Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms Act or the STEAM Act This bill expedites the environmental review of certain geothermal energy activities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Specifically, the bill expands the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to include certain geothermal exploration or development activities in an existing categorical exclusion from NEPA for certain oil or gas activities. A categorical exclusion applies to a class of actions that do not require an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement under NEPA. The categorical exclusion established by the bill applies to drilling a geothermal well (1) in an area where drilling has occurred previously within the five years prior to the date when drilling begins; or (2) within a developed field for which an approved land use plan or environmental document prepared under NEPA determined drilling to be a reasonably foreseeable activity, so long as the plan or document was approved within the five years prior to the date when drilling begins.
The Protecting American Energy Production Act (HR 133) states that Congress believes states should maintain primary authority to regulate fracking (hydraulic fracturing) for oil and gas on state and private lands. It also prohibits the President from imposing a temporary ban (moratorium) on fracking without explicit approval from Congress. This prevents federal executive action from halting fracking operations without new legislation. The bill directly affects federal regulatory power and reinforces state control over energy production.
S 2593, the PROTECT the Grid Act, requires the Secretary of Commerce to report on national security risks posed by smart home appliances (like EV chargers and smart thermostats) controlled by foreign adversaries. The bill focuses on devices exceeding 500 watts that could be remotely manipulated via foreign-controlled applications to disrupt the electric grid. The report must assess deployment levels, vulnerabilities, and recommend security measures - such as restricting federal procurement of affected devices or requiring safety certifications. It does not ban specific products but mandates a government assessment to prevent grid instability from coordinated attacks.
This bill changes how unobligated funds from two federal transportation programs must be used. It restricts National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds to highway construction, bridge repairs, wildlife crossing structures, and commercial vehicle parking projects, while blocking prior uses. It also redirects unused charging infrastructure grant funds to states proportionally based on their existing highway funding apportionments. All funds remain available until their original expiration date and cannot replace other state transportation funding. The bill applies to both current unobligated funds and future fiscal year allocations under these programs.
HR 4068, the "Streamlining NEPA for Coal Act," requires the Secretary of the Interior to identify existing and potential exemptions from full environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that could accelerate coal production and export projects. Within 30 days of enactment, the Secretary must report these exemptions to relevant congressional committees. Federal agencies could then adopt these exemptions to skip detailed environmental assessments for coal-related projects. This bill directly affects coal producers and exporters by potentially reducing approval timelines for their operations.
This bill increases tax incentives for residential and commercial biomass heating systems. It raises the energy efficient home improvement credit cap to $2,000 for certain biomass stoves/boilers and $10,000 for others, effective after 2025. It also creates a new 30% investment tax credit for qualifying "open-loop biomass heating property" (systems using biomass for space heating, hot water, or industrial heat) that meet specific efficiency (75% minimum), size (under 50 MMBtu), and emissions control requirements. These changes directly affect homeowners and businesses installing eligible biomass heating equipment by reducing their tax burden for qualifying purchases.
HR 6068, the PROTECT Florida Act, extends the existing moratorium on oil and gas leasing and exploration in the Gulf of Mexico through 2032 and adds a new, permanent ban on these activities off Florida’s Atlantic coast. It directly affects federal agencies (like the Department of the Interior), which cannot issue permits for oil/gas exploration, seismic testing, or related activities in two specific zones: the Straits of Florida and the South Atlantic Planning Area south of Florida’s coastline. The bill blocks all leasing, preleasing, and exploration permits in these areas from enactment until June 30, 2032. This policy change prevents new offshore drilling and seismic surveys in Florida’s coastal waters, aiming to protect marine environments and coastal communities.
The Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act establishes a $10 million annual demonstration program (2026-2029) to fund National Laboratories developing innovative technologies that improve electric grid resilience during wildfires. It specifically supports projects focused on better vegetation monitoring near power lines and enhanced safety tools for first responders during grid emergencies. The program directly affects National Laboratories by providing federal funding for these demonstration projects, with the goal of testing new solutions before broader adoption. The bill does not mandate changes to existing grid operations but creates a structured process to evaluate and advance wildfire-resilience technologies.
HR 2072 allows hydropower project licensees to request extended construction timelines from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It specifically applies to projects licensed before March 13, 2020, with original construction deadlines expiring after December 31, 2023. FERC may extend the construction period by up to 6 additional years (in 2-year increments) if a licensee demonstrates good cause, and will automatically reinstate expired licenses for affected projects upon the bill's enactment. This bill directly affects hydropower developers whose licenses were nearing expiration due to delays, providing administrative flexibility without changing core licensing requirements.
The CHARGE Act of 2025 establishes a $50 million annual grant program (2026-2030) to fund solar energy systems and energy storage technologies at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Eligible recipients - including FQHCs, state/local governments, or nonprofits representing FQHCs - can use grants to install renewable energy systems or receive technical assistance for their design and operation. The program, administered by the Department of Energy, directly supports community health centers in improving energy resilience and reducing operating costs. It specifically targets FQHCs serving underserved populations, as defined under the Social Security Act.
