The CLEAN UP Mines Act of 2026 modifies existing federal laws to tighten environmental and reclamation requirements for coal mining operations. It mandates that mines complete specific cleanup tasks, such as backfilling and grading, within 180 days after production stops and requires operators to submit plans to resume mining within a year if operations remain inactive for over six months. The bill also increases the frequency of government oversight by requiring quarterly water monitoring and annual biological assessments of streams. Additionally, it shortens the time allowed for releasing performance bonds from 60 days to 40 days, ensuring funds remain available to cover reclamation costs until work is fully completed. These changes directly affect coal mine operators and the regulatory agencies responsible for enforcing mining standards.
The Safer Choice Program Authorization Act of 2026 authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to continue its voluntary Safer Choice program, which helps consumers and businesses identify products containing safer chemical ingredients. The bill establishes specific criteria for certification, requiring that products be safe for human health and the environment while maintaining performance, and mandates full disclosure of intentionally added ingredients. To support these evaluations, the legislation creates a framework for using independent third-party experts to review complex products while protecting confidential business information. Additionally, the act requires the EPA to publish annual reports on program progress and maintain a public database of certified products, with funding authorized through fiscal year 2034.
This bill provides funding for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies for fiscal year 2027 to support their operations, conservation efforts, and public services. It allocates money to manage public lands, protect endangered species, maintain national parks, and administer programs for Native American tribes and Alaska Natives. The legislation also includes specific rules that limit how agencies can use funds, such as restrictions on implementing certain environmental regulations and prohibitions on using money to regulate lead ammunition or carbon dioxide emissions.
This bill grants Crook County, Oregon, a permanent 80-foot right-of-way and conveys four 40-acre parcels of federal land to the county for road construction and wildfire safety. The transferred land must be maintained as fire-safe zones to support emergency response and firefighter safety, with ownership reverting to the federal government if these conditions are not met. While the county will cover all costs associated with the land transfer, the legislation does not provide any funding for the actual construction of the new road.
This bill proposes to officially rename Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., to Rock Creek National Park. The change recognizes the area's significant natural, cultural, and historical resources while updating federal laws and records to reflect the new title. No new funding or operational rules are included; the legislation simply alters the park's designation within existing legal frameworks.
This bill directs federal agencies to prioritize the construction of public buildings using domestically sourced mass timber products. It requires the General Services Administration and the Department of Defense to give preference to wood harvested from U.S. forests and produced at facilities located within the country. The legislation further mandates that these wood products come from responsibly managed sources, such as forests undergoing restoration or those managed to prevent wildfires, while also supporting underserved forest owners. Additionally, the bill requires an independent lifecycle assessment of these new buildings to evaluate their environmental impact and a subsequent report to be submitted to Congress.
The Stay Cool Act establishes a comprehensive framework to help communities prepare for and respond to extreme heat events by creating cooling centers, improving housing conditions, and enhancing urban infrastructure. It directs federal funding to states and local governments to build and equip cooling facilities, install air conditioning in public housing, and develop green spaces and water features to lower temperatures. The bill also creates a national system to track heat-related health risks, mandates checks on vulnerable seniors during heatwaves, and allows tax credits for businesses that keep their doors open during heat emergencies. Additionally, it requires updates to utility assistance programs to account for cooling costs and calls for studies on heat-related mortality and safe residential temperature standards.
The Pacific POWER Act directs the U.S. State Department to launch an international program aimed at expanding geothermal energy use in Indo-Pacific allies to strengthen national security ties and reduce reliance on Chinese energy technology. This initiative involves selecting at least five partner countries, including several in the Indo-Pacific region, to collaborate on developing geothermal resources and next-generation technologies like enhanced geothermal systems. The bill authorizes the creation of public-private partnerships, financial tools, and technical assistance to help these partners build geothermal capacity while establishing standards for community engagement and environmental safety. To oversee this effort, the legislation requires the Secretary of State to submit detailed reports to Congress outlining the strategy, resource needs, and progress of the program over a five-year funding period.
The Army Organic Industrial Base Mineral Partnerships Act of 2026 allows the Army to partner with private companies to extract and process strategic minerals on Army-owned land and facilities. Under this bill, private entities would handle the mining operations while the Army retains control of the property and receives compensation in the form of cash, materials, or industrial improvements. The legislation requires these partners to follow all environmental laws, assume full responsibility for cleanup costs, and provide financial security to protect the government from liability. Additionally, the Act exempts these operations from certain federal leasing rules and mandates that the Army submit annual reports detailing the number of contracts and the types of minerals involved.
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey for potential designation as a Wild and Scenic River. The study will focus on specific segments of the Mullica River and its tributaries, including the Wading River, Batsto River, and various creeks and brooks. If the study concludes that these waters meet the necessary criteria, the federal government could officially protect them under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This legislation does not immediately change the status of the rivers but establishes a process to evaluate their suitability for conservation.
