The Congress will spend most of its remaining time before the Memorial Day recess completing its work on the Iraq-Afghanistan Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill, the FY2009 Budget, and a reauthorized Farm Bill. Following the recess, every indication points to the Senate bringing up the Lieberman-Warner climate change bill for debate (whether there are the 60 votes to invoke clouture and have a vote on the bill itself is anyone’s guess).

This week, the following hearings are scheduled:

On Tuesday at 10 AM, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will examine the impacts of climate change on the design of energy infrastructure in coastal regions. Witnesses include Virginia Burkett, chief scientist of the global change programs, United States Geological Survey and Lisa Polak Edgar, commissioner, Florida Public Service Commission.

On Wednesday at 2 PM, the House Select Committee on Global Warming and Energy Independence will hold a hearing on green building standards. Scheduled to testify is San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome. Also testifying will be Kent Peterson, president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; Michelle Moore, senior vice president of policy and public affairs for the U.S. Green Building Council; and a representative from Enterprise Community Partners.

Two hearings on opposite ends of the Congress will examine the link between food prices and biofuels. On Wednesday at 9:30 AM, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing featuring Henrietta Fore, administrator and director of foreign assistance, Agency for International Development; Edward Lazear, chairman, Council of Economic Advisers, Executive Office of the President; Josette Sheeran, executive director, UN World Food Programme; and M. Peter McPherson, president, National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. The next day at 10 AM, the House Agriculture Committee will hold a similar hearing- the witnesses have yet to be announced.

Finally, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will review oil shale policy in a hearing on Thursday at 2:30 PM. Scheduled to appear are C. Stephen Allred, assistant secretary for land and minerals management, U.S. Department of the Interior; Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter; Terry O’Connor, vice president, external and regulatory affairs, Shell Exploration & Production; Steve Smith, assistant regional director, Wilderness Society; and Jim Hansen, representing Oil Shale Exploration Co.

For further information about this topic, please contact Akin Gump.