AMERICAN PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION for AMERICAN PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION
What was lobbied
8 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Clean Air and Water (quality) CAW
Support legislation to define parameters of EPA regulation of coal ash as a non-hazardous waste -- H.R. 1391 and H.R. 2273. Express concerns about regulation of cooling water intake structures (known as 316(b)) by EPA. Concern about air regulations on power plants being promulgated by EPA, including utility MACT (MATS), and support for the TRAIN Act to require multiple agencies to do cost-benefit analysis of EPA regs -- H.R. 2401. Monitoring possible revisions to EPA's final rule on reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE). Monitoring EPA's pending decision (occurred in April 2012) on New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) on greenhouse gas emissions on power plants. Continue to express concerns, particularly to FERC and EPA, about fuel switching from coal to natural gas and the operational implications therein.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOY DITTO | — |
| JAMES J NIPPER | — |
| SETH VOYLES | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Railroads RRR
Support for reform of the Surface Transportation Board to better take into consideration the needs of captive shippers such as in the bill S. 158. Support for removal of the antitrust exemptions for the railroads for the same reason -- S. 49. Also support efforts by Congress to urge the STB to review its policy on an acquisition premium for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad, which would be charged to captive shippers.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| WILLIAM COFFMAN | — |
| JOY DITTO | — |
| JAMES J NIPPER | — |
Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN
Monitoring implementation of legislation, H.R. 4173 (known as the Frank-Dodd Wall Street Reform Act), regulating over-the-counter derivatives markets that our members use to hedge natural gas and electricity prices, to ensure that exemptions for end-users of energy from mandatory clearing are retained, and the role of the FERC is preserved over financial transmission rights in regional transmission organization markets, among other issues. Also support more limited role in Dodd-Frank for non-profit end-users.
Utilities UTI
Supporting technology research and development related to electricity infrastructure technologies, including smart grid; expressing concerns about electricity markets issues related to regional transmission organizations; monitoring cyber security legislation involving the electric utility sector, including S. 1342, as well as the House GRID Act from the previous Congress (now in draft form), the SHIELD Act from this Congress, and the draft Seante HSGAC/Commerce bill from this Congress. and the House Intelligence Committee cyber bill from this Congress (Rogers bill). Monitor rulemakings, legislation, & hearings related to transmission policy, including transmission incentive rates. Monitor funding and other policy issues related to electric vehicles and their integration into the electric grid. Discussion with FEMA regarding mutual aid agreements and utility restoration after natural disasters. Support draft legislation to enable power plants to run in emergency situations without being penalized by EPA for environmental (emissions) violations (Olson-Terry bill). Monitor efforts by DOE to expedite transmission siting on federal lands per authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Ensuring utilities were treated appropriately for purposes of allowing eminent domain under private property rights bill -- H.R. 1433. Work to ensure small utilities that are defined as small businesses under SBREFA, get appropriate consideration under any pending and future EPA and FERC regulations.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| WILLIAM COFFMAN | — |
| JOY DITTO | — |
| AMY HILLE | — |
| JAMES J NIPPER | — |
| SETH VOYLES | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
Support the continued use of tax-exempt financing for municipal/public power purposes, and oppose provisions, like those included in the Administration's FY 2013 budget proposal, to tax municipal bonds. Support Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, the comparable incentive to the production tax credit for public power development of renewable resources.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| WILLIAM COFFMAN | — |
| JOY DITTO | — |
| AMY HILLE | — |
| JAMES J NIPPER | — |
| SETH VOYLES | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Telecommunications TEC
Opposition to utility pole attachment regulations promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission. Monitor smart grid programs and their intersection with the telecommunications industry, and respond to requests for meetings and information on the subject to DOE. Monitor privacy-related bill involving data collection through smart grid, S. 1029 -- have concerns about bill as drafted. Support for the need to allow electric utilities to access spectrum for wireless; monitoring -- S. 911, and H.R. 3630.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JOY DITTO | — |
| JAMES J NIPPER | — |
| DESMARIE M WATERHOUSE | — |
Budget/Appropriations BUD
Support for Power Marketing Administration funding and operation and maintenance of hydropower facilities at hydropower facilities at Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation dams. Opposition to taking the Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) to market-based as opposed to cost-based rates in any budget proposal. Opposition to DOE Secretary Chu memo of March 16, 2012, to drastically change the purpose of the PMAs from marketing federal hydropower to promoting non-hydro renewables. Opposition to eliminating tax-exempt financing in any budget proposal. Support for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| WILLIAM COFFMAN | — |
| JOY DITTO | — |
| AMY HILLE | — |
Energy/Nuclear ENG
Support bill encouraging energy efficiency, S. 1000. Monitor the Hydropower Improvement Act in the Senate, and support bills to ensure regulatory relief for small hydro facilities, such as H.R. 795, H.R. 2842 and H.R. 3680. Monitor activities of NRC on Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository and congressional oversight thereof (support Yucca Mountain). Monitor NRC and congressional response to Fukushima event in Japan and implications for existing and new nuclear power generation. Monitor issues related to the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| WILLIAM COFFMAN | — |
| JOY DITTO | — |
| AMY HILLE | — |
| SETH VOYLES | — |
| 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.