Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
In the case of a presidential veto, a bill can become law if it is passed by a
two-thirds majority of each chamber.
he executive branch of the federal government is headed up by the pres-
ident of the United States, who presides over more than 2.7 million civil
servants and 1.5 million military personnel who serve in federal govern-
ment departments, agencies, and ailiated organizations. he president has
the power to sign legislation into law or veto it, sending the bill back to
both houses of Congress to vote to override the veto. In order to carry out
day-to-day government activities, the president appoints a group of cabi-
net members who head up the 15 departments under the executive branch.
his includes the US Department of Energy, which is currently headed up
by Energy Secretary Steven Chu. he executive branch also oversees the
activities of independent agencies such as US Post, NASA, the CIA, the
Environmental Protection Agency, and US AID.
he third branch of the federal government is the judicial branch, which
is responsible for interpreting and enforcing laws. he highest court in the
nation is the US Supreme Court, which handles matters pertaining to the
federal government, settles disputes between states, and provides inal
interpretation of the United States Constitution. It is the court of inal
recourse in the United States.
State-level governance is also carried out through three branches—the
legislative, the executive, and the judicial—that are structured in a similar
fashion to the federal branches. In all states except Nebraska, the legislative
branch is comprised of two chambers—an upper house (typically called the
Senate) and a lower house (typically called the House of Representatives)—
and it is in the state legislature where state bills are introduced. he executive
branch of the state is led by a governor, who presides over day to day afairs of
the state. Finally, there is a judicial branch that hears civil and criminal cases
not under federal jurisdiction. he state Supreme Court is typically the court
of inal recourse for legal matters which fall under state jurisdiction.
Generally speaking, the state is tasked with providing electricity services
to its residents. As a result, it is responsible for establishing the structure
of the electricity sector in the state, it decides who will be responsible for
electricity provision, and it ensures that public interests are protected in the
course of providing such services. Once electricity is transmitted from one
state to another, it becomes a federal matter. A commerce clause found in
the US Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) bars any state from inter-
fering with interstate commerce, which has been interpreted as including
interstate transmission and distribution of electricity. his interpretation
has also led to federal authority over oil, natural gas and gasoline pipelines
that cross state lines.
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In short, although the states enjoy a high degree of
