The Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to create a voluntary program that encourages large ships to slow down to reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and risks to whales. Ships that are 300 gross tons or larger and operate in designated areas along the U.S. Pacific coast can participate by voluntarily limiting their speed to 10 knots or lower. In exchange for verified compliance, eligible vessel owners may receive annual Excellence Awards and display an official logo on their vessels to show their commitment to the program. The legislation explicitly states that joining the program is optional, provides no financial incentives, and does not compromise navigation safety. Additionally, the bill requires officials to review the possibility of expanding the program to cover all shipping channels along the Pacific coast within four years.
The Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act of 2026 directs the Federal Railroad Administration to launch a pilot program exploring how trains can switch between different power sources like batteries, electricity, hydrogen, and diesel. The bill requires the agency to research these technologies, design rail cars that allow for easy power source changes, and test these designs through demonstration projects. Additionally, the Administrator must study locations where trains currently need to change power sources due to limitations and report the findings to Congress within one year of the law's enactment.
This bill directs the Department of Energy to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility, costs, and risks of recycling spent nuclear fuel into usable materials for reactors and other applications. The analysis will compare recycling methods against current storage practices, evaluate different facility locations, and assess regulatory gaps in how radioactive waste is defined and managed. By the end of the year following its enactment, the department must submit a public report detailing its findings and offering policy recommendations to support the development of recycling technologies.
The Protecting Americans from High Electricity Prices Act of 2026 amends the Natural Gas Act to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission explicit authority to block natural gas exports if they raise prices for U.S. households or increase greenhouse gas emissions. The bill specifically defines "countries of concern" as Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and other nations deemed detrimental to U.S. national security, prohibiting energy supply to these entities. It requires the Commission to consider direct, indirect, and value-chain emissions when reviewing export applications and mandates the creation of new regulations within 30 days of enactment to enforce these criteria. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that military installations are excluded from certain export limitations and ensures agencies retain the power to deny exports that harm domestic affordability or environmental goals.
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy guidelines for the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Energy for fiscal year 2027, directly affecting military personnel, defense contractors, and federal agencies. Key provisions include authorizing specific appropriations for procurement, research, operations, and military construction, while establishing end-strength limits for active and reserve forces across all military branches. The legislation also mandates various strategic plans and reports on topics such as Arctic readiness, supply chain resilience, artificial intelligence integration, and environmental remediation at military installations. Additionally, the bill modifies personnel policies regarding promotions, retirements, and service obligations, and includes restrictions on the use of certain foreign-made equipment and connected vehicles on military bases.
The Let America Build Act of 2026 primarily streamlines the process for leasing and permitting oil, gas, and mineral resources on federal lands while expanding state and tribal regulatory authority. It requires the Interior Department to resolve lease protests within 60 days and prevents lawsuits from delaying drilling permits or invalidating leases, even if environmental reviews are challenged. The bill grants states and tribes the power to issue drilling permits and regulate hydraulic fracturing on available federal land, provided they meet specific effectiveness standards. Additionally, it accelerates the approval of liquefied natural gas export projects by setting strict deadlines for federal decisions and limiting the scope of environmental reviews for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The Powering the Future of American Space Dominance Act directs NASA to develop and report on plans for using nuclear power and propulsion systems to support future missions to the Moon and Mars. It requires the agency to submit detailed updates on nuclear technology progress, including timelines for demonstrating radioisotope power systems and fission reactors on the lunar surface by 2030. Additionally, the bill authorizes NASA to study and potentially enter into agreements with private companies to provide power on the Moon, while also mandating a review of legal protections for commercial partners involved in space nuclear activities.
The Advanced Transmission Technology to Reduce Rates Act directs the Department of Energy to create a public clearinghouse that lists projects, funding options, and analyses regarding advanced transmission technologies. This resource is designed to assist electric utilities, transmission organizations, and state regulators in planning deployments and understanding the potential impacts on grid efficiency and costs. Additionally, the bill allows certain funding actions for these technologies to be exempt from standard environmental review requirements and requires the Department to establish best practices for reducing wildfire risks from power lines. Crucially, the legislation explicitly states that these measures are informational and do not grant the government authority to force utilities to adopt specific technologies or follow the new wildfire safety guidelines.
The Load Forecasting Enhancement Act requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create regional joint boards made up of state commission representatives and a commission member to study how electric utilities predict energy demand. These boards will investigate methods to improve the accuracy and transparency of these forecasts to ensure reliable and affordable electricity service, then report their findings to Congress within a year. Once the report is submitted, the law mandates that state regulators incorporate these recommended forecasting standards into their oversight of electric utilities, while exempting nonregulated utilities from certain requirements. Additionally, the bill updates existing energy laws to include procedures for improving the accuracy and transparency of load forecasting in state energy conservation plans.
The Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 expands federal oversight of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines by clarifying which smaller rural systems are exempt from regulation and raising maximum civil penalties for safety violations to $3.4 million. It requires the Department of Transportation to establish a confidential voluntary information-sharing system where pipeline operators can safely exchange safety data without fear of it being used in enforcement actions or lawsuits. Additionally, the bill mandates that states adopt specific best practices for preventing excavation damage, such as limiting exemptions for utility locates and requiring positive confirmation before digging begins. The legislation also authorizes funding for these safety programs through 2031 and creates a formal hearing process for enforcement cases involving significant financial costs.
