Because it would cross the Canadian-U.S. border, construction of Keystone XL requires a
Presidential Permit from the State Department. A decision to issue or deny a Presidential Permit is
based on a determination that a project would serve the national interest, considering potential
impacts on the environment, the economy, energy security, foreign policy, and other factors.
Environmental impacts are evaluated and documented in an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS), required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The following section
provides a brief analysis of the issues concerning the proposed pipeline project—as discussed
during the debate over S.Amdt. 1908.
Floor Debate
The debate over S.Amdt. 1908 took place on September 12, 2013. The amendment was
introduced to seek a “Sense of the Congress” concurrent resolution that would affirm the value of
the pipeline project and encourage the Administration to approve it.41 The following section
provides a brief analysis of the issues over the pipeline project that were discussed during floor
debate on S. 1392.
Time Delay
Proponents noted that TransCanada originally applied for a Presidential Permit in 2008, and
expressed concern that, after five years, the Obama Administration has not yet issued the Permit
that would allow TransCanada to begin work on the pipeline. In floor debate over SA 1908,
pipeline supporters stated that the project would create jobs, bolster governmental tax revenues,
and promote independence from undesirable oil import sources. Delay of the project, they
39
Statement of Senator Enzi, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6412.
This section was prepared by Paul Parfomak and (name redacted).
41
According to CRS Report R41668, Keystone XL Pipeline Project: Key Issues, on March 22, 2013, the Senate passed
an amendment (S.Amdt. 494) to the Fiscal Year 2014 Senate Budget Resolution (S.Con.Res. 8) that would provide for
the approval and construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
40
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contended, would delay attainment of those benefits and would allow China an opportunity to
compete for the Canadian oil supply.42
Opponents of S.Amdt. 1908 asserted that intense controversy is the main cause of the Permit
delay. They contended that various public agencies, private parties, and Native American tribes
had filed more than one million concerned comments with the Department of State. The
opponents challenged many of the assumptions held by the proponents and they raised several
additional concerns and issues, mainly about environmental aspects.43 Also, it was argued that the
framework which shaped the original debate has changed. In this regard, reference was made to
recent statements by leaders of the major oil companies with the greatest stake in the pipeline,
who noted that the pipeline is no longer critical to company or market growth.44
Jobs Creation
Regarding the jobs aspect, supporters stressed a Department of State estimate that the project
would support thousands of jobs—including temporary and indirect jobs.45 Opponents claimed
that the Department of State estimated that less than 100 permanent positions would be created.46
Tax Revenues
Proponents emphasized that the pipeline project would generate tax revenues for the federal
government and for state and local governments along the pipeline route.47 During floor debate on
S. 1392, opponents were silent on the issue of tax revenues.
Oil Import Dependence
Regarding oil import dependence, supporters stated that energy independence would be
improved.48 In particular, they claimed that the United States would be able to reduce dependence
on oil imports from Venezuela.49 One proponent acknowledged that there would be a need to
export some of the product carried by the new pipeline.50 Opponents noted that the pipeline
would terminate at Port Arthur, Texas, from which oil would be shipped overseas.51 In fact, they
argued that most of the oil would be exported to other countries.52 Thus, they concluded that
42
Statement of Senator Thune, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6415.
Statement of Senator Boxer, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6419.
44
Statement of Senator Wyden, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6421.
45
Statement of Senator Thune, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6415, and Statement of Senator
Hoeven, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6416.
46
Statements of Senators Boxer and Whitehouse, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6420.
47
Statement of Senator Hoeven, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6416; and . Statement of Senator
Thune, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6415
48
Statement of Senator Hoeven, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6416.
49
Statement of Senator Thune, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6415.
50
Statement of Senator Landrieu, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6417.
51
Statement of Senator Hoeven, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6416.
52
Statement of Senator Whitehouse, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6420.
43
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corporate profit—not national energy independence— is the major motive for the pipeline
project.53
Environmental Impacts
Supporters of the pipeline made several observations about environmental aspects. One stated
that environmental concerns are “unfounded.” One proponent contended that the pipeline would
be safer and more efficient than using trains and trucks,54 and another proponent stated that there
would be an “environmental advantage” to using the high-tech refineries located on the Gulf
Coast.55 During floor debate on S. 1392, the supporters were otherwise silent on the issue of
environmental impacts.
Opponents claimed that oil sands are “one of the dirtiest fuels on the planet,”56 and cited a June
2013 Presidential statement that the pipeline would serve the national interest—only if it does not
“significantly exacerbate” carbon emissions.57 They noted that the Department of State is still
working on a supplemental EIS.58 Further, they stressed that the risks of an oil spill are
significant,59 and pointed to recent spills and costs.60 Concern was also noted that the pipeline
would take funds away from clean energy activities.
Other Selected Controversial Amendments
Several amendments that have not been the subject of major floor debate over S. 1392 have,
nonetheless, been the subject of significant controversy in other venues. Three notable examples
have been selected for discussion here: fossil fuel use in new federal buildings, carbon emissions
regulation, and regional haze regulation.
Fossil Fuel Use in New Federal Buildings (S.Amdt. 1917)
So far, only one energy efficiency amendment has been the focus of controversy. S.Amdt. 1917—
also referred to as the Hoeven-Manchin amendment—would repeal Section 433 of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA, P.L. 110-140), which prohibits fossil fuel use in
new federal buildings built after 2030. Alternatively, it would tighten energy efficiency guidelines
and building codes for new federal buildings. The amendment would set a 36% energy reduction
target for 2017 relative to 2003. Supporters of S.Amdt. 1917 claim that the existing prohibition is
53
Statement of Senator Whitehouse, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6420.
Statement of Senator Hoeven, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6416.
55
Statement of Senator Portman, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6419.
56
They referred to an EPA estimate that oil sands will create 30% more carbon pollution than domestic oil production.
Statement of Senator Boxer, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6419.
57
Statement of Senator Boxer, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6419.
58
Statement of Senator Whitehouse, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6420.
59
They cited an estimate that the Keystone XL is likely to experience 91 spills over a 50-year lifetime. Statement of
Senator Boxer, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6420.
60
Specifically, reference was made to recent oil sands crude pipeline spills, including a 2010 Kalamazoo River,
Michigan, spill that cost nearly $1 billion to clean up to date and a 2013 Mayflower, Arkansas, spill. Statement of
Senator Whitehouse, Congressional Record, September 12, 2013, p. S6420.
54
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unworkable, citing DOE’s inability to develop a regulation to implement the law. Opponents say
that the amendment would undermine federal leadership-by-example on net-zero energy
buildings and on the effort to reduce federal greenhouse gas emissions.61 S.Amdt. 1919
(Whitehouse) proposes an alternative to S.Amdt. 1917 that would remove near-term concerns by
eliminating the EISA incremental targets that apply prior to 2020, but it would retain the 2030
target—which aims to fit with the goal of carbon-neutral new buildings under the Architecture
2030 Challenge.62
Carbon Emissions Regulation
The issues surrounding EPA regulation of carbon63 and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
are discussed in detail by CRS Report R43127, EPA Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions
from Power Plants: Many Questions, Some Answers, by (name redacted),and are described
briefly in CRS Report R42895, Clean Air Issues in the 113th Congress: An Overview, by (name
redacted). The report notes a continuing congressional interest in EPA regulations that aim to
limit carbon and other GHG emissions under authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA actions
have focused on six types of gases that multiple scientific studies have linked to climate change.
Of the six types, carbon dioxide (CO2)—produced by fossil fuel combustion—is by far the most
prevalent, accounting for nearly 85% of annual emissions from the combined group when each
gas is measured in terms of its CO2 equivalent.
Members from both sides of the aisle, including a majority of the House in the 112th Congress,
have expressed concerns about EPA proceeding with GHG regulations that could have major
economic impacts. Some argue that the case for GHG controls has not been proven. Others
maintain that EPA should delay taking such action until Congress more explicitly authorizes it.
EPA, by contrast, concludes that the Clean Air Act already requires action: a 2007 Supreme Court
decision interpreting EPA’s Clean Air Act authority, Massachusetts v. EPA,64 found that the
agency must weigh whether GHG emissions endanger public health and welfare and, if it
concludes that they do, proceed with regulation.
Table 3 shows that, under the category of Other Energy and Carbon Emissions, eight proposed
amendments to S. 1392 are related to EPA regulation of carbon/GHG emissions. During floor
action on S. 1392, there has not been any floor debate on those amendments.
Regional Haze Regulation
The regional haze issue is discussed in CRS Report RL30853, Clean Air Act: A Summary of the
Act and Its Major Requirements, by (name redacted), (n
ame redacted), and (name red
acted). 65 The report notes that Sections 169A and B set a national goal of preventing and
61
Environmental and Energy News, Energy Efficiency: State officials, advocates shrug as Senate bill, federal
leadership stall, (Katherine Ling) September 19, 2013.
62
The challenge is described at http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/the_2030_challenge.
63
In this report, the term “carbon” refers to carbon dioxide.
64
The Supreme Court decision is available at http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/06pdf/05-1120.pdf.
65
Further history and details of the issue are available in archived CRS Report RL32483, Visibility, Regional Haze, and
the Clean Air Act: Status of Implementation, by (name redacted) and (name redacted)
.
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remedying impairment of visibility in national parks and wilderness areas, and requires EPA to set
regulations to assure reasonable progress toward that goal. In the 1990 Amendments to the Act,
Congress strengthened these provisions. Three non-energy amendments would modify (S.Amdt.
1863), limit (S.Amdt. 1903), or otherwise prohibit (S.Amdt. 1935) certain provisions of EPA
regional haze regulations. Several other non-energy amendments address other environmental
laws and EPA regulations. During floor action on S. 1392, there has not been any floor debate on
regional haze or the other non-energy amendments.
More Potentially Controversial Amendments
Several other proposed amendments have not yet been—but could potentially be—the focus of
significant floor debate. For example, S.Amdt. 1865 would repeal the renewable fuel standard
(RFS) and S.Amdt. 1884 would empower states to exempt themselves from participation in the
RFS. Proposals to roll back the RFS have been the subject of recent debate, as noted by CRS
Report R40155, Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Overview and Issues, by (name redacted) and
(name redacted). As another example, S.Am dt. 1880 would repeal several tax credits for
alternative fuels and for the production tax credit that supports wind farms and other renewable
energy technologies that produce electricity. Production tax credit issues are covered by CRS
Report R43206, Energy Tax Policy: Issues in the 113th Congress, by (name redacted), and by
CRS Report R42576, U.S. Renewable Electricity: How Does the Production Tax Credit (PTC)
Impact Wind Markets?, by (name redacted).
Suspension of Floor Action
No Agreement to Limit Amendments
In order to get an agreement to limit the time available for debate, amending, and voting on
amendments, the floor managers secured leadership approval to take a vote on S.Amdt. 1866.
However, the proponents of other non-energy amendments expanded the request beyond S.Amdt.
1866 to encompass votes on four additional health care and environmental amendments and an
unlimited number of energy amendments.66 Unable to resolve those differences, Senate attention
turned to work on a CR and an agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling.67
Efforts to Restart Floor Action
Floor managers indicated that—once the CR, shutdown, health care, and debt limit issues are
resolved—they hope to resume action on S. 1392. Meanwhile, efforts are continuing to narrow
the list of amendments and to allow votes on S.Amdt. 1908—and possibly on S.Amdt. 1866.68
Also, floor managers are exploring the possibility of incorporating a select group of amendments
66
Congressional Quarterly (CQ) News-Policy, Reid Says Energy Bill May Fail if Amendment Agreement Not Reached,
September 18, 2013; and Environmental and Energy (EE) News, Bill on life support as Reid rejects GOP demand for
unrelated votes, September 18, 2013.
67
CQ News, Energy Efficiency Bill Likely to Fall Victim to Senate Debate Over CR, September 19, 2013.
68
EE News, Shaheen-Portman being punted until after spending fight—Murkowski, September 19, 2013.
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into the underlying bill in order to ensure enough votes to achieve a cloture vote that would end
debate and limit the number of amendments to be considered.69
69
CQ News-Policy, Wyden Planning Renewed Effort to Advance Energy Efficiency Bill, September 24, 2013; and EE
News, Senate energy leaders plotting another run at Shaheen-Portman bill, September 26, 2013.
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Appendix A. Details of S. 1392 Provisions
Title I: Buildings
Achieving energy-efficiency improvements in a building is a much more complex undertaking
than, for example, improving efficiency in an electric appliance. The array of critical barriers to
improving energy efficiency in buildings has been well documented. In particular, the regional
nature of building codes (e.g. houses in Minneapolis need more insulation than houses in Los
Angeles) and other factors have made it impractical to set a single national building energy code.
Instead, Congress has directed DOE to use its analytic capacity to develop model energy codes
for residential and commercial buildings that states can adopt and adapt to local circumstances.
This title would strengthen voluntary model building codes to make new homes and new
commercial buildings more energy efficient. DOE would be required to work with states and
private industry to make the code-writing process more transparent.70 All DOE model code
updates would be coordinated with updates of specified industry standards. Federal training and
funding assistance would be available to states that adopt codes which meet or exceed the model
codes. States seeking such assistance would be required to certify their code updates and code
compliance with DOE. Incentives would be provided to train the next generation of workers in
energy-efficient commercial building design and operation, and university-based building training
and research assessment centers would be expanded.71
Subtitle A: Building Energy Codes (§101)72
This subtitle would amend Sections 303, 304, 305, and 307 of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (EPCA, P.L. 94-163) to create the framework and conditions for future DOE
updates of model building energy codes that apply to new construction. DOE would be required
to provide technical assistance and incentives to state and local governments and American Indian
Tribes that voluntarily choose to update and/or adopt codes that meet or exceed the model codes.
DOE would be directed to (1) help develop and update model building energy codes for
residential and commercial buildings that would enable the achievement of aggregate energy
savings targets established by this Act, (2) encourage and support states, American Indian tribes,
and local governments to adopt building energy codes that meet or exceed the model codes; and
(3) support full compliance of those state, tribal, and local codes.
70
Statement of Senator Shaheen, Congressional Record, September 11, 2013, p. S6354; Statement of Senator Shaheen,
Congressional Record, September 18, 2013, p. S6558
71
Statement of Senator Shaheen, Congressional Record, September 18, 2013, p. S6558
72
Energy codes and standards set minimum efficiency requirements for new and renovated buildings, assuring
reductions in energy use and emissions over the life of the building. Energy codes are a subset of building codes, which
establish baseline requirements and govern building construction. Code-compliant buildings aim to be more
comfortable and cost-effective to operate, assuring energy, economic and environmental benefits
http://www.energycodes.gov/about.
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Definition of Terms and References to Code Development Organizations
A "model building energy code" is defined to mean a voluntary building energy code and an
accompanying set of standards that are developed and updated through a consensus process
among interested parties. Code elements would be drawn from independent codes and standards,
including the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) of the International Code Council
and/or from the code developed by the Council of American Building Officials (CABO), the
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and/or
other appropriate organizations.
Certification of Updates and Compliance
States and Indian tribes that voluntarily seek to adopt the model codes would be required to selfcertify whether (1) the codes have been updated, (2) the codes meet or exceed the energy savings
of the updated model building energy code or the energy saving targets established by this Act,
and (3) the codes have achieved full compliance with model codes.
DOE Would Support States and Indian Tribes
DOE would be required to:
1. Report annually on (1) the status of model building energy codes, (2) the status of
code adoption and compliance by states and Indian tribes, (3) the implementation
of such updated codes, and (4) the energy savings attained over time as a result of
targets associated with the codes.
2. Provide technical assistance to states and Indian tribes to implement requirements
for updating such codes.
3. Establish incentive funding for states and Indian tribes to (1) implement the
requirements, (2) improve and implement building energy codes, and (3) promote
building energy efficiency through the use of such codes.
4. Provide technical and financial support for the development of stretch codes and
advanced standards for buildings that can be used as (1) an option for adoption
as a building energy code by local, tribal, or state governments; and (2)
guidelines for energy-efficient building design. Such stretch codes and advanced
standards would be required to be designed to (1) achieve substantial energy
savings compared to the model building energy codes and (2) meet such targets,
if available, at least three to six years in advance of the target years in the model
code.
DOE to Analyze Code Improvements, Procedures, and Options
DOE would be directed to study the feasibility, impact, economics, and merit of (1) code
improvements that would require that new buildings be designed, sited, and constructed in a
manner that makes the buildings more adaptable in the future to become zero-net-energy
buildings after initial construction; (2) code procedures to incorporate measured lifetimes, not just
first-year energy use, in trade-offs and performance calculations; and (3) legislative options for
increasing energy savings from building energy codes, including additional incentives for
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effective state and local action, and verifying code compliance and enforcement by means other
than self-certification by a state or local government.
DOE Rulemaking Would Set Energy-Savings Targets
DOE would be required to work with states, Indian tribes, local governments, and independent
developers of codes and standards to support the updating of such codes by rulemaking that
establishes aggregate energy savings targets. DOE would be authorized to set separate targets for
residential and commercial buildings. The 2009 IECC is set as the initial baseline for updates of
codes for residential buildings, and the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 is set as the initial baseline
for updates of codes for commercial buildings.
In coordination with independent developers of codes and standards, DOE would be directed to
establish and revise targets for specific years at a level that (1) is the maximum level of energy
efficiency that is technologically feasible and life-cycle cost effective, while accounting for
economic considerations; (2) is higher than the preceding target; and (3) promotes the
achievement of high-performance buildings.
DOE would be required to set initial targets within a year. Such targets are to be developed and
adjusted to recognize potential savings and costs related to (1) efficiency gains made in
appliances, lighting, windows, insulation, and building envelope sealing; (2) advancement of
distributed generation and on-site renewable power generation technologies; (3) equipment
improvements for heating, cooling, and ventilation systems; (4) building management systems
and SmartGrid technologies to reduce energy use; and (5) other technologies, practices, and
building systems that DOE considers appropriate for building plug load and other energy uses.
Further, DOE is directed to consider the economic feasibility of achieving such targets and the
potential costs and savings for consumers and building owners.
DOE would be directed to provide technical assistance to independent developers of model codes
and standards.
Within 15 months of any future revisions to the IECC or ASHRAE Standard 90.1, DOE would
determine whether the revisions would improve energy efficiency (relative to the existing model
code) and whether those revisions would meet the targets. If the revisions appear to not meet the
targets, DOE would recommend to the code developers ways to adjust the energy code so that it
would meet the targets.
Any model building code or standard established under this title would be prohibited from being
made binding on a state, tribal, or local government.
Authorization of Appropriations
For all of the provisions covered in Subtitle A of Title I, $200 million would be authorized for
appropriations, until expended.
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Subtitle B: Worker Training and Capacity Building (§111-112)
Building Training and Assessment Centers (§111)
DOE would be directed to provide grants to establish building training and assessment centers at
universities and colleges. The purposes of the centers are to identify energy efficiency
opportunities, promote new concepts and technologies, train engineers and architects, promote
R&D on alternative energy sources, and assist other technical training facilities. Such centers
would be co-located with DOE’s Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs).73 Funding of $10 million
would be authorized until expended.
Career Skills Training (§112)
DOE would be required to make grants to eligible nonprofit partnerships to pay the 50% federal
share of career skills training programs. The purpose of the program is to help students become
certified to install energy efficient buildings technologies. Funding of $10 million would be
authorized, until expended.
Title II: Industrial Efficiency and Competitiveness
Subtitle A: Manufacturing Energy Efficiency (§201-204)
Section 201 sets out the purposes of Title II, which are to reform and reorient DOE’s industrial
efficiency programs, accelerate technology deployment for industrial energy efficiency,
strengthen public-private partnerships, and to stimulate industrial productivity, competitiveness,
and economic growth.
Future of Industry Program (§202)
Section 452 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA, P.L. 110-140) would be
amended to rename the energy-intensive industries subprograms as the Future of Industry
Program.74 Program modifications and initiatives would include
•
A definition of an “energy service provider” company (ESPC),75
•
A DOE requirement to assess sustainable manufacturing goals,
•
Improved coordination with manufacturing partnership centers of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and with certain other DOE
programs and national labs,
•
Increased partnerships with ESPCs,
73
The IACs are located at 24 universities across the nation. These centers conduct energy audits to identify industrial
opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and save energy. For more about IACs, go to
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/manufacturing/tech_assistance/iacs.html.
74
This group of programs was previously entitled the “Industries of the Future Program.”
75
Not to be confused with an energy savings performance contract.
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•
DOE funding of outreach activities by industrial assessment centers (IACs) to
small- and medium-sized firms,
•
DOE funding of the 50% federal share of industrial internship programs, and
•
Small Business Administration (SBA) expediting of applications from eligible
small businesses for loans to implement recommendations of IACs.
Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative (§203)
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA, P.L. 94-163) would be amended to require
that— at the request of a manufacturer—DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy (EERE) conduct on-site technical assessments to identify opportunities to maximize the
energy efficiency of industrial processes, prevent pollution, minimize waste, improve water use
efficiency in manufacturing processes, and conserve natural resources. Also, EERE's industrial
efficiency programs would be directed to carry out an industry-government partnership
program—in coordination with NIST—to research, develop, and demonstrate new sustainable
manufacturing and industrial technologies and processes that maximize energy efficiency.
Subtitle B: Supply Star (§211)
EPCA would be amended to create a new “Supply Star” program at DOE to promote practices,
recognize companies, and identify products that use highly efficient supply chains of equipment
and materials that conserve energy, water, and other resources.76 Any DOE evaluation of a
product’s supply chain efficiency would be required to consider energy and resource use
throughout the product’s lifecycle—including production, transport, packaging, use, and disposal.
However, in such an evaluation, DOE would be prohibited from considering climate change and
from counting outsourcing of American jobs as a positive factor. DOE would be authorized to
award grants or other incentives for entities to study supply chain energy resource efficiency and
demonstrate supply chain efficiency improvements. Also, DOE would be required to fund
training programs to improve supply chain efficiency. Funding of $10 million would be
authorized to cover the period from FY2014 through FY2023.
Subtitle C: Electric Motor Rebate Program (§221)
DOE would be directed to establish a rebate incentive program for:
•
the cost to purchase and install a new constant speed electric motor control that
reduces motor energy use by at least 5%; and
•
certain commercial or industrial machinery or equipment (new or used)—with
greater than 1 horsepower capacity—that incorporates an advanced motor and
drive system.
The rebate would be capped at $250,000 for any single company or other entity. The bill would
authorize $5 million for FY2014, and another $5 million for FY2015, both of which would
remain available until expended.
76
The Supply Star concept is loosely modeled after the Energy Star Program. For more about that program, see
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.ab_index.
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Subtitle D: Transformer Rebate Program (§231)
DOE would be directed to create a rebate program for the cost to purchase and install a qualified
new energy efficient electric power transformer. The transformer must meet or exceed the
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) “Premium Efficiency” designation.77
Eligible participants include owners of industrial or manufacturing facilities, commercial
buildings, and multifamily residential buildings. Rebate amounts would be specified to be (1)
between $5 and $15 per kilovolt-ampere for three-phase transformers, depending on capacity; and
(2) 75% of such amounts for single-phase transformers of the same capacities. Table A-1, below
illustrates how the incentive would apply to three-phase transformers. The bill would authorize $5
million for FY2014, and another $5 million for FY2015, both of which would remain available
until expended. The program would terminate on December 31, 2015.
Table A-1.Transformer (Three-Phase) Rebate Structure
(Capacity in kilovolt-amperes [kVA], Incentive in dollars[$])
Transformer Capacity (kVA)
Incentive ($)
Under 10 kVA
$15 per kVA
10 to 100 kVA
Sliding scale ranging from $5 to $15 per kVA
More than 100 kVA
$5 per kVA
Source: S. 1392.
Notes: A volt-ampere is a measure of power in a direct current (DC) electrical device. It is somewhat similar
conceptually to the watt, which is the measure of power in an alternating current (AC) circuit. In rough terms,
1,670 volt-amperes (1.67 kVA) can be thought of as equivalent to about 1,000 watts (1 kilowatt, kw).
Title III: Federal Agency Energy Efficiency
Information and Communication Technologies (§301)
Within one year of enactment, DOE would be required to issue guidance to federal agencies on
how to employ advanced tools (e.g. computer hardware and energy software) that promote energy
efficiency through the use of information and communications technologies. Each federal agency
would be required to report to DOE on (1) its plans for implementing such guidance, and (2)
estimated energy and financial savings from using such tools.
Funds to Update Designs of New Buildings (§302)
For any General Services Administration (GSA) building project for which congressional
approval has been received and the design has been substantially completed—but for which
construction has not begun—GSA would be authorized to use appropriated funds to update the
building's design to meet energy efficiency and other standards for new federal buildings.
77
The Premium Efficiency designation is defined as having 30% or fewer losses than the NEMA TP-1-2002 efficiency
standard, for a transformer of the same number of phases and capacity. For more about the NEMA TP-1 standard, see
http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/nema-tp1-energy-efficiency-standard and
http://www.nema.org/Standards/Pages/Guide-for-Determining-Energy-Efficiency-for-Distribution-Transformers.aspx.
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
However, the funds used for such purpose may not exceed 125% of the estimated energy or other
cost savings associated with the updates, as determined by a life-cycle cost analysis specified
under the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA, P.L. 95-619).
Consolidation of Federal Data Centers (§303)
The Administrator for the Office of E-Government and Information Technology within the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) would be directed to develop and publish a goal for the total
(and annual) amount of planned energy and cost savings and increased productivity by the
government through the consolidation of federal data centers during the five-year period that
would commence with enactment. The High Performance Computing Modernization Program of
the Department of Defense (DOD) would be exempt from the scope of this provision.
Title IV: Funding Offsets (§501)
To offset the costs of this bill, EISA Section 422(f) would be amended to reduce the funding
authorized for the zero net energy commercial buildings initiative for FY 2014 through FY2017.
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Appendix B. Partial List of Bipartisan Amendments
Table 5. Partial List of Bipartisan Energy Efficiency Amendments
(As of October 22, 2013)
Sponsors
Amdt.
ACEEE
Estimate
Policy Area and Bill Reference
1
1842
Coons-Collins
no
Reauthorizes DOE Weatherization and State Energy programs.
2
1844
Isakson-Bennet
no
Home energy efficiency included in mortgage underwriting.
3
1845
M. Udall-Collins
yes
Energy efficiency school retrofits, (S. 1048).
1912
4
1846
(Note: 1912 replaces 1845)
M. Udall-Risch
yes
Energy savings in federal computer data centers. (Note: 1933
replaces 1846)
1933
5
1847
Bennet-Ayotte
yes
Creates Tenant Star program under EPA Energy Star Buildings
program. (S. 1191/H.R. 2126).
6
1851
Inhofe-Carper
no
Federal agency renewables goal to include energy from ground
source heat pumps.
7
1856
Klobuchar-Hoeven
yes
Nonprofit energy efficiency pilot grant program. (S. 717)
1940
8
1877
(Note: 1940 replaces 1856)
Bennet-Coburn
no
Energy savings in federal computer data centers. (Note: 1930
replaces 1877)
1930
9
1879
Sessions-Pryor
no
Adds voluntary certification program for HVAC products.
10
1881
Pryor-Alexander
no
Requires DOE to publish a Quadrennial Energy Review.
11
1885
Landrieu-Wicker
no
Certain small businesses excluded from third-party testing for
Energy Star certification.
12
1886
Landrieu-WickerPryor
no
Ensures that DOE and GSA green building rating systems do
not disadvantage domestically-produced materials (e.g. lumber).
13
1915
Sanders-WydenMurkowski
yes
Establishes a pilot loan program for residential energy efficiency
upgrades. (Note: 1932 replaces 1915)
1932
14
1916
Hoeven-Pryor
yes
Continues restricted manufacture and use of grid-enabled
electric water heaters for rural co-ops demand-response
programs.
15
1941
Franken-Murkowski
no
Creates technical assistance and loan guarantee programs to
help plan, design, and implement local energy infrastructure
Source: Congressional Record, August 1 and September 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, 2013; and personal
communication with Al Stayman, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (SENR), October 22,
2013,
Notes: As of October 22, 2013, fifteen bipartisan amendments had been identified, and negotiations were
underway on a compromise over S.Amdt. 1917 (Hoeven-Manchin), which could make that amendment the
sixteenth. On a few other amendments, Democratic sponsors were seeking a Republican cosponsor in order to
get more amendments onto this “bipartisan” list (Personal communication with Al Stayman, SENR, October 22,
2013). The list of bipartisan amendments is tentative and may be changed at any time. Personal communication
with Robert Diznoff, Office of Senator Shaheen, October 14, 2013.
Congressional Research Service
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Appendix C. Energy Efficiency Amendments
Table C-1. Energy Efficiency Amendments to S. 1392
(As of September 19, 2013; reported by Congressional Record)
Amdt #
Sponsor
Policy Area
1840
Coons
For improving energy and water efficiency in federal buildings,
sets a goal of using $1 billion of energy savings performance
contracts (ESPCs) per year, over a five-year period.
1841
Coons
Makes the master limited partnership (MLP) business
organizational structure available to companies that produce
renewable energy technologies and certain types of energy
efficiency equipment.
1842
Coons-Collins
Reauthorizes DOE Weatherization and State Energy programs.
1844
Isakson-Bennet
Requires that home energy efficiency be considered in mortgage
underwriting.
1845
M. Udall-Collins
Improves coordination among federal agency programs for
energy efficiency in schools. (S. 1048)
1846
M. Udall-Risch
Replaces §301 on federal data centers, shifting responsibility from
DOE to OMB, and establishes a new §304 on energy efficient
data centers. (similar to 1933)
1847
Bennet-Ayotte
Better Buildings Act. Requires that EPA establish within its Energy
Star Buildings program a voluntary “Tenant Star” program that
would recognize tenants that attain a high level of energy
efficiency. (S. 1191, H.R. 2126)
1851
Inhofe-Carper
Makes ground source heat pumps eligible to support federal goals
for agency use of renewable energy.
1852
Whitehouse
Improves energy and water efficiency for multifamily buildings.
1855
Franken
Improves energy benchmark information for commercial
buildings.
1856
KlobucharHoeven
Establishes an Energy Efficiency Retrofit Pilot Program of
matching grants for nonprofit organizations. (similar to 1940)
1858
Wyden
Requires study of efficiency standards for standby power use by
certain electronics appliances.
1859
Stabenow
Updates DOE Vehicle Technologies Program.
1860
Gillibrand
Allows use of disaster relief/assistance funds to purchase energyefficient products.
1861
Johnson
Strikes all but Title III of the bill.
1862
Johnson
Strikes all but Title III of the bill, and re-labels Title III provisions
as Title I provisions.
1868
Coburn
Requires employees of federal agencies to turn off lights and
appliances.
1869
Coburn
Requires certification of energy cost savings from bill provisions.
1870
Coburn
Requires that federal green building programs be evaluated and
consolidated.
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Amdt #
Sponsor
Policy Area
1872
Vitter
Eliminates tax credit for vehicles produced by energy- and
carbon-intensive manufacturing companies.
1873
Coburn
Strikes Supply Star (Title II, Subtitle B) provision.
1875
Coburn
Transfers Energy Star Program from EPA to DOE.
1877
Bennet-Coburn
Replaces data centers (§303) provision with an expanded version.
1878
Blumenthal
Requires study that projects potential energy savings and nonenergy benefits of attaining certain targets for building energy
code compliance.
1879
Sessions-Pryor
Adds voluntary certification program for HVAC products.
1883
Inhofe
Requires EPA study lead hazards of building classes targeted for
efficiency renovations by Title I provisions. (similar to 1928)
1885
LandrieuWicker
Allows some EPA Energy Star partners to avoid third-party
certification testing requirements.
1886
LandrieuWicker-Pryor
Specifies that DOE and GSA must allow the use of multiple green
building rating systems to be applied to federal buildings. The aim
of this competition is to avoid the use of systems that are
discriminatory toward domestic products (e.g. lumber).
1887
Thune
Repeals Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM)
program established by EISA §136.
1894
Menendez
Sense of Senate to affirm President’s 2011 $2 billion goal for
federal agency energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs).
1895
Warner
State Energy Race to the Top Initiative, creates grants to states
with goal to double energy productivity. (similar to 1952 & 1954)
1897
Coburn
Funding authorization in Title V is conditioned on meeting
requirements for a “covered agency” under U.S.C. Title V
§609(d)
1898
Coburn
Funding authorization in Title V is conditioned on disallowing
employee compensation while a member of labor organization.
1904
T. Udall
Creates EPA Smart Water pilot innovation grant program to
increase energy and water efficiency of community water and
wastewater systems.
1905
T. Udall
Codifies EPA WaterSense program to promote water (and
energy) efficient products, processes, buildings, and landscapes.
1907
Merkley
Establishes a grant program for states that provide financial
(credit) incentives to encourage energy efficiency and onsite
renewable energy in manufacturing and industrial facilities.
1911
M. Udall
Expands offset provision (§401) to require that DOE provide
electric consumers access to energy use and price information.
1912
M. Udall
Requires DOE (EERE) to review and report on programs and
financing mechanisms that support energy efficiency in schools.
1913
Paul
Repeals energy efficiency regulations for certain plumbing
products, and makes voluntary all energy efficiency appliance
standards and corporate average fuel economy standards.
1915
Sanders
At the Department of the Treasury, establishes a loan program
for states, territories, and Indian tribes to conduct residential
building energy efficiency upgrades. (similar to 1932)
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Amdt #
Sponsor
Policy Area
1916
Hoeven-Pryor
Establishes a program for electric thermal storage and/or
demand-response programs that use grid-enabled electric water
heaters.
1917
HoevenManchin
Repeals EISA §433, which prohibits fossil fuel use in new federal
buildings built after 2030. Creates new efficiency guidelines and
building codes. For new federal buildings, sets 36% energy
reduction goal for 2017 relative to 2003.
1918
McCain
Prohibits GSA & DHS from building energy efficient housing for
federal personnel that costs 5% more than comparable housing.
1919
Whitehouse
For new federal buildings, sets 36% energy reduction goal for
2017 relative to 2003. (related to 1917)
1920
Harkin
DOE, in cooperation with state energy offices, would create a
community energy grant program for local governments and
nonprofits (schools, hospitals, universities). (similar to 1951)
1923
Johanns
Requires a DOE report on each federal agency facility that
includes energy use analysis, list of energy audits, list of
completed energy efficiency projects, and list of potential projects
that could employ mechanical insulation.
1924
Johanns
Exempts golf carts from regulation under DOE energy efficiency
standards for battery chargers and external power supplies.
1927
Schatz
Adds location as a design factor for federal building energy
efficiency performance standards.
1928
Inhofe
Requires EPA study lead hazards of building classes targeted for
efficiency renovations by Title I provisions. (similar to 1883)
1929
Blumenthal
Requires DOE study that estimates future energy and cost
savings of various equipment in commercial buildings; savings
from model energy codes; and savings from “deep retrofits” for
commercial buildings.
1930
Bennet
Replaces §303 on federal data centers with an alternative
provision that includes a GAO review and report.
1931
Fischer
Under Title I, strikes Subtitle B on worker training and capacity
building.
1932
Sanders-WydenMurkowski
Establishes a pilot loan program for residential energy efficiency
upgrades. (revised version of 1915)
1933
M. Udall-Risch
Replaces §301 on information technologies and shifts
responsibility from DOE to OMB. Also, revises §304 on energy
efficient data centers to create practitioner certification program.
1937
Flake
Strikes Title II Subtitle C (electric motor rebate program) and
Subtitle D (transformer rebate program).
1938
Flake
Technical amendment that clarifies voluntary nature of model
building energy codes program (in regard to certification).
1940
KlobucharHoeven
Establishes an Energy Efficiency Retrofit Pilot Program of
matching grants for nonprofit organizations. (similar to 1856)
1941
Franken
Adds a new Subtitle E to Title II, which creates technical
assistance and loan guarantee programs to help plan, design, and
implement local energy infrastructure.
1946
Baldwin
Under §202 on Future of Industry Program, adds new provisions
to outreach subsection.
Congressional Research Service
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Amdt #
Sponsor
Policy Area
1947
Warren
Adds to §301 a requirement for a study of “operational energy
programs” that reduce energy use by information and
communication technologies.
1948
M. Udall
In Title IV, adds provision enabling consumer access to electric
energy information.
1949
Brown
Adds new section to Title III to increase water use efficiency in
federal buildings.
1950
Murray
Empowers federal agencies to employ alternative fuel
infrastructure in parking areas used by federal employees and
contractors.
1951
Harkin
DOE, with state energy offices, would create a community energy
grant program. (similar to 1920)
1952
Warner
Establishes a “State Energy Race to the Top Initiative,” which
would provide grants to states to encourage a doubling of
electric and thermal energy productivity by 2030. (similar to 1895
and 1954)
1953
T. Udall
Creates a Smart Water Resource Management Pilot Program, to
increase energy efficiency and water efficiency of water,
wastewater, and water reuse systems. (similar to 1904)
1954
Warner
Establishes an Energy Productivity Innovation Challenge to help
states reach a goal of doubling electric and thermal energy
productivity by 2030. (similar to 1895 and 1952)
1961
Hatch
For Title I, Subtitle B, strikes requirement that building training
centers be located with Industrial Assessment Centers and
reduces the number of federal agencies that would have to
coordinate with the worker training program.
1962
Hatch
For DOE Weatherization Program, allows states to use up to 8%
of funding to track applicants’ energy impact.
1963
Hatch
For Title I, Subtitle B, adds requirement for third party
evaluations of worker training programs.
Source: Congressional Record, August 1 and September 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, 2013.
Notes: Some later amendments were designed to serve as replacements for earlier ones. Appendix B cites
some examples of replacement amendments. Also, some amendments cover similar, or related, policy areas,
Congressional Research Service
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Appendix D. Other Energy and Carbon Emissions
Amendments
Table D-1. Other Energy and Carbon Emissions Amendments to S. 1392
(23 amendments as of September 19, 2013)
Amdt #
Sponsor
Policy Area
1850
Inhofe
Makes natural gas vehicles eligible for some automobile fuel economy exemptions that
apply to electric cars. (similar to 1926)
1853
Barasso
Prohibits regulations and energy taxes to control carbon / greenhouse gases. (GHG)
1854
Barasso
For DOE and other agencies, prohibits consideration of social cost of carbon in
regulations and other venues. (related to 1902)
1865
Toomey
Repeals Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). (related to 1884)
1874
Coburn
Requires DOE report on Loan Guarantee Program bankruptcies.
1880
Lee
Repeals several tax credits for alcohol and other fuels and repeals the production tax
credit (PTC).
1881
PryorAlexander
Requires DOE to publish a Quadrennial Energy Review of programs and goals.
1884
Inhofe
Gives states the option to not participate in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). (related
to 1865)
1889
Thune
Requires GAO report on effect that GHG regulations have on jobs and energy prices.
1890
Thune
Requires GAO report on Tier 3 emission/fuel standard impact on gasoline prices.
1892
Thune
Directs DOI to set production goals for domestic oil and gas leasing programs. (related
to 1909)
1893
Heller
Prohibits EPA energy-related rules that would have significant effects on the economy.
1899
McCain
Prohibits sales of certain commodities to bioenergy producers.
1900
McCain
Repeals feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers.
1902
Blunt
Prohibits EPA and other agencies from monetizing carbon emissions in regulatory costbenefit analyses. (related to 1854)
1908
Hoeven
Expresses Sense of the Congress that Keystone XL Pipeline would promote sound
investment and improve energy security.
1909
Hoeven
Under certain conditions, prohibits DOI regulation of oil and gas development on federal
lands. (related to 1892)
1910
Toomey
Power plants that use coal refuse would be exempt from certain EPA regulations.
1914
Donnelly
Modifies EPA regulation of industrial carbon emissions to be based on efficiencies
achieved by the best demonstrated technology.
1925
Levin
Requires DOE report on options to incentivize the development of public compressed
natural gas vehicles.
1926
Inhofe
Makes natural gas vehicles eligible for some automobile fuel economy exemptions that
apply to electric cars. (similar to 1850)
1939
Flake
Requires any proposed EPA greenhouse gas rules to include a funding offset for any
increased cost to federal agencies.
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Amdt #
Sponsor
Policy Area
1944
Manchin
Requires DOE Loan Guarantee Program to begin issuing guarantees for advanced fossil
energy projects.
1945
Manchin
Requires study of greenhouse gas emissions from electric power plants for 2005 through
2020.
1956
Klobuchar
Requires improved coordination and reporting of oil refinery outages.
1957
T. Udall
Establishes a national renewable energy electricity standard that would reach 25% by
2025.
1958
McConnell
Prohibits federal agencies from regulating carbon pollution from electric power plants.
Source: Congressional Record, August 1 and September 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, 2013.
Notes: Some amendments cover similar, or related, policy areas.
Congressional Research Service
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Appendix E. Non-Energy Amendments
Table E-1. Non-Energy Amendments to S. 1392
(27 amendments as of September 19, 2013)
Amdt #
Sponsor
Policy Area
1857
Rubio
Study of federal regulations cost to small business.
1863
Enzi
Establishes a new EPA regional haze program.
1864
Enzi
Conveys minerals royalties and other payments to states.
1866
Vitter
Revises Affordable Care Act for Members of Congress, congressional staff, and
positions at the top level of the executive branch. (S. 1497)
1867
Coburn
Amends Affordable Care Act to verify household income.
1871
McConnell
Amends Affordable Care Act to delay mandates.
1876
Thune
Amends Affordable Care Act to limit individual subsidies.
1882
Inhofe
Prohibits EPA from enforcing spill prevention rule for farms.
1888
Thune
Prohibits EPA from collecting personal information of agricultural producers.
1891
Thune
Prohibits EPA regulations with a compliance cost that exceeds $1 million.
1896
Flake
Amends Affordable Care Act to delay provisions.
1901
Blunt
Establishes presumptive approval for certain emissions waiver requests to EPA.
1903
Enzi
Sets limiting conditions for EPA disapproval of a state regional haze program.
1906
Boxer
Upon failure to meet U.S. debt obligations (the public debt limit), salaries for Members
of Congress would be held in escrow until the period expires.
1921
Cornyn
Prohibits Treasury Department from enforcing provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
1922
Cornyn
For endangered species, requires DOI to notify states & counties of proposed covered
settlements.
1934
Flake
Delays implementation of Affordable Care Act by one year.
1935
Flake
Prohibits EPA from including certain provisions in its regional haze regulations.
1936
Flake
Prohibits DOI, DOE, and EPA from entering agreements under this bill or the Clean Air
Act that affect Indian Tribes in certain respects.
1942
Manchin
Amends the Water Pollution Control Act in regard to permits for dredged or fill
material.
1943
Manchin
Adds a new Title V on “Clean Water Cooperative Federalism,” regarding water quality.
1955
Klobuchar
Creates a Metal Theft Prevention Act, focused on materials used in critical
infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and street signs.
1959
Crapo
For the Clean Water Act, aims to resolve “conflicting” certifications.
Source: Congressional Record, August 1 and September 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, 2013.
Notes: Some amendments cover similar, or related, policy areas.
Congressional Research Service
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S. 1392, Shaheen-Portman Bill: Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
Author Contact Information
(name redacted)
Specialist in Energy Policy
[redacted]@crs.loc.gov, 7-....
Congressional Research Service
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