Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | March 3 - March 7, 2025

Highlights:

Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act (S.818) to enhance abandoned well remediation programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Specifically, the bill would authorize funding for technologies to quickly identify abandoned wells and accurately quantify their methane emissions, and to support effective processes to plug, remediate, and repurpose them. 

Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) reintroduced the Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act (H.R.1809). The bill would provide continued funding to the U.S. Geological Survey for research on and protection of the Great Lakes’ native fish populations and habitats. 

Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Blake Moore (R-Utah) and Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act (H.R.1871/S.857). If passed, the bill would make it more affordable for homeowners to invest in domestic water conservation and flood prevention measures by exempting them from paying income tax on rebates from water utilities. 

Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) reintroduced the Co-Location Energy Act (S.896) to help maximize renewable energy capacity by allowing wind and solar power projects to co-exist on the same federal land leases. Co-location would also minimize the footprint of renewable energy projects. 

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