Environment

HR 178 requires the U.S. Forest Service (under the Secretary of Agriculture) to put out wildfires on specific National Forest lands within 24 hours of detection. It directly affects National Forest System lands in areas experiencing severe drought (D2-D4 ratings), high fire risk (National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level 5), or in the top 10% of wildfire exposure risk. Key provisions mandate using all available resources for rapid suppression, prohibiting interference with state/local firefighting efforts, and strictly limiting the use of planned controlled burns or backfires (only allowed under specific safety orders or to protect personnel). The bill does not create new funding but sets operational requirements for wildfire response on defined high-risk lands.

Closing Loopholes for Oil and other Sources of Emissions Act or the CLOSE Act This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise requirements for hazardous air pollutants. Specifically, the bill allows (1) emissions from oil or gas exploration or production wells and emissions from pipeline compressors or pump stations to be aggregated with emissions from other similar sources and regulated as a major source of toxic air pollutants, (2) emissions from those wells to be aggregated for purposes of emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants, and (3) emissions from oil or gas production wells to be regulated as an area source of toxic air pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency must (1) issue a final rule adding hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants; and (2) revise the list of air pollution sources within 365 days after issuing the rule to include categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources of hydrogen sulfide, including oil and gas wells.

This bill makes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the sole lead agency for environmental reviews (NEPA) of natural gas pipeline projects, replacing the current multi-agency process. It requires FERC to coordinate early with other federal, state, or tribal agencies that issue permits, sets strict 90-day deadlines for final approvals after FERC's review, and mandates that other agencies defer to FERC's environmental assessment scope. The bill also streamlines water quality reviews by shifting certification requirements to FERC coordination and requires public tracking of all agency actions and deadlines through FERC's website. Pipeline applicants, FERC, and all agencies involved in permitting (like environmental or water quality authorities) are directly affected by these coordination and timeline requirements.

HR 2656, the *Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act*, establishes a federal grant program to help community water systems, schools, and other facilities reduce harmful nitrate and arsenic levels in drinking water. Eligible entities like municipalities, nonprofits, and water systems can apply for grants to install treatment technology, with priority given to disadvantaged communities, areas with past non-compliance, and facilities serving children or vulnerable populations. The program authorizes $15 million annually starting in 2026, limiting administrative costs to 4% of funds. It requires applicants to identify contamination sources and demonstrate how their project will reduce contaminants, aiming to improve water safety for at-risk communities.

The Farm to Fly Act of 2025 amends agricultural programs to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a qualifying biofuel, directly affecting U.S. farmers, agricultural producers, and the aviation industry by creating new market opportunities. It defines SAF with specific requirements - meeting ASTM standards, not derived from palm oil or petroleum, and achieving at least a 50% lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared to jet fuel. The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to lead a new collaboration initiative focusing on advancing SAF development through partnerships with farmers, rural economic support, and public-private partnerships. Additionally, it expands existing manufacturing assistance programs to include SAF production, aiming to strengthen domestic energy security and grow markets for agricultural feedstocks.

The TORCH Act (HR 168) streamlines wildfire risk reduction on National Forest System lands by creating new pathways for hazard tree removal, timber sales for extreme risks, and grazing management. It establishes a categorical exclusion for high priority hazard tree activities (limited to 3,000 acres), allows timber sales without appraisal for extreme risks, and expands opportunities for using livestock grazing to reduce fire fuels. The bill also modifies good neighbor agreements to better support state and local wildfire mitigation efforts and streamlines vegetation management for electric utility lines near power lines. These changes primarily affect the U.S. Forest Service, electric utility companies, and state/local governments managing wildfire risk on federal lands.

HR 2998, the Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act, prohibits most exports of used electronics (e-waste) like computers, servers, phones, and TVs, except for specific exempted categories. It directly affects businesses exporting used electronics by requiring them to register with the Commerce Secretary, file detailed export information (including consignee details and proof of item condition), and verify that recipients have proper permits for reuse or recycling. Key provisions include banning exports of most e-waste, allowing exemptions only for tested functional devices, destroyed counterfeits, and manufacturer-repaired recalled items, and imposing penalties matching existing export control violations. The bill aims to prevent e-waste from being mislabeled as legitimate exports or ending up as counterfeit goods abroad.

Save Our Sequoias Act This bill provides for the conservation of giant sequoia trees ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ) in California. Specifically, it provides statutory authority for the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition and outlines the coalition's duties. The coalition must submit a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment and annually update it. The information from the assessment must be made available so the information can be integrated into certain other plans. The coalition must also create and maintain a website that contains the assessment, educational materials, searchable information about individual giant sequoia groves, and a searchable database to track the status and costs of reforestation and rehabilitation activities. In addition, the bill declares an emergency on certain public lands and allows officials to carry out protection plans during the emergency to respond to the threat of wildfires, insects, and drought. The emergency expires after seven years. The Department of the Interior must develop and implement a Giant Sequoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy. Finally, the bill establishes a variety of programs and funds to support the conservation of giant sequoias.

HR 3059, the Streamlining Critical Mineral Permitting Act, modifies the Solid Waste Disposal Act to create a new pathway for temporary hazardous waste permits. It directly affects mining and processing facilities handling "critical energy resources" (defined as energy resources essential to U.S. energy systems with vulnerable supply chains, as determined by the Energy Secretary). The bill adds a new category allowing these "critical energy resource facilities" to qualify for interim hazardous waste permits under Section 3005(e). This aims to expedite permitting for facilities processing minerals critical to clean energy and national security, without changing existing environmental standards.

This bill would cancel a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule finalized in March 2024 that reconsidered national air quality standards for particulate matter. It directly affects the EPA’s regulatory authority and would prevent the implementation of that rule, impacting industries and communities subject to particulate matter air quality standards. The key mechanism is a direct nullification of the EPA’s final rule (89 Fed. Reg. 16202), declaring it "shall have no force or effect." This policy change would revert to prior air quality standards without altering the broader regulatory framework.