Environment

The Penalties for Polluters Act significantly increases the maximum civil penalties for violations of federal mineral leasing, oil and gas royalty management, and offshore lands laws to better account for inflation. These higher fines apply to companies and individuals who fail to comply with regulations regarding natural resource extraction and environmental protection. The bill also establishes a Penalty Revenue Reinvestment Fund that collects the additional revenue generated by these increased penalties. Half of this fund is distributed to states, Indian tribes, and local governments harmed by violations, while the other half supports federal agencies in enforcing compliance and safety standards.

The Green New Deal for Public Schools Act directs over $700 billion in federal funding to public schools, prioritizing those serving the most vulnerable communities based on CDC social vulnerability rankings. The legislation establishes a new Office of Sustainable Schools and authorizes grants for "healthy green retrofits" that convert school buildings into zero-carbon facilities with clean air, water, and energy systems, while also providing funds to hire additional educators, mental health professionals, and support staff. Additionally, the bill mandates increased federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and creates a climate resiliency program that allows schools to function as community centers during natural disasters. All grant recipients must adhere to strict labor standards, including prevailing wage requirements, Buy American provisions, and local hiring goals that prioritize residents of the surrounding community.

The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants to public housing agencies and tribal entities for the comprehensive rehabilitation, energy upgrades, and modernization of public housing stock. These funds are intended to transform properties into zero-carbon homes by installing renewable energy systems, electrifying appliances, and repairing infrastructure, while also establishing workforce development programs that offer training, apprenticeships, and stipends to residents and local low-income workers. The bill mandates strict labor standards, including prevailing wages and the use of U.S.-made materials, and requires agencies to maintain or increase the total number of public housing units while prioritizing resident participation through elected councils and community engagement processes.

The Methane Pollution Accountability Act requires that royalties be paid on all natural gas extracted from federal lands and the outer Continental Shelf, including gas that is vented, flared, or lost through equipment failures during operations. This mandate applies to leases issued after the bill's enactment but includes exceptions for short-term emergency releases, gas used directly within the lease area, and unavoidable losses. Additionally, the legislation directs the Bureau of Land Management to enforce existing waste prevention rules and prohibits the agency from finalizing new regulations that would alter these standards unless they can demonstrate that the changes will further reduce gas waste or improve public health and air quality.

The Green New Deal for Health Act establishes a comprehensive federal framework to address the health impacts of climate change by creating new offices, expanding funding, and mandating specific actions across the health care sector. It directly affects hospitals, medical facilities, health care workers, and communities, with a specific focus on protecting environmental justice and low-income populations from climate-related health risks. Key provisions include the creation of an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity to develop a national strategic plan, requirements for hospitals to provide extended notice before closing or reducing essential services, and significant grants to upgrade medical facilities for climate resilience. The bill also mandates that the health care sector reduce its own carbon emissions through new disclosure rules for medical supplies and grants for green manufacturing, while simultaneously funding education to train health professionals on climate-related health threats. Additionally, the legislation authorizes Medicare coverage for home resiliency services, such as heat pumps and solar batteries, for individuals at risk during climate disasters, and allocates billions of dollars to expand the community health workforce and support mental health resilience programs.

The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act prohibits the sale of cosmetics in the United States if they contain intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. This ban specifically targets fluorinated chemicals that manufacturers add to products for a functional or technical purpose, as well as certain breakdown products of those chemicals. The regulation will take effect on January 1, 2027, applying to all cosmetic products and their packaging. Additionally, the bill repeals a previous provision from the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 to ensure consistency with this new restriction.

The No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026 requires Congress to explicitly approve any exemptions from Clean Air Act regulations before the President or federal agencies can use them. Under this bill, the President must submit a detailed message to both houses of Congress explaining the reasons and facts behind any proposed exemption, which then triggers a special legislative process. To pass such an exemption, a joint resolution must be approved by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, with limited debate and no amendments allowed. Additionally, the Comptroller General will review these proposals to ensure they have legal authority, and any unauthorized use of exemptions could lead to civil lawsuits. The legislation also mandates that the President reconsider certain executive branch emissions regulations every three years.

The Green Ribbon Act of 2026 establishes a new program to recognize schools and nonformal learning institutions that achieve high performance in environmental literacy, reducing their carbon footprint, and ensuring a positive impact on the health of their students and staff. Under this bill, the Department of Education would award grants to state agencies to support schools in meeting these goals, while the Institute of Museum and Library Services would create a similar award program for libraries, museums, and nature centers. The legislation also creates a new office within the Department of Education dedicated to providing technical assistance and resources for sustainable school infrastructure and facilities. Key provisions include setting aside specific funds for underresourced schools and Bureau of Indian Education schools, as well as requiring annual reports on the program's progress and outcomes.

The Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop better methods for measuring energy and water use in data centers, including those running artificial intelligence models. This research program aims to create standardized definitions and reporting guidelines that account for different power systems, cooling setups, and varying workload demands. The bill also requires the agency to coordinate with industry experts and international partners to establish global standards while sharing data to improve future energy demand forecasts. To support these efforts, the legislation authorizes $10 million in funding for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2029.

The Next Generation Shipping Act establishes a $10 billion funding program over ten years to support the development and deployment of zero-emission vessels and clean alternative fuel technologies. Administered by the Department of Transportation, the program provides grants, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees to eligible entities such as shipowners, manufacturers, and port authorities, while explicitly prohibiting the use of funds for automated vessel systems. To guide these efforts, the bill creates an advisory committee representing diverse stakeholders including labor groups, environmental organizations, and industry leaders to evaluate technologies and identify gaps. Additionally, the legislation mandates that funded projects prioritize workforce training, community benefits, and environmental justice, ensuring that laborers receive prevailing wages and that local communities are engaged throughout the project lifecycle.