Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | May 13 - May 17, 2024

Highlights:

The House passed the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2023 (H.R.6571). Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) introduced the bill, which would strengthen domestic supply chains through improved mapping and monitoring—including for the critical minerals required for clean energy technologies. Critical materials for clean energy were discussed during EESI’s briefing on the 2024 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (S.594/H.R.1317). The bill, introduced by Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), would expedite completion of the scenic Continental Divide Trail, simultaneously increasing outdoor recreational opportunities, improving public trail access, and creating economic opportunities for local communities. 

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and seven bipartisan cosponsors reintroduced the Fire Ready Nation Act (S.4343). The bill would establish a program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve forecasting, detection, modeling, and monitoring of wildfires, fire-inducing weather, and associated risks. EESI’s podcast, the Climate Conversation, explores how increased wildfire modeling and risk assessment can improve wildfire mitigation.

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