< Back to H.R. 271 (113th Congress, 2013–2015)

Text of the Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2013

This bill was introduced in a previous session of Congress and was passed by the House on May 22, 2013 but was never passed by the Senate. The text of the bill below is as of Jun 3, 2013 (Placed on Calendar in the Senate).

II

Calendar No. 82

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 271

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 23, 2013

Received; read the first time

June 3, 2013

Read the second time and placed on the calendar

AN ACT

To clarify that compliance with an emergency order under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act may not be considered a violation of any Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2013 .

2.

Amendments to the Federal Power Act

(a)

Compliance with or violation of environmental laws while under emergency order

Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 824a(c) ) is amended—

(1)

by inserting (1) after (c); and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(2)

With respect to an order issued under this subsection that may result in a conflict with a requirement of any Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation, the Commission shall ensure that such order requires generation, delivery, interchange, or transmission of electric energy only during hours necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest, and, to the maximum extent practicable, is consistent with any applicable Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation and minimizes any adverse environmental impacts.

(3)

To the extent any omission or action taken by a party, that is necessary to comply with an order issued under this subsection, including any omission or action taken to voluntarily comply with such order, results in noncompliance with, or causes such party to not comply with, any Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation, such omission or action shall not be considered a violation of such environmental law or regulation, or subject such party to any requirement, civil or criminal liability, or a citizen suit under such environmental law or regulation.

(4)
(A)

An order issued under this subsection that may result in a conflict with a requirement of any Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation shall expire not later than 90 days after it is issued. The Commission may renew or reissue such order pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) for subsequent periods, not to exceed 90 days for each period, as the Commission determines necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest.

(B)

In renewing or reissuing an order under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall consult with the primary Federal agency with expertise in the environmental interest protected by such law or regulation, and shall include in any such renewed or reissued order such conditions as such Federal agency determines necessary to minimize any adverse environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable. The conditions, if any, submitted by such Federal agency shall be made available to the public. The Commission may exclude such a condition from the renewed or reissued order if it determines that such condition would prevent the order from adequately addressing the emergency necessitating such order and provides in the order, or otherwise makes publicly available, an explanation of such determination.

.

(b)

Temporary connection or construction by municipalities

Section 202(d) of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 824a(d) ) is amended by inserting or municipality before engaged in the transmission or sale of electric energy.

Passed the House of Representatives May 22, 2013.

Karen L. Haas,

Clerk

June 3, 2013

Read the second time and placed on the calendar