Each entry gives a Public Law (P.L.) number, the bill title, a short description of the programs funded under the bill, the last dollar amount that was appropriated for programs under the authorization bill, and the amount that was appropriated for FY2001.
Expired Authorization Bills
The National Environmental Education Act signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on November 16, 1990, mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to make environmental education a priority through various activities administered by its Environmental Education Division. The overarching goals of the act are for the EPA to arrange environmental education initiatives at the federal level and to provide national leadership for the public and private sectors. More history and descriptions of specific programs funded by the act can be found on AGI's website: Update on the National Environmental Education Act of 1990.
* Research,
development and commercial application of coal
Appropriations Authorized FY 1997: Indefinite
Unauthorized FY 2001:
$95,000,000
*Global
Climate Change Response fund
Appropriations Authorized FY 1996: Indefinite
Unauthorized FY 2001:
Not Available
*Enhanced
oil recovery program; natural gas supply program to increase recovery;
oil and gas demand reduction and substitution
Appropriations Authorized FY 1994: Indefinite
Unauthorized FY 2001:
$113,150,000
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a comprehensive national energy policy to promote energy conservation, efficiency, and the use of renewable energy. This is a large bill that covers a range of topics that are of interest to the geological community and industry including research and development in petroleum, coal, and climate change. A summary and complete history of the legislation is found on the Library of Congress's Thomas website.
The Hazardous and Solid Waste amendments were authorized for many purposes. The full bill summary is found on the Library of Congress's Thomas website. Programs of interest include: grants to state hazardous waste programs; implementation of state, local, and intermunicipal programs for solid waste management, resource recovery, resource conservation, and hazardous waste management; grants to states for state underground storage tank release detection, prevention, and correction programs; and the National Ground Water Commission.
* Grants
to states for administration of coastal zone management programs; Program
development grants; Resource management improvement grants; Coastal zone
enhancement grants; Coastal nonpoint pollution control program development
Appropriations Authorized FY 1999: $55,300,000
Unauthorized FY 2001:
$52,000,000
The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 was re-authorized as the Coastal Zone Protection Act in 1996. Information about programs, history, and other activities funded under this bill can be found on the the Coastal Zone Management website. The bill supports a wide range of activities including advancing national coastal management objectives, maintaining and strengthening state and territorial coastal management capabilities, supporting states through financial assistance ($57 million in FY 1999), mediation, technical services and information, as well as participation in priority state, regional, and local forums.
*
General Revenue share of the Hazardous Substance Superfund
Appropriations Authorized FY 1994: $250,000,000
Unauthorized FY 2001:
$635,000,000
*
EPA water pollution control revolving fund grants to states
Appropriations Authorized FY 1994: $600,000,000
Unauthorized FY 2001:
$1,350,000,000
Congress has made no move to reauthorize the Clean Water Act (CWA) since
the 104th Congress, when the House passed a reauthorization bill that died
in the Senate. The last reauthorization tookplace in 1987, and most
of the provisions of that bill ran out in 1990 and 1991. Congress
has continued to appropriate funds to implement the act while they debate
several specifics within the law, including the enforcement of Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) standards, wetlands, local wastewater treatment, and
the contamination of many of the nations aquifers with MTBE, a popular
gasoline oxygenate. More information and history of the act can be
found on the AGI website at
Clean
Water Issues in the 106th Congress.
Expiring Authorization Bills
Please send any comments or requests for information to the AGI Government Affairs Program at govt@agiweb.org.
Contributed by Spring 2001 AGI/AAPG intern, Mary H. Patterson, and Margaret A. Baker, Government Affairs Program
Posted Febuary 20, 2001
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