AMERICAN PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION for AMERICAN PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION
What was lobbied
11 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Utilities UTI
Advocated for passage of information sharing legislation such as the S. 754, Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, H.R. 1560, the Protecting Cyber Networks Act, and H.R. 1731, the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015. Advocated for public power language in conference committee and supported cybersecurity bill in omnibus appropriations bill. Discussed the need for enhanced liability protection for electric utilities that are subject to a cybersecurity attack. Supported H.R. 22, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act. Advocated for grid security provisions from H.R. 8 to be included in this bill once the amendment was filed; negotiated with House and Senate to retain in H.R. 22. Opposed H.R. 1073, the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, S. 1241, the Enhanced Grid Security Act of 2015, and S.1846, a bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to secure critical infrastructure against electromagnetic threats, and for other purposes. S. 720, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2015 and H.R. 873, a bill to promote energy efficiency, and for other purposes. Discussed potential comprehensive energy legislation with House and Senate staff. Supported efforts to delete Section 433 of EISA 2007 of S. 869, which mandates that all federal buildings use no fossil fuel by 2030. Advocated for specific positions to be included in H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015, which has provisions on capacity markets, cybersecurity, distributed generation, energy efficiency, hydropower licensing reform, pipeline permitting, and reliability. Opposed certain distributed generation/PURPA amendments to H.R. 8 during floor consideration. Also, advocated on similar issues in S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. Continued working to ensure that small utilities that are defined as small businesses under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act get appropriate consideration under any pending and future EPA and FERC regulations. Worked to ensure that S. 1536, the Senate companion bill to H.R. 527, which modified the Regulatory Flexibility Act, included language to fix Small Business Administration size standard issue. Expressed support for H.R. 2358, the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act, that was approved by the House Committee on Natural Resources. Expressed concerns about or opposition to markets issues related to regional transmission organizations, including proposed energy imbalance market and existing mandatory capacity markets. Encouraged oversight of FERC more generally. While not a federal issue, discussed issues surrounding distributed generation (namely, rooftop solar) with DOE staff and with some offices on Capitol Hill such that it remains at state/local issue. Discussed the issue of the availability of spare transformers with DOE and others. Expressed support for S. 485, the APPROVAL ACT, Assuring Private Property Rights Over Vast Access to Land Act.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOY DITTO | — |
| JOHN GODFREY | — |
| AMY THOMAS | — |
| CORY TOTH | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Railroads RRR
Supported removal of the antitrust exemptions for the railroads, and supported reforms at the Surface Transportation Board in order to ensure that rail customers are not the subject of monopoly shipping rates. Advocated for passage of S. 808 Surface Transportation Board Re-authorization Act of 2015, which passed the House and signed into law. Monitored S. 853, the Rail Shipper Fairness Act of 2015.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| AMY THOMAS | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Copyright/Patent/Trademark CPT
Monitored efforts in Congress to address abuse of the patent system by patent assertion entities (PAEs), commonly known as patent trolls. Worked to ensure legislation is introduced to address patent assertion entities. Supported S. 1137, the PATENT Act that targets abusive patent ligation practices and supported H. R. 9, the Innovation Act.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN
Advocated for passage of H.R. 2041/S.1111, the Public Power Risk Management Act - modifying final rule on swap dealers under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act regarding special entities and the $25 million ceiling on their hedging transactions. Supported more limited role in Dodd-Frank for non-profit energy end-users. Supported funding for CFTC so that it can properly manage implementation of Dodd-Frank. Supported H.R 2289, the Commodity End-User Relief Act that addresses the treatment of swaps with utility special entities.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN GODFREY | — |
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
Supported the continued use of tax-exempt financing for municipal/public power purposes, and opposed provisions and legislation to tax municipal bonds. Monitored impacts of sequestration on Build America Bonds (BABs).
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOY DITTO | — |
| JOHN GODFREY | — |
| AMY THOMAS | — |
| CORY TOTH | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Telecommunications TEC
Monitored pole attachment rate issue and educated House and Senate staff on this issue.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOY DITTO | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Budget/Appropriations BUD
Opposed any efforts to change the purpose of the Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) from marketing clean federal hydropower. Relayed APPA concerns to Department of Energy regarding dam safety cost allocation and asked to look into signing letter on F.R Docket 2015-12888. Opposed to modifying or eliminating tax-exempt financing in any budget proposal, including FY 2016 Administration proposal to cap deductions at 28 percent for higher income earners. Monitored Nuclear Regulatory Commission appropriations allocations for the Department of Energy, the federal Power Marketing Administrations, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Supported Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOY DITTO | — |
| JOHN GODFREY | — |
| AMY THOMAS | — |
Environment/Superfund ENV
Monitored issues related to the Endangered Species Act -- support efforts to review the law and improve it. Supported legislation (H.R. 1734, the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015) re: EPA regulation of coal ash as a non-hazardous waste. Monitored H.R. 2576, the House of Representatives update to the Toxic Substance Control Act and advocated for passage in the House and Senate. Monitored and advocated for passage of S.697, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.
Aviation/Airlines/Airports AVI
Monitored issues related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and advocated the use of UAV for utility related operations (Docket FAA-2015-0150). Monitoring Federal Aviation Administration re-authorization legislation for related developments.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN GODFREY | — |
Energy/Nuclear ENG
Supported bills to ensure regulatory relief for hydro facilities. Supported legislation in the House and Senate energy bills development to streamline hydro and relicensing for all sites of hydro facilities. Supported a hydro amendment to H.R.8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015, on hydropower licensing/relicensing reform. Monitored agency implementation of hydro bills that passed in the 113th Congress (H.R. 678, H.R. 267). Monitored Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and nuclear waste issues (S. 854: Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2015).
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOY DITTO | — |
| AMY THOMAS | — |
| CORY TOTH | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Clean Air and Water (quality) CAW
Expressed strong concerns about EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan and the impact on public power. Relayed our concerns about docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602. Also, discussed our concerns regarding ozone NAAQS rules. Opposed to EPA's proposed Waters of the U.S. rule under the Clean Water Act. Supported S.J. Res. 23, S.J. Res. 24, H.J. Res. 71, and H.J. Res. 72, disapproval resolutions on EPA rules to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing plants. Supported S. 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act. Supported H.R. 2042, the Ratepayer Protection Act, and companion legislation S. 1324, the Affordable Reliable Electricity Now Act of 2015.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOY DITTO | — |
| AMY THOMAS | — |
| CORY TOTH | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Shown as published by the Senate Office of Public Records and the House Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The official filing is the record; open it for the full form.