The major climate-related news on Capitol Hill this week remains the negotiations going on within the Democratic party over the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Sponsor Rep. Harry Waxman (CA) and a group of moderate, farm state Democrats, lead by Rep. Collin Peterson (MN) continue to disagree over how to administer a program encouraging climate-friendly practices among farmers, putting plans to bring the bill to the House floor before the July 4^th recess in jeopardy.

In other House news, a Wednesday markup of a transportation authorization bill will have major climate implications. The markup, in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee headed by Rep. Jim Oberstar, will provide $500 billion in funding for the nation’s roads and transit systems, and will shift a significant percentage of funding away from highways and towards transit systems, especially high-speed rail-which will receive $50 billion. Also before the committee is a proposal which would require planners to consider the carbon footprints of the transit sector.

Finally, the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee will markup the appropriations for the Department of Energy (DOE), the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation on Thursday at 9am in 2362-B Rayburn. The DOE budget, which ClimateIntel examined previously here, contains significant new funding for cleantech, renewable energy and climate science initiatives.

After the jump, other important hearings this week.

Tuesday:

• The Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee will markup the Department of the Interior/Environmental Protection Agency appropriations bill in 140 Dirksen at 9am. The House version of that bill is also due for a floor vote either Thursday or Friday of this week.
• Also in the Senate, the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee will meet to discuss the future of high-speed rail at 2:30pm in 253 Russell.
• Two subcommittees, National Parks, Forests and Public Lands and Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, of the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing in Maryland to examine the effects of climate change on the Chesapeake Bay and potential mitigation efforts. 10am, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Md.

Wednesday:

• At 10am in 2138 Rayburn, the House Science and Technology Committee will mark up a number of bills, one of which will authorize the DOE to create a series of national environmental research parks and one which will fund a natural gas-powered vehicle R&D program.

Thursday:

• At 11 a.m. in 2167 Rayburn, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will receive a four-month update on the progress of stimulus transportation projects.
• In the Senate, the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee will hear testimony on the effects of mountaintop removal mining on water quality. 3:30 p.m. in 406 Dirksen.

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