NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION (NRECA) for NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION (NRECA)
What was lobbied
18 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Energy/Nuclear ENG
H.R. 8: The North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 Provisions to streamline the interstate natural gas pipeline permitting process; require a reliability impact statement involving major regulation; address cybersecurity needs; establish liability protections regarding voluntary and mandatory compliance with Department of Energy emergency orders and a reliability impact statement; repeal of existing statutory language requiring new Federal buildings and those that undergo major renovations to end the purchase of fossil fuel-based electricity by 2030. H.R.1558: the Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Act of 2015 Language to provide a defense to liability where electric utility compliance with a Department of Energy emergency order to generate electricity results in violations of environmental laws or regulations. H.R.1734, S. 1803: The Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015 Legislation to provide nonhazardous regulation of coal combustion residuals. H.R.2244: Strategic Transformer Reserve Program Modernizing and Protection Infrastructure Subtitle-Energy Reliability and Security Section 1205 - To establish a Strategic Transformer Reserve program, and for other purposes. H.R.2271: Critical Electric Infrastructure Protection Act Modernizing and Protection Infrastructure Subtitle-Energy Reliability and Security Section 1204 - A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to protect the bulk-power system from cyber security threats including FOIA exemptions, emergency authority and clearance prioritization. H.R.2358: Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act H.R.3303, S.1891: Coal Royalty Fairness and Communities Investment Act, Coal Royalty Fairness Act of 2015 H.R.2576: The TSCA Modernization Act of 2015 Provision to permit continued use of existing electrical transformers. P.L. 114-11: Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015 Title II of the bill includes provisions to improve and promote energy efficiency in buildings, and to permit the manufacture of large capacity (exceeding 75 gallons) electric resistance water heaters for demand response programs. S.2012: The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 Provisions to streamline the interstate natural gas pipeline permitting process; require a reliability impact statement involving major regulation; address cybersecurity needs; language establishing (a) liability protections regarding emergency orders and (b) a reliability impact statement that are important to co-ops were addressed; a report to be prepared to study resource adequacy at regional transmission organizations and wholesale electricity markets including the ability of co-ops to self-supply their service territory load; repeal existing statutory language requiring new Federal buildings and those that experience major renovations to end the purchase of fossil fuel-based electricity by 2030. S.697: Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act. S.869: All-of-the-Above Federal Building Energy Conservation Act of 2015 This bill would repeal statutory language requiring the federal government to refrain from purchasing fossil fuel-based electricity by 2030 and replace the language with new energy efficiency requirements. S.1068: Cyber Emergency Authority A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to protect the bulk-power system from cyber security threats, cost recovery language. S.1221: Bulk-Power System Reliability Impact Statement Act Allows a reliability coordinator to prepare a reliability impact statement regarding a major federal regulation that may significantly affect the reliable operation of the bulk-power system. S.1222: Continuity of Electric Capacity Resources Act S.1241: Enhanced Grid Security Act of 2015 A bill to require DOE to create a cyber-resilience program, conduct a study on ES-ISAC (funding mechanism) and designate DOE as SSA for cyber in energy sector. Authorizes 100 million per fiscal year 2017-2022. S.1405: Severe Fuel Supply Emergency Response Act of 2015 Issues related to cyber and physical security for electric utilities. Issues related to Senate & House Comprehensive Energy Packages. Issues related to the Administrations proposal to lower the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Ozone pursuant to the Clean Air Act. Issues related to permitting/utility access to federal electricity rights-of-way for vegetation management and routine maintenance. Issues related to Department of Energy fossil energy funding.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JULIE BARKEMEYER | — |
| BRIDGETTE BOURGE | — |
| JOHN CASSADY | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| RYAN S. SEROTE | — |
| MONTEE WYNN | — |
Transportation TRA
H.R.3038: Highway and Transportation Funding Act, Part II S.1647: Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
Homeland Security HOM
H.R.234: Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes, protections, responsibilities and public/private partnerships. H.R.1560: Protecting Cyber Networks Act Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes, protections, responsibilities and public/private partnerships. H.R.1731: National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015 Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes, protections, responsibilities and public/private partnerships. S.456: Cyber Threat Sharing Act of 2015 S.754: Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes, protections, responsibilities and public/private partnerships. H.R.1073: CIPA To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to secure critical infrastructure against electromagnetic threats. H.R.1735: Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act Issues on cybersecurity. H.R.2244: Strategic Transformer Reserve Program H.R.2402: Protecting Critical Infrastructure Act S.1846: Amend Homeland Security Act to secure infrastructure against electromagnetic threats - Critical Infrastructure Protection Act Issues related to Energy Reliability and Security Discussion Draft (Abundance of Architecture). Issues related to the physical and cyber security of the electric grid including electromagnetic pulses and geomagnetic disturbance. Issues related to the Department of Homeland Security programs and resources available to or beneficial for critical infrastructure. Issues related to clarification of the SAFETY Act in regards to significant cyber security incidents. Issues related to critical infrastructure security including public/private and cross sector partnerships, roles, responsibilities, education, engagement, gaps and security postures. Issues related to data privacy and protection.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRIDGETTE BOURGE | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
Banking BAN
P.L.111-203: Issues related to the implementation of The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Draft legislation that includes a clarification allowing Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) investments in National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) securities.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JULIE BARKEMEYER | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
Railroads RRR
H.R.3651: Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015 Extends implementation of positive train control on railroad locomotives which will allow freight railroads to deliver coal to power-plants. S.808: Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015 Issues affecting captive shippers. S.853: Rail Shipper Fairness Act of 2015 Issues affecting captive shippers. S.1405: Severe Fuel Supply Emergency Response Act of 2015 S.1634: Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2015 Issues related to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2016.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
Utilities UTI
H.R.2358: Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act A bill to enhance reliability of the electric grid and reduce the threat of wildfires to and from electric transmission and distribution facilities on federal lands by facilitating vegetation management on such lands. Issues related to permitting/utility access to federal electricity rights of way for vegetation management and routine maintenance.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ELIZABETH TATE BENNETT New | — |
| JOHN CASSADY | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| RYAN S. SEROTE | — |
Agriculture AGR
H.R. 2289: Commodity End User Relief Act, legislation to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission operations, including certain end-user exemptions from requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act. P.L. 111-203: Issues related to the implementation of The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Issues related to the potential impact of the Administrations rulemaking on the Clean Power Plan on the Rural Utilities Service loan portfolio. Issues related to rural broadband deployment including electric co-ops pole attachment rates.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JULIE BARKEMEYER | — |
| ELIZABETH TATE BENNETT | — |
| JOHN CASSADY | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| TAMMY EMBREY | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
H.R.636: America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015 Issues related to tax provisions expiring in 2015 (tax extenders). H.R.879: Ax the Tax on Middle Class Americans' Health Plans Act Repealing ACA 40% excise tax on group health plans. H.R.2050: Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015 Repealing ACA 40% excise tax on group health plans. H.R.2584: Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2015 S.1946: Tax Relief Extension Act of 2015 Extends tax provisions for two years namely the production tax credit which can help are co-ops with partners in wind generation facilities. S.2045: Middle Class Health Care Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015 Legislation to repeal the 40% ACA Excise Tax (aka the Cadillac Tax). S.2075: American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act of 2015 Legislation to repeal the 40% ACA Excise Tax (aka the Cadillac Tax). Issues around tax reform as it impacts electric cooperatives. Issues related to the Nuclear Production Tax Credit.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN | — |
Disaster Planning/Emergencies DIS
H.R.1471: FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act of 2015 Issues related to policies, processes and programs for electric cooperatives' access and application to Federal Emergency Management Disaster Relief Funds. Issues related to emergency routes for utility vehicles including a draft Infrastructure Emergency Recovery Act and amendments to House and Senate energy packages.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRIDGETTE BOURGE | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
Retirement RET
H.R.557, S.266: Retirement Security Act of 2015 Issues regarding multiple-employer plans. Draft Tax Reform proposals related to changes in retirement tax policy.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN | — |
Telecommunications TEC
Issues related to rural broadband deployment and the Connect America Fund. Issues related to Pole Attachments and Broadband Telecommunications policy.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JULIE BARKEMEYER | — |
| ELIZABETH TATE BENNETT | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| TAMMY EMBREY | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
Health Issues HCR
H.R.879: Ax the Tax on Middle Class Americans' Health Plans Act Repealing ACA 40% excise tax on group health plans. H.R. 2050: Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015 Repealing ACA 40% excise tax on group health plans. H.R.2712: Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act of 2015 Providing flexibility for required employer reporting requirements of ACA. S.2045: Middle Class Health Care Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015 Legislation to repeal the 40% ACA Excise Tax (aka the Cadillac Tax). S.2075: American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act of 2015 Legislation to repeal the 40% ACA Excise Tax (aka the Cadillac Tax). DRAFT bills to repeal and amend ACA 40% excise tax on group health plans Patient Choice, Affordability, Responsibility, and Empowerment Act (unnumbered; ACA replacement) IRS Notice 2015-16 (requesting comment on possible approaches for regulations implementing ACA 40% excise tax on group health plans)
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN | — |
Foreign Relations FOR
H.R.2847, S.1933: Electrify Africa Act of 2015 This bill directs the President to establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions, including renewable energy, to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth. H.R.2772, S. 1725: Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016 Funding the Cooperative Development Program in the FY 2016 State and Foreign Operations. Issues related to Electrify Africa Act of 2014. Setting guiding policy language for U.S. investment in bringing access to electricity in Africa.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ELIZABETH TATE BENNETT New | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| ABBIE LAUGTUG | — |
Small Business SMB
H.R.527: Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 To ensure treatment of co-ops as small businesses for regulatory purposes. Issues related to the Administrations rulemaking on Waters of the U.S and its effects on small business. Issues related to the Clean Air Act enforcement relating to the GHG regulations and their effects on small business.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOHN CASSADY | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| TAMMY EMBREY | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| RYAN S. SEROTE | — |
Budget/Appropriations BUD
H.R.119, S.399: Budget and Accounting Transparency Act of 2015 H.R.2028: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Issues pertaining to Section 105 or limitation language on any changes to the definition of waters under federal control, which includes the Waters of the U.S. rule. H.R.2577: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Issues pertaining providing funding for the Surface Transportation Board. H.R.2578: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 H.R.2772: Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016 Funding the Cooperative Development Program. H.R.3049, S.1800: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Issues related to the appropriations for the RUS Electric Loan Program, the Guaranteed Underwriter Program, and the Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program, and title 6205 of H.R. 2642: The Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L.113-79) H.R.3128, S.1619: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2016 Issues related to FEMA, the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act) and private sector critical infrastructure programs. S.1695: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Issues related to Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. Issues related to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2016. Issues related to Retirement Tax proposals
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JULIE BARKEMEYER | — |
| ELIZABETH TATE BENNETT New | — |
| BRIDGETTE BOURGE | — |
| JOHN CASSADY | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| TAMMY EMBREY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| ABBIE LAUGTUG | — |
| RYAN S. SEROTE | — |
| CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN | — |
| MONTEE WYNN | — |
Environment/Superfund ENV
H.R.897: Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2015 Preventing duplicative regulation of pesticide application. H.R.1589, S. 655: To prohibit the use of funds by the Secretary of the Interior to make a final determination on the listing of the northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. These bills prohibit the use of funds by the Secretary of the Interior to make a final determination on the listing of the northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. H.R.1735, S. 1118: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Provisions to address Endangered Species Act listings. H.R.1997, S 1036: Sage-Grouse Protection and Conservation Act A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance to Western States in the development of statewide conservation and management plans for the protection and recovery of sage-grouse species. H.R.2358: Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act A bill to facilitate vegetation management in utility rights-of-way. H.R. 2749, S.1657: Dams Accountability, Maintenance, and Safety Act A bill to allow for expansion and construction at existing Bureau of Reclamation facilities in order to obtain additional project benefits. H.R.2822: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Limitation on use of funds to implement or enforce threatened species listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken. H.R.2898: Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015 A bill to address drought conditions in California and to ensure hydropower customers are not forced to pay for benefits provided to water users at any potential dam enhancement projects authorized under Section 1001 of the bill. S.848: Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act The bill would protect electric utilities from liability associated from Environmental Protection Act penalties and third party lawsuits where the Department of Energy issues an emergency, must-run order and voluntary or mandatory compliance with the order results in Clean Air Act or other environmental law violations. S.855: Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act A bill to permit Governors of States to regulate intrastate endangered species and intrastate threatened species. S.1645: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Lobbied funding restrictions for EPA for enforcing its carbon pollution proposal under 111 (d) of the Clean Air Act on states that have failed to submit a state plan under the Clean Power Plan (Sec. 417); EPAs Waters of the U.S. Proposal (Section 421); U.S. Fish and Wildlife proposed rule on the Sage-Grouse under the Endangered Species Act. (Section 119); and U.S. Fish and Wildlife to enforce its decision to list the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. (Moran Amendment). Issues related to permitting/utility access to federal electricity rights of way for vegetation management and routine maintenance. Issues related to reforming the Endangered Species Act.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ELIZABETH TATE BENNETT New | — |
| JOHN CASSADY | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| PAUL GUTIERREZ | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| RYAN S. SEROTE | — |
| MONTEE WYNN | — |
Intelligence INT
H.R.234: Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes, protections, responsibilities and public/private partnerships. H.R.1560: Protecting Cyber Networks Act Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes, protections, responsibilities and public/private partnerships. S.456: Cyber Threat Sharing Act of 2015 Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes, protections, responsibilities and public/private partnerships. S.754: Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes, protections, responsibilities and public/private partnerships. Draft National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015 Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes, protections, responsibilities and public/private partnerships. Issues related to data privacy and protection.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRIDGETTE BOURGE | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
Clean Air and Water (quality) CAW
H.R.897: The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2015 Preventing duplicative regulation of pesticide application. H.R.1732: Regulatory Integrity Protection Act To require the EPA and Army Corps to withdraw the proposed Water of the US rule. H.R. 2042: Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015 S.1140: Federal Water Quality Protection Act A bill to require the Army Corps and the EPA to propose a regulation revising the definition of the term Waters of the United States. S.1324: Affordable Reliable Electricity Now Act of 2015 S.1500: Sensible Environmental Protection Act of 2015 Preventing duplicative regulation of pesticide applications. Issues related to Clean Air Act enforcement relating to GHG regulations and new source performance standards for power plants. Issues associated with the Administrations rulemaking on the Waters of the U.S. regulatory proposal. Issues related to Clean Water Act Enforcement.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| ELIZABETH TATE BENNETT | — |
| JOHN CASSADY | — |
| BRIAN CAVEY | — |
| TAMMY EMBREY | — |
| KIRK JOHNSON | — |
| RYAN S. SEROTE | — |
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.