ERMUSR MISC MEMO 01-15-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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In addition, and more interestingly, the omnibus spending bill contains a provision ordering EPA to develop and publish a rule on creating a mandatory greenhouse gas registry. Frankly, several Members and staff did not know about this provision and it has caused some confusion and heartburn -and will cause more when Congress returns in January. The language gives $3.5 million to EPA to craft a rule that requires "mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions above appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the economy of the US." A draft rule must be completed in 9 months, a final rule 9 months after that. This will inevitably lead to claims that climate change provisions should not have been included in the spending bill, and other claims that appropriators are now deciding policy, rather than the authorizing committees. The language is not totally new -Rep. Norm Dicks of WA, chairman of the House interior approps subcommittee (which has jurisdiction over EPA), discussed this back in June, and I understand that Sen. Dianne Feinstein of CA, who chairs the same panel in the Senate, is taking credit for its inclusion. As you know, Sen. Amy Klobuchar has pushed similar language calling for a new, national mandatory ghg registry for all industries. This is similar, but her language remains part of the Lieberman-Warner climate bill recently approved by the Senate EPW committee. Finally, the Senate passed its own version of a farm bill, something the House did this past summer. The two bills, with some major differences, now go to conference, which should start next month. For our purposes there are three issues worth watching: service territory, rural bonds, and "parity." First, the Senate farm bill, like the House version, contains no service territory language -but this will need to be watched through conference. Second, there is language calling for rural renaissance bonds in the Senate bill, a provision that continues to be pushed by Sen. Norm Coleman. While the language has improved and looks to accommodate some of our concerns, this issue will be decided in conference. And third, the Senate bill now contains language that clarifies public power entities are often eligible for several USDA programs, a boost for APPA; the House bill does not contain similar language and this will also be rectified in conference. The House is expected to return January 15 and the Senate comes back a week later. Until then, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. Michael Nolan MJN Consulting LLC 202.359.4496 Don't get caught with egg on your face. Play Chicktionary! Check it out!