As Congress returns after a week-long recess, energy-related issues and legislation are at the top of the agenda for many members and committees. This week’s Energy & Environment Update covers what’s happening at the federal, state, and international levels as well as ongoing debates on President Obama’s 2014 budget, Gina McCarthy’s nomination to be EPA Administrator, climate change, fracking, new energy funding, and sustainability.

This week the Senate begins to debate the Water Resources Development Act, a bipartisan bill that would authorize water infrastructure projects including dams and dredging. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a business meeting to consider several bills, including Sen. Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Portman’s (R-OH) energy efficiency bill, S. 761. The Senate Agriculture Committee has said it hopes to consider the Farm Bill later this week, possibly Thursday. Looking beyond the upcoming week, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) announced that this summer he plans on bringing more energy-related bills to the floor, such as legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

For more on the latest energy and clean technology regulatory and legislative developments please see ML Strategies’ most recent Energy and Environmental Update.