Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 5087: Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026

The Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 updates the Clean Air Act to broaden the definition of renewable biomass eligible for carbon credits. It specifically includes wood and paper residuals from manufacturing, as well as trees and shrubs from certified non-Federal lands and public forests used for fuel reduction or ecological restoration. The bill also allows vegetation cleared from defensible space around buildings and wildfire risk reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface to be counted. These changes require specific certifications from landowners or federal agencies to verify that the materials come from sustainable sources and are not suitable for use as sawlogs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands renewable biomass eligibility for carbon credits, promoting renewable energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands renewable biomass for carbon credits and funds wildfire risk reduction, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9673: MARA Act of 2026

The MARA Act of 2026 establishes a new Office of Aquaculture within NOAA to oversee and promote commercial-scale offshore aquaculture projects in U.S. waters. This bill authorizes the issuance of permits for demonstration projects that must use native species, adhere to strict environmental safety standards, and minimize impacts on existing fishing and navigation. To support industry growth, the legislation creates funding for workforce training programs, establishes Aquaculture Centers of Excellence at specific universities, and mandates a unified permitting process to streamline federal approvals. Additionally, the act requires comprehensive studies and reports to assess the long-term environmental viability, economic benefits, and regulatory effectiveness of offshore aquaculture operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates strict environmental safety standards and minimizes impacts on existing resources while promoting sustainable aquaculture.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates funding for workforce training programs to support industry growth, directly advancing labor development.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Jul 17, 2026

HR 9586: Delivering Priority Legislation Act

The Delivering Priority Legislation Act is a comprehensive bill that amends several existing federal laws to address a wide range of policy areas, including small business innovation, outdoor education, nuclear security, family leave, housing, and national security. It extends funding for small business research programs, reauthorizes the Every Kid Outdoors initiative, and establishes a new National Nuclear Forensics Center to combat nuclear terrorism. The legislation also modifies the Family and Medical Leave Act to allow more flexible leave schedules, creates a tax credit for purchasing hearing aids, and requires an intelligence report on artificial intelligence systems developed in China. Additionally, it adds a criminal penalty for using corporations to hide election contributions from foreign nationals and provides specific funding for various government agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends funding for small business research and reauthorizes outdoor education, indicating increased government spending on public programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill reauthorizes Every Kid Outdoors, an initiative focused on outdoor education and conservation, indicating support for environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Credits

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 5063: FIRST Act

The FIRST Act establishes a new program within the Department of State to promote the international deployment of American small modular reactor technology. Managed by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, the program will advocate for U.S. nuclear exports, ensure high safety and security standards, and provide support for project development and workforce training abroad. The legislation requires the program to submit detailed reports and briefings to Congress every 120 days regarding its activities and funding, and it is set to expire in 2034.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyThe bill explicitly promotes the international deployment of American small modular reactor technology, advancing nuclear energy infrastructure and exports.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes clean nuclear energy exports, which reduces carbon emissions and supports climate goals.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes international deployment of American small modular reactor technology, advancing nuclear energy infrastructure and related tech exports.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9894: Investing in State Energy Act of 2026

The Investing in State Energy Act of 2026 requires federal agencies to distribute funds and guidance for energy conservation programs within 30 to 60 days of receiving state plans. It specifically affects States, Indian Tribes, and other direct recipients by mandating faster payment schedules and earlier publication of funding allocations. The bill also authorizes an additional $500 million in funding for these programs over five years, starting in fiscal year 2027. These changes aim to streamline how federal energy assistance is delivered to local governments and tribes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $500M in funding for energy conservation programs and mandates faster federal disbursement, directly strengthening fiscal management of state budgets.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill allocates $500M for energy conservation programs and mandates faster funding distribution to states and tribes.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds energy conservation programs and mandates faster distribution of resources to states and tribes for environmental initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9825: Data Center Water and Energy Transparency Act of 2026

The Data Center Water and Energy Transparency Act of 2026 requires large data centers to report their annual energy and water consumption to state agencies or federal officials if the state lacks its own reporting program. This mandate applies specifically to facilities with a peak demand of at least 25 megawatts, which must submit details on their usage, efficiency metrics, and five-year projections for reducing resource consumption. The bill also requires operators planning to build new or expand existing facilities to submit similar reports before construction begins. Additionally, the law authorizes states to charge fees for data collection and establishes a federal penalty of $20,000 per day for negligent violations of reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates reporting of energy consumption and efficiency metrics, promoting transparency and accountability in energy usage.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates transparency for data center water and energy use, promoting conservation and resource efficiency.85% confidence

Tags Data Reporting

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4960: CLEAN Act

The CLEAN Act aims to speed up geothermal energy development by requiring the Department of the Interior to lease 75 percent of nominated land parcels each year and to conduct replacement sales if a scheduled lease is canceled. It also mandates strict timelines for processing drilling permit applications, requiring officials to acknowledge receipt within 30 days and issue or defer decisions within another 30 days. These provisions directly affect the federal leasing process and companies seeking to drill for geothermal energy, ensuring that applications are reviewed quickly and that a majority of available resources are offered for lease.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyThe bill explicitly aims to accelerate geothermal energy development by mandating high lease rates and strict permit processing timelines.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe CLEAN Act promotes geothermal energy development, a clean energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, thereby supporting environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 4951: Opening Programs to Organic Farms Act

The Opening Programs to Organic Farms Act requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on the obstacles preventing certified organic farms and those transitioning to organic production from accessing USDA programs. This report must detail specific barriers related to eligibility, funding, paperwork, and staff knowledge, along with data on application and approval rates. Following the initial study, the Secretary of Agriculture must submit annual updates for three years to track progress on removing these hurdles and propose any necessary legal changes. The bill directly affects organic farmers and the USDA agencies responsible for administering agricultural support programs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes organic farming, which generally reduces chemical use and supports environmental conservation.75% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · House Jul 6, 2026

HR 9594: No PFAS in Cosmetics Act

The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act prohibits the sale of cosmetics in the United States if they contain intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. This ban specifically targets fluorinated chemicals that manufacturers add to products for a functional or technical purpose, as well as certain breakdown products of those chemicals. The regulation will take effect on January 1, 2027, applying to all cosmetic products and their packaging. Additionally, the bill repeals a previous provision from the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 to ensure consistency with this new restriction.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill bans PFAS chemicals in cosmetics, reducing pollution and protecting the environment from toxic substances.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBanning PFAS in cosmetics reduces exposure to harmful chemicals, thereby protecting public health and preventing potential long-term health issues.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9933: South Atlantic Red Snapper Fair Access Act of 2026

This bill, titled the South Atlantic Red Snapper Fair Access Act of 2026, aims to temporarily close commercial fishing for red snapper in Federal waters whenever recreational fishing is prohibited. The legislation directly affects commercial fishermen, retailers, and other businesses by making it illegal to harvest, sell, or trade red snapper caught during these specific closed periods. By aligning commercial restrictions with recreational closures, the bill seeks to ensure that conservation burdens and access limitations are shared fairly between the two sectors. The Secretary of Commerce is required to issue regulations within 90 days to enforce these rules under existing federal fishery laws.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enforces fishing closures to conserve red snapper populations, directly protecting natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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