The No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026 requires Congress to explicitly approve any federal exemptions from Clean Air Act requirements before they take effect. Under this bill, the President and federal agencies must submit a detailed message to both houses of Congress whenever they propose to exempt a pollution source from regulations, outlining the reasons and potential impacts. Once received, these proposals must be reviewed by congressional committees and enacted through a joint resolution that requires a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The legislation also mandates regular reports to Congress and allows citizens to sue if the government uses an exemption without the necessary congressional approval.
The Better Energy Storage and Safety Act expands federal efforts to improve the safety and reliability of energy storage systems used in homes and on the electrical grid. It directs government agencies to develop standardized testing methods, including stress tests that push systems to failure, to better predict how these technologies degrade and to mitigate risks like fires or explosions. The legislation also increases funding for demonstration projects and grants, requiring a focus on safer battery chemistries and advanced diagnostic tools. Additionally, it updates the program's goals to include the use of artificial intelligence and digital modeling to enhance the safety of installed energy storage units.
The EV Charging Accessibility Act directs the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to finalize a proposed rule ensuring electric vehicle charging stations are accessible to people with disabilities. This rule establishes minimum standards and guidelines for station design, which the Departments of Transportation and Justice must then adopt into federal regulations within 180 days. If the Board fails to complete the rule by the deadline, the proposed guidelines automatically become final without further action. The law primarily affects the government agencies responsible for setting and enforcing accessibility standards for public charging infrastructure.
The FORGE Act establishes a new program within the Department of State called FIRST to support the international deployment of small modular nuclear reactors. Managed by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, this program aims to promote U.S. nuclear technology abroad by facilitating diplomatic efforts, offering safety and regulatory guidance, and providing early-stage project support to help American businesses compete fairly with state-backed rivals. The legislation requires the program to submit regular reports and briefings to Congress detailing its activities, partners, and funding, and it is set to expire in 2034.
The Supporting Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Act extends tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel production through 2029. It prevents taxpayers from receiving both the production credit and the fuel use credit for the same fuel, ensuring only one benefit is claimed. These changes apply to fuel sold or used after the bill becomes law.
The Vehicle Innovation Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to consolidate its vehicle technology programs and fund research aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions across all vehicle types. This legislation authorizes over $1.7 billion in appropriations from 2027 to 2031 to support domestic development of advanced technologies, including electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas systems, and improved manufacturing processes. The bill mandates that these activities be conducted through partnerships with private industry, universities, and state governments, while requiring annual reports to Congress on progress and commercial adoption. Additionally, the act establishes specific programs to test heavy-duty truck technologies, explore secondary uses for vehicle batteries, and update existing federal authorities related to energy efficiency.
This bill, titled the Negating Neighborhood Noise Act of 2026, restricts the use of federal highway funds for building specific noise barriers while allowing exceptions for older projects or those near pre-existing developments. It permits the use of surface transportation block grant money for constructing these barriers if they meet new criteria regarding age and location. Additionally, the legislation encourages the creation of "multipurpose" barriers that can also support renewable energy, electrical lines, or broadband infrastructure, and requires sponsors to consider the visual appearance of these structures.
The INVEST Act amends the federal tax code to expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for employers who hire veterans with specific renewable energy skills. To qualify for this credit, a veteran must be certified by a local agency as having military training in renewable energy fields, a recent vocational degree in the sector, or a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The legislation defines renewable energy broadly to include sources like solar, wind, and geothermal power. Additionally, the bill addresses tax implications for U.S. territories by providing compensation for any lost tax revenue and ensuring coordination between federal and local tax credits. These provisions will take effect for employees who start working for an employer after December 31, 2025.
This bill expands existing federal laws to require greater transparency and reporting in the transportation fuel market, which includes gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and biofuels. It directs the Federal Trade Commission to create a new unit dedicated to monitoring crude oil and fuel markets for unfair practices, such as market manipulation or the reporting of false data. The legislation also mandates that the Department of Energy conduct detailed surveys of energy companies to collect and publish specific data on fuel buying, selling, storage, and pricing. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for violating these transparency rules from $1 million to $2 million and requires the FTC to report on its enforcement history.
The Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 temporarily eliminates the federal excise tax on gasoline for fuel sold between the date of enactment and January 1, 2027. To maintain funding for highway and environmental projects, the Treasury Department will transfer money from the general fund to replace the lost tax revenue. The bill also directs the Treasury to enforce measures ensuring that fuel producers and dealers pass these tax savings directly to consumers through lower prices.
