In This Issue:

- Leaders in the News

- Washington Update

- Event Highlights

- Innovator Profile

- Energy Navigator

- Upcoming Events

- Excerpt from Washington Update:

On July 10, the House passed its fiscal year 2015 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. This measure would increase funding for the Department of Energy’s fossil energy programs while reducing renewable energy spending by about $111 million. Before passing the bill, House representatives included several amendments that would oppose President Obama’s energy agenda. The legislation is currently under consideration by the Senate.

Furthermore, on July 15, the House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2015 spending bill for the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies. The measure would increase Interior Department funding for oil and gas permitting and inspections on Bureau of Land Management land as well as funding for fighting and preventing wildfires. The package would reduce the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by $717 million, about 9%. The overall bill would amount to $30.2 billion, a $162 million increase from the fiscal year 2014 enacted level.