Environment

in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2025

HJRES 18: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Improvements (LCRI)".

HJRES 18 is a resolution to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have updated national drinking water standards for lead and copper. The EPA rule, published in October 2024, proposed stricter limits on lead and copper in public water systems to improve safety. If passed, this resolution would prevent the rule from taking effect, maintaining current standards instead of implementing the proposed changes. The resolution does not create new rules but stops the EPA's proposed regulation from being enforced.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks EPA rule that would strengthen lead/copper water standards, maintaining weaker current regulations instead of implementing stricter safety measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 20, 2025

S 3276: UNtaxed Act

This bill prohibits the United Nations or its affiliated bodies from levying any tax, tariff, fee, or penalty on U.S. citizens or U.S. entities without a Senate-approved treaty. It specifically blocks U.S. funding for any United Nations activities related to implementing or enforcing a global carbon tax, defined as a tax on vessel emissions under a global fuel regime. The bill directly affects U.S. citizens and businesses by preventing the UN from imposing such taxes or using U.S. funds to support global carbon tax systems. It establishes a clear legal barrier requiring Senate approval for any UN tax affecting U.S. interests.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill blocks U.S. funding for UN carbon tax initiatives, directly restricting government spending on international tax programs.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill blocks UN carbon tax implementation and restricts U.S. funding for global climate initiatives, limiting international clean energy cooperation.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks U.S. funding for UN global carbon tax initiatives (targeting vessel emissions), directly defunding climate action efforts. Explicitly restricts implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms.92% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2025

S 1094: Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025

S 1094, the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025, requires U.S. federal agencies (like the General Services Administration and Department of Defense) to prioritize using U.S.-made mass timber products in new public building construction. It mandates that agencies give contract preference to mass timber sourced from domestic facilities and responsibly harvested U.S. forests, with specific priority for products from forest restoration practices, wildfire prevention efforts, or underserved forest owners. The bill also requires a lifecycle assessment of mass timber buildings' environmental impact and a public report within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects federal building projects and U.S. timber producers meeting the defined sourcing criteria.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes sustainable forestry and carbon sequestration via mass timber use in federal buildings, prioritizing responsibly harvested materials and forest restoration practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 4, 2025

S 837: Defending American Jobs and Affordable Energy Act of 2025

This bill repeals four executive orders issued on January 20, 2025, which related to energy policy and environmental agreements. It directly affects federal agencies responsible for implementing those orders, prohibiting the use of federal funds for any of their provisions. The key mechanism is an immediate ban on funding for the orders' implementation upon the bill's enactment, effectively canceling their legal force.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals four energy/environmental executive orders and bans federal funding for their implementation, directly weakening existing energy policy frameworks.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals environmental executive orders and defunds their implementation, directly weakening existing environmental protections and agreements.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jan 8, 2026

HR 6984: Data Center Transparency Act

The Data Center Transparency Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Energy Information Administration (EIA) to regularly report on data centers' environmental impacts. Specifically, the EPA must publish quarterly reports detailing data centers' water consumption, reuse practices, effects on local water systems (including pollution and service disruptions), and greenhouse gas emissions. The EIA must publish semi-annual reports on nationwide electricity consumption by data centers, broken down by state, including changes in energy use, new facility openings, and potential impacts on household energy costs. These reports will be made publicly available online, directly affecting federal agencies (EPA and EIA) and providing transparency for Congress and the public about data centers' resource use and environmental effects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires EPA/EIA to report data centers' water use, emissions, and pollution impacts, enhancing environmental oversight and transparency on key environmental metrics.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Tags Data Reporting

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in committee · United States · House Jun 7, 2025

HR 3819: PROTECT Florida Act

This bill directs the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize public health in managing Florida's water infrastructure, specifically requiring actions to prevent toxic algae blooms and harmful discharges into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee watersheds. Key provisions include modifying water operations to minimize cyanobacteria risks, updating the Master Operational Manual to coordinate all system elements, and mandating a study on pollution impacts from nutrient loading. It directly affects the Army Corps, Florida water management agencies, and communities downstream from Lake Okeechobee. The bill also prohibits using restoration funds for Deep Well Injection and ensures existing water quality standards remain intact.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates actions to prevent toxic algae blooms, reduce harmful discharges, and study pollution impacts from nutrient loading in Florida waterways, directly protecting ecosystems and public health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes public health by preventing toxic algae blooms and harmful discharges, protecting water quality and reducing health risks from cyanobacteria in Florida watersheds.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Public Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 10, 2025

S 1495: NRCS Wetland Compliance and Appeals Reform Act

S 1495 reforms how the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) handles wetland compliance and appeals for farmers and ranchers. It requires NRCS to prove violations (not farmers to prove innocence), prohibits retroactive penalties for past wetland conversions, and prevents NRCS from changing its arguments after a successful appeal. The bill also mandates on-site visits during appeals, creates farmer-led State oversight committees, and requires customer satisfaction surveys after wetland determinations. These changes directly affect agricultural landowners who interact with NRCS regarding wetland assessments.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReforms wetland compliance to reduce regulatory burden on farmers, prohibiting retroactive penalties and requiring NRCS to prove violations - weakening enforcement of wetland protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 12, 2025

S 990: Freedom to Haul Act of 2025

S 990, the Freedom to Haul Act of 2025, prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing or enforcing Phase 3 greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (finalized in April 2024). It amends the Clean Air Act to require that future emissions rules for vehicles cannot mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new trucks based on engine type. This directly affects EPA regulatory authority and vehicle manufacturers, ensuring a broader range of new truck options remains available. The bill focuses on preventing regulatory restrictions on vehicle choice, not on emissions outcomes.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks EPA greenhouse gas standards for heavy-duty vehicles, weakening emissions regulations that support clean energy transition in transportation.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits EPA enforcement of greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, weakening environmental regulations and allowing higher emissions. Directly restricts EPA authority on pollution control.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts EPA's ability to mandate specific technologies for heavy-duty vehicles, limiting technological advancement in emissions standards.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill blocks EPA emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, weakening regulatory requirements under transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change Freight

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 517: Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025

The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 updates how the U.S. Forest Service collects and reports forest data. It requires the agency to modernize its data collection methods - including adding timber product studies and woodland owner surveys - to better track forest carbon (including below-ground carbon), land use changes, and biomass supplies. The bill mandates nationally consistent data protocols, improved transparency in reporting, and regular updates to a strategic plan (submitted to Congress every 5 years) detailing how the agency will integrate remote sensing technologies and collaborate with partners. These changes directly affect the Forest Service’s inventory program and make forest data more accessible to researchers, landowners, and industries while protecting confidential plot locations and owner information.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enhances forest carbon tracking and biomass data, supporting renewable energy and carbon management efforts.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentModernizes forest data collection for carbon tracking, land use, and biomass, enhancing environmental monitoring and climate policy support per bill's focus on improved carbon reporting and consistent protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 27, 2026

S 2578: Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act

S 2578, the "Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act," directs U.S. agencies to support Brazil in combating criminal networks driving deforestation and environmental harm in the Amazon. It requires the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to identify sustainable economic opportunities and investment risks in the region, and authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance, capacity building, and support for sustainable livelihoods and Indigenous rights in Brazil. The bill mandates reports to Congress on drivers of deforestation (including Chinese involvement in illicit resource extraction), progress on disrupting criminal networks, and U.S. efforts to influence international financial institutions to oppose loans exacerbating deforestation. It directly affects U.S. agencies (State, USAID, Treasury) and Brazilian authorities working to address illegal logging, mining, wildlife trafficking, and associated corruption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance and support sustainable economic opportunities, directly funding a program through government spending.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects U.S. support to combat Amazon deforestation, funds sustainable economic opportunities, and provides technical assistance for environmental protection in the Brazilian Amazon.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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