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HR 4273 112th Congress House Energy Administrative law and regulatory procedures Civil actions and liability Electric power generation and transmission Emergency planning and evacuation Energy storage, supplies, demand Environmental assessment, monitoring, research Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Pollution liability Public utilities and utility rates

Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2012

Introduced: March 28, 2012 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 15 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 2, 2012
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Aug 1, 2012
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Aug 1, 2012
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5602-5603)
Aug 1, 2012
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5602-5603)
Aug 1, 2012
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4273.
Aug 1, 2012
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5602-5604)
Aug 1, 2012
Mr. Olson moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 9, 2012
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 425.
Jul 9, 2012
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 112-586.
Jun 20, 2012
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Jun 20, 2012
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 9, 2012
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 30, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Mar 28, 2012
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mar 28, 2012
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that any emergency order issued under such Act for the interconnection of facilities for the generation, transmission, and sale of electric energy, that may result in a conflict with a requirement of any environmental law, shall: (1) require generation, delivery, interchange, or transmission of electric energy only during hours necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest; and (2) to the maximum extent practical, be consistent with any other applicable environmental law and minimize any adverse environmental impacts.

Provides that any omission or action taken by a party to comply with such an order that results in noncompliance with any environmental law shall not: (1) be considered a violation of such law; or (2) subject such party to any requirement of, or any civil or criminal liability under, such law.

Requires such an order that may result in a conflict with environmental law to expire within 90 days after it is issued. Authorizes FERC to renew or reissue such order for subsequent periods, not to exceed 90 days each, as necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest.

Requires FERC, in renewing or reissuing such order, to: (1) consult with the primary federal agency with expertise in the environmental interest protected by such law and include in any such order conditions determined to be necessary to minimize any adverse environmental impacts, and (2) make such conditions available to the public. Authorizes FERC to exclude such a condition from the order if such condition would prevent the order from adequately addressing the emergency.

Authorizes, during an emergency, a municipality engaged in the transmission or sale of electric energy and not otherwise subject to FERC's jurisdiction to make temporary connections with public utilities subject to FERC's jurisdiction and construct temporary facilities for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce as may be necessary or appropriate to meet such emergency.

What's happening now August 2, 2012

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 2