In This Issue:

Energy and Climate Debate:

Government funding will be the central focus for Congress and the Administration this week, with the House considering a continuing resolution (CR) for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, and President Obama releasing to Congress unveiling his proposed fiscal year 2012 budget on February 14.

After agreeing to reduce spending by $100 billion from what the president requested for the current fiscal year, House Republicans released a CR (H.R. 1) February 11 that would fund the federal government for the remaining seven months of the fiscal year. House Republicans had announced $35 billion and then $74 billion in cuts February 9, but bowed to Tea party-backed demands of meeting last November’s Pledge to America. The House will debate the CR for three days this week, coming to the floor under an open rule that allows unlimited amendments, and Republicans expect a number of amendments that will try to push the spending reductions beyond the $100 billion figure...

Congress:

House Bipartisanship on CES Sought; Waxman Opposes EPA Attacks; Spill Response Legislation Encouraged; Lugar Crafting CES; Oversight Committee Initiates Work; Pipeline Approval Sought; Legislation Introduced; and Upcoming Hearings.

Department of Agriculture:

GE Corn Deregulated and Biorefinery Loan Guarantee Program Updated.

Department of Energy:

Electric Vehicle Plan Unveiled; Offshore Wind Plan Announced; Fossil Expertise Leveraged for Geothermal Development; Solar Support for Communities Announced; and Efficiency Standards Enforced.

Department of Interior:

Voluntary Turbine Guidelines Unveiled.

Environmental Protection Agency:

Industries Oppose Ozone Standard and AEP v. CT Arguments Scheduled.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission:

Financing Method Upheld.

Miscellaneous:

MD Climate Report Unveiled; Asian Climate Migration Report Released; Energy Audits Mandated; Building Energy Measurement Standard Released; EV Sales Better with Incentives; Renewables in Diesel Required; and CARB Opposes Tentative Finding.