Hill Heat

Join members from the CHAT (Community Healing, Accountability and Transformation) and SJ (Survivor Justice) teams as they share key concepts and takeaways from the books Conflict is Not Abuse and Nonviolent Communication. Think of it as a virtual book club, where you don’t have to read the books!

Using these texts as a starting place, we will learn about concepts like self-empathy, the impulse to escalate, and apply these teachings to ways we can hold ourselves and our communities accountable for reconciling conflict in positive ways—so we don’t end up treating each other the way we treat Joe Manchin!

Join us to get a better understanding of these acclaimed books, think about different perspectives of conflict, and apply these concepts to working through conflict together!

The purpose of the hearing is to review recent actions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relating to permitting construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines and other natural gas infrastructure projects.

Manchin reaction:

“Today’s (Thursday) reckless decision by FERC’s Democratic Commissioners puts the security of our nation at risk. The commission went too far by prioritizing a political agenda over their main mission — ensuring our nation’s energy reliability and security. The only thing they accomplished today was constructing additional road blocks that further delay building out the energy infrastructure our country desperately needs. Energy independence is our greatest geopolitical and economic tool and we cannot lose sight of that as instability rises around the globe.”

Barrasso reaction:

“President Biden is trumpeting the importance of infrastructure at the same time his appointees are working to kill energy infrastructure. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is determined to make it nearly impossible for Americans to maintain or improve access to abundant and affordable supplies of natural gas. Delaying and then denying approval of natural gas pipelines and storage facilities will only drive up already-inflated energy prices. It also threatens natural gas and electric reliability. This is just the latest attack in Biden’s war on American energy.”

Bill Cassidy (R-La.) reaction:

“Our nation depends on clear-minded, nonpartisan policy, not activists carrying out an ideological and political agenda. Yesterday, FERC said it will defy the Natural Gas Act by no longer considering only whether a project is “needed” when granting new natural gas permits. Rather, they will also consider environmental justice and climate impacts that will be determined behind closed doors. This FERC policy announcement all but guarantees no new natural gas construction permits will be issued this year and amounts to a defacto natural gas export ban. All the while, Europe is dependent on Russian natural gas and we are in the midst of a global energy crisis hurting Americans’ pocketbooks. The vacuum of energy production will be filled by foreign countries with lower environmental standards which will increase global emissions. This administration could not be writing worse energy policy.”

Witnesses:

• Richard Glick, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Biden/Democratic appointee
• James Danly, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Trump/Republican appointee (dissented)
• Allison Clements, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Trump/Democratic appointee
• Mark C. Christie, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Trump/Republican appointee (dissented)
• Willie L. Phillips, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Biden/Democratic appointee

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene an Executive Session at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022, to consider several presidential nominations. Immediately following the Executive Session, the Committee will hold a full committee hearing on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act, co-led by Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Roger Marshall (R-Ks.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jerry Moran (R-Ks.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mark Kelly (D-Az.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), would address these supply chain challenges by making it harder for ocean carriers to arbitrarily turn away goods at ports that are ready to be shipped abroad. It would also give the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the federal agency responsible for the regulation of oceanborne transportation, greater authority to regulate harmful practices by carriers. Similar legislation was led in the House by Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 364-60.

“Congestion at ports and increased shipping costs pose unique challenges for U.S. exporters, who have seen the price of shipping containers increase four-fold in just two years. Meanwhile, ocean carriers have reported record profits,” said Klobuchar. “This legislation will help level the playing field for American exporters so they can get their goods to market in a timely manner for a fair price. As we work to improve our supply chains, I’ll keep fighting to establish trade opportunities for the U.S.”

“I want to thank Senators Klobuchar and Thune for their introduction of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. For far too long, American entrepreneurs have been at the mercy of ocean shippers, and their exorbitant fees. This bill, and the House companion, would bring much needed relief to the pocketbooks of American innovators and consumers,” said Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association.

“The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association deeply appreciates the bipartisan work on the difficulties Minnesota’s soybean growers have had with container exports. Container access in Minnesota historically has been difficult and that difficulty has increased in the past years to a near impossibility. Export markets are vital to Minnesota’s specialty soybean growers. Balancing the power of shippers and guaranteeing fair access to ships is vital to the agriculture sector of Minnesota’s economy. MSGA thanks Senator Klobuchar for her work on these difficult issues,” said Mike Skaug, President of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.

“The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) thanks Senator Klobuchar and Senator Thune for this bipartisan bill to ensure an efficient, competitive and economical transportation system for crops and other export-bound goods. Exports are a key market for Minnesota’s corn farmers, and MCGA supports efforts to ensure affordable and dependable shipping options for their crop,” said Bryan Biegler, President of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act would:

• Require ocean carriers to certify that late fees —known in maritime parlance as “detention and demurrage” charges—comply with federal regulations or face penalties;
• Shift burden of proof regarding the reasonableness of “detention or demurrage” charges from the invoiced party to the ocean carrier;
• Prohibit ocean carriers from unreasonably declining shipping opportunities for U.S. exports, as determined by the FMC in new required rulemaking;
• Require ocean common carriers to report to the FMC each calendar quarter on total import/export tonnage and 20-foot equivalent units (loaded/empty) per vessel that makes port in the United States; Authorize the FMC to self-initiate investigations of ocean common carrier’s business practices and apply enforcement measures, as appropriate; and
• Establish new authority for the FMC to register shipping exchanges.

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act is supported by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), the National Retail Federation, the National Industrial Transportation League, the Home Furnishings Association, the Hardwood Federation, National Milk Producers Federation, American Trucking Associations (ATA), ADM, National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Tyson Foods, the American Home Furnishings Alliance, Auto Care Association, International Association of Movers, Harbor Trucking Association, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Travel Goods Association, American Pyrotechnics Association, National Association of Chemical Distributors, American Equipment Manufacturers, National Marine Manufacturers Association, ATA Agriculture and Food Transporters Conference, ATA Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference, California Automotive Wholesalers’ Association, DairyAmerica, Fragrance Creators Association, Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, California Dairies, Inc., Sartori Cheese, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc., International Ingredient Corporation, Associated Milk Producers, American Bankers Association, International Warehouse Logistics Association, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Agri-Mark, Inc., Northeast Dairy Cooperatives, Retail industry Leaders Association, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, United Dairymen of Arizona, Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Midwest Dairy Coalition, International Dairy Foods Association, High Desert Milk, the Consumer Technology Association, Northwest Dairy Association, Darigold, Schreiber Foods, Dairy Farmers of America, First District Association, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, Leprino Foods Company, the North American Meat Institute, Meat Import Council of America, Leather and Hide Council of America, Milk Specialties Global, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, South Dakota Soybean Association, Pet Food Institute, Western Growers, Allports Forwarding Inc., California Fresh Fruit Association, Capay Canyon Ranch, Double River Forwarding LLC, Fornazor International, IMC Companies, International Fresh Produce Association, National onion Association, Pacific Northwest Asia Shippers Association, Pandol Bros. Inc., SB&B Foods LLC, ShoEi Foods USA, Specialty Crop Trade Council, Specialty Soya & Grains Alliance, Total Logistics Resources Inc., Williams Clarke Company, Inc, and California Farm Bureau.

Hearing page

Witnesses:

• Dr. Steven Thur, Director, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Dr. Sherry Hunt, Supervisory Civil Engineer, Agriculture Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Dr. Todd Bridges, Senior Research Scientist, Environmental Science, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Join leading voices in the ad and PR industry, plus influencers, creators, and more in a night to remember the work agencies would rather forget. We’re handing out 10 awards to ads, campaigns, and agencies that promote the fossil fuel companies that are most responsible for the climate crisis.

Tune in to the show on March 2 to learn who is doing the dirty work, and how you can be a part of the solution for our industry.

Speakers:

• Rollie Williams, Host, Climate Town
• Tolmeia Gregory, Climate Justice Activist
• Bill McKibben, Author, Environmentalist, Activist
• Deb Morrison, U Oregon Professor of Advertising
• Colin Vernon, Co-founder & CIO, Slow Factory
• Max Moinian, Co-Founder, Future Earth Catalog
• Thania Peck, Sustainability Activist, * Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President and Founder, Hip Hop Caucus
• Solitaire Townsend, Chief Solutionist, Futerra

Hearing page

Witnesses

• Christy Goldsmith Romero, Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program
• Kristin N. Johnson, Professor of Law at Emory University School of Law and former assistant general counsel and vice president at JP Morgan
• Summer Kristine Mersinger, Chief of Staff, Office of Commissioner Dawn Stump at U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
• Caroline D. Pham, Deputy Head of Global Regulatory Affairs, Citi

Hearing page

Witness:

• Pete Buttigieg, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation

President Joseph Biden delivers his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol.

The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills:

S. 3699, to provide guidance for and investment in the research and development activities of the Department of Energy Office of Science and for other purposes (Department of Energy Science for the Future Act of 2022).

S. 3428, to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide Federal financial assistance to support advanced nuclear reactors and associated supply chain infrastructure, and for other purposes (Fission for the Future Act of 2021).

S. 2733, to terminate the United States Enrichment Corporation Fund and transfer remaining amounts to the Treasury (United States Enrichment Corporation Fund Termination and Transfer Act).

S. 2896, to amend the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to clarify whistleblower rights and protections, and for other purposes (Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Whistleblower Protection Act).

S. 2232, to direct the Secretary of Energy to fund projects to restore and modernize National Laboratories, and for other purposes (Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2021).

S. 2302, to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to assign certain functions to the Assistant Secretaries of Energy relating to energy emergencies and energy security, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3119, to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for other purposes (Energy Emergency Leadership Act).

Witness:

• Geraldine Richmond, Undersecretary for Science and Innovation, U.S. Department of Energy

On Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EST), the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands will hold a virtual, fully remote legislative hearing on the following bills:

H.R. 1638 (Rep. Dusty Johnson-R-SD) To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer certain National Forest System land to the State of South Dakota, and for other purposes. Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act.

H.R. 4178 (Rep. Jared Huffman, D-CA) To extend the authority to collect Shasta-Trinity Marina fees through fiscal year 2027. Shasta-Trinity Marina Fee Extension.

H.R. 5093 (Rep. Jaime Herrera Butler, R-WA) To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer certain National Forest System land in the State of Washington to Skamania County, Washington. Wind River Administrative Site Conveyance Act.

H.R. 5493 (Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez- D-NM) To provide for greater consultation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant-mercedes in New Mexico, to provide for a process for recognition of the historic-traditional uses of land grant-mercedes, and for other purposes. Land Grant-Mercedes Traditional Use Recognition and Consultation Act.

H.R. 6366 (Rep. John Garamendi, D-CA) To modify the boundary of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include certain Federal land in Lake County, California, and for other purposes. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act.

Witnesses:

Panel I

• Rep. Dusty Johnson (H.R. 1638) South Dakota, At Large
• Rep. Jared Huffman (H.R. 4178) California, 2nd District
• Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (H.R. 5093) Washington, 3rd District
• Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (H.R. 5493) New Mexico, 3rd District
• Rep. John Garamendi (H.R. 6366) California, 3rd District

Panel II

• Greg Smith (All Bills), Director of Lands and Realty Management, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture
• Mark Lambrecht (H.R. 5493 & H.R. 6366), Assistant Director, National Landscape Conservation System Bureau of Land Management
• Anthony Roberts (H.R. 6366), Tribal Chairman, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation

Panel III

• Hunter Roberts (H.R. 1638), Secretary, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Paul Hauser (H.R. 4178), General Manager, Trinity Public Utility District
• Tom Lannen (H.R. 5093), District 2 Commissioner, Skamania County, Washington
• Arturo Archuleta (H.R. 5493), Program Manager, New Mexico Land Grant Council