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Storm VII-IX: SB.8 Defending American Energy Independence Act


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  • VGS Admin
Posted

The Senate shall now vote on if to pass the Storm VII-IX Amendments to the Defending American Energy Independence Act. Sections in green are sections to be added. Sections in red and strikethrough are sections to be removed.

Storm VII:

Quote

SEC. 17. Buy America Requirements.

(a) In General.—For all goods and materials an entity purchases in whole or in part with funds provided by this Act, the entity shall be required to comply with, and ensure compliance by all contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers of contractors of, the domestic content provisions of the section 5323(j) of title 49, United States Code, and all applicable Federal labor and employment laws.

(b) Inclusive Procurement Policies.—Notwithstanding any federal laws or regulations to the contrary, the entity may adhere to an inclusive procurement policy for all goods and materials that are part of any project funded in whole or in part by this Act that includes any of the following:

(1) Greater domestic content than is required by Federal law.

(2) A disclosure and evaluation of the embedded carbon emissions of all industrial products.

(3) Requirements for disclosure by the contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers of contractors of—

(A) wages and benefits of employees of the contractor, subcontractor, and suppliers;

(B) training program commitments for employees and potential employees; and

(C) targeted hiring commitments for members of disadvantaged communities, including veterans, women, low-income populations, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

(4) Job quality evaluation and incentives.

(5) Job quality commitment enforcement, including contract enforcement provisions for adherence to job quality commitments.

(6) Transparency to the public of job quality commitments and adherence to such commitments.

(c) Coordination With State-level Economic Development Organizations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Executive Director of SelectUSA shall solicit comments from State-level economic development organizations—

(1) to review—

(A) what efforts the Federal Government can take to support increased foreign direct investment in any segment of semiconductor-related production;

(B) what barriers to such investment may exist and how to amplify State efforts to attract such investment;

(C) public opportunities those organizations have identified to attract foreign direct investment to help increase investment described in subparagraph (A);

(D) resource gaps or other challenges that prevent those organizations from increasing such investment; and

(2) to develop recommendations for—

(A) how SelectUSA can increase such investment independently or through partnership with those organizations; and

(B) working with countries that are allies or partners of the United States to ensure that foreign adversaries (as defined in section 8(c)(2) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1607(c)(2))) do not benefit from United States efforts to increase such investment.

(d) Report On Increasing Foreign Direct Investment In Semiconductor-related Manufacturing And Production.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Executive Director of SelectUSA, in coordination with the Federal Interagency Investment Working Group established by Executive Order 13577 (76 Fed. Reg. 35,715; relating to establishment of the SelectUSA Initiative), shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that includes—

(1) a review of the comments SelectUSA received from State-level economic development organizations under section 4;

(2) a description of activities SelectUSA is engaged in to increase foreign direct investment in semiconductor-related manufacturing and production; and

(3) an assessment of strategies SelectUSA may implement to achieve an increase in such investment and to help secure the United States supply chain for semiconductors, including by—

(A) working with other relevant Federal agencies; and

(B) working with State-level economic development organizations and implementing any strategies or recommendations SelectUSA received from those organizations.

Storm VIII:

Quote

SEC. 18. Energy Efficient Cars.

(a) Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.--

(1) Standards.--Electric vehicle charging infrastructure installed using funds provided under this title shall provide, at a minimum--

(A) non-proprietary charging connectors that meet applicable industry safety standards; and

(B) open access to payment methods that are available to all members of the public to ensure secure, convenient, and equal access to the electric vehicle charging infrastructure that shall not be limited by  membership to a particular payment provider.

(2) Treatment of projects.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a project to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure using funds provided under this title shall be  treated as if the project is located on a Federal-aid highway.

Storm IX:

Quote

SEC. 19. Hydroelectric Modernization and Expansion.

(a) Funding Allocation for Aging Federal Dams 

(1) Funding Authorization:

(A) $10 billion is authorized for fiscal years 2026-2031 for the modernization and rehabilitation of federally-owned hydroelectric dams aged 80 years or older.

(B) Funds may be used for structural repairs, turbine replacements, dam safety upgrades, sediment management, and compliance with environmental standards.

(2) Eligibility:

(A) Priority will be given to dams that:

  • Have a history of safety concerns or operational inefficiencies.
  • Are located in regions with high renewable energy demands.
  • Serve critical purposes such as flood control, irrigation, and electricity generation.

(3) Grant Administration:

(A) The Department of Energy (DOE), in consultation with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, will administer grants to agencies responsible for federally-owned dams.

(b) National Hydroelectric Expansion Program

(a) Development Grants:

(1) $5 billion is authorized for fiscal years 2026-2032 to fund grants for:

  • Construction of new hydroelectric facilities at existing non-powered dams.
  • Upgrades to privately-owned hydroelectric plants to improve efficiency and safety.
  • Feasibility studies for small-scale hydroelectric projects in underserved or rural areas.

(b) Incentives for Innovation:

(1) $1 billion is allocated to support research and development in hydroelectric technology, including:

  • Fish-friendly turbines.
  • Advanced sediment management techniques.
  • Grid integration technologies for hydroelectric power.

(c) Environmental and Community Impact

(a) Environmental Compliance:

(1) Projects funded under this Act must comply with the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other applicable environmental laws.

(d) Community Engagement:

(a) The DOE will require public hearings and community input before approving modernization or new development projects.

(e) Reporting Requirements

(a) Annual Report to Congress:

(1) The DOE will submit an annual report to Congress detailing:

  • The status of federally-owned dam modernization projects.
  • Progress on new hydroelectric development.
  • The environmental and economic impact of funded projects.

(f) Oversight Committee:

(a) A bipartisan Congressional committee will be established to oversee the implementation of this Act and ensure accountability and transparency.

(g) Funding Source 

(a) The funding authorized under this Act will be sourced from the Green Energy Infrastructure Fund established under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

(b) If additional funds are required, Congress may consider issuing renewable energy bonds to raise capital.

Senators will have 24 hours to vote on the amendments. A simple majority is required for passage.

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Posted

Aye on All

 

2024 Democratic Nominee for President &

Senator from Hawaii: Hannah Trujillo Kahiona
Bio - Press Office - www.kahiona.senate.gov

I hope that the Bush family finds inner peace and a meditative spirit during this trying time - Mark Tennington

R8: Kasper Braun (R-VT)

R9: Katherine Lawrence (R-ID)(Senate Majority WHIP and Presidential Candidate)

R10: Veronica Kalua (D-HI)

R11: Luke Doolittle (R-AK)- (The great Flip-Flopper of the GOP) Jessica Hunt (R-AK) (RNC Chairwomen and Senate Minority Whip)(Survived as GOP Leadership)

R12: Sarah Warmbier (R-WA-4th) - Administator Scenarios Coordinator

R13: Vice President Sarah Johansen (Martyr to China) - Larry Angelouplos (R-NE) (Lazy Larry) - Mark Tennington (D-OR) (Never Get High on Your own Bowtie)(Senate Majority Whip)

R14: Anney Iyal (D-WA)

R15: Katherine Lawerence (R-ID) 2.0 , Mark Tennington (D-OR) 2.0

,R15-R16: Domestic Scenarios Coordinator,

R-17: Jennifer Stohl (R-MT)

R-18: Anney Iyal (D-WA) (Senate Majority Whip  and President Pro-Tempore) Senate Minority Leader Billy H. Hoover (D-FL)

 

Posted

aye on all

Dr. Chandler Williams (D-OR)

Biography | Press Office | Voting Record

US Senator from Oregon (2022-2028)

Blue Dog Chairman (Q3, 2025 - Q4, 2025)

Associate Professor in History at the University of Oregon (2018-2021)

Historian at the Library of Congress (2006-2018)

Historian at the Weems Bottoms Museum (2000-2010)

Historian at the American Revolution Museum (1988-2000)

Askari J. Pierre (D-IN)

Biography | Press Office | Voting Record

Minority Leader in Indiana State Senate (2022-present)

State Senator from Indiana (2014-present)

Indiana State House Representative (2004-2014)

Staffer for Congresswoman Julia Carson (1999-2004)

 

 

R19: Donald Jones (D-NJ) Dr. Chandler Williams (D-OR)

 

Posted

Nay on Storm VII.
Nay on Storm VIII.
Aye on Storm IX.

Senator Tom Worthen (R-SC-III)
Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee (November 2025 - January 2027)
Biography | Press | Voting Record

 

Formerly: Former Chairman of the RNC Tom Donelson (R-TX)

  • VGS Admin
Posted

Storm VII has failed 47-49-4.

Storm VIII has failed 47-53.

Storm IX has passed 90-10. The legislation will be updated to reflect the changes.

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