In This Issue:

Energy and Climate Debate; Congress; Department of Energy; Department of State; Environmental Protection Agency; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Personnel; States; and International.

Excerpt from Energy and Climate Debate -

After a busy week in the House and Senate, including intense debate on numerous energy issues, Congress is now in recess until after Labor Day.

House Republican and Senate Democratic leaders said July 31 that they have struck a deal with the White House to pass a six-month continuing resolution before the government’s fiscal year ends September 30. The agreement calls for the two chambers to pass a new continuing resolution in September that will extend for 6 months fiscal year 2012 funding, reflecting the funding called for in last year’s debt limit deal. The continuing resolution is needed because none of the regular fiscal year 2013 appropriations bills have been sent to President Obama’s desk for his signature.