Energy/Environment

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) called the Army Corps of Engineers’ failure to complete its plan to stop Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes by 2013 “unacceptable” on Friday.

Stabenow pointed to the Stop Invasive Species Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in July, requiring the Corps to act by 2013.

Rep. Jo Bonner questioned whether the administration is trying to funnel oil spill money to Florida to help Obama’s campaign.

House Republicans introduced a bill late last week that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reform its Science Advisory Board, the body that acts as a scientific adviser to the EPA as the EPA writes regulations.

Republicans said reform of the Board is needed because of complaints that a majority of people serving on its advisory panels have received environmental research grants in the last decade from the EPA. The GOP also argues that the Board's scientific advisory panels often exclude the private sector, and that more public participation and input into panel decisions is needed.

The administration said it would block an attempt by a Chinese-owned company to acquire four U.S. wind farm companies

Before leaving for the November elections, the Senate accepted House changes to two bills, ensuring that the legislation is on its way to the president’s desk.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act, S. 300, and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act, S. 710.

A bipartisan group of House members from northeastern states have proposed a bill that would ensure any further cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) do not hurt people in their states who qualify for LIHEAP help because they stay warm with home heating oil.

The LIHEAP Stability Act, from Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine), is a response to the cut in LIHEAP funding to about $3.5 billion in 2012, down from $5.1 billion in 2010. Michaud noted that President Obama has proposed deeper cuts to the program, to $3 billion, which Michaud said would be harmful to the lower-income people who depend on these grants.

The vote was last legislative act before Election Day; lawmakers return after the election for a lame-duck session

The House accepted three amendments to the Stop the War on Coal Act late Thursday, but stopped debate at about 7:30 p.m. and will consider remaining amendments on Friday.

The bill, H.R. 3409, is aimed at deregulating the coal industry, and would limit the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent rules on the storage and disposal of coal ash.

House Republicans on Thursday evening pushed for passage of their bill easing federal rules on the coal industry by accusing President Obama of waging a "war on coal," and reminding their colleagues that President Obama said in 2008 that he would support regulations that bankrupt the industry.

"During the 2008 election campaign, President Obama had the audacity to set an energy goal to bankrupt the coal industry," House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) said during debate. "Unfortunately, this is one promise the President is keeping."

The House advanced a resolution on Thursday afternoon that would disapprove of an Obama administration rule allowing states to waive current work requirements for welfare recipients, as well as a bill aimed at easing federal regulations affecting the coal industry.

Members approved a rule governing debate on both measures, in a 233-182 vote.