Environment (Air Quality)

in committee · United States · House Sep 8, 2026

HR 10321: Responsible Data Center Siting Act of 2026

The Responsible Data Center Siting Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Energy to create and publish best practices for selecting locations for new data centers. These guidelines must evaluate how proposed sites affect electricity prices, water availability, air quality, local communities, national security, and regional economies. The Department of Energy is required to release these initial recommendations within one year of the bill's passage and update them at least every two years thereafter.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates evaluation of air quality, water availability, and local community impacts for data center siting, promoting environmental protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · United States · House Jul 27, 2026

HR 9959: Green New Deal for Public Schools Act

The Green New Deal for Public Schools Act directs over $700 billion in federal funding to public schools, prioritizing those serving the most vulnerable communities based on CDC social vulnerability rankings. The legislation establishes a new Office of Sustainable Schools and authorizes grants for "healthy green retrofits" that convert school buildings into zero-carbon facilities with clean air, water, and energy systems, while also providing funds to hire additional educators, mental health professionals, and support staff. Additionally, the bill mandates increased federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and creates a climate resiliency program that allows schools to function as community centers during natural disasters. All grant recipients must adhere to strict labor standards, including prevailing wage requirements, Buy American provisions, and local hiring goals that prioritize residents of the surrounding community.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs $700B to public schools for green retrofits and hiring educators, explicitly advancing funding and infrastructure.100% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds zero-carbon retrofits and clean energy systems in schools, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and efficiency.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds zero-carbon retrofits and clean energy systems in schools, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds healthy green retrofits for clean air/water and explicitly allocates resources to hire mental health professionals in schools.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health Air Quality Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5292: GREEN Hospitals Act

The GREEN Hospitals Act authorizes $100 billion in Hill-Burton grants for the construction or modernization of medical facilities, with priority given to projects that incorporate climate resilience features such as renewable energy systems, air quality improvements, and flood protection. The bill also establishes a separate $5 billion Planning and Evaluation Grant Program to help states, tribal governments, and nonprofits develop sustainability plans for hospitals and clinics. To receive funding, applicants must demonstrate that their facilities serve vulnerable populations or environmental justice communities and certify that they respect employee labor rights by maintaining collective bargaining agreements or non-interference policies. Additionally, the legislation requires that at least 50 percent of planning grant funds be allocated to projects located in environmental justice communities and prohibits the use of training repayment agreements for employees and apprentices.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyThe bill explicitly prioritizes renewable energy systems in hospital construction funding, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure investment.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds climate resilience features like renewable energy and air quality improvements in hospitals, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill authorizes $100 billion in grants specifically for the construction or modernization of medical facilities, directly funding healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Air Quality Coastal & Flood Protection Environmental Justice Hospitals

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in committee · United States · House Aug 6, 2026

HR 10065: Methane Pollution Accountability Act

The Methane Pollution Accountability Act requires that royalties be paid on all natural gas extracted from federal lands and the outer Continental Shelf, including gas that is vented, flared, or lost through equipment failures during operations. This mandate applies to leases issued after the bill's enactment but includes exceptions for short-term emergency releases, gas used directly within the lease area, and unavoidable losses. Additionally, the legislation directs the Bureau of Land Management to enforce existing waste prevention rules and prohibits the agency from finalizing new regulations that would alter these standards unless they can demonstrate that the changes will further reduce gas waste or improve public health and air quality.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyThe bill imposes new royalty costs on natural gas extraction from federal lands, increasing operational expenses and potentially restricting fossil fuel production.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe bill targets methane pollution by requiring royalties on vented or flared gas, directly strengthening environmental regulations and reducing emissions from federal lands.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Air Quality Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 28, 2026

S 5145: Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act of 2026

The Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants and loans to help local air pollution control agencies purchase and operate portable air sensors in rural and remote areas. These low-cost devices are intended to measure smoke pollutants like PM2.5 and ozone in locations where traditional monitoring equipment is scarce, thereby improving the accuracy of air quality data for communities affected by wildfires. To ensure success, the bill also authorizes funding for technical assistance to help agencies install and maintain these sensors, while requiring that the data collected be shared with the EPA to update public air quality maps. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually through 2032 for grants and provides additional unspecified funding for loan programs and technical support, with a specific focus on expanding coverage to Indian tribes and areas lacking existing monitoring infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds air quality sensors to better monitor wildfire pollution, directly supporting environmental protection and data accuracy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9827: 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 allows materials from forest management, such as slash, storm debris, and wood residuals, to be counted as renewable fuel if they come from sustainably managed lands or public forests designated for fuel reduction. The bill also includes vegetation cleared from defensible space around buildings and from wildfire risk reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface. By clarifying these categories and establishing certification requirements, the legislation aims to increase the supply of biomass available for generating renewable energy credits.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands renewable biomass eligibility for carbon credits using sustainably managed forest materials, directly advancing renewable energy and clean energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands renewable biomass definitions to include wildfire reduction materials, promoting carbon credits and forest management to reduce emissions and protect natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Air Quality Forestry

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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 · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5045: Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026

The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to officially recognize prescribed fires and cultural burning as "exceptional events," meaning air quality issues caused by these deliberate, managed burns will no longer be counted as violations of pollution standards. The bill requires the EPA to update its regulations within a year to clarify how these fires are defined and to streamline the process for states to petition for exemptions when wildfires or prescribed fires impact air quality. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new "Smoke Ready Communities" grant program that provides up to 90 percent federal funding to states, tribes, and local entities to help communities prepare for and mitigate wildfire smoke hazards in public buildings like schools.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes prescribed fires and cultural burning, which are often used to maintain forest health and reduce wildfire risks, indirectly supporting sustainable land management and renewable energy infrastructure resilience.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill recognizes prescribed fires as exceptional events to prevent air quality violations, thereby protecting the environment from stricter pollution standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9808: No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026

The No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026 requires Congress to explicitly approve any exemptions from Clean Air Act regulations before the President or federal agencies can use them. Under this bill, the President must submit a detailed message to both houses of Congress explaining the reasons and facts behind any proposed exemption, which then triggers a special legislative process. To pass such an exemption, a joint resolution must be approved by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, with limited debate and no amendments allowed. Additionally, the Comptroller General will review these proposals to ensure they have legal authority, and any unauthorized use of exemptions could lead to civil lawsuits. The legislation also mandates that the President reconsider certain executive branch emissions regulations every three years.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill strengthens Clean Air Act regulations by restricting fossil fuel pollution exemptions, aligning with clean energy goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protections by requiring explicit congressional approval for Clean Air Act exemptions, preventing deregulation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 10, 2026

S 4732: Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2026

This bill authorizes the President to declare a smoke emergency in states facing significant air quality drops due to wildfire smoke, either upon a request from a state governor or based on the President's own determination. Once declared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies can provide assistance such as grants, equipment, and personnel to help communities set up smoke shelters, air purifiers, and monitoring sites. Additionally, the Small Business Administration would be able to offer grants to small businesses that lose significant revenue because of the smoke. The legislation also adjusts federal budget rules to ensure that funds designated for this specific type of emergency assistance are not subject to standard deficit reduction triggers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes federal aid to mitigate wildfire smoke impacts, protecting public health and air quality through emergency resources.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides federal resources for smoke shelters and air purifiers, directly protecting public health and access to safe environments during wildfires.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

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