This bill sets new renewable energy targets for federal buildings, requiring the U.S. government to increase its use of renewable energy over time. It mandates that federal agencies meet minimum renewable energy consumption levels: 7.5% from 2013-2019, rising to 35% by 2030-2039, 75% by 2040-2049, and 100% starting in 2050. The law directs agencies to prioritize on-site, on federal lands, or on tribal lands renewable energy projects where economically and technically feasible. These requirements directly affect all federal buildings and agencies managing energy procurement.
The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act establishes two new programs to address water pollution in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds, which flow across the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to create action plans, develop priority project lists, and coordinate funding with Mexican entities to improve water quality through natural infrastructure, stormwater management, and water reuse projects. It authorizes $50 million annually from 2026-2036 for these programs to address chronic pollution issues affecting communities like Imperial Beach and San Diego, which have experienced beach closures due to sewage and contaminants flowing from Mexico. The legislation emphasizes collaboration between U.S. and Mexican governments, including the International Boundary and Water Commission, to manage transboundary water quality concerns.
HRES 233 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of April 2025 as "National Native Plant Month" in the United States. It recognizes native plants - species naturally adapted to specific U.S. regions - as essential for healthy ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental resilience, highlighting their role in supporting wildlife and sustainable habitats. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about the ecological and economic benefits of native plants. It directly affects public awareness and educational efforts, encouraging communities to promote native plant conservation. The resolution was introduced by Representatives Case, Neguse, Joyce, Soto, Moylan, and Tokuda and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
HR 1309, the "Protect America’s Lands Act," prohibits national securities exchanges from processing transactions involving securities issued by "natural asset companies." These are defined as companies that hold rights to manage specific land areas for conservation, restoration, or sustainable use, with the primary purpose of maintaining or growing natural assets and ecosystem services. The bill directly affects financial markets by restricting how securities tied to environmental land management are traded, not landowners or conservation efforts. It amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to create this new regulatory barrier for such financial instruments. The bill focuses on securities regulation, not direct land protection or policy changes for land use.
This bill establishes a national biochar research network with up to 20 research sites to study how biochar (a charcoal-like material made from organic waste) affects soil health, carbon sequestration, and farm productivity. It directly supports farmers, ranchers, foresters, and land managers by funding research on biochar applications across different soils, climates, and farming systems to improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gases, and boost profitability. The network will conduct experiments on biochar production methods, soil interactions, and full life-cycle impacts, generating practical data for real-world use. The bill authorizes $50 million annually from 2025-2030 to support this research, administered by USDA agencies in partnership with other federal departments.
HCONRES 29 is a non-binding congressional resolution supporting the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, a 2015 UN climate pact adopted by 196 nations. It expresses Congress's backing for the President's action to withdraw the United States from this international climate agreement, which aims to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The resolution does not change U.S. policy or require new action - it merely states legislative support for the existing withdrawal effort. It directly affects U.S. participation in global climate negotiations but has no legal force.
This bill authorizes U.S. sanctions against foreign entities and individuals engaging in activities that worsen climate change or harm the environment. It targets specific actions including: building inefficient fossil fuel infrastructure that undermines climate goals, illegal deforestation (especially in the Amazon), misleading environmental claims, and violence against environmental defenders. Sanctions would include visa bans, asset freezes in U.S. accounts, and other penalties under existing Global Magnitsky frameworks. The law applies only to foreign actors, not U.S. citizens or companies, and requires evidence of intentional or reckless conduct.
S 897, the Farewell to Foam Act of 2025, bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene food service ware (like single-use cups, trays, and takeout containers), expanded polystyrene loose fill (packing peanuts), and expanded polystyrene coolers starting January 1, 2028. It directly affects food service providers (restaurants, schools, grocery stores), manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who sell or handle these products. The bill excludes coolers used for medical products or drugs and defines covered items to clarify what is prohibited. This policy change aims to reduce non-recyclable foam waste by prohibiting specific foam products in the food service and packaging industries.
The ReSCUE Oceans Act establishes a federal program to advance marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) research, development, and field trials through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It creates designated research areas for mCDR projects that require consultation with Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and coastal communities, while mandating monitoring of environmental and social impacts. The bill develops protocols for measuring carbon removal efficacy and establishes an interagency working group to coordinate federal efforts across NOAA, NASA, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies. It requires biennial reports on mCDR activities, includes special data protections for tribal communities, and aims to support safe, responsible mCDR technologies through science-based research and community engagement.
The SPEED Act amends the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to streamline federal environmental reviews for projects like infrastructure, energy, or development. It limits agencies to considering only "reasonably foreseeable" environmental effects directly tied to a specific project - excluding speculative or distant impacts - and prohibits requiring new scientific research unless essential and reasonable. The bill sets strict deadlines (e.g., 180 days for court remands) and restricts legal challenges by requiring claims to be filed within 150 days of a project’s approval and limiting disputes to issues raised during public comment. This directly affects federal agencies (e.g., EPA, Corps of Engineers) and project developers, aiming to accelerate permitting while maintaining procedural NEPA compliance.
