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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 325 7th Street NW, Suite 550 |
Address2 | |
City | WASHINGTON |
State | DC |
Zip Code | 20004 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
City | Minneapolis |
State | MN |
Zip Code | 55102 |
Country | USA |
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5. Senate ID# 65715-12
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6. House ID# 357270000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2013 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date | |
11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: John A. O'Donnell, Director, Federal Affairs |
Date | 04/22/2013 |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code CAW
16. Specific lobbying issues
Clean Water Act jurisdictional Issues, generally;
Power-Sector Only Climate, generally;
S. 7, the Extreme Weather Prevention and Resilience Act regarding clean energy and effects of climate change;
S. 17, the Energy Production and Project Delivery Act of 2013 provisions regarding Clean Air Act and climate change issues;
S. 317, to require the EPA Inspector General to include certain assessments in reports;
S. 318, the Environmental Protection Agency Accountability Act of 2013 to rescind funds made available to EPA if it fails to meet certain deadlines;
S. 319, to require EPA to provide adequate data, modeling, and support in the development of a State implementation plan under the Clean Air Act;
S. 332, the Climate Protection Act of 2013;
S. 558, the Accountability in Grants Act of 2013 to prohibit EPA grants or other financial assistance under Sec. 103 of the Clean Air Act for any program, project, or activity outside the United States;
S. Con. Res. 8, FY 2014 budget resolution, certain energy- and environment-related amendments including SA 261 (Blunt re: carbon fee), SA 359 (Inhofe re: GHG regulation), SA 514 (Coats re: MATS compliance deadline), and SA 646 (Whitehouse re: carbon fee);
Discussion Draft of carbon pollution fee legislation circulated by Rep. Waxman, Sen. Whitehouse, Rep. Blumenauer, and Sen. Schatz;
Clean Water Act, Section 316(b) - cooling water intake structure rule-making;
Waters of the U.S. draft guidance and rule-making;
Effluent Limitation Guidelines rule-making.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
John |
O'Donnell |
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Stephen L. |
Plevniak |
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Christopher |
Kearney |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Coal Ash issues generally; Sue and settle issues generally;
S.332, A bill to address climate disruptions, reduce carbon pollution, enhance the use of clean energy, and promote resilience in the infrastructure of the United States, and for other purposes;
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Energy - Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Interior - Dept of (DOI)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
John |
O'Donnell |
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Stephen L. |
Plevniak |
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Christopher |
Kearney |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HOM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Chemical Security Issues, generally;
Support pro-industry Cybersecurity bills that have a public-private partnership (no top-down regulatory process); public-private information sharing; liability protections for information sharing; federal R&D support; and appropriate criminal penalties for bad actors.
HR 624: Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) of 2013
HR 756: Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013
HR 967: Advancing Americas Network and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2013
H.R. 55, the SHIELD Act of 2013;
H.R. 867, the Metal Theft Prevention Act of 2013;
S. 394, the Metal Theft Prevention Act of 2013;
The Senate Intelligence Committee Sharing Bill;
Cyber Security Executive Order;
Reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act;
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) Program;
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Transportation - Dept of (DOT), Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
John |
O'Donnell |
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Stephen L. |
Plevniak |
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Christopher |
Kearney |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
Corporate Taxation, generally; Dividend tax rate issues generally; Support incentives to produce biogas, generally; Support incentives for high efficiency natural gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters (25C tax credits);
Discussion draft, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for comprehensive income tax reform (taxation of derivatives);
H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, (taxation of dividend income);
H. Con. Res. 24, expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy;
H. Con. Res. 25, establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2014 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2015 through 2023, (tax reform);
S. Con. Res. 8, an original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2014, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2013, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2015 through 2023, (tax reform);
Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle market by supporting various incentives. This issue arose in:
HR 1364: New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2013
Support incentives to produce biogas. This issue arose in:
HR 860: Biogas Investment Credit Act of 2013;
Discussion draft to create a Consumer Renewable Credit;
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Energy - Dept of, White House Office, Executive Office of the President (EOP)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
John |
O'Donnell |
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Stephen L. |
Plevniak |
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Christopher |
Kearney |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
Promote & protect the interests of natural gas utilities regarding pipeline safety legislation and any regulatory regime affecting natural gas utilities; Support incentives for expansion of natural-gas as transportation fuel and fueling stations; Support incentives for natural gas vehicles;
H.R. 259, the Energy Freedom and Economic Prosperity Act, (tax incentives for electric vehicles and fueling infrastructure);
H.R. 1027, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2013, (R&D for electric vehicles);
S. 488, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2013, (R&D for electric vehicles);
S. 638, the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2013;
STB Reauthorization.
Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle market by supporting various incentives. This issue arose in:
S 488: Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2013
HR 1027: Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2013
S 570: Clean Energy Race to the Top Act of 2013
S 656: Natural Gas Energy and Alternative Rewards (NGEAR) Act
Oppose legislation to eliminate a variety of energy tax credits, including those that benefit fuel cell, electric drive and alternative fuel (including natural gas). This issue arose in:
HR259: Energy Freedom and Economic Prosperity Act. To eliminate all energy tax credits, while maintaining general business deductions available to multiple industries.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Transportation - Dept of (DOT), Surface Transportation Board (STB)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
John |
O'Donnell |
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Stephen L. |
Plevniak |
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Christopher |
Kearney |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code UTI
16. Specific lobbying issues
Transmission sitting and permitting, generally;
H.R. 634, the Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act of 2013;
H.R. 677, the Inter-Affiliate Swap Clarification Act;
H.R. 1003, to improve consideration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders;
H.R. 1038, the Public Power Risk Management Act of 2013.
H.R. 497, the America Works Act, (workforce credentialing);
H.R. 949, the Invest in American Jobs Act of 2013, (Buy American rules);
S. 453, the America Works Act, (workforce credentialing).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Energy - Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
John |
O'Donnell |
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Stephen L. |
Plevniak |
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Christopher |
Kearney |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENG
16. Specific lobbying issues
Energy Legislation, generally; Clean energy standard legislation generally; Over-The-Counter derivatives issues generally; Promote & protect the interests of natural gas utilities in any legislation; Energy and climate legislation affecting natural gas utilities, including efficiency mandates; Oppose legislation to restrict or discourage natural gas production.
H.R.259, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate certain energy tax subsidies and lower the corporate income tax rate.
H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, (electric vehicle tax credits);
H.R. 271, the Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2013;
H.R. 259, the Energy Freedom and Economic Prosperity Act, (tax incentives for electric vehicles and fueling infrastructure);
H.R. 400, the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2013;
H.R. 540, the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act, (energy efficiency);
H.R. 596, the Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013;
H.R. 835, the Energy Assistance for American Families Act, (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program);
S. 52, the Promoting Efficiency and Savings in Government Act, (Federal Building energy efficiency);
S. 279, the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013;
S. 552, the Quadrennial Energy Review Act of 2013;
S. 570, the Clean Energy Race to the Top Act of 2013 (energy efficiency; clean energy and carbon reduction measures);
Natural gas supply and related issues;
Transmission siting, permitting, management issues generally and associated return on equity.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Energy - Dept of, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), White House Office, Interior - Dept of (DOI)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
John |
O'Donnell |
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Stephen L. |
Plevniak |
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Christopher |
Kearney |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocated for appropriations for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP);
Advocated for appropriations for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); Advocated to maintain full funding for LIHEAP in both the CR and final appropriations bill. This issue arose in:
HR 933: Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013
Advocated for appropriations for research and development to improve natural gas technologies and natural gas vehicles;
H.R. 1, the Senate vehicle for Disaster Relief Appropriations, (HUD CDBG Super storm Sandy Assistance);
H.R. 152, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 (HUD CDBG Super storm Sandy Assistance);
H. Con. Res. 25, FY 2014 Budget Resolution, (budget issues generally);
S. Con. Res. 8, FY 2014 Budget Resolution, (budget issues generally);
FY 2014 Energy and Water Appropriations, (potentially appropriations issues related to fossil energy, nuclear energy, electric transportation, smart gird, energy innovation HUBs, transmission and renewable energy);
FY 2014 Commerce/Justice/Science Appropriations, (potentially appropriations issues related to public safety broadband network, NIST smart grid interoperability, cyber security standards and NSF STEM funding);
FY 2014 Military Construction/Veterans Appropriations, (potentially appropriations issues related to smart meters, energy efficiency/renewable energy, micro grids and grid security);
FY 2014 Defense Appropriations, (potentially appropriations issues related to electric transportation, micro grids and grid security, smart meters, energy efficiency/renewable energy and Troops to Energy Jobs program);
FY 2014 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations, (potentially appropriations issues related to NHTSA Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards);
FY 2014 Financial Services Appropriations, (potentially appropriations issues related to public safety broadband network and electric utility pole attachments);
FY 2014 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations, (potentially appropriations issues related to Low Income Home Energy Assistance funding);
FY 2014 Interior/Environment Appropriations, (potentially related to 316(b) regulation governing power plant cooling water systems, CCR regulation and Regional Haze regulation);
FY 2014 Homeland Security Appropriations, (potentially appropriations issues related to Threat Scenario Project, Spare Transformer Equipment Program and Electric Sector PS-Prep);
S.552, A bill to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to replace the current requirement for biennial energy policy plan with a Quadrennial Energy Review, and for other purposes.
Energy-Related Provisions conatained in the following drafts:
FY 2014 Agriculture, Rural Development Appropriations;
FY 2014 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations;
FY 2014 Defense Appropriations;
FY 2014 Energy and Water Development Appropriations;
FY 2014 Homeland Security Appropriations;
FY 2014 Interior Environment Appropriations;
FY 2014 Military Construction, Veteran Affairs
FY 2014 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations;
FY 2014 Transportation, HUD Appropriations;
S.CON.RES.8, An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2014, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2013, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2015 through 2023;
H.CON.RES.25, Establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2014 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2015 through 2023.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Energy - Dept of, White House Office, Executive Office of the President (EOP)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
John |
O'Donnell |
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Stephen L. |
Plevniak |
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Christopher |
Kearney |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
1 | 2 | 3 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
1 | 3 | 5 |
2 | 4 | 6 |