The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks comments in anticipation of a proposed rule on how companies should report chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.

The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology approved the Frontiers in Innovation, Research, Science, and Technology (FIRST) Act (H.R. 4186) in a markup held on May 28 by a party-line vote of 20-16.

On May 13, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. Suzette Kimball to serve as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

On May 1, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to discuss the causes of propane shortages last winter and how to prevent shortages in the future.

On May 1, the Senate approved Janice Schneider as Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management (ASLM) in the Department of the Interior (DOI) by a vote of 64-32.

On May 2, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced a proposal to strengthen the agency’s management direction for groundwater resources and other best management practices.

The Department of Energy (DOE) released a report in early May concluding that the U.S. has the potential to almost double its current hydropower generation capacity.

The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released an updated draft proposal for rules regarding hydraulic fracturing on federal and Indian lands. The updated proposal reflects public feedback on the initial proposal published in 2012.  This most recent draft includes new regulations on trade secret disclosure, and establishes new baselines for environmental safeguards and water quality monitoring mechanisms.

Gina McCarthy has been approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to succeed Lisa Jackson as the next head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The vote came a week late after Republicans on the committee boycotted the hearing over concerns regarding transparency issues.  McCarthy’s confirmation will now proceed to a full Senate vote.

Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Observations on States’ Role, Liabilities at DOD and Hardrock Mining Sites, and Litigation Issues – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) summarizes its most recent findings on the role and responsibilities of states and federal agencies in cleaning up hazardous waste sites.