Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that authorizes the construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline and cross-border facilities, including any subsequent revisions to the Pipeline route within the State of Nebraska, and amends energy efficiency regulations and initiatives.

Highlights:

• Authorizes TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities described in the application filed on May 4, 2012, including any revision to the pipeline route within the State of Nebraska required or authorized by the State of Nebraska (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that federal permits or authorizations issued for the pipeline and cross-border facilities before the date of enactment of this act shall remain in effect (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that it is the “sense of the Senate” that climate change is real and “not a hoax” (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that is the “sense of the Senate” that Congress should approve a bill that would require all forms of bitumen or synthetic oil derived from bitumen to be subject to the per-barrel excise tax under the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Secretary of Energy to review, coordinate, and disseminate information about existing federal programs and assistance that may be used to help initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance for states, local educational agencies, and schools to help develop and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for the following purposes (Sec. 3):
• To increase the energy efficiency of buildings or facilities;
• To install systems that generate energy from renewable energy resources;
• To establish partnerships to leverage economies of scale and additional financing mechanisms available to larger clean energy initiatives; or
• To promote the maintenance of health, environmental quality, and safety in schools, and the achievement of expected energy savings and renewable energy production.

• Requires the Administrator of General Services to develop model commercial leasing provisions that encourage building owners and tenants to collaborate to invest in cost-effective energy and water efficiency measures (Sec. 102).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by President Barack Obama II

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Keystone XL Pipeline project, including cross-border facilities, and establishes certain energy efficiency requirements.

Highlights:

• Authorizes TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities described in the application filed on May 4, 2012, including any revision to the pipeline route within the State of Nebraska required or authorized by the State of Nebraska (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that federal permits or authorizations issued for the pipeline and cross-border facilities before the date of enactment of this act shall remain in effect (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that it is the “sense of the Senate” that climate change is real and “not a hoax” (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that is the “sense of the Senate” that Congress should approve a bill that would require all forms of bitumen or synthetic oil derived from bitumen to be subject to the per-barrel excise tax under the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Secretary of Energy to review, coordinate, and disseminate information about existing federal programs and assistance that may be used to help initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance for states, local educational agencies, and schools to help develop and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for the following purposes (Sec. 3):
• To increase the energy efficiency of buildings or facilities;
• To install systems that generate energy from renewable energy resources;
• To establish partnerships to leverage economies of scale and additional financing mechanisms available to larger clean energy initiatives; or
• To promote the maintenance of health, environmental quality, and safety in schools, and the achievement of expected energy savings and renewable energy production.

• Requires the Administrator of General Services to develop model commercial leasing provisions that encourage building owners and tenants to collaborate to invest in cost-effective energy and water efficiency measures (Sec. 102).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Keystone XL Pipeline project, including cross-border facilities, and establishes certain energy efficiency requirements.

Highlights:

• Authorizes TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities described in the application filed on May 4, 2012, including any revision to the pipeline route within the State of Nebraska required or authorized by the State of Nebraska (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that federal permits or authorizations issued for the pipeline and cross-border facilities before the date of enactment of this act shall remain in effect (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that it is the “sense of the Senate” that climate change is real and “not a hoax” (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that is the “sense of the Senate” that Congress should approve a bill that would require all forms of bitumen or synthetic oil derived from bitumen to be subject to the per-barrel excise tax under the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Secretary of Energy to review, coordinate, and disseminate information about existing federal programs and assistance that may be used to help initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance for states, local educational agencies, and schools to help develop and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for the following purposes (Sec. 3):
• To increase the energy efficiency of buildings or facilities;
• To install systems that generate energy from renewable energy resources;
• To establish partnerships to leverage economies of scale and additional financing mechanisms available to larger clean energy initiatives; or
• To promote the maintenance of health, environmental quality, and safety in schools, and the achievement of expected energy savings and renewable energy production.

• Requires the Administrator of General Services to develop model commercial leasing provisions that encourage building owners and tenants to collaborate to invest in cost-effective energy and water efficiency measures (Sec. 102).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text