Congress returned to Washington this week for a lengthy session that promised Senate action on energy efficiency legislation and renewable energy tax credits as well as appropriations and water infrastructure legislation.

The House and Senate remain on a two week spring Holiday break, but several energy-related bills are teed up for their return.

This week the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) released a report that gives “a snapshot” of the agency’s monitoring of shale-gas drilling activities and their impacts on economics and state forests in regard to water and air quality, recreation, plants and wildlife, soil, and other areas.

Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) said he requested the hearing based on concerns raised by constituents.

On Wednesday the state Senate unanimously confirmed the re-nomination of Chairman Robert Powelson to his second five-year term as a Commissioner at the state Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Legislation that would clarify a minimum royalty payment in state law was reported out of the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee this week.  House Bill 1684 is sponsored by four Republican legislators in the heart of drilling country: Reps. Garth Everett (Lycoming), Tina Pickett (Bradford), Matt Baker (Tioga) and Sandra Major (Susquehanna).

President Obama released his $3.9 trillion fiscal year (FY) 2015 budget proposal for the federal government on March 4, 2014. The budget reflects the administration’s “all of the above” energy strategy as well as its reinvigorated focus on addressing climate change, following the unveiling of the President’s Climate Action Plan in June 2013. The proposed 2015 budget increases the Department of Energy’s (DOE) funding by 2.6 percent over 2014 enacted levels, but reduces the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) by 3.8 percent.

Because of the federal gridlock around energy and climate change, a report by the Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) urges the president to advance key measures of a clean energy policy, chiefly by using executive powers that are not dependent on action by a divided Congress. The CNEE report, “Powering Forward: Presidential and Executive Agency Actions to Drive Clean Energy in America”, outlines an array of executive actions the administration could implement to advance climate policy.

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees this week concluded hearings on Governor Corbett’s 2014-15 state budget proposal. Speaking before the House Committee, Budget Secretary Charles Zogby said that the administration is prepared to modify its proposal if projected revenue marks are not reached.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for its Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program, which will provide an estimated $8 million in grants for the purchase or conversion of alternative fuel vehicles.