Environment: Utah Congressional Delegation

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 5, 2026

S 5262: Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2026

The Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2026 significantly narrows the federal definition of "navigable waters" by excluding wetlands without continuous surface connections, intermittent streams, and groundwater from federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. The bill prohibits federal agencies from using aggregation methods or the "significant nexus test" to assert authority over these excluded water bodies and invalidates existing regulations that expand the definition of covered waters. Additionally, it requires federal agencies to obtain written consent before entering private property for data collection and mandates that they pay affected landowners double the value of any economic loss caused by new federal water regulations.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Public Lands Water Quality

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5338: Energy Efficiency Reform Act of 2026

The Energy Efficiency Reform Act of 2026 mandates that the Department of Energy finalize specific procedural rules for setting appliance efficiency standards, including requirements for comparative economic analysis and longer lead times before new standards can be proposed. The bill significantly restricts the agency’s ability to issue new or stricter regulations by requiring clear evidence that changes are necessary to ensure product availability and prevent market disruptions, while also prohibiting standards that would eliminate consumer-valued features such as specific fuel types or installation methods. Additionally, it extends compliance timelines for manufacturers to at least five years after a rule is published and requires separate efficiency standards for different venting categories of heating equipment. The legislation also strengthens federal preemption over state and local laws regarding the sale and use of energy-efficient products, explicitly preventing jurisdictions from banning appliances based on their fuel source or emissions, and permanently halts new efficiency standard-setting for distribution transformers.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 5, 2026

SJRES 205: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Small Off-Road Engines Regulations; Notice of Decision".

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding pollution standards for small off-road engines in California. If passed, the measure would nullify the federal regulation, preventing it from taking legal effect. The bill directly impacts the EPA and manufacturers of small off-road equipment operating under California's environmental standards. It is a procedural action that relies on the Congressional Review Act to overturn an existing administrative decision.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4975: HEATS Act

The HEATS Act modifies the Geothermal Steam Act to allow companies to drill for geothermal energy on private land without needing a separate federal permit, provided the federal government owns less than half of the underground resources and the operator holds a valid state permit. This change exempts such projects from certain federal environmental reviews, including those under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, while still requiring royalty payments to the government for electricity production. The legislation explicitly excludes projects on Indian lands and allows federal inspectors to verify production data and royalty payments to ensure accountability.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Wildlife

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 4956: Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026

The Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026 aims to simplify the permitting process for landowners by changing how federal rules regarding the discharge of dredged or fill material are interpreted. Specifically, the bill directs regulators to broadly allow discharges that do not harm fish or wildlife while strictly limiting the ability to revoke permits later. By amending the Clean Water Act, the legislation seeks to reduce the number of required permits for agricultural and ranching activities involving earth-moving or water management. These changes are intended to provide more flexibility for farmers and ranchers without altering the underlying environmental protections of the law.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality Wildlife

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4931: End EPA Abuse Act of 2026

The End EPA Abuse Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to place specific limits on the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to issue new regulations. It directly affects the EPA Administrator by prohibiting the creation of rules that restrict the sale or use of internal combustion engine vehicles, force power plants to switch fuel sources, or reduce the reliability of the electric grid. Additionally, the bill forbids regulations requiring technologies that are commercially unavailable, too expensive without subsidies, or technically infeasible due to geographic or infrastructure limitations. Finally, it bars the agency from issuing rules that significantly expand its authority beyond what Congress originally intended.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Technology ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Air Quality

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4755: DEEP Act

The DEEP Act establishes a new nationwide permit for dredging projects in U.S. ports and navigation channels, aiming to streamline the approval process for maintaining, expanding, or deepening ports up to 60 feet. The bill mandates that the Army Corps of Engineers propose this permit within 60 days of enactment and sets strict deadlines for environmental reviews, requiring the final permit to be issued within two years. It also imposes tight timelines on state agencies to review water quality certifications, deeming them complete if they do not respond within 14 days, and limits the Secretary's ability to deny permits if procedural deadlines are missed. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that compliance with the new permit is sufficient to satisfy other related federal laws regarding river and harbor regulations.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Water Quality Ports

in committee · United States · Senate May 21, 2026

S 4619: Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026

This bill, the Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026, exempts small oil and gas wells from certain federal air quality standards and reporting requirements under the Clean Air Act. It defines a "marginal well" as one producing 15 barrels of oil or less per day, or 90,000 cubic feet of natural gas or less per day, and removes obligations for monitoring, leak detection, and emissions testing for these sites. The legislation also mandates that the EPA approve state plans excluding marginal wells within 180 days and must terminate any ongoing enforcement actions against such wells. Additionally, the EPA is required to update its regulations within 180 days of the bill's enactment to implement these new exemptions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Air Quality

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 4340: Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026

The Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 prohibits individuals and organizations from filing lawsuits or seeking damages against energy companies for alleged harms caused by climate change or greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation declares that regulating emissions is exclusively a federal responsibility and voids any state laws that attempt to hold energy businesses liable for past or future environmental damage. Consequently, the bill bars courts from hearing these cases and requires any pending lawsuits of this nature to be immediately dismissed. By defining "climate suits" broadly to include claims based on marketing or warnings, the law aims to prevent states from imposing financial penalties on the energy sector.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change

in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 7695: To provide that the final rule titled "Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation" and issued on January 12, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 3244) shall have no force or effect and require the Secretary of Agriculture to construct certain roads on National Forest System lands, and for other purposes.

This bill would cancel a 2001 federal rule that restricted road building on National Forest System lands and direct the Secretary of Agriculture to construct new roads on those lands. The legislation specifically nullifies the Roadless Area Conservation rule and prohibits the Agriculture Department from creating any similar restrictions in the future. Under the bill, the Forest Service must build permanent and temporary roads to support forest restoration, reduce wildfire risks in at-risk communities and municipal watersheds, replace roads harming forest health, and fulfill the intent of the 1897 Forest Management Act. The changes directly affect federal land management decisions and would impact communities and organizations that rely on forest access and wildfire prevention efforts.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Roads & Highways

All environment bills