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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 |
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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 | 2015 |
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 |
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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: Stephen L. Plevniak |
Date | 1/20/2016 12:38:30 PM |
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 to increase LIHEAP funding to $4.7 billion in FY 2016 and FY 2017 Appropriations;
H.R. 719 - TSA Office of Inspection Accountability Act of 2015;
Advocated for appropriations for research and development to improve natural gas technologies and natural gas vehicles;
H.R. 2028, FY 2016 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016, Waters of the U.S. policy rider, (potential appropriations issues related to DOE-industry coordination on cyber and physical security, DOE/industry partnership on storm response and restoration, and grid resilience);
H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act;
H.R. 2577, FY 2016 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations, (potential appropriations issues related to unmanned aircraft systems, coal and rail interdependencies, HUD CDBG eligibility and transportation electrification);
H.R. 2685, FY 2016 Defense Appropriations, (potential appropriations issues related to renewable energy efforts and Troops to Energy Jobs);
H.R. 2822, FY 2016 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations, (potential appropriations issues related to Waters of the U.S., 316(b) Cooling Water Intake Structures rule, CCR regulation, clean air regulation, and GHG NSPS);
H.R. 2995, FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations, (potential appropriations issues related to FirstNet access and utility pole attachments);
H.R. 3020, FY 2016 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations, (potential appropriations issues related to Low Income Home Energy Assistance funding);
H.R. 3049, FY 2016 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (potential appropriations issues related to bona fide hedging exemptions, financial entity definition, inter-affiliate swap transactions and physical forward contracts with volumetric optionality);
H.R. 3128, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2016 (potential appropriations issues related to Cybersecurity threat information sharing legislation and Safety Act Clarification);
H.J. Res. 61, FY2016 continuing appropriations;
H.J. Res. 75/H.R. 2250, FY 2016 continuing appropriations through December 16, 2015;
H.J. Res. 78, FY 2016 Continuing appropriation through December 22, 2015;
S. 1558, FY 2016 Defense Appropriations, (potential appropriations issues related to renewable energy efforts and Troops to Energy Jobs);
S. 1619, DHS Appropriations (potential appropriations issues related to Cybersecurity threat information sharing legislation and Safety Act Clarification);
S. 1645, FY 2016 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations, (potential appropriations issues related to Waters of the U.S., 316(b) Cooling Water Intake Structures rule, CCR regulation, clean air regulation, and GHG NSPS);
S. 1800, FY 2016 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (potential appropriations issues related to bona fide hedging exemptions, financial entity definition, inter-affiliate swap transactions and physical forward contracts with volumetric optionality);
S. 1910, FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations, (potential appropriations issues related to FirstNet access and utility pole attachments);
S. 2129, FY 2016 bundled appropriations for Agriculture (H.R. 304), Energy and Water (H.R. 2028), Transportation Housing and Urban Development (H.R. 2577);
S. 2130, FY 2016 bundled appropriations for Department of Defense (H.R. 2685), Energy and Water Development (H.R. 2028);
S. 2131, FY 2016 bundled appropriations for Department of Homeland Security (S. 1619);
S. 2132, FY 2016 bundled appropriations for Financial Services (H.R. 2995), Interior Environment (S. 1645) and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (H.R. 3020);
Senate Subcommittee Draft, FY 2016 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016, Waters of the U.S. policy rider, (potential appropriations issues related to DOE-industry coordination on cyber and physical security, DOE/industry partnership on storm response and restoration, and grid resilience).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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 |
Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Summer |
Bravo |
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Martin |
Doern |
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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
Promote & protect the interests of natural gas utilities, generally; energy and climate legislation affecting natural gas utilities, generally; efficiency mandates, generally; NGV Market Development, generally;
H.R. 2177 - Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act;
S. 720- Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act;
S. 1029 - to prohibit DOE from prescribing a final rule amending the efficiency standards for natural gas furnaces;
S. 869 - The All of The Above Energy Conservation Act;
H.R. 1273 - Energy Savings and Building Efficiency Act;
Draft legislation on energy efficiency and codes and standards;
H.R.8 - North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015;
S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015;
H.R. 22, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Division F provisions regarding energy security;
H.R. 1558, Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2015;
H.R. 2244, to establish a Strategic Transformer Reserve program;
H.R. 2271, Critical Electric Infrastructure Protection Act;
S. 848, Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2015;
S. 2089, the American Energy Innovation Act;
S. 1407, A bill to promote the development of renewable energy on public land;
S. 691, A bill to require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to obtain the consent of affected State and local governments before authorizing the construction of a nuclear waste repository;
HR 3643, To amend the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to enter into contracts for the storage of certain high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, take title to certain high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel;
S 1136, A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to submit to Congress a report assessing the capability of the Department of Energy to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion and fission reactor prototypes and related demonstration facilities at sites owned by the Department of Energy;
S. 854, A bill to establish a new organization to manage nuclear waste, provide a consensual process for siting nuclear waste facilities, ensure adequate funding for managing nuclear waste, and for other purposes.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Energy - Dept of
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 |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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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
Federal regulatory jurisdiction over waters of the U.S. and the definition of water of the U.S. in federal regulations:
This issue arose in: H.R. 1732 - Regulatory Integrity Protection Act - legislation pertaining to the proposed draft rule to revise the definition of Waters of the U.S. in the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Clean Waters Act definition;
S. 1140 - Federal Water Quality Protection Act - legislation pertaining to the proposed draft rule to revise the definition of Waters of the U.S. in the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Clean Waters Act definition;
Draft legislation related to methane emissions from natural gas operating systems;
The impact of legislation on existing EPA regulations: The following legislation had the potential to impact existing EPA regulations: H.R. 2576 - TSCA Modernization Act of 2015 - legislation related to reforming the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA); S. 697 - Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act - legislation related to reforming the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA);
H.J.Res. 71, disapproving EPA rule on greenhouse gas emissions from new, modified, and reconstructed electric utility generating units;
H.J.Res. 72, disapproving EPA rule on carbon pollution emission guidelines for existing electric utility generating units;
S. 1324, to require EPA to fulfill certain requirements before regulating standards of performance for new, modified, and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired EGUs;
S. 2072, EPA ozone early action compact program;
S.J.Res. 23, disapproving EPA rule on greenhouse gas emissions from new, modified, and reconstructed electric utility generating units;
S.J.Res. 24, disapproving EPA rule on carbon pollution emission guidelines for existing electric utility generating units;
H.R. 167, Wildlife Disaster Funding Act, facilitate funding to wildfire management related issues (vegetation management connection);
H.R. 1734, Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015, to provide for implementation of minimum federal CCR requirements through a state-based permit program;
H.R. 2576, TSCA Modernization Act of 2015, to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act;
S. 697, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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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
Support 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:
These issues arose in:
HR. 1731, National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act;
HR 1560, Protecting Cyber Networks Act;
S. 754, Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act;
H.R. 1073, Critical Infrastructure Protection Act;
H.R. 1735, the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (provisions regarding electromagnetic pulse);
H.R. 2029, omnibus appropriations legislation, Division N, Cybersecurity Act of 2015;
H.R. 2402, to amend the Federal Power Act to prohibit the public disclosure of protected information;
H.R. 3578, the DHS Science and Technology Reform and Improvement Act of 2015 provisions regarding SAFETY Act;
S. 1846, Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2015.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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 |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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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
Support lower rates on taxation of dividends; Tax reform proposals; Tax extenders;
Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle market by supporting various incentives. This issue arose in HR 905, LNG Excise Tax Equalization Act of 2015;
Support incentives to produce biogas; Support incentives for high efficiency natural gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters (25C tax credits); Support incentives for energy efficiency buildings (179D); Charitable Contributions Carry Forward - working to develop legislation that would extend the carry forward from 5 to 20 years;
Support the two year delay of the Cadillac Tax;
The carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions provisions in H.R.4016, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the limitation on the carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions;
The investment tax credit for combined heat and power: This issue arose in H.R. 2657, Power Efficiency and Resiliency Act (POWER Act) - to alter Section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase and alter the investment tax credit for combined heat and power;
H.R. 2050, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015;
H.R. 879, Ax the Tax on Middle Class Americans Health Plans Act;
House Amendment #2 to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2029, Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015;
S. 2045, A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage;
S. 2075, American Worker Healthcare Tax Relief Act of 2015;
S. 1946, Tax Relief Extension Act of 2015;
S. 386, Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2015;
Issues related to the extension and implementation of the renewable energy tax credits for wind and solar.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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 |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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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; Promote the development of the natural gas vehicle market by supporting various incentives;
Protect the Utility Service Vehicle exemption in SAFETEA-LU;
Support incentives for expansion of natural-gas as transportation fuel and fueling stations;
Support incentives for natural gas vehicles;
Advocate for research and development of natural gas vehicle technologies;
Oppose the sale of natural gas by the Kilogram;
Support the FAST Act - Highway Bill Reauthorization;
H.R. 0022, Vehicle for Senate Surface Transportation Bill;
H.R. 3763, Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015;
H.R. 3819, Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015;
S. 808, the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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 |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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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
CFTC Procedural Reform;
Dodd-Frank end-users recordkeeping reform;
Commodity end user reform, judicial review of CFTC regulations and the applicable APA review. These issues arose in: H.R.2289, Commodity End-User Relief Act (CEURA) to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC);
H.R. 2358, Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act, facilitate vegetation management on rights-of-way across federal land to the benefit of electric reliability and forest fire risk reduction.
HR 22, An act to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes;
HR 4066, To enable high-performance computation and supportive research and nuclear energy innovation;
Discussion draft of legislation to facilitate the deployment of communications infrastructure, provisions regarding regulation of pole attachments;
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, U.S. Forest Service, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA)
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 |
Summer |
Bravo |
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Stephen |
Plevniak |
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Martin |
Doern |
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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.
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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
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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
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2 | 4 | 6 |