This week, the House will vote on a number of environmental measures including a bill that would slash EPA funding and block many of President Obama’s climate rules. “Lawmakers are expected to consider the Interior and environment appropriations bill, setting up a floor fight. The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved the bill, which would cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by 9 percent and halt a handful of upcoming agency rules.
The House will also vote on the Ratepayer Protection Act. The bill, from Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), would allow states to opt out of the EPA’s proposed rule limiting greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. It would also block implementation of the rule until all legal challenges against it are decided. Finally, a bill overhauling federal chemical safety laws will also be on the House floor. The legislation, which passed a House committee nearly unanimously earlier this month, would direct the EPA to assess dangerous chemicals and let states regulate them as well.” [The Hill]
8point3 Energy Partners, a yieldco partnership between First Solar and SunPower, has announced its pricing for an initial public offering. “The latest in a number of yieldcos formed by renewable energy companies to own and operate renewable energy assets, 8point3 Energy Partners announced pricing for its initial public offering (IPO) of 20,000,000 Class A shares of $21.00 per share.
Set to be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CAFD,” 8point3 will begin trading on June 19, 2015.” [CleanTechnica]
Energy Transfer hasn’t abandoned its bid to buy midstream giant Williams Cos., despite a rejection of its $48 billion offer. The proposed deal came to light Sunday when the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Williams Cos., a major natural gas infrastructure company, said it had turned down an unsolicited, $64-per-share offer from an unnamed suitor. Shortly after 11 p.m., Energy Transfer confirmed it was behind the bid.
Williams said it had retained banking firms Barclays and Lazard and was evaluating whether it should pursue a sale or stay independent. Shortly after, Energy Transfer said it “intends to engage with Williams to the extent that Williams undertakes a fair and even-handed process.” [FuelFix]
