New Legislation

Northeast Debates Benefits And Dangers Of Hydrofracking

Congress Struggles With Funding Repairs To U.S. Capitol Dome

On September 15, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act. The Act “earmarks up to $300 million in federal funding — $30 million annually for 10 years” from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account, and would be available to regional centers to develop new products and train workforces. Fields mentioned in the bill as eligible for the money include “nanotechnology, advanced ceramics, photonics and optics, composites, biobased and advanced materials, flexible hybrid technologies and tool development for microelectronics.” The RAMI Act has a companion bill in the Senate where it could be voted on as early as this fall. More information on the RAMI Act is available online. The full text of the RAMI Act can be found online.

With AFP Story by Veronique DUPONT: US-E

Yesterday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bills 1168 and 1319 (both Pavley, D-Agoura Hills) and Assembly Bill 1739 (Dickinson, D-Sacramento), which together establish the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The Act comprehensively regulates groundwater for the first time in California’s history.