Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | December 16 - December 21, 2024

Highlights:

President Biden signed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 (P.L.118-155). The law permits non-governmental organizations to step in to remediate polluted, abandoned hardrock mines. Reps. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) originally reintroduced the bill in the House (H.R.7779), and Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) reintroduced the Senate companion (S.2781). EESI’s article explores the benefits of remediating mine lands for clean energy development.

President Biden also passed the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024 (P.L.118-152). Under this law, the two Florida waterways are deemed “estuaries of national significance,” a designation which guarantees them increased protections and restoration efforts under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) led the bill through its passage in the Senate and House.

The Senate passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (H.R.6492), which will now head to President Biden’s desk. If signed into law, the bill would improve access to recreation on federal public lands and waters. Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) originally introduced the bill in the House, where it passed in April 2024. Read EESI’s EXPLORE Act explainer here.

The Senate unanimously passed the Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation (FISHES) Act (H.R.5103). Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) introduced the bill to expedite federal disaster relief following fishery disaster declarations. The bill, which passed the House in December 2024, will now head to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

To catch up on all of the recent environmental and energy legislation in Congress, read the PDF here.