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The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) continued to improve its environmental protection efforts at its South Table Mountain and National Wind Technology Center sites during 2014 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adding bird-safety features to campus structures, and assessing environmental impacts of potential laboratory development.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it has charged Blackacre, L.L.C. and Alishia Ritchkey, the former owner and manager of Pebble Beach Apartments, a 61-unit complex in Universal City, Texas, with violating the Fair Housing Act by imposing overly restrictive rules on children under 16 who lived there.HUD also charged Implicity Management Company, the current management company, and Pebble Beach Apartments L.L.C, the current owner of the complex, with discriminating based on familial status. Read HUD’s charge.

On Wednesday, October 21, Luetkemeyer convened a hearing in his Housing and Insurance Subcommittee. The hearing entitled “The Future of Housing in America: Federal Housing Reforms that Create Housing Opportunity” focused on steps that can be taken to reduce regulatory burdens and offer greater flexibility and choice in the housing system. Luetkemeyer’s legislation H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act, was one focus of the hearing.

The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) is partnering with SMS Research to conduct a phone survey to gather data on housing supply and demand. The phone survey began the week of October 19 and will be taken over the next 3 months.

This morning, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos issued the following statement at the opening of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s markup session for H.R. 3763, the Surface Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015

U.S. Representative Mimi Walters (CA-45) today released the following statement after the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup of H.R. 3763, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform (STRR) Act of 2015. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and reforms federal highway, transit, and highway safety programs. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Walters offered two provisions which were included in the reported bill, including

Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL), a member of the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Environment and the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Interior, both of which have jurisdiction over the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sent a letter along with Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith concerning the EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) to the Governors and Attorneys General of all 50 states.

The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure began markup on a six-year Highway Bill that essentially maintains current funding levels. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given America’s infrastructure a D+ grade and have stated that we need an additional $3.6 trillion in infrastructure investment by 2020.

U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-Calif.) questioned Mr. Orlando Cabrera, former Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing at the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD), on the delayed renewal of Moving to Work (MTW) programs during a House Financial Services Committee hearing entitled "The Future of Housing in America: 50 Years of HUD and its impact on Federal Housing Policy."

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, said today she believes that the residents of the District of Columbia and the region will be relieved that the Protect Riders of Metrorail Public Transportation (PROMPT) Act of 2015 is assured of passage.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), ranking member of the House Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, announced that her major legislative priorities for the District of Columbia and the nation, including her amendment to implement direct federal safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) Metrorail, were included in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (STRR), which passed the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $42,201 to the American Samoa Power Authority to replace a diesel generator with an all-electric generator on the Island of Ofu in American Samoa. This project will reduce 75,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually.

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee passed H.R. 3763, the “Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015,” clearing the last major hurdle prior to moving the bill to the House Floor. Included in the bill is language from Rep. Woodall’s H.R. 3739, the “VETOPPS Act.” Previously introduced as a standalone bill, the bipartisan measure is now set to advance as part of the long-anticipated surface transportation legislation.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 3763), a six-year bill to authorize highway and transit programs across the United States. Several amendments to benefit Ventura County and authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) were approved by the Committee.

The Financial Services Committee continued its in-depth examination of federal housing policy with a hearing today focused on the role of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). One of the chief weapons in the “War on Poverty” launched by President Lyndon Johnson, HUD became a cabinet-level agency 50 years ago last month.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $2.3 billion in loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 31 states. USDA is awarding loans to 77 utilities and cooperatives in 31 states. The funding includes more than $108 million for smart grid technology

Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing to examine the Future of Housing in America and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during its 50th anniversary year

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement after President Barack Obama announced a Major Disaster Declaration for the record-breaking wildland fires that affected communities across Washington state.

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) joined local officials and representatives of The Ingerman Group to celebrate the grand opening of Willows at Waretown, a 76-unit affordable rental community for seniors 55 and older in Ocean Township, Ocean County, which is one of the nine counties most impacted by Superstorm Sandy as determined by the federal government.

Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT), Alma S. Adams (D-NC), Lou Barletta (R-PA), James P. McGovern (D-MA) along with 71 other Members of Congress sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell to urge for the swift release of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. Releasing the funding will allow families in need to access critical resources to heat their homes during cold winter months.