Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 3986: Maryland Whole Watershed Program Federal Partnership Act of 2026

This bill authorizes the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to join as an advisory member of state watershed management teams, including Maryland's Whole Watershed Program and similar programs in other states. The legislation allows the office to coordinate with state and local governments and federal agencies while providing technical assistance and financial resources for projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. By formalizing this advisory role, the bill enables the federal office to participate more directly in state-level watershed planning and implementation efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protection by authorizing federal coordination with state watershed programs for Chesapeake Bay conservation and technical assistance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · United States · House Sep 17, 2026

HR 7831: License to Drill Act

This bill, known as the License to Drill Act, extends the deadline for collecting fees on new oil and gas drilling permit applications from 2026 to 2037 under the Mineral Leasing Act. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue collecting these fees for each new permit application throughout the extended period. The bill also directs that all fees collected between fiscal years 2027 and 2037 be transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund instead of being distributed as previously required. These changes affect the Bureau of Land Management's administrative process for managing oil and gas leasing on federal lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends fee collection period for drilling permits, directing funds to BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund, strengthening fiscal management and government revenue collection.75% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill extends fee collection period for oil and gas drilling permits, potentially increasing revenue for energy infrastructure improvements under the Mineral Leasing Act.65% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill extends fee collection period for oil and gas drilling permits, facilitating increased fossil fuel extraction which may harm environmental protection and climate goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 15, 2026

S 3947: REWIRE Act

This bill, known as the REWIRE Act, would streamline the process for upgrading power lines by exempting certain transmission upgrades from detailed environmental reviews when they occur within existing rights-of-way. It specifically allows utilities to replace or upgrade conductors and install new grid technologies without preparing environmental impact statements, provided the work stays within previously disturbed land or current corridors. The legislation also directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create rules that improve financial returns for companies investing in advanced transmission materials like carbon fiber cables. Additionally, the bill establishes a federal modeling program to better predict grid performance and creates a technical assistance clearinghouse to help utilities implement these new technologies.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill streamlines transmission upgrades within existing rights-of-way, reducing regulatory barriers to grid modernization and supporting energy infrastructure development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts transmission upgrades from environmental reviews, weakening environmental protections and reducing oversight on infrastructure projects.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables grid modernization and transmission upgrades, which supports technology infrastructure development and energy technology deployment.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Pipeline Infrastructure Transmission Broadband Access

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 4021: Promoting Reduction of Emissions through Landscaping Equipment Act

This bill creates a federal tax credit for businesses that purchase electric lawn, garden, and landscaping equipment that produces zero emissions. The credit allows eligible businesses to claim 40 percent of the equipment's cost as a tax reduction, with annual limits of $25,000 and a 10-year aggregate cap of $100,000. Covered equipment includes electric-powered mowers, trimmers, and other landscaping tools powered by electricity, batteries, or solar energy, as well as batteries and generators used to charge them. The credit applies to equipment placed in service after December 31, 2024, and expires five years after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a federal tax credit for businesses purchasing zero-emission equipment, directly advancing tax policy and fiscal management through tax incentives.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides tax credits for zero-emission electric equipment, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence in landscaping.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes tax credit for zero-emission equipment, directly reducing pollution and promoting clean energy adoption.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes adoption of electric technology equipment through tax incentives, advancing clean tech and reducing reliance on fossil fuel-powered machinery.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes sustainable transportation by incentivizing zero-emission electric equipment, reducing carbon emissions from landscaping operations.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Electric Vehicles Solar Electric Vehicles

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 3926: E-Access Act

The Access to Consumer Energy Information Act requires electric and gas utilities to provide customers with easy access to their energy usage data and billing information in a standardized, machine-readable format. The bill directs the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create guidelines ensuring consumers can securely share this data with third-party apps and services to help manage energy consumption and costs. Utilities must allow customers to install software on their energy meters and cannot discriminate against third-party developers seeking access to this data. The legislation also authorizes funding to help states implement these data-sharing programs and requires a report on using meter data for wholesale electricity market settlements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes competition in energy management tools, enhances consumer access to energy information, and supports innovative products to improve grid reliability and energy efficiency.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes energy efficiency through digital tools, enabling consumers to better manage usage and reduce waste, indirectly supporting environmental protection.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital energy management tools, standardizes data access, and enables third-party app integration for consumer energy management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Efficiency Pipeline Infrastructure Consumer Data Protection

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signed · United States · Senate Dec 26, 2025

S 2878: Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act

Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act This act reauthorizes through FY2030 research and monitoring conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in support of binational fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin. This research is completed through the Great Lakes Science Center and may involve invasive species science, studies on fishery resources, and the use of biological assessment tools and other capabilities to support fishery management decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds research and monitoring of Great Lakes fisheries, including invasive species science and fishery resources, which supports environmental conservation and natural resource management.85% confidence

in committee · United States · House Dec 17, 2025

HR 6787: Clean Competition Act

The Clean Competition Act (HR 6787) creates a carbon border adjustment mechanism that imposes fees on imported goods and domestic production based on their carbon intensity relative to U.S. industry averages. The bill requires covered entities to report greenhouse gas emissions and production data annually, calculates charges based on how much a facility's emissions exceed a baseline percentage that decreases over time, and provides rebates for exported goods. It includes provisions for carbon removal credits, establishes funding programs to support domestic industrial decarbonization through grants and contracts, and creates a framework for international 'carbon club' agreements with trading partners that meet specific environmental and labor standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates carbon border adjustment fees on imports, generating revenue that supports fiscal management and environmental policy while maintaining domestic industry competitiveness.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates carbon border adjustment to reduce carbon intensity, promote clean energy, and protect U.S. industry from high-emission imports.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates carbon border adjustment to reduce emissions and protect environment by penalizing high-carbon imports and incentivizing clean production.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 3939: Chesapeake WATERS Act

This bill reauthorizes the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and establishes its role as the primary NOAA representative in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The legislation creates a new Director position with expertise in Chesapeake Bay research and resource management, and expands the office's responsibilities to include coastal hazards, climate change, and education initiatives. Key provisions authorize programs for scientific peer review, coastal observing systems, education and training grants, and habitat restoration projects focused on oysters, blue crabs, and other living marine resources. The bill also requires biennial reports to Congress on the office's activities and progress in protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill reauthorizes NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, strengthens environmental protection, expands climate change and resource management responsibilities, and creates new director position for watershed conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Mar 5, 2026

HR 7821: Promoting Reduction of Emissions through Landscaping Equipment Act

This bill creates a business tax credit for companies that purchase zero-emission electric lawn, garden, and landscaping equipment. The credit equals 40 percent of the equipment's cost, with annual limits of $25,000 and a ten-year aggregate cap of $100,000 per business. Eligible equipment includes electric-powered mowers, trimmers, and other landscaping tools powered by solar, batteries, fuel cells, or grid electricity, as well as batteries and generators used to power them. The credit applies to equipment placed in service after December 31, 2024, and expires five years after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides business tax credits for green equipment, promoting fiscal incentives and environmental goals while reducing tax burden for eligible businesses.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides tax credit for zero-emission electric equipment, promoting renewable energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes zero-emission equipment to reduce pollution and advance environmental protection through tax incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes sustainable transportation by incentivizing zero-emission electric equipment, reducing fossil fuel dependence in landscaping operations.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Solar Electric Vehicles

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 4091: Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026, amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to expand federal conservation funding and technical support for wildlife habitat connectivity and migration corridors on private working lands. It defines native big game species such as deer, elk, and pronghorn to ensure conservation efforts prioritize these animals and increases payment limits for land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. The legislation also authorizes cost-share payments for habitat restoration projects on grasslands and mandates that conservation practice standards include nonstructural methods like virtual fencing to manage livestock distribution while protecting wildlife corridors. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance for implementing these practices and establishes virtual fencing as a high-priority research area to study its effects on natural resources and wildlife habitats.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands federal conservation funding for wildlife habitat connectivity and migration corridors on private lands, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation of natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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