While there was hope that an agreement could be reached on funding for the water crisis in Flint, Michigan that would allow debate on the Senate Energy Policy Modernization Act, this has not yet occurred. Although negotiations are ongoing, talks have slowed a bit, as both the House and Senate are not in session this week, and Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was focused on a field hearing on February 15th that examined “Energy Technology Innovation and Deployment – Opportunities for Alaska’s Energy Future”.

With the energy bill effectively stalled for the moment, Congress is turning its attention to other matters, such as the annual funding bills for federal programs. Appropriations season is ceremonially kicked-off each year with the submission of the President’s budget request to Congress.