In This Issue...

• Nominations: Interior, Energy, Nuclear Regulatory nominations move forward; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominee mired in politics...

• Energy Policy: Small hydro and energy efficiency bills pass...  

• Cyber Security: Markey report blasts utility grid preparations and House hearing focuses on White House Executive order...

• Dodd-Frank: Consumer groups support public power fix ....

• Municipal Bonds: Senate Finance Committee white paper includes proposal to cap or replace municipal bonds...

Former REI CEO Sally Jewell was confirmed as the Secretary of Interior by the full Senate on April 10, by a vote of 87 to 11. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on May 16.  Moniz testified in support of shale gas production, nuclear energy, and an increased reliance on renewable energy.  On his first day at the Department of Energy (DOE), he said he also supports more active engagement by DOE in energy efficiency.  Allison Macfarlane is expected to easily be confirmed as Chairwoman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) when the Senate returns from recess the first week of June. EPA nominee Gina McCarthy, on the other hand, is running into a road block in the full Senate after finally being reported out of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on a divided vote of 10–8.