The Puerto Rico Energy Opportunity and Geothermal Assessment Act of 2026 directs the U.S. Geological Survey, in coordination with the Department of Energy and local officials, to conduct geothermal resource assessments for Puerto Rico. These studies must include high-resolution mapping, evaluations of groundwater vulnerability in sensitive terrain, and analyses of seismic risks associated with enhanced geothermal systems. The Secretary of the Interior is required to submit progress reports to Congress annually for the first year and biennially thereafter until the assessment is complete.
This bill allows Congress to reject a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency that concerns vehicle pollution standards in California. The measure would effectively cancel the EPA's decision to reinstate a waiver that previously let California set its own stricter air quality rules for cars. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, meaning California would lose the ability to enforce its Advanced Clean Car Program under the current framework. The legislation directly impacts the relationship between federal environmental regulations and state-level automotive policies.
This joint resolution seeks to disapprove a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding pollution control standards for nonroad engines used in ocean-going vessels while they are at berth. If passed, the measure would legally void the EPA rule, preventing it from taking effect or continuing to apply to the shipping industry. The bill directly impacts the Environmental Protection Agency and maritime operators subject to these emission regulations by removing the federal mandate associated with the California standards.
This bill proposes to reject a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding pollution control standards for ocean-going vessels at ports in California. If passed, the measure would use a congressional veto to cancel the rule, preventing it from taking legal effect. The legislation directly impacts the EPA's ability to enforce these specific emission limits and affects shipping companies and ports in California that would have been subject to the new standards.
This joint resolution seeks to overturn a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency that allowed California to set its own stricter greenhouse gas emission standards for new vehicles. By disapproving this waiver, the bill aims to restore federal preemption, ensuring that all states must follow the same national emission rules rather than California's unique requirements. If passed, the measure would effectively cancel the EPA's decision, forcing automakers to comply with uniform federal standards for vehicle pollution control.
This bill establishes a comprehensive sanctions framework targeting the Russian government and its affiliated entities in response to ongoing military actions. It authorizes the President to block assets, revoke visas, and prohibit financial transactions for Russian officials, military leaders, and foreign persons supporting Russia's defense industry or undermining Ukraine. The legislation also bans U.S. investments in Russian energy sectors, prohibits the purchase of Russian sovereign debt, and imposes high tariffs on Russian imports while restricting crude oil purchases by specific foreign nations. Additionally, the bill prevents Russian companies from listing on U.S. stock exchanges and includes mechanisms for terminating sanctions only if Russia signs a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine and ceases hostilities.
The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026 streamlines the permitting process for natural gas pipelines and other energy projects by designating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the sole lead agency for environmental reviews and establishing strict deadlines for federal and state agencies to complete their portions of the review. The bill also modifies water quality laws to reduce the number of required certifications for discharges into navigable waters, extends the validity of certain nationwide permits for dredged or fill material from five to ten years, and creates a new fund to address abandoned hardrock mines. Additionally, the legislation updates the National Environmental Policy Act to limit the scope of environmental reviews to effects directly caused by a project, impose specific timelines for agency decisions, and restrict the ability of courts to issue injunctions that would halt construction while legal challenges are pending.
The Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 prohibits state and local governments from suing energy companies for damages related to climate change or greenhouse gas emissions. This bill declares that regulating emissions is exclusively a federal responsibility and voids any state laws that hold energy businesses liable for alleged climate harms. Consequently, all pending lawsuits of this nature against energy producers must be dismissed immediately, preventing states from imposing retroactive penalties for past lawful operations. The legislation directly affects companies involved in the production, refinement, and sale of oil, gas, and coal by shielding them from civil liability in both state and federal courts.
This bill expands federal support for the agricultural sector by increasing funding for food security programs, providing forgivable loans for small food processors in Alaska, and allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to be used for online grocery delivery in remote areas. It aims to strengthen the seafood industry by creating a new label for wild-caught fish, establishing grants to build local processing infrastructure in coastal communities, and setting specific market names for genetically engineered and laboratory-grown fish. The legislation also directs research toward innovative areas like seaweed farming for methane reduction and urban agriculture, while simultaneously enhancing tribal self-determination by allowing Native groups to manage certain USDA programs and updating the Buy Indian Act.
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Agriculture
The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative through 2031. This program will continue to map critical minerals, geothermal energy, and natural hydrogen resources using advanced technologies like digital geochemistry and real-time data systems. The bill also updates the initiative to include data from the 3D Hydrography Program, ensuring a broader range of subsurface information is collected and analyzed.
