This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require states to include assessments of threats to local electricity infrastructure (defined as systems under 100 kilovolts) in their energy security plans. It mandates states address physical threats (like weather, attacks, and supply chain risks) and cybersecurity vulnerabilities specifically affecting these local systems, which directly impact electric utilities and their equipment suppliers. The bill updates deadlines, extending the requirement for states to submit plans from 2025 to 2030. These changes aim to strengthen grid resilience by focusing state planning on vulnerabilities in lower-voltage distribution networks.
The Energy Transitions Initiative Authorization Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund renewable energy infrastructure projects in remote, island, and Tribal communities. It authorizes up to $5 million per project (with grantees covering at least 10% of costs) for initiatives like solar microgrids, hydropower, or energy efficiency upgrades. Eligible entities include states, local governments, Tribal communities, and community organizations serving these areas, with $31 million annually allocated for fiscal years 2026-2030. The bill requires technical assistance for grantees and annual GAO audits to ensure proper fund use. It directly targets communities facing high energy costs, infrastructure vulnerability, and disaster risks due to geographic isolation.
HR 3313, the Protecting American Farmland Act, prohibits federal agencies from using taxpayer funds to support solar energy projects that convert prime farmland. It also excludes solar installations on prime farmland from multiple federal tax credits, including the residential clean energy credit, production tax credits, and investment tax credits. The bill defines "prime farmland" using existing standards from the Farmland Protection Policy Act, directly affecting solar developers seeking federal funding or tax incentives for projects on such land. These provisions aim to prevent agricultural land conversion for solar energy development by restricting financial incentives.
SJRES 39 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule interpreting the Clean Electricity Production Credit (Section 45Y) and Clean Electricity Investment Credit (Section 48E) tax provisions. If passed, this resolution would nullify the IRS rule, directly affecting businesses and individuals claiming these clean energy tax credits. The resolution uses the Congressional Review Act process to block the rule from taking effect, without altering the underlying tax code. This is a procedural disapproval measure, not a substantive policy change.
HJRES 131 blocks a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule that would have allowed oil and gas leasing in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain. The bill uses the Congressional Review Act to formally disapprove this specific rule, making it legally void. It directly affects the BLM's ability to advance the leasing program and companies seeking permits for oil and gas development in that area. The resolution became law after passing both chambers of Congress in late 2025.
HR 6983, the PRICE Act, requires large U.S. data centers (those consuming at least 50 megawatts daily) to generate all the electricity they use annually. Starting in 2035, at least 75% of that electricity must come from clean sources like solar, wind, or hydropower, increasing to 100% by 2040. Data centers failing to comply face daily civil penalties of up to $100,000 until corrected. The bill directly affects major data center operators, aiming to shift their energy use toward renewable sources through enforceable deadlines.
Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 This bill modifies the Energy Act of 2020 to expand the definition of critical minerals to include critical materials designated by the Department of Energy (DOE). Under current law, DOE's critical materials list contains certain materials that are essential for energy, including those on the critical minerals list of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS's list, which contains certain minerals that are essential to the nation's economic or national security, is not required to include the materials on DOE's list. Currently, both lists include minerals with a high risk of supply chain disruptions, and both DOE and USGS must conduct a variety of efforts to ensure a secure and reliable supply chain of the minerals. By expanding the definition of critical minerals , this bill requires the USGS to include on its list the materials on DOE's list. Within 45 days of DOE adding a mineral, element, substance, or material to its critical materials list, the USGS must update its list to include such mineral, element, substance, or material.
This bill increases tax credits for affordable housing developers who improve energy efficiency in existing buildings. It adds a 30% credit boost (to 130% of rehabilitation costs) for buildings meeting specific energy standards, either by adopting a government-determined advanced construction standard or using a certified retrofit plan that reduces energy use by 50% or more. Buildings in high-cost areas qualify for an additional 30% boost (to 160% of costs) if they meet these standards. The changes apply to housing credit allocations after December 31, 2025, with specific rules for bond-financed projects.
The Waste Heat to Wattage Act of 2026 amends the definition of renewable energy under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include "waste energy recovery." Specifically, it adds waste energy recovery - defined as heat or pressure from industrial processes that would otherwise be wasted - to the list of eligible renewable energy sources. This change directly affects industrial facilities that capture waste heat or pressure to generate electricity through systems like waste heat to power. The bill updates existing law to recognize this technology as renewable energy, without creating new programs or funding.
HR 2133, the "Lakes Before Turbines Act," blocks tax credits for offshore wind energy projects in the Great Lakes by amending the federal tax code. It prohibits the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind facilities located in the Great Lakes after 2022, directly affecting developers planning such projects. The key provision inserts "other than any of the Great Lakes" into the tax code language that previously allowed credits for wind projects in U.S. inland waters. This policy change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.