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The article reports on the first comprehensive energy bill passed by the U.S. Senate. The use of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022 was mandated by the U.S. Senate bill. It was met by intense lobbying by oil and gas companies, environmental groups, and automobile makers. Two amendments that propose the development of coal-to-liquid fuels were rejected by the U.S. Senate.

The article reports on the passage of the Senate bill House Resolution 2454, which plan to reform the energy policy and limit climate change at the U.S. Congress on June 26, 2009. It mentions that it is the most significant legislative victories for President Barack Obama and the Democratic majority leadership. It states that the bill is the result of months of negotiation with members in both industrial and rural districts. INSET: Highlights of the House Bill.

The article reports on the approval of a legislation that would prohibit the exportation of elementary mercury, a toxic metal that can lead to neurological dysfunction if consumed by the Senate panel in the U.S. The bill would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to ban exports of mercury beginning in 2010. Moreover, the bill would codify an existing prohibition on the sale or transfer of mercury stockpiles held by federal agencies.

The article reports on the override of the veto of U.S. President George W. Bush for a $23.2 billion water resources bill by both the U.S. House and Senate. The override designates the first time that the Congress was able to enact a law despite the objections of Bush. The House voted 361-54 while the Senate voted 79-14, all in favor of the bill. Under the bill, funding for the Army Corps of Engineers navigation, flood-control and environmental restoration projects will be authorized.

The article reports on the move of the U.S. Senate to approve a bill that would authorize billions of dollars in water-resource projects. Although the White House threatened to veto the bill, lawmakers are confident that they would be able to override the president. Some of the projects authorized in the bill include new locks, dams as well as environmental restoration projects on the upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway system.

The article reports that the U.S. House and Senate settled major differences over a bill that would change the Water Resources Development Act. On a July 27, 2007 meeting, members of a conference committee on the bill announced an agreement in principle. The House and Senate approved separate versions of the measure by wide margins. The legislation would approve spending on Army Corps of Engineers water projects, including flood control, navigation and environmental restoration.