Energy/Environment

A bipartisan group of House members has proposed legislation that would make it easier for states to control the population of the double-crested cormorant — a bird that was once in need in federal protection, but is now being blamed for hurting vegetation and fish stocks.

"Unfortunately, exploding populations of the federally protected cormorants are destroying recreational areas and fisheries across the country during their migration," Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) said of her bill last week. "Yet when concerned citizens look to their state governments for help in protecting their private land or favorite vacation spots, the states' hands are tied with one layer of bureaucratic red tape after another."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said this week that when the Senate returns in May, it will take up a water infrastructure bill and the farm bill, and hopes to complete an immigration bill before the July 4 break.

Before leaving for a week-long recess, Reid said the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act would come up in the next work period. That bill, from Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and ranking member David Vitter (R-La.), authorizes projects related to flood and storm risk reduction, coast and inland navigation, and ecosystem restoration.

A handful of House Democrats have introduced legislation that would impose a five-cent tax on all disposable paper and plastic bags, which they hope would discourage the use of these bags, reduce litter, and encourage the use of environmentally friendly renewable bags.

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) introduced the Trash Reduction Act, H.R. 1686, along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and John Garamendi (D-Calif.), and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) suggested on Earth Day that the Senate should spend more time talking about climate change issues.

“I’m here to suggest we talk more about climate change so that we can agree on taking action to address it,” Franken said Monday. “The Senate cannot afford to ignore climate change, we need to talk about it.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called on his fellow senators Monday to address “the great planetary crisis of global warming” for the sake of future generations.

“Unless we take bold action to reverse climate change, our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are going to look back on this period in history and ask a very simple question: ‘Where were they?’” Sanders said on Earth Day.

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) said Tuesday that last year's bad weather proves that climate change is happening, and said House Republicans are avoiding congressional hearings on this issue.

"Just because some of my colleagues might not like what the science is telling us, it does not mean that they can continue to put their collective heads in the sand and ignore, simply ignore, these facts, or wish these facts away," Rush said on the House floor.

Jewell will head an agency at the center of intense political battles over energy throughout President Obama’s tenure.

House Democrats on Wednesday pointed to today's record-setting heat in Washington D.C. as the latest sign that the Earth is warming.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) managed a speech on the House floor in which several Democrats joined to say that Congress needs to find a way forward on climate change in light of the growing number of incidents of extreme weather, which included Hurricane Sandy last year.

A nearly unanimous House voted Wednesday to lift barriers to the development of hydropower around the country, something that the bill's supporters say would help develop cheap, clean energy and create jobs.

Members voted 416-7 in favor of the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act, H.R. 678. A similar bill passed last year with bipartisan support — the only "no" votes this time around came from Democrats.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) scheduled a vote on the nomination of Sally Jewell to lead the Interior Department for Wednesday evening.