NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION (NRECA) for NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION (NRECA)

Intelligence INT

Issues related to critical infrastructural protection, including information sharing processes and protections, clearances and background checks, roles and responsibilities, assessments, and public/private partnerships. Issues related to data privacy and protection. Issues related to enhanced screenings for critical employees to address potential insider threats.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

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. Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 (S. 347) - related to IRS Testing and PBGC Premiums for Co-op & Charity Pension Plans Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to exclude the receipts and disbursements of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) from the federal budget. H.R. 4955 Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to exclude the receipts and disbursements of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) from the federal budget. (The PBGC is a federal agency that insures the benefits of private sector, defined benefit pension plans. The PBGC receives no federal funds and is financed by insurance premiums paid by sponsors of the plans, investment income, assets from pension plans taken over by the PBGC, and recoveries from the companies formerly responsible for the plans.) S.3240 This bill prohibits provisions that increase or extend an increase of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums from being counted as an offset to determine budget points of order for legislation in the House or the Senate. (The PBGC is a federal agency that insures the benefits of private sector, defined benefit pension plans. The PBGC is financed by insurance premiums paid by sponsors of the plans, investment income, assets from pension plans taken over by the PBGC, and recoveries from the companies formerly responsible for the plans. This bill prevents increases in PBGC premiums from being used to pay for provisions that increase the deficit in determining whether a budget point of order applies to legislation.)

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: S. 266 (114th), H.R. 557 (114th), H.R. 4955 (114th), S. 347 (114th), S. 3240 (114th)

Energy/Nuclear ENG

House amendment to S. 2012. 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. Provisions to streamline hydropower relicensing process. Provisions related to energy savings performance process and to allow for vegetation management in utility rights of way. Cloture Motion regarding S.2012 to go to conference with the House of Representatives. 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. Provisions to streamline hydropower relicensing process. Provisions related to energy savings performance process. Amendments to allow for vegetation management in utility rights of way. Issues or amendments related to a Strategic Transformer Reserve program, and for other purposes. H.R.2358: Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act A bill to facilitate vegetation management in utility rights-of-way. H.R.3303, S.1891: Coal Royalty Fairness and Communities Investment Act, Coal Royalty Fairness Act of 2015 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. Implementation Issues with P.L. 114-11: Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015 S.2012: The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 The Senate-House Conference Committee to resolve the differences between the House and Senate energy bills resulted in several proposals that were considered by the conferees. The proposals included 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. Provisions to streamline hydropower relicensing process. Provisions related to energy savings performance process. Amendments to allow for vegetation management in utility rights of way. 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.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 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. Issues related to the implementation of H.R. 22: Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (P.L. 114-94). H.R. 2984: Fair Ratepayer Accountability, Transparency, and Efficiency Standards Act Draft legislation to implement the research and development of electric resistance water heaters in energy storage.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 22 (114th), H.R. 8 (114th), S. 1405 (114th), S. 2012 (114th), S. 1221 (114th), S. 1241 (114th), S. 869 (114th), S. 1222 (114th), H.R. 2984 (114th), H.R. 2358 (114th), H.R. 3303 (114th), S. 1891 (114th)

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 Clean Air Act enforcement relating to the GHG regulations and their effects on small business.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 527 (114th)

Banking BAN

P.L.111-203: Issues related to the implementation of The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. H.R. 4575: The Improving Rural Access to Power Act. Legislation that includes a clarification allowing Federal Home Loan (FHLB) investments in National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) securities.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 4575 (114th)

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.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: S. 1405 (114th), S. 808 (114th), S. 1634 (114th), H.R. 3651 (114th), S. 853 (114th)

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.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 2358 (114th)

Agriculture AGR

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.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Transportation TRA

H.R.3038: Highway and Transportation Funding Act, Part II S.1647: Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act S. 2658: Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016 Legislation pertaining to unmanned aerial vehicle uses for electric utility applications.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: S. 2658 (114th), S. 1647 (114th), H.R. 3038 (114th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

H.R.636: America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015 Issues related to tax provisions expiring in 2016 (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.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. H.R. 4622; Carbon Capture Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration, to: (1) make such credit permanent after 2015; (2) increase such credit after 2024 for a qualified facility originally placed in service after December 31, 2015; (3) allow such credit to a person who disposes of, or uses as a tertiary injectant, the carbon dioxide; and (4) modify the definition of "qualified facility" for purposes of eligibility for such credit to require not less than 150,000 metric tons (currently, 500,000 metric tons) to be captured at such a facility during the taxable year. S. 1285; Coal with Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the Department of Energy to enter into 25-year binding contracts that provide price stabilization support for electricity generated at either an electric generation unit (that uses coal-based generation technology) or carbon dioxide captured from such unit and subsequently sold to a purchaser for either crude oil recovery or other commercial market purposes. HR 5167 Technologies for Energy Security Act The Bill: Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the credit for residential and commercial energy efficient property and the energy investment tax credit. Seeking an extension of renewable tax credits specifically for Sec. 25(D)and 48(C)of the IRC as related to geothermal energy. H.R. 5172 Extension and Phaseout of Credits for Certain Property The Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the credit commercial energy efficient property and the energy investment tax credit in section 48 of the IRC. S 1755 Extension of Credit for Residential Energy Efficiency Property The Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the credit residential energy efficient property and the energy investment tax credit in section 25D of the IRC. S. 3179 Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Act The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve and extend the credit for carbon dioxide sequestration. HR 5879 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the credit for production from advanced nuclear power facilities. Allows the transfer of the tax credit by certain public entities top eligible project partners

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 2584 (114th), H.R. 4622 (114th), H.R. 5172 (114th), S. 3179 (114th), H.R. 5167 (114th), S. 1285 (114th), H.R. 879 (114th), H.R. 636 (114th), H.R. 2050 (114th), S. 2075 (114th), H.R. 5879 (114th), S. 2045 (114th)

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. S. 2969, the Disaster Management Act of 2016: Issues related to policies, processes and programs for electric cooperatives' access and application to Federal Emergency Management Disaster Relief Funds. HR 2647- Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015: Issues related to use of disaster relief funds. Discussion Draft - Wildfire Budgeting, Response, and Forest Management Act: issues related to funding streams and recovery post fire. Issues related to planning, preparing, mitigating and recovery from incidents.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 1471 (114th), S. 2969 (114th), H.R. 2647 (114th)

Telecommunications TEC

Draft legislation in the House Energy & Commerce Committee to encourage broadband deployment. -Provisions related to protect the Electric Cooperative exemption from FCC pole attachment regulation Issues related to rural broadband deployment and implementation of the Connect America Fund Phase II at the FCC Issues related to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and its impact on Electric Co-ops. H.R. 3998/S. 1869, Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act (SANDY Act): Issues around Stafford Act and recovery planning.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: S. 1869 (114th), H.R. 3998 (114th)

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 DRAFT bills to repeal and amend ACA 40% excise tax on group health plans Issues related to Patient Choice, Affordability, Responsibility, and Empowerment Act (unnumbered; ACA replacement)

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: S. 2075 (114th), S. 2045 (114th), H.R. 2712 (114th), H.R. 2050 (114th), H.R. 879 (114th)

Foreign Relations FOR

Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. Issues related to the funding of the Cooperative Development Program and the 150 account in the FY 2017 State and Foreign Operations.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Budget/Appropriations BUD

H.R. 2028, Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Issues pertaining to limitation language on any changes to the definition of waters under federal control, which includes the Waters of the U.S. rule. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Issues pertaining to providing funding for the Surface Transportation Board. Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. Issues related to funding for the Cooperative Development Program and the 150 account. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Issues related to the appropriations for the RUS Electric Loan Program, the Guaranteed Underwriter Program, and the Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program and the Rural Energy Savings Program and title 6205 of H.R. 2642: The Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L.113-79) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Issues related to LIHEAP Funding S.3040/H.R. 5926. Interior Appropriations Act - Issues related to funding restrictions for lesser prairie chicken, sage grouse, northern long ear bat. Issues related to the EPA's final coal combustion residuals regulation. Issues related to the Administration's rulemaking on the "Clean Power Plan" and it's potential impact on the RUS loan portfolio. Issues related to the Administration's proposal to lower the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Ozone pursuant to the Clean Air Act. H.R.4955 - Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to exclude the receipts and disbursements of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation from the Federal budget. H.R. 2577/H.R. 5325 - Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 and Zika Response and Preparedness Act. Provisions related to allowing a temporary waiver of NPDES permit requirements for pesticide applications to address mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: S. 3040 (114th), H.R. 5926 (114th), H.R. 5325 (114th), H.R. 4955 (114th), H.R. 2577 (114th), H.R. 2028 (114th), H.R. 2642 (114th)

Environment/Superfund ENV

H.R.2358: Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act A bill to facilitate vegetation management in utility rights-of-way. 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 and Greater Sage Grouse. 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.1645: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 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. S. 2902, Western Water Supply and Planning Enhancement Act of 2016; Provisions of this bill dealing with potential reservoir operations changes and protecting existing federal hydropower users. H.R. 5303, S. 2848, S. 612, Water Resources Development Act; Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act) Provisions of the bill dealing with potential reservoir operations changes and protecting existing federal hydropower users. Provisions addressing easement renewal fees imposed on electric co-ops by the Corps of Engineers. H.R. 4909/S. 2943, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 Provisions of the bill dealing with Endangered Species

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 2822 (114th), S. 2943 (114th), S. 612 (114th), S. 848 (114th), H.R. 5303 (114th), S. 2902 (114th), H.R. 4909 (114th), S. 1645 (114th), S. 2848 (114th), H.R. 2358 (114th)

Homeland Security HOM

Issues related to the implementation of S.754: Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015. H.R.1073/S.1846: Critical Infrastructure Protection Act: issues related to planning, assessments, research and exercises around electromagnetic pulses. H.R. 4909/S. 2943, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. Issues around cybersecurity & electromagnetic pulses. S.1846: Critical Infrastructure Protection Act: issues related to planning, assessments, research and exercises around electromagnetic pulses. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to secure critical infrastructure against electromagnetic threats. S. 2817: Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act: issues related to space weather and the electric grid. S. 3018: Securing Energy Infrastructure Act: issues related to grid security and recovery including research and development as well as existing capabilities. H.R. 6277 Grid Cybersecurity Research & Development Act: issues around security research and development for the electric sector. Issues related to the Department of Homeland Security programs and resources available to or beneficial for critical infrastructure including 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, information sharing and protection, education, engagement, assessments, gaps and security postures. This encompasses all physical and cyber security hazards to the electric grid including electromagnetic pulses and geomagnetic disturbance. Issues related to data privacy and protection. Issues related to enhanced screenings for critical employees to address potential insider threats.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 1073 (114th), H.R. 6277 (114th), S. 2817 (114th), S. 2943 (114th), H.R. 4909 (114th), S. 1846 (114th), S. 754 (114th), S. 3018 (114th)

Clean Air and Water (quality) CAW

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. S. 612 - Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN)

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: S. 612 (114th)