Energy

Securing Our Lands and Resources Act or the SOLAR Act This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture from providing financial assistance for certain projects that would result in the conversion of covered farmland for solar energy production. Under the bill, covered farmland generally refers to prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland that is of statewide or local importance. Conversion means any activity that results in the covered farmland no longer meeting certain requirements for agricultural production, activity, or use. The bill includes an exception for certain smaller projects that result in the conversion of (1) less than 5 acres of covered farmland, or (2) less than 50 acres of covered farmland if the majority of the energy produced by the project is for on-farm use. The bill also includes an exception for projects that have the approval or support from the local county and municipality. For these projects, the applicant must (1) develop a farmland conservation plan for the project (e.g., implementing best practices to protect future soil health and productivity), and (2) ensure that sufficient funds are provided for the decommissioning of the solar energy production system and the remediation and restoration of the farmland.

The ELITE Vehicles Act repeals federal tax credits for purchasing new electric vehicles, used clean vehicles, and commercial clean vehicles. It also eliminates the tax credit for installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. These changes apply to vehicles purchased or with a binding contract entered into 30 days after the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects consumers and businesses that previously used these credits to offset the cost of electric vehicles and charging stations.

HR 606, the "Energy Opportunities for All Act," formally nullifies Public Land Order No. 7923. This order had withdrawn public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park in San Juan County, New Mexico, from mineral development. The bill reverses that withdrawal, making those lands available for potential energy development. It directly affects land management decisions in that specific New Mexico area and the federal process for mineral leasing. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on repealing the prior land withdrawal order.

HRES 179 is a non-binding House resolution expressing congressional support for strengthening U.S.-Africa partnerships in critical minerals development. It directly affects U.S. federal agencies (like State, Commerce, and USAID) and African nations with critical mineral reserves, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The resolution urges the administration to create a 5-year strategy focused on diversifying U.S. mineral supply chains away from foreign entities of concern, providing financing and technical assistance to support responsible mining projects in Africa, and expanding value-added processing to boost both U.S. security and African economic development. It emphasizes mobilizing public-private investment to increase U.S. access to critical minerals like cobalt and lithium while promoting environmentally and socially responsible practices.

The Clean Competition Act imposes a carbon intensity charge on covered primary goods produced domestically or imported into the U.S., calculated based on how much a facility's carbon intensity exceeds industry benchmarks. The charge starts at $60 per metric ton of CO2-e in 2026 and increases annually, determined by (excess carbon intensity) x (quantity of goods) x (cost of pollution). The bill includes provisions for rebates on exports, reductions for emissions captured directly from the air, and mechanisms to support decarbonization through investments in clean technology. It also establishes "carbon clubs" for international cooperation on climate policies, affecting manufacturers in specific energy-intensive industries and importers of covered goods.

The ACHE Act of 2025 requires the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to study health impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining on communities in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia. It imposes a temporary moratorium on new federal permits for such mining until the study concludes, while mandating ongoing pollution monitoring (water, air, soil) at existing sites with public reporting of results. Coal mining companies must pay a fee to cover federal costs for the study and monitoring program. The bill directly affects coal mining operations in the specified Appalachian regions and the communities living near them, focusing on evidence-based health research and transparency.

HR 2848, the Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act of 2025, prohibits the federal government from issuing new oil and gas leases in Arctic federal waters. It amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to ban the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or minerals in designated Arctic areas, overriding all other federal laws. The bill defines "Arctic" using the 1984 Arctic Research Act, focusing on federal waters off Alaska. This directly affects federal leasing decisions and prevents new drilling permits in the region.

This bill modifies tax credits for carbon capture under the Internal Revenue Code. It expands qualifying uses for carbon capture credits to include using carbon as a "tertiary injectant" in oil/gas recovery projects (with storage) and other specified methods, while increasing the credit rate from $17 to $36 per ton for eligible projects starting in 2025. The changes directly affect companies capturing carbon dioxide for storage or industrial use, making these projects more financially viable. The updated credit rates apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, with future rates adjusted for inflation.

HR 2882 prohibits the U.S. Secretary of the Interior from issuing oil or gas leases for exploration, development, or production in the Central California Planning Area. This bill directly affects federal leasing decisions in that specific coastal region, preventing new fossil fuel extraction activities. The key provision amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently ban such leasing in the defined area. The bill creates a clear policy change by eliminating future oil and gas development opportunities on federal waters along California's central coast.

HR 312, the Restoring Vehicle Market Freedom Act of 2025, repeals five tax credits related to clean and alternative fuel vehicles from the Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, it eliminates credits for previously owned clean vehicles, alternative motor vehicles, alternative fuel refueling property, new plug-in electric vehicles, and commercial clean vehicles. This change means individuals and businesses purchasing or installing qualifying vehicles or infrastructure will no longer be eligible for these tax incentives. The repeal applies to vehicles or property acquired or placed in service after the bill's enactment date.