S 3669 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To reduce gas prices by promoting domestic energy production, alternative energy, and conservation, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

October 1 (legislative day, September 17), 2008CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. VOINOVICH introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To reduce gas prices by promoting domestic energy production, alternative energy, and conservation, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Harmonizing America’s Energy, Economy, Environment, and National Security Act of 2008’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION

Subtitle A--Outer Continental Shelf

Sec. 101. Termination of prohibitions on expenditures for, and withdrawals from, offshore and onshore leasing and other limitations on energy production.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Coordination with Secretary of Defense on leasing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Sharing of revenues.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Leasing Program for Land Within Coastal Plain

Sec. 111. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 112. Leasing program for land within the Coastal Plain.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 113. Lease sales.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 114. Grant of leases by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 115. Lease terms and conditions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 116. Coastal plain environmental protection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 117. Rights-of-way and easements across coastal plain.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 118. Conveyance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 119. Local government impact aid and community service assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 120. Allocation of revenues.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle C--Oil Shale

Sec. 131. Removal of prohibition on final regulations for commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public land.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND CONSERVATION

Subtitle A--Conservation Reserve and Renewable Energy Reserve Accounts

Sec. 201. Conservation Reserve and Renewable Energy Reserve Accounts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Department of Defense Facilitation of Secure Domestic Fuel Development

Sec. 211. Procurement and acquisition of alternative fuels.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTIONCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle A--Outer Continental ShelfCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. TERMINATION OF PROHIBITIONS ON EXPENDITURES FOR, AND WITHDRAWALS FROM, OFFSHORE AND ONSHORE LEASING AND OTHER LIMITATIONS ON ENERGY PRODUCTION.

(a) Prohibitions on Expenditures- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all provisions of Federal law that prohibit the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct natural gas, oil, oil shale, and other energy production leasing, preleasing, and related activities on Federal land shall have no force or effect with respect to the activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Revocation Withdrawals- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all withdrawals of Federal submerged land of the outer Continental Shelf from leasing (including withdrawals by the President under section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1341(a)), are revoked and are no longer in force or effect with respect to the leasing of areas for exploration for, and development and production of, natural gas and oil.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas- Section 104 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109-432) is repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Conforming Amendments-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Sections 104 and 105 of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161; 121 Stat. 2118) are repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Section 103(a) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109-432) is amended by striking ‘Except as provided in section 104, the’ and inserting ‘The’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. COORDINATION WITH SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ON LEASING.

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act is amended by inserting after section 9 (43 U.S.C. 1338) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 10. COORDINATION WITH SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ON LEASING.

‘(a) In General- The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Defense regarding military operations needs for the outer Continental Shelf.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Conflicts-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall work with the Secretary of Defense to resolve any conflict that may arise between operations described in subsection (a) and leasing under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) UNRESOLVED ISSUES- If the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense are unable to resolve any conflict described in paragraph (1), any unresolved issue shall be referred by the Secretaries to the President in a timely fashion for immediate resolution.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. SHARING OF REVENUES.

(a) In General- Section 8(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(g)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘(2) Notwithstanding’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DISPOSITION OF REVENUES- Except as provided in paragraph (6) and notwithstanding’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs (7) and (8), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) BONUS BIDS AND ROYALTIES UNDER QUALIFIED LEASES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) DEFINITIONS- In this paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) ADJACENT STATE- The term ‘adjacent State’ means, with respect to any program, plan, lease sale, leased tract, or other activity proposed, conducted, or approved pursuant to this Act, any State the laws of which are declared, pursuant to section 4(a)(2), to be the law of the United States for the portion of the outer Continental Shelf on which the program, plan, lease sale, leased tract, or activity applies or is, or is proposed to be, conducted.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) ADJACENT ZONE- The term ‘adjacent zone’ means, with respect to any program, plan, lease sale, leased tract, or other activity proposed, conducted, or approved pursuant to this Act, the portion of the outer Continental Shelf for which the laws of an adjacent State are declared, pursuant to section 4(a)(2), to be the law of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) PRODUCING STATE- The term ‘producing State’ means an adjacent State having an adjacent zone containing leased tracts from which are derived bonus bids and royalties under a lease under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) QUALIFIED LEASE- The term ‘qualified lease’ means a natural gas or oil lease made available under this Act granted after the date of enactment of the Harmonizing America’s Energy, Economy, Environment, and National Security Act of 2008, for an area that is available for leasing as a result of enactment of section 101 of that Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) STATE- The term ‘State’ includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) any other territory or possession of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) NEW LEASES- Of amounts received by the United States as bonus bids, royalties, rentals, and other sums collected under any qualified lease on submerged land made available for leasing under this Act by the enactment of section 101 of the Harmonizing America’s Energy, Economy, Environment, and National Security Act of 2008 that are located within the seaward boundaries of a State established under section 4(a)(2)(A)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) 27 percent shall be paid to producing States with respect to that submerged land;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) 25 percent shall be deposited in the Conservation Reserve Account established by section 201(a)(1) of the Harmonizing America’s Energy, Economy, Environment, and National Security Act of 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) 25 percent shall be deposited in the Renewable Energy Reserve Account established by section 201(a)(2) of that Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) 20 percent shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury of the United States for debt reduction; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) subject to the availability of appropriations, 3 percent may be available to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for carrying out the low-income home energy assistance program established under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) LEASED TRACT THAT LIES PARTIALLY WITHIN THE SEAWARD BOUNDARIES OF A STATE- In the case of a leased tract that lies partially within the seaward boundaries of a State, the amount of bonus bids and royalties from the tract that is subject to subparagraph (B) with respect to the State shall be a percentage of the total amounts of bonus bids and royalties from the tract that is equivalent to the total percentage of the surface acreage of the tract that lies within the seaward boundaries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) APPLICATION- This paragraph applies to bonus bids and royalties received by the United States under qualified leases after September 30, 2008.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment of State Seaward Boundaries- Section 4(a)(2) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1333(a)(2)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘(2)(A) To’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) LAWS OF ADJACENT STATES; INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY DISPUTES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) LAWS OF ADJACENT STATES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- To’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subparagraph (A)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘, and the President’ and all that follows through the end of the sentence and inserting a period;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after clause (i) (as designated by paragraph (1)) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) EXTENDED LINES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) IN GENERAL- Subject to subclauses (II) and (III), the extended lines described in clause (i) shall be considered to be indicated on the maps for each outer Continental Shelf region entitled--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(aa) ‘Alaska OCS Region State Adjacent Zone and OCS Planning Areas’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(bb) ‘Pacific OCS Region State Adjacent Zones and OCS Planning Areas’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(cc) ‘Gulf of Mexico OCS Region State Adjacent Zones and OCS Planning Areas’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(dd) ‘Atlantic OCS Region State Adjacent Zones and OCS Planning Areas’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(II) MAPS- For the purpose of subclause (I), all of the maps described in subclause (I) are dated September 2005 and on file in the Office of the Director, Minerals Management Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(III) GULF OF MEXICO- Subclause (I) shall not apply with respect to the treatment under section 105 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109-432) of qualified outer Continental Shelf revenues deposited and disbursed under section 105(a)(2) of that Act.’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by striking ‘All of such applicable laws’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) ADMINISTRATION; ENFORCEMENT- The applicable laws described in subparagraph (A)’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Leasing Program for Land Within Coastal PlainCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 111. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COASTAL PLAIN- The term ‘Coastal Plain’ means that area identified as the ‘1002 Coastal Plain Area’ on the map.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FEDERAL AGREEMENT- The term ‘Federal Agreement’ means the Federal Agreement and Grant Right-of-Way for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline issued on January 23, 1974, in accordance with section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 185) and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act (43 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) FINAL STATEMENT- The term ‘Final Statement’ means the final legislative environmental impact statement on the Coastal Plain, dated April 1987, and prepared pursuant to section 1002 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3142) and section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) MAP- The term ‘map’ means the map entitled ‘Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’, dated September 2005, and prepared by the United States Geological Survey.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Interior (or the designee of the Secretary), acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management in consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and in coordination with a State coordinator appointed by the Governor of the State of Alaska.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 112. LEASING PROGRAM FOR LAND WITHIN THE COASTAL PLAIN.

(a) In General-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORIZATION- Congress authorizes the exploration, leasing, development, production, and economically feasible and prudent transportation of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ACTIONS- The Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to establish and implement, in accordance with this subtitle, a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain while taking into consideration the interests and concerns of residents of the Coastal Plain, which is the homeland of the Kaktovikmiut Inupiat; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to administer this subtitle through regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, stipulations, and other provisions that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) ensure the oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on the Coastal Plain will result in no significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, their habitat, subsistence resources, and the environment; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) require the application of the best commercially available technology for oil and gas exploration, development, and production to all exploration, development, and production operations under this subtitle in a manner that ensures the receipt of fair market value by the public for the mineral resources to be leased.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Repeal-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REPEAL- Section 1003 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3143) is repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The table of contents contained in section 1 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 3101 note) is amended by striking the item relating to section 1003.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Compliance With Requirements Under Certain Other Laws-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COMPATIBILITY- For purposes of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the oil and gas pre-leasing and leasing program, and activities authorized by this section in the Coastal Plain, shall be considered to be compatible with the purposes for which the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) no further findings or decisions shall be required to implement that program and those activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADEQUACY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR’S LEGISLATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT- The Final Statement shall be considered to satisfy the requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) that apply with respect to pre-leasing activities, including exploration programs and actions authorized to be taken by the Secretary to develop and promulgate the regulations for the establishment of a leasing program authorized by this subtitle before the conduct of the first lease sale.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) COMPLIANCE WITH NEPA FOR OTHER ACTIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Before conducting the first lease sale under this subtitle, the Secretary shall prepare an environmental impact statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to the actions authorized by this subtitle that are not referred to in paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall not be required--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to identify nonleasing alternative courses of action; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) to analyze the environmental effects of those courses of action.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) IDENTIFICATION OF PREFERRED ACTION- Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) identify only a preferred action and a single leasing alternative for the first lease sale authorized under this subtitle; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) analyze the environmental effects and potential mitigation measures for those 2 alternatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) PUBLIC COMMENTS- In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider only public comments that are filed not later than 20 days after the date of publication of a draft environmental impact statement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) EFFECT OF COMPLIANCE- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, compliance with this paragraph shall be considered to satisfy all requirements for the analysis and consideration of the environmental effects of proposed leasing under this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Relationship to State and Local Authority- Nothing in this subtitle expands or limits any State or local regulatory authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Special Areas-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DESIGNATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, after consultation with the State of Alaska, the North Slope Borough, Alaska, and the City of Kaktovik, Alaska, may designate not more than 45,000 acres of the Coastal Plain as a special area if the Secretary determines that the special area would be of such unique character and interest as to require special management and regulatory protection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) SADLEROCHIT SPRING AREA- The Secretary shall designate as a special area in accordance with subparagraph (A) the Sadlerochit Spring area, comprising approximately 4,000 acres as depicted on the map.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MANAGEMENT- The Secretary shall manage each special area designated under this subsection in a manner that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) respects and protects the Native people of the area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) preserves the unique and diverse character of the area, including fish, wildlife, subsistence resources, and cultural values of the area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) EXCLUSION FROM LEASING OR SURFACE OCCUPANCY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may exclude any special area designated under this subsection from leasing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY- If the Secretary leases all or a portion of a special area for the purposes of oil and gas exploration, development, production, and related activities, there shall be no surface occupancy of the land comprising the special area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) DIRECTIONAL DRILLING- Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Secretary may lease all or a portion of a special area under terms that permit the use of horizontal drilling technology from sites on leases located outside the special area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Limitation on Closed Areas- The Secretary may not close land within the Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing or to exploration, development, or production except in accordance with this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Regulations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act, in consultation with appropriate agencies of the State of Alaska, the North Slope Borough, Alaska, and the City of Kaktovik, Alaska, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this subtitle, including rules and regulations relating to protection of the fish and wildlife, fish and wildlife habitat, and subsistence resources of the Coastal Plain.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REVISION OF REGULATIONS- The Secretary may periodically review and, as appropriate, revise the rules and regulations issued under paragraph (1) to reflect any significant scientific or engineering data that come to the attention of the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 113. LEASE SALES.

(a) In General- Land may be leased pursuant to this subtitle to any person qualified to obtain a lease for deposits of oil and gas under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Procedures- The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish procedures for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) receipt and consideration of sealed nominations for any area in the Coastal Plain for inclusion in, or exclusion (as provided in subsection (c)) from, a lease sale;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the holding of lease sales after that nomination process; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) public notice of and comment on designation of areas to be included in, or excluded from, a lease sale.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Lease Sale Bids- Bidding for leases under this subtitle shall be by sealed competitive cash bonus bids.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Acreage Minimum in First Sale- For the first lease sale under this subtitle, the Secretary shall offer for lease those tracts the Secretary considers to have the greatest potential for the discovery of hydrocarbons, taking into consideration nominations received pursuant to subsection (b)(1), but in no case less than 200,000 acres.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Timing of Lease Sales- The Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) not later than 22 months after the date of enactment of this Act, conduct the first lease sale under this subtitle;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) not later than September 30, 2012, conduct a second lease sale under this subtitle; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) conduct additional sales at appropriate intervals if sufficient interest in exploration or development exists to warrant the conduct of the additional sales.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 114. GRANT OF LEASES BY THE SECRETARY.

(a) In General- Upon payment by a lessee of such bonus as may be accepted by the Secretary, the Secretary may grant to the highest responsible qualified bidder in a lease sale conducted pursuant to section 113 a lease for any land on the Coastal Plain.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Subsequent Transfers-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- No lease issued under this subtitle may be sold, exchanged, assigned, sublet, or otherwise transferred except with the approval of the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONDITION FOR APPROVAL- Before granting any approval described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with and give due consideration to the opinion of the Attorney General.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 115. LEASE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

(a) In General- An oil or gas lease issued pursuant to this subtitle shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) provide for the payment of a royalty of not less than 16 1/2 percent of the amount or value of the production removed or sold from the lease, as determined by the Secretary in accordance with regulations applicable to other Federal oil and gas leases;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) provide that the Secretary may close, on a seasonal basis, such portions of the Coastal Plain to exploratory drilling activities as are necessary to protect caribou calving areas and other species of fish and wildlife;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) require that each lessee of land within the Coastal Plain shall be fully responsible and liable for the reclamation of land within the Coastal Plain and any other Federal land that is adversely affected in connection with exploration, development, production, or transportation activities within the Coastal Plain conducted by the lessee or by any of the subcontractors or agents of the lessee;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) provide that the lessee may not delegate or convey, by contract or otherwise, that reclamation responsibility and liability to another person without the express written approval of the Secretary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) provide that the standard of reclamation for land required to be reclaimed under this subtitle shall be, to the maximum extent practicable--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a condition capable of supporting the uses that the land was capable of supporting prior to any exploration, development, or production activities; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) upon application by the lessee, to a higher or better standard, as approved by the Secretary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) contain terms and conditions relating to protection of fish and wildlife, fish and wildlife habitat, subsistence resources, and the environment as required under section 112(a)(2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) provide that each lessee, and each agent and contractor of a lessee, use their best efforts to provide a fair share of employment and contracting for Alaska Natives and Alaska Native Corporations from throughout the State of Alaska, as determined by the level of obligation previously agreed to in the Federal Agreement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) contain such other provisions as the Secretary determines to be necessary to ensure compliance with this subtitle and regulations issued under this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Project Labor Agreements- The Secretary, as a term and condition of each lease under this subtitle, and in recognizing the proprietary interest of the Federal Government in labor stability and in the ability of construction labor and management to meet the particular needs and conditions of projects to be developed under the leases issued pursuant to this subtitle (including the special concerns of the parties to those leases), shall require that each lessee, and each agent and contractor of a lessee, under this subtitle negotiate to obtain a project labor agreement for the employment of laborers and mechanics on production, maintenance, and construction under the lease.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 116. COASTAL PLAIN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

(a) No Significant Adverse Effect Standard To Govern Authorized Coastal Plain Activities- In accordance with section 112, the Secretary shall administer this subtitle through regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, stipulations, or other provisions that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on the Coastal Plain will result in no significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, fish and wildlife habitat, and the environment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) require the application of the best commercially available technology for oil and gas exploration, development, and production on all new exploration, development, and production operations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ensure that the maximum surface acreage covered in connection with the leasing program by production and support facilities, including airstrips and any areas covered by gravel berms or piers for support of pipelines, does not exceed 2,000 acres on the Coastal Plain.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Site-Specific Assessment and Mitigation- The Secretary shall require, with respect to any proposed drilling and related activities on the Coastal Plain, that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) a site-specific environmental analysis be made of the probable effects, if any, that the drilling or related activities will have on fish and wildlife, fish and wildlife habitat, subsistence resources, subsistence uses, and the environment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) a plan be implemented to avoid, minimize, and mitigate (in that order and to the maximum extent practicable) any significant adverse effect identified under paragraph (1); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the development of the plan occur after consultation with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) each agency having jurisdiction over matters mitigated by the plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the State of Alaska;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) North Slope Borough, Alaska; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the City of Kaktovik, Alaska.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Regulations To Protect Coastal Plain Fish and Wildlife Resources, Subsistence Users, and the Environment- Before implementing the leasing program authorized by this subtitle, the Secretary shall prepare and issue regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, stipulations, or other measures designed to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the activities carried out on the Coastal Plain under this subtitle are conducted in a manner consistent with the purposes and environmental requirements of this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Compliance With Federal and State Environmental Laws and Other Requirements- The proposed regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, and stipulations for the leasing program under this subtitle shall require--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) compliance with all applicable provisions of Federal and State environmental law (including regulations);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) implementation of and compliance with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) standards that are at least as effective as the safety and environmental mitigation measures, as described in items 1 through 29 on pages 167 through 169 of the Final Statement, on the Coastal Plain;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) seasonal limitations on exploration, development, and related activities, as necessary, to avoid significant adverse effects during periods of concentrated fish and wildlife breeding, denning, nesting, spawning, and migration;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) design safety and construction standards for all pipelines and any access and service roads that minimize, to the maximum extent practicable, adverse effects on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the passage of migratory species (such as caribou); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the flow of surface water by requiring the use of culverts, bridges, or other structural devices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) prohibitions on general public access to, and use of, all pipeline access and service roads;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) stringent reclamation and rehabilitation requirements in accordance with this subtitle for the removal from the Coastal Plain of all oil and gas development and production facilities, structures, and equipment on completion of oil and gas production operations, except in a case in which the Secretary determines that those facilities, structures, or equipment--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) would assist in the management of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) are donated to the United States for that purpose;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) appropriate prohibitions or restrictions on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) access by all modes of transportation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) sand and gravel extraction; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) use of explosives;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) reasonable stipulations for protection of cultural and archaeological resources;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) measures to protect groundwater and surface water, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) avoidance, to the maximum extent practicable, of springs, streams, and river systems;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the protection of natural surface drainage patterns and wetland and riparian habitats; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the regulation of methods or techniques for developing or transporting adequate supplies of water for exploratory drilling; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) research, monitoring, and reporting requirements;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) that exploration activities (except surface geological studies) be limited to the period between approximately November 1 and May 1 of each year and be supported, if necessary, by ice roads, winter trails with adequate snow cover, ice pads, ice airstrips, and air transport methods (except that those exploration activities may be permitted at other times if the Secretary determines that the exploration will have no significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, fish and wildlife habitat, subsistence resources, and the environment of the Coastal Plain);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) consolidation of facility siting;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) avoidance or reduction of air traffic-related disturbance to fish and wildlife;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) treatment and disposal of hazardous and toxic wastes, solid wastes, reserve pit fluids, drilling muds and cuttings, and domestic wastewater, including, in accordance with applicable Federal and State environmental laws (including regulations)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) preparation of an annual waste management report;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) development and implementation of a hazardous materials tracking system; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) prohibition on the use of chlorinated solvents;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) fuel storage and oil spill contingency planning;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) conduct of periodic field crew environmental briefings;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) avoidance of significant adverse effects on subsistence hunting, fishing, and trapping;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) compliance with applicable air and water quality standards;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) appropriate seasonal and safety zone designations around well sites, within which subsistence hunting and trapping shall be limited; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) development and implementation of such other protective environmental requirements, restrictions, terms, or conditions as the Secretary, after consultation with the State of Alaska, North Slope Borough, Alaska, and the City of Kaktovik, Alaska, determines to be necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Considerations- In preparing and issuing regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, or stipulations under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the stipulations and conditions that govern the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska leasing program, as set forth in the 1999 Northeast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska Final Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the environmental protection standards that governed the initial Coastal Plain seismic exploration program under parts 37.31 through 37.33 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the land use stipulations for exploratory drilling on the KIC-ASRC private land described in Appendix 2 of the agreement between Arctic Slope Regional Corporation and the United States dated August 9, 1983.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Facility Consolidation Planning-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- After providing for public notice and comment, the Secretary shall prepare and periodically update a plan to govern, guide, and direct the siting and construction of facilities for the exploration, development, production, and transportation of oil and gas resources from the Coastal Plain.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) OBJECTIVES- The objectives of the plan shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the avoidance of unnecessary duplication of facilities and activities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the encouragement of consolidation of common facilities and activities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the location or confinement of facilities and activities to areas that will minimize impact on fish and wildlife, fish and wildlife habitat, subsistence resources, and the environment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the use of existing facilities, to the maximum extent practicable; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the enhancement of compatibility between wildlife values and development activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Access to Public Land- The Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) manage public land in the Coastal Plain in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of section 811 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3121); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ensure that local residents shall have reasonable access to public land in the Coastal Plain for traditional uses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 117. RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND EASEMENTS ACROSS COASTAL PLAIN.

For purposes of section 1102(4)(A) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3162(4)(A)), any rights-of-way or easements across the Coastal Plain for the exploration, development, production, or transportation of oil and gas shall be considered to be established incident to the management of the Coastal Plain under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 118. CONVEYANCE.

Notwithstanding section 1302(h)(2) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3192(h)(2)), to remove any cloud on title to land, and to clarify land ownership patterns in the Coastal Plain, the Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to the extent necessary to fulfill the entitlement of the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation under sections 12 and 14 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1611, 1613), as determined by the Secretary, convey to that Corporation the surface estate of the land described in paragraph (1) of Public Land Order 6959, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement between the Secretary, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation, dated January 22, 1993; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) convey to the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation the remaining subsurface estate to which that Corporation is entitled under the agreement between that corporation and the United States, dated August 9, 1983.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 119. LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMPACT AID AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSISTANCE.

(a) Establishment of Fund-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- As a condition on the receipt of funds under section 120(1), the State of Alaska shall establish in the treasury of the State, and administer in accordance with this section, a fund to be known as the ‘Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund’ (referred to in this section as the ‘Fund’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DEPOSITS- Subject to paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit into the Fund, $35,000,000 each year from the amount available under section 120(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) INVESTMENT- The Governor of the State of Alaska (referred to in this section as the ‘Governor’) shall invest amounts in the Fund in interest-bearing securities of the United States or the State of Alaska.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Assistance- The Governor, in cooperation with the Mayor of the North Slope Borough, shall use amounts in the Fund to provide assistance to North Slope Borough, Alaska, the City of Kaktovik, Alaska, and any other borough, municipal subdivision, village, or other community in the State of Alaska that is directly impacted by exploration for, or the production of, oil or gas on the Coastal Plain under this subtitle, or any Alaska Native Regional Corporation acting on behalf of the villages and communities within its region whose land lies along the right of way of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, as determined by the Governor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Application-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- To receive assistance under subsection (b), a community or Regional Corporation described in that subsection shall submit to the Governor, or to the Mayor of the North Slope Borough, an application in such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Governor may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ACTION BY NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH- The Mayor of the North Slope Borough shall submit to the Governor each application received under paragraph (1) as soon as practicable after the date on which the application is received.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ASSISTANCE OF GOVERNOR- The Governor shall assist communities in submitting applications under this subsection, to the maximum extent practicable.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Use of Funds- A community or Regional Corporation that receives funds under subsection (b) may use the funds--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to plan for mitigation, implement a mitigation plan, or maintain a mitigation project to address the potential effects of oil and gas exploration and development on environmental, social, cultural, recreational, and subsistence resources of the community;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to develop, carry out, and maintain--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a project to provide new or expanded public facilities; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) services to address the needs and problems associated with the effects described in paragraph (1), including firefighting, police, water and waste treatment, first responder, and other medical services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to compensate residents of the Coastal Plain for significant damage to environmental, social, cultural, recreational, or subsistence resources; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in the City of Kaktovik, Alaska--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to develop a mechanism for providing members of the Kaktovikmiut Inupiat community an opportunity to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) monitor development on the Coastal Plain; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) provide information and recommendations to the Governor based on traditional aboriginal knowledge of the natural resources, flora, fauna, and ecological processes of the Coastal Plain; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to establish a local coordination office, to be managed by the Mayor of the North Slope Borough, in coordination with the City of Kaktovik, Alaska--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to coordinate with and advise developers on local conditions and the history of areas affected by development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) to provide to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate annual reports on the status of the coordination between developers and communities affected by development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) to collect from residents of the Coastal Plain information regarding the impacts of development on fish, wildlife, habitats, subsistence resources, and the environment of the Coastal Plain; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) to ensure that the information collected under clause (iii) is submitted to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) developers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) any appropriate Federal agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 120. ALLOCATION OF REVENUES.

Notwithstanding the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) or any other provision of law, of the adjusted bonus, rental, and royalty receipts from Federal oil and gas leasing and operations authorized under this subtitle:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 27 percent shall be disbursed to the State of Alaska.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) 25 percent shall be deposited in the Conservation Reserve Account established by section 201(a)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) 25 percent shall be deposited in the Renewable Energy Reserve Account established by section 201(a)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) 20 percent shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury of the United States for debt reduction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) 3 percent shall be available to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for carrying out the low-income home energy assistance program established under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle C--Oil ShaleCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 131. REMOVAL OF PROHIBITION ON FINAL REGULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL LEASING PROGRAM FOR OIL SHALE RESOURCES ON PUBLIC LAND.

Section 433 of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161; 121 Stat. 2152) is repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND CONSERVATIONCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle A--Conservation Reserve and Renewable Energy Reserve AccountsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. CONSERVATION RESERVE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY RESERVE ACCOUNTS.

(a) In General- For budgetary purposes, there are established in the Treasury of the United States as separate accounts--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the Conservation Reserve Account, to offset the cost of legislation enacted on or after the date of enactment of this Act for conservation programs (including weatherization) and conservation tax credits and deductions for energy efficiency in the residential, commercial, industrial, and public sectors (including conservation districts); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Renewable Energy Reserve Account, to offset the cost of legislation enacted on or after the date of enactment of this Act--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to accelerate the use of cleaner domestic energy resources and alternative fuels;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to promote the use of energy-efficient products and practices; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) to increase research, development, and deployment of clean renewable energy and efficiency technologies and job training programs for those purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Procedure for Adjustments-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN- After the reporting of a bill or joint resolution, or the offering of an amendment or the submission of a conference report for a bill or joint resolution, that provides funding for the purposes described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) in excess of the amount of the deposits under this Act or an amendment made by this Act for those purposes for fiscal year 2009, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the applicable House of Congress shall make the adjustments described in paragraph (2) for the amount of new budget authority and outlays in that measure and the outlays resulting from the budget authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MATTERS TO BE ADJUSTED- The adjustments referred to in paragraph (1) shall be made to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the discretionary spending limits, if any, specified in the appropriate concurrent resolution on the budget;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the allocations made pursuant to the appropriate concurrent resolution on the budget pursuant to section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the budget aggregates contained in the appropriate concurrent resolution on the budget as required by section 301(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 632(a)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) AMOUNTS OF ADJUSTMENTS- The adjustments referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not exceed the receipts estimated by the Congressional Budget Office that are attributable to this Act and the amendments made by this Act for the fiscal year in which the adjustments are made.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Consultation- Legislation shall not be treated as legislation referred to in subsection (a) unless any expenditure under the legislation for a purpose referred to in that subsection may be made only after consultation with (as appropriate)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the Secretary of State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Maintenance of Effort by States- The Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Energy, and any other Federal official with authority to implement legislation referred to in subsection (a) shall ensure that financial assistance provided to a State under the legislation for any purpose with amounts made available under this section or in any legislation with respect to which subsection (a) applies supplements, and does not replace, the amounts expended by the State for that purpose before the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Department of Defense Facilitation of Secure Domestic Fuel DevelopmentCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 211. PROCUREMENT AND ACQUISITION OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS.

Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17142) is repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink