Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | February 24 - February 28, 2025

Highlights:

The House passed the Department of Energy and Small Business Administration Research Act (H.R.788). Reps. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), and Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) introduced the bill to boost joint research activities between the two agencies and the National Laboratories.

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) reintroduced the Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act (S.783). If passed, the bill would help rural communities repair and modernize drinking water and wastewater infrastructure by administering accessible loan options through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) reintroduced the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act (S.704/H.R.1565). The bill aims to reauthorize and increase funding for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). Through grant funding, the program expands access to recreational activities on public lands while working to recover wildlife and restore habitat.

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