HR 2218 (Stop CARB Act of 2025) would block California from enforcing its own emissions standards for construction equipment, farm machinery, and locomotives by repealing federal provisions that allow states to set stricter rules. It specifically repeals Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, which authorizes California’s vehicle standards, and invalidates all existing waivers permitting California’s regulations (including those for nonroad engines) upon enactment. The bill also denies any pending waiver applications and removes references to California’s standards from other Clean Air Act sections. This directly affects California’s regulatory authority over emissions for these specific equipment types and vehicle categories.
HR 2165, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025, amends the Clean Air Act to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from writing future tailpipe emissions regulations that mandate specific vehicle technologies (like electric or hydrogen systems) or limit the availability of new vehicles based on engine type (e.g., gasoline vs. electric). The bill requires the EPA to update its regulations within 24 months to ensure new rules comply with these restrictions. This directly affects the EPA’s regulatory authority and automakers, as it limits how emissions standards can be structured. The law aims to preserve consumer choice in vehicle types by preventing regulations from favoring one engine technology over others.
This bill changes federal permitting rules for oil and gas drilling on land where the federal government owns less than half the mineral rights beneath non-federal surface land. It requires operators to use a state permit instead of a federal drilling permit, removes federal environmental review requirements under NEPA and the Endangered Species Act, and allows operations to start 30 days after submitting the state permit. It does not affect royalty payments to the federal government or apply to Indian lands. The policy directly affects oil and gas operators working on non-federal surface estates with partial federal mineral ownership.
HR 7460, the Airborne Act of 2026, creates a new tax credit for property owners to improve indoor air quality in commercial, public, and nonprofit buildings. It provides tax credits of $1 per square foot for air quality assessments, $5 per square foot for air cleaning system upgrades, and $50 per square foot for HVAC upgrades, with higher rates ($25/$250) if projects meet prevailing wage and 15% apprentice labor requirements. The credit applies only to properties meeting ASHRAE air quality standards (62.1-2022 or 241-2023) and requires certification by the Department of Energy. Property owners can claim the credit against federal taxes, with annual limits capping upgrade credits at 50% of related costs.
S 3500, the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act, requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to submit annual reports to Congress on stalled hydropower licensing processes. The bill directly affects hydropower applicants - including companies, tribes, states, and municipalities - who have notified FERC of intent to apply for a new, subsequent, or original license but haven't received a license within 3 years. Each report must detail specific status updates for each delayed application, including docket numbers, application filing status, anticipated issuance dates, upcoming meetings, and actions taken by involved parties. The reports must break down information by license type (new, subsequent, or original) to provide clear transparency into licensing delays.
SJRES 122 is a joint resolution seeking to disapprove an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that approved Indiana's Regional Haze Plan for the second implementation period under federal air quality regulations. If passed, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the EPA's approval of Indiana's haze reduction plan from being enforced. This follows a standard congressional disapproval process under federal law that allows Congress to halt agency rules within a specific timeframe. The resolution directly affects the EPA's ability to implement the approved plan in Indiana.
Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act This bill modifies the process by which the Department of Energy (DOE) issues or revises energy conservation standards for consumer products such as household appliances, including by requiring DOE to consider additional factors related to the cost and availability of such products. First, the bill allows DOE to amend an energy conservation standard for a consumer product when needed rather than by a deadline. The bill also allows DOE to grant a petition to revoke or amend energy conservation standards if the standards (1) result in additional costs to consumers, (2) do not result in significant conservation of energy or water, (3) are not technologically feasible, and (4) result in a product (e.g., gas stoves) not being commercially available in the United States to all consumers. Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria used to prescribe new or amended energy conservation standards, including by establishing new criteria for determining whether a standard is economically justified. The bill establishes disclosure requirements for DOE meetings with entities that have (1) ties to China or the Chinese Communist Party; (2) produced studies regarding, or advocated for, regulations or policy to limit, restrict, or ban the use of any type of energy; and (3) applied for or received federal funds. The bill also prohibits DOE from prescribing new or revised energy conservation standards for distribution transformers. Finally, the bill allows DOE to prescribe certain new or amended energy and water conservation standards for clothes washers and dishwashers.
HR 5410, the Critical Mineral Brine Extraction Research and Development Act, directs the U.S. Department of Energy to fund research and demonstrations for extracting critical minerals (like lithium or cobalt) from saltwater solutions (brine). It requires the Department to collaborate with private industry to scale up this technology, improve its performance, and lower costs through pilot projects. The bill authorizes $2 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for this work and mandates a congressional report within one year assessing the technology’s feasibility, barriers, and potential federal-private partnerships for domestic mineral supply. This directly affects the Department of Energy, private sector partners, and future domestic mineral production, focusing solely on advancing the technology’s development without mandating specific extraction or use.
This bill amends the Defense Production Act to prohibit price gouging on critical goods during emergencies. It defines "unfairly excessive price" as a 10% or greater price increase relative to pre-shortage levels for essentials like food, medical supplies, energy, or emergency services during declared acute shortages (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics). Businesses violating this face fines up to 300% of revenue from the violation. Exceptions apply for legitimate business needs or uncontrollable cost increases. The law directly affects sellers of critical goods during government-declared emergencies.
The Critical Minerals Investment Tax Modernization Act of 2025 modifies the federal tax code to allow mining companies extracting specific critical minerals - including the 15 lanthanide elements and scandium - to claim a 22% tax deduction (known as percentage depletion) on their mining operations. This deduction reduces taxable income for qualifying companies, directly affecting firms focused on these minerals used in technologies like electronics and clean energy infrastructure. The change applies to tax years beginning after the bill's enactment date. The legislation targets a narrow tax provision without altering broader tax policy or funding mechanisms.
