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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 701 Pennsylvania NW, Suite 250 |
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 | 2016 |
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: Martin E. Doern |
Date | 4/20/2016 8:24:46 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
Draft FY 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations legislation (budget issues generally, Waters of the US, Coal Combustion Residual regulation, Steam Effluent Electric guidelines);
Draft FY 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations legislation (budget issues generally, grid resilience, DOE-industry partnership on cyber and physical security, Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems (CEDS) program, Cyber Mutual Assistance program, Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration (ISER) program, and Transformer Reliance and Advanced Components (TRAC) program;
The Pension and Budget Integrity Act;
Funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for FY2017; support adequate funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program is fully authorized at $5.1 billion, however, for the past several years it has not been funded above $3.4 billion. The industry, and our Capitol Hill allies, are asking for $4.7 billion in program funds for FY2017 ; Advocated for appropriations for research and development to improve natural gas technologies and natural gas vehicles.
H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations 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 |
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
H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015;
H.R. 2663, Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2015, to encourage development of renewable geothermal, solar and wind energy on public land;
H.R. 2984, the Fair RATES Act;
H.R. 4427, to amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act;
S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015;
S. 2089, the American Energy Innovation Act;
S. 1407, Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2015, to encourage development of renewable geothermal, solar and wind energy on public land;
S 2461, A bill to enable civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies by private and public institutions, to expand theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear physics, chemistry, and materials science, and for other purposes;
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;
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, and make certain expenditures from the Nuclear Waste Fund;
HR 4745, 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 and take title to certain high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel;
HR 1732, To preserve existing rights and responsibilities with respect to waters of the United States, and for other purposes;
HR 4066, To enable high-performance computation and supportive research and nuclear energy innovation;
HR 4084, To enable civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies by private and public institutions and to expand theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear physics, chemistry, and materials science;
Promote & protect the interests of natural gas utilities in any legislation considered by the House Energy & Commerce Committee and the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee regarding energy and climate legislation affecting natural gas utilities, including efficiency mandates and NGV Market Development. These issues arose ib S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 and H.R.8 - North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015.
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
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;
S. 1803 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. 3797, the SENSE Act regarding emissions limits for electric generating units using coal refuse;
H.R. 4775, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016;
Clean Power Plan implementation issues generally, EPAs proposed federal implementation plan and model trading rules;
S. 1140, Federal Water Quality Protection Act (requires withdrawal of WOTUS rule and sets parameters for development of a new rule);
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
H.R. 1073, Critical Infrastructure Protection Act;
H.R. 4350, to repeal the Cybersecurity Act of 2015;
S. 1846, Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2015;
HR 1560, To improve cybersecurity in the United States through enhanced sharing of information about cybersecurity threats, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance multi-directional sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks and strengthen privacy and civil liberties protections, and for other purposes;
HR 1731, To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance multi-directional sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks and strengthen privacy and civil liberties protections, and for other purposes;
S. 754: Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act;
H.R.1770 - Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015;
H.R.2205 - Data Security Act of 2015. Legislation to set standards for identifying, reporting, and responding to data breaches, and the resulting exfiltration of sensitive personal and financial data, caused by illegal hacking. Primary industry concern is that this legislation not morph into a prescriptive cybersecurity standardization program;
H.R.4651 / S.2604 Digital Security Commission Act of 2016. Legislation that would create a commission to study and make recommendations on digital security matters, particularly in the area of encrypted communications and related security equipment. Our primary concern is that the Commission should not end up advocating specific security technologies or practices and that the unique needs of critical infrastructure entities, like gas utilities, are considered as part of the process;
The Senate Intelligence Committee is in the final stages of drafting encryption legislation. This legislation will likely include procedures allowing law enforcement access to encrypted communications and equipment. Less clear is whether it will mandate specific cybersecurity technologies or practices and how all the above may impact gas utilities;
Modification to the SAFETY Act, an existing law that provides liability protection in the aftermath of a successful terrorist attack for companies that employ SAFETY Act approved anti-terrorism technologies, policies and procedures. This modification would expand the law to specifically include cybersecurity equipment, policies, procedures, etc. House Homeland Security is expected to introduce legislation in the coming weeks.
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
H.R. 4016, Amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the limitation on the carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions;
Issues related to renewable energy tax incentives generally and amendments to the investment tax credit for renewables.
Issues related to corporate tax reform generally - including issues related to corporate integration.
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
H.R. 4441, FAA Reauthorization, provisions related to the regulation of drones for purposes of infrastructure inspection;
S. 2658, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016, regulation of drones for purposes of infrastructure inspection and proposed tax provisions related to renewable energy
S. 2684, UAVs for Energy Infrastructure Act;
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;
Safe and environmentally sound transportation of natural gas, including, the design, installation, inspection, testing, construction, extension, operations, replacement and maintenance of pipeline facilities. These issues arose in: S2276: SAFE PIPES Act - Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act. This bill would also reauthorize the Pipeline Safety Act for additional years.
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);
Commodity End-User Relief Act, Senate Version (No Number Assigned);
This legislation would reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Language in both bill clarifies that commodity end-users, including gas utilities, are not treated as financial entities for the purpose of Dodd-Frank financial recordkeeping rules. More specifically, the legislation clarifies that physical natural gas contracts with delivery optionality are not treated the same as sophisticated derivatives trading or swaps. CFTC decision-making to standard administrative procedures and judicial review proceedings (note: The Senate version does not include administrative procedures reform). The Senate has not yet introduced companion legislation;
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;
Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Reauthorization;
Discussion draft of legislation to facilitate the deployment of communications infrastructure, provisions regarding regulation of pole attachments;
S. 2607, the Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act;
H.R. 4583, To promote a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce.
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
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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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