On June 28, 2017, the Senate introduced a bill that aims to revitalize and overhaul various federal energy and natural resources policies.  Senate Bill 1460 (S.1460), sponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Arkansas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), broadly proposes reform of United States policies on topics such as energy efficiency, supply and conservation.  A key highlight of S.1460 is modernization of the electric grid, an issue that has often been touted as a national security concern.  Further, on the conservation side, the bill would establish a National Park Maintenance and Revitalization Fund.  While details of the bill are still forthcoming, the bill’s authors state that S.1460 will lay out a plan to strengthen the nation’s energy infrastructure.

The Senate passed the previous version of the bill, called the Energy Policy Modernization Act, by a vote of 85-12 in April 2016, but that bill failed to pass the House of Representatives.  S.1460 is significant because the bill would be the first time broad changes were made to the nation’s energy policy since the Energy Policy Act was passed in 2007.

As of June 29, this bill was read for the second time, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders.  We will continue to monitor the legislative process – stay tuned for updates.

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Photo of Mike Mills Mike Mills

Mike Mills is an experienced environmental attorney who represents his clients in complex regulatory, compliance and litigation matters. His scientific background in environmental toxicology, as well as his contacts within California’s state regulatory agencies, make him ideally suited to provide effective and practical…

Mike Mills is an experienced environmental attorney who represents his clients in complex regulatory, compliance and litigation matters. His scientific background in environmental toxicology, as well as his contacts within California’s state regulatory agencies, make him ideally suited to provide effective and practical solutions to environmental, regulatory and sustainability challenges that his clients confront.

Mike is a former co-chair of the firm’s Energy and Natural Resources Industry Group, and his deep connections within California’s oil and gas industry span over two decades. Oil and gas clients appreciate Mike’s experience as they manage business growth and risks in the challenging regulatory environment in which they operate in California.

Click here for Mike Mills’ full bio.

Photo of Shannon Morrissey Shannon Morrissey

Shannon Morrissey is an associate in Stoel Rives’ Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources group. She has experience with permitting, transactional and natural resources matters. She is the Secretary for the Executive Committee of the Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section. Before

Shannon Morrissey is an associate in Stoel Rives’ Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources group. She has experience with permitting, transactional and natural resources matters. She is the Secretary for the Executive Committee of the Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section. Before joining Stoel Rives, Shannon was a summer associate (2014) and law clerk (2014-2015) with Stoel Rives LLP and was a legal extern at the Calif. State Water Resources Control Board and California Department of Justice. She is a frequent contributor to Stoel Rives’ California Environmental Law and Mineral Law blogs.