The Responsible Data Center Siting Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Energy to create and publish best practices for selecting locations for new data centers. These guidelines must evaluate how proposed sites affect electricity prices, water availability, air quality, local communities, national security, and regional economies. The Department of Energy is required to release these initial recommendations within one year of the bill's passage and update them at least every two years thereafter.
The Protect America from CARB Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to require that state emissions standards receive approval from four federal cabinet secretaries before they can be implemented. Specifically, states must obtain concurrence from the Secretaries of Agriculture, Energy, Interior, and Transportation in addition to completing standard public notice and hearing procedures. This change directly affects state environmental agencies seeking waivers or authorizations for air quality rules, adding a layer of federal oversight to the process. The new requirements apply to any waiver requests submitted on or after the date the bill is enacted into law.
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.
HB 6247 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework in Michigan for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide, requiring operators to obtain permits from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy that align with federal standards. The bill authorizes the leasing of state-owned lands and pore space for these projects, while permitting specific surface activities on commercial forestland and wilderness areas under strict conditions to protect natural resources. It creates a unitization process to manage shared subsurface interests among multiple property owners and mandates long-term monitoring of storage sites for at least 50 years after injection ceases. Upon successful completion and verification of site safety, the state assumes ownership and liability for the stored carbon dioxide, releasing the original operator from future regulatory responsibilities.
This House resolution urges the EPA Director to reexamine air quality non-attainment designations in West Michigan, specifically including Allegan County. It argues that current federal standards fail to account for pollution originating from urban areas across Lake Michigan, such as Chicago and Milwaukee, which affects local communities not responsible for those emissions. The text notes that these designations restrict manufacturing expansion and economic development in the region. Copies of the resolution are directed to be sent to the EPA Administrator.
Michigan House Bill 6281 amends the Motor Fuels Quality Act to update regulations for gasoline and diesel fuel sold in the state. The bill directs the director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to establish specific standards for fuel purity, additives, and octane ratings, while mandating a vapor pressure limit of 9.0 psi for most retail outlets during the summer months from June 1 to September 15. It also clarifies that certain counties with stricter air quality requirements must continue using lower vapor pressure fuels of 7.0 or 7.8 psi unless federal and state agencies determine those standards are no longer necessary. Additionally, the legislation permits the year-round sale of E15 fuel, which contains 10.5% to 15% ethanol, provided that dispensing pumps are clearly labeled in accordance with federal law.
The GREEN Hospitals Act authorizes $100 billion in Hill-Burton grants for the construction or modernization of medical facilities, with priority given to projects that incorporate climate resilience features such as renewable energy systems, air quality improvements, and flood protection. The bill also establishes a separate $5 billion Planning and Evaluation Grant Program to help states, tribal governments, and nonprofits develop sustainability plans for hospitals and clinics. To receive funding, applicants must demonstrate that their facilities serve vulnerable populations or environmental justice communities and certify that they respect employee labor rights by maintaining collective bargaining agreements or non-interference policies. Additionally, the legislation requires that at least 50 percent of planning grant funds be allocated to projects located in environmental justice communities and prohibits the use of training repayment agreements for employees and apprentices.
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 New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act amends the Clean Air Act to clarify when industrial facilities must obtain permits for changes that could increase air pollution. It defines a "modification" as a change that raises the maximum hourly emission rate of a pollutant compared to the highest level achievable in the preceding ten years, while explicitly excluding projects designed to improve safety, reliability, or reduce emissions per unit of production unless they pose an adverse health or environmental risk. Additionally, the bill narrows the scope of "construction" to physical work on specific emissions-generating parts of a facility, ensuring that other costly or permanent on-site activities do not automatically trigger permitting requirements if they do not result in a significant increase in actual annual emissions.
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.