Results for
Fossil Energy Research and Development Act of 2019
HR #3607 | Last Action: 9/17/2020Fossil Energy Research and Development Act of 2019 This bill expands Department of Energy (DOE) research, development, and demonstration programs for fossil energy. Among other things, the bill authorizes DOE programs regarding * carbon capture technologies for power plants, including technologies for coal and natural gas; * carbon storage, including to develop and maintain mapping tools and resources that assess the capacity of geologic storage formations in the United States; * carbon utilization, including to assess and monitor potential changes in life cycle carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions; * advanced energy systems to reduce emissions from and improve the efficiency of fossil fuel power generation; * developing and assessing methods to separate and recover rare earth elements from coal and byproduct streams; * identifying the environmental, health, and safety impacts of methane hydrate development; * carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere; * methane leak detection and mitigation; and * identifying and evaluating novel uses for light hydrocarbons produced during oil and shale gas production.Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act
S #446 | Last Action: 2/12/2019Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act This bill authorizes the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct monitoring, scientific assessments, and research in support of fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin between the United States and Canada. The USGS shall (1) execute a comprehensive, multi-lake, freshwater fisheries science program; (2) work cooperatively with regional, state, tribal, and local governments; and (3) consult with interested groups, including academia and Canadian agencies. The USGS may provide * deepwater ecosystem research, * fish behavior and habitat reports, * fish population assessments, * invasive species research, * use of biological equipment and laboratory capabilities necessary to support fishery management decisions, and * studies that assess impacts on Great Lakes fishery resources.OCEAN Research Act
S #2699 | Last Action: 10/24/2019Ocean, Coastal, and Estuarine Acidification Necessitates Research Act of 2019 or the OCEAN Research Act This bill addresses the effects of ocean and coastal acidification on marine organisms and ecosystems. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises the Ocean Acidification Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the ocean acidification grant program of the National Science Foundation. The bill expands those programs, as well as the ocean acidification activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to include efforts to research and monitor the effects of coastal acidification.Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act of 2019
HR #1023 | Last Action: 2/6/2019Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct monitoring, scientific assessments, and research in support of fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin between the United States and Canada. The USGS shall (1) execute a comprehensive, multi-lake, freshwater fisheries science program; (2) work cooperatively with regional, state, tribal, and local governments; and (3) consult with interested groups, including academia and Canadian agencies. The USGS may provide * deepwater ecosystem research, * fish behavior and habitat reports, * fish population assessments, * invasive species research, * use of biological equipment and laboratory capabilities necessary to support fishery management decisions, and * studies that assess impacts on Great Lakes fishery resources.COAST Research Act of 2019
HR #1237 | Last Action: 2/14/2019Coastal and Ocean Acidification Stressors and Threats Research Act of 2019 or the COAST Research Act of 2019 This bill addresses the effects of ocean and coastal acidification on marine organisms and ecosystems. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises the Ocean Acidification Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the ocean acidification grant program of the National Science Foundation. The bill expands those programs, as well as the ocean acidification activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to include efforts to research and monitor the effects of coastal acidification.Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act
S #181 | Last Action: 1/17/2019Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a national mercury monitoring program. Under the program, the EPA must track and report on long-term changes of mercury concentrations in air, water, soil, and fish and wildlife. In addition, the EPA must establish an online database for mercury data.Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act
HR #7621 | Last Action: 7/16/2020Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a national mercury monitoring program. Under the program, the EPA must track and report on long-term changes of mercury concentrations in air, water, soil, and fish and wildlife. In addition, the EPA must establish an online database for mercury data.Public Health Air Quality Act of 2020
S #4369 | Last Action: 7/29/2020Public Health Air Quality Act of 2020 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement policies, programs, and regulations related to air quality monitoring. Specifically, the EPA must implement a program using specified methods and technologies to administer or conduct the best available form of fenceline monitoring (i.e., monitoring of ambient air concentration using technology at a site's property line) of specified stationary sources of hazardous air pollutants. The stationary sources to be monitored must include the 25 high-priority facilities named in the EPA Inspector General report (#20-N-0128) from March 31, 2020, and at least another 25 major sources or synthetic area sources. Among other requirements, the EPA must also * determine whether whether to add fenceline monitoring for any additional stationary sources, * complete an evaluation and promulgate a determination on whether any existing emission factors must be updated to better reflect or account for the results of fenceline monitoring data collected under the established program, * promulgate regulations establishing emission standards for specified source categories, * require an additional 80 National Core multi-pollutant monitoring stations, and * deploy at least 1,000 air quality sensors to monitor specified pollutants in census tracts or counties with per capita death rates from COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) that are at least 10% higher than the national average. Finally, the Department of Health and Human Services and the EPA must carry out a Centers of Excellence on Environmental Health Disparities Research grant program to establish and support at least 10 research centers.Public Health Air Quality Act of 2020
HR #7822 | Last Action: 7/29/2020Public Health Air Quality Act of 2020 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement policies, programs, and regulations related to air quality monitoring. Specifically, the EPA must implement a program using specified methods and technologies to administer or conduct the best available form of fenceline monitoring (i.e., monitoring of ambient air concentration using technology at a site's property line) of specified stationary sources of hazardous air pollutants. The stationary sources to be monitored must include the 25 high-priority facilities named in the EPA Inspector General report (#20-N-0128) from March 31, 2020, and at least another 25 major sources or synthetic area sources. Among other requirements, the EPA must also * determine whether whether to add fenceline monitoring for any additional stationary sources, * complete an evaluation and promulgate a determination on whether any existing emission factors must be updated to better reflect or account for the results of fenceline monitoring data collected under the established program, * promulgate regulations establishing emission standards for specified source categories, * require an additional 80 National Core multi-pollutant monitoring stations, and * deploy at least 1,000 air quality sensors to monitor specified pollutants in census tracts or counties with per capita death rates from COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) that are at least 10% higher than the national average. Finally, the Department of Health and Human Services and the EPA must carry out a Centers of Excellence on Environmental Health Disparities Research grant program to establish and support at least 10 research centers.Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act
HR #7348 | Last Action: 6/25/2020Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act This bill requires various studies and reports on the exposure, hazards, and management of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Specifically, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to conduct a two-phase study and report on the research and development needed to advance human exposure estimation and toxicity hazard estimation of individual or total PFAS. The bill also requires the EPA to jointly enter into an agreement with NASEM to conduct a study and submit a report on the research and development needed to advance the understanding of the extent and implications of environmental contamination by PFAS, how to manage and treat such contamination, and the development of safe alternatives. Finally, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy must submit an implementation plan for federal PFAS research, development, and demonstration activities, taking into account the recommendations of the NASEM reports.Atmospheric Climate Intervention Research Act
HR #5519 | Last Action: 12/19/2019Atmospheric Climate Intervention Research Act This bill expands the directive of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to include climate intervention research, including research regarding the effects of proposed interventions in the stratosphere and in cloud aerosol processes.Engineering Biology Research and Development Act of 2019
HR #4373 | Last Action: 9/18/2019Engineering Biology Research and Development Act of 2019 This bill directs * the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to implement a National Engineering Biology Research and Development Initiative; * the OSTP to designate an interagency committee to coordinate the initiative; * the President to establish an Initiative Coordination Office; * the OSTP to designate or establish an advisory committee on engineering biology research and development; * the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a review and make recommendations with respect to the ethical, legal, environmental, and other appropriate societal issues related to engineering biology research and development; and * the NSF and certain other federal agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to carry out specified research activities as part of the initiative.Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act
HR #89 | Last Action: 1/25/2019Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act This bill modifies procedures related to specified chemical assessments performed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specifically, chemical hazard identification and dose response assessments, currently performed by the Integrated Risk Information System program, must be performed by the appropriate EPA program office. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to establish a steering committee to ensure there is no duplication of effort by relevant program offices in conducting covered assessments.Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020
S #914 | Last Action: 7/30/2020Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and revises the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (IOOS), which is a network of federal and regional entities that provide information about the nation's coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes, as well as new tools and forecasts to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment. The bill revises the authority of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct scientific assessments related to storms, including to (1) direct NOAA to seek public input before the Named Storm Event Model (the official meteorological and oceanographic computerized model which utilizes data to replicate the magnitude, timing, and spatial variations of winds, rainfall, and storm surges associated with named storms for which post-storm assessments are conducted) takes effect, and (2) allow NOAA to deploy sensors to areas in coastal states that are at the highest risk of experiencing geophysical events that would cause indeterminate losses. The bill provides statutory authority for NOAA's National Water Center. (The center currently exists at NOAA as the research and operational center of excellence for hydrologic analyses, forecasting, and related decision support services.) Additionally, the bill directs the National Weather Service (NWS) to make a policy directive for the National Water Center publicly available. The NWS must also (1) initiate and lead all research and development activities to develop operational water resource prediction and related decision support products, (2) collaborate with relevant state and federal agencies regarding total water prediction, and (3) collaboratively develop capabilities necessary for total water predictive capacity.AQUAA Act
HR #6191 | Last Action: 3/11/2020Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture Act or theAQUAA Act This bill establishes national standards for sustainable offshore aquaculture. The bill directs the Department of Commerce to create an Office of Offshore Aquaculture within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to coordinate regulatory, scientific, outreach, and international issues related to aquaculture. The bill also establishes a unified permitting and review process for aquaculture operations. Commerce must establish a research and development grant program to promote research and extension activities, including to (1) create innovative design and engineering solutions to common obstacles within the aquaculture industry; (2) evaluate the role of genetics in relation to brood stock production, disease management, and interactions between cultured species and wild stocks; and (3) improve techniques for monitoring, assessing, and addressing environmental impacts of aquaculture and develop and evaluate methodologies to prevent, minimize, and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.Environmental Justice For All Act
S #4401 | Last Action: 8/3/2020Environmental Justice For All Act This bill establishes several environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs to address the disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effects of federal laws or programs on communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities. Specifically, the bill prohibits disparate impacts on the basis of race, color, or national origin as discrimination.Aggrieved persons may seek legal remedy when faced with such discrimination. In addition, the bill directs agencies to follow certain requirements concerning environmental justice. For example, agencies must prepare community impact reports that assess the potential impacts of their actions on environmental justice communities under certain circumstances. Further, it creates a variety of advisory bodies and positions, such as the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement. Among other things, the group must issue an environmental justice strategy. It also establishes requirements and programs concerning chemicals or toxic ingredients in certain products. For example, the bill (1) requires certain products (e.g., cosmetics) to include a list of ingredients or warnings; and (2) provides grants for research on designing safer alternatives to chemicals in certain consumer, cleaning, toy, or baby products that have an inherent toxicity or that are associated with chronic adverse health effects. Finally, it creates a variety of funding programs, such as a grant program to enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban areas.Environmental Justice For All Act
HR #5986 | Last Action: 10/1/2020Environmental Justice For All Act This bill establishes several environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs to address the disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effects of federal laws or programs on communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities. Specifically, the bill prohibits disparate impacts on the basis of race, color, or national origin as discrimination.Aggrieved persons may seek legal remedy when faced with such discrimination. In addition, the bill directs agencies to follow certain requirements concerning environmental justice. For example, agencies must prepare community impact reports that assess the potential impacts of their actions on environmental justice communities under certain circumstances. Further, it creates a variety of advisory bodies and positions, such as the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement. Among other things, the group must issue an environmental justice strategy. It also establishes requirements and programs concerning chemicals or toxic ingredients in certain products. For example, the bill (1) requires certain products (e.g., cosmetics) to include a list of ingredients or warnings; and (2) provides grants for research on designing safer alternatives to chemicals in certain consumer, cleaning, toy, or baby products that have an inherent toxicity or that are associated with chronic adverse health effects. Finally, it creates a variety of funding programs, such as a grant program to enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban areas.Coordination for Soil Carbon Research and Monitoring Act
HR #6232 | Last Action: 3/1/2024Coordination for Soil Carbon Research and Monitoring Act
HR #641 | Last Action: 2/28/2025ARPA–H20 Act of 2020
HR #6113 | Last Action: 3/5/2020ARPA-H20 Act of 2020 This bill establishes the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Water within the Environmental Protection Agency to provide funding for projects concerning the treatment of drinking water or wastewater at water systems that serve the public. The water systems must be large decentralized systems that provide treatment for at least two households. The projects must be intended to enhance, through the deployment of advanced technologies, the treatment, monitoring, delivery, affordability, and safety of * drinking water provided by a water system, * wastewater or stormwater discharged by a water system, * groundwater or well water used for drinking water, or * activities carried out by a water system for the purposes of enhancing public health or environmental safety.Water Power Research and Development Act
HR #6084 | Last Action: 3/4/2020Water Power Research and Development Act This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out programs of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for water power technologies, hydropower, and marine energy technologies. Additionally, DOE must award grants to institutions of higher education for the continuation and expansion of research and development at the National Marine Energy Centers and the establishments of new centers.Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act
HR #542 | Last Action: 1/14/2019Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to designate the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory as a science and technology laboratory responsible for testing and evaluating emerging technologies and conducting research and development to assist emergency response providers in preparing for, and protecting against, threats of terrorism. The laboratory shall (1) conduct tests, evaluations, and assessments of current and emerging technologies for emergency response providers, including cybersecurity of such technologies that can connect to the internet; (2) conduct research and development on radiological and nuclear response and recovery; and (3) act as a technical advisor to emergency response providers.Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2019
HR #601 | Last Action: 3/4/2019Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2019 This bill establishes a new, separate registration process for manufacturers of cannabis for research. As a part of this process, the Drug Enforcement Administration must annually assess whether there is an adequate and uninterrupted supply of research cannabis and register additional manufacturers. The bill also authorizes health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide information to veterans regarding participation in federally approved cannabis clinical trials.Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act of 2019
S #1251 | Last Action: 4/30/2019Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act of 2019 This bill addresses contaminants of emerging concern (emerging contaminants), which are not regulated under a national primary drinking water regulation and may have an adverse effect on human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must review federal efforts to (1) identify, monitor, and assist in the development of treatment methods for emerging contaminants; and (2) assist states in responding to the human health risks posed by those contaminants. In addition, the EPA must establish a strategic plan for improving those efforts. The EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services must jointly establish an interagency working group to coordinate federal activities that identify and analyze the public health effects of emerging contaminants. The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a National Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative to (1) improve the identification, analysis, monitoring, and treatment methods of emerging contaminants; and (2) support the implementation of its cross-agency plan for addressing research gaps related to detecting, assessing exposure to, and identifying the adverse health effects of such contaminants. Specified federal agencies must make grants for research proposals that are likely to result in significant progress toward achieving the plan's objectives. The EPA must (1) report on actions it may take to increase technical assistance and support for states with respect to emerging contaminants in drinking water samples, and (2) develop a program to provide technical assistance and support to states for the testing and analysis of emerging contaminants. *Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act of 2019
HR #5361 | Last Action: 12/10/2019Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act of 2019 This bill addresses contaminants of emerging concern (emerging contaminants), which are not regulated under a national primary drinking water regulation and may have an adverse effect on human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must review federal efforts to (1) identify, monitor, and assist in the development of treatment methods for emerging contaminants; and (2) assist states in responding to the human health risks posed by those contaminants. In addition, the EPA must establish a strategic plan for improving those efforts. The EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services must jointly establish an interagency working group to coordinate federal activities that identify and analyze the public health effects of emerging contaminants. The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a National Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative to (1) improve the identification, analysis, monitoring, and treatment methods of emerging contaminants; and (2) support the implementation of its cross-agency plan for addressing research gaps related to detecting, assessing exposure to, and identifying the adverse health effects of such contaminants. Specified federal agencies must make grants for research proposals that are likely to result in significant progress toward achieving the plan's objectives. The EPA must (1) report on actions it may take to increase technical assistance and support for states with respect to emerging contaminants in drinking water samples, and (2) develop a program to provide technical assistance and support to states for the testing and analysis of emerging contaminants. *