SENSE Act

Fact Sheet API

Bill Number

HR 3797

Introduced

Oct 22, 2015

Latest Action

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

Sponsor

Cosponsors

Topics

Administrative law and regulatory procedures Air quality Coal Electric power generation and transmission Environmental Protection Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental regulatory procedures Hazardous wastes and toxic substances Solid waste and recycling

Full Text

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Votes

Summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act or the SENSE Act

(Sec. 2) This bill modifies the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule as it applies to certain electric utility steam generating units (electric power plants) that convert coal refuse into energy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must maintain the existing limits for sulfur dioxide emissions from coal refuse utilities under the cap-and-trade system, instead of applying the more restrictive limits that are scheduled to go into effect in 2017. (Under the current system, a cap sets a limit on emissions. The cap is lowered over time to reduce the amount of pollutants released. Utilities may only emit as much carbon as permitted under their allowances, which may be traded with others.) Thus, the EPA must allocate to coal refuse utilities in 2017 and subsequent years the same number of emissions allowances for sulfur dioxide that have been previously allocated to coal refuse utilities, instead of reducing allowances.

After January 1, 2017, a coal refuse utility may not trade any unused sulfur dioxide allowances. Those allowances may be saved by the coal refuse utilities for use in future compliance periods.

The EPA may not increase the total number of allowances for sulfur dioxide emissions from all sources that are allocated to each state.

The bill eases emission limits for hazardous air pollutants from coal refuse utilities. The EPA must allow the utilities to meet compliance requirements by meeting the maximum achievable control technology standards for either hydrogen chloride or sulfur dioxide.

Actions

Mar 16, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mar 15, 2016

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 15, 2016

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 231 - 183 (Roll no. 123). (text: CR H1371)
Mar 15, 2016

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 231 - 183 (Roll no. 123).(text: CR H1371)
Mar 15, 2016

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 173 - 236 (Roll no. 122). (consideration: CR H1381)
Mar 15, 2016

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H1380)
Mar 15, 2016

DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Motion to Recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new section that adds parameters for an effective date.
Mar 15, 2016

Ms. Adams moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (consideration: CR H1379-1381; text: CR H1379)
Mar 15, 2016

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H1379)
Mar 15, 2016

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3797.
Mar 15, 2016

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Mar 15, 2016

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Veasey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Veasey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 15, 2016

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 640, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Veasey amendment No. 5.
Mar 15, 2016

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 640, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Peters amendment No. 4.
Mar 15, 2016

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Bera amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Bera demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 15, 2016

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 640, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bera amendment No. 3.
Mar 15, 2016

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Pallone amendment No.2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 15, 2016

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 640, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pallone amendment No. 2.
Mar 15, 2016

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Pallone amendment No.1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 15, 2016

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 640, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pallone amendment No. 1
Mar 15, 2016

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3797.
Mar 15, 2016

The Speaker designated the Honorable Lynn A. Westmoreland to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Mar 15, 2016

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 640 and Rule XVIII.
Mar 15, 2016

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4596 and H.R. 3797.
Mar 15, 2016

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 640. (consideration: CR H1365-1381)
Mar 15, 2016

Rule H. Res. 640 passed House.
Mar 14, 2016

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 640 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4596 and H.R. 3797.
Mar 7, 2016

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 340.
Mar 7, 2016

Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-445.
Feb 25, 2016

Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 22.
Feb 25, 2016

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 24, 2016

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 11, 2016

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Feb 11, 2016

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 10, 2016

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 3, 2016

Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Oct 23, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Oct 22, 2015

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Oct 22, 2015

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7094-7095)
Oct 22, 2015

Introduced in House

Amendments

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