Advanced Search
March 16, 2021
From March 1 to 12, Congress introduced a total of 134 bills, resolutions, and amendments related to environmental and energy topics. Of these, 51 were in the Senate and 83 in the House. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R.1319) passed in the Senate and was signed into law on March 11. The Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act (H.R.803) was passed in the House on March 2. Committees in both chambers held several relevant hearings during this period.
Highlights
During this period, the historic American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R.1319) was passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden on March 11. This $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package will provide relief to address the ongoing public health, economic, and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The act incorporates key provisions to address energy insecurity and environmental issues in tandem with pandemic relief efforts.
Congress proposed a host of bills on topics related to energy infrastructure in the last two weeks. In the Senate, S.704 aims to establish a grant program to improve the power grid’s resilience to natural disasters. S.507 seeks to increase access to electric vehicle charging stations in low-income communities and communities of color. Some House members paid similar attention to infrastructure, introducing H.R.1848, which strives to unify efforts to strengthen the country’s broadband infrastructure while addressing projects related to drinking water, grid modernization, energy supply, brownfield redevelopment, and public health.
Several hearings held in either chamber sought to address topics related to energy, the environment, and climate change, and many of which also addressed the economic crisis. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing to examine climate change in the electricity sector and ways to promote economic growth. The House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a hearing entitled “Building Back Better: Building Resilience for the Economy, Climate, and Ecosystems,” which sought to highlight a pathway to resilience in post-pandemic recovery efforts.
House
Bills passed
H.R.803 - Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (Introduced 02/04/2021)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Armed Services | Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Bills referred to committee
H.R.1889 - To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to continue to carry out certain programs relating to environmental justice, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36] (Introduced 03/12/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources
H.R.1881 - To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to permitting terms, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3] (Introduced 03/12/2021)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
H.R.1879 - To promote American leadership in vehicle manufacturing, job creation, improved air quality, and climate protection through domestic manufacturing of low- and zero-emission vehicles and development of electric vehicle charging networks, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] (Introduced 03/12/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
H.R.1866 - To establish and support a quantum network infrastructure research and development program at the Department of Energy and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
Committees: House - Science, Space, and Technology
H.R.1864 - To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to funding the recreational trails program, to require a study to determine the best available estimate of the total amount of nonhighway recreational fuel taxes received by the Secretary of the Treasury, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Ways and Means
H.R.1863 - To establish a grant program to fund the installation of green roof systems on public school buildings, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
Committees: House - Education and Labor
H.R.1853 - To modify a provision relating to adjustments of certain State apportionments for Federal highway programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
H.R.1848 - To rebuild and modernize the Nation's infrastructure to expand access to broadband and Next Generation 9-1-1, rehabilitate drinking water infrastructure, modernize the electric grid and energy supply infrastructure, redevelop brownfields, strengthen health care infrastructure, create jobs, and protect public health and the environment, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure; Natural Resources; Science, Space, and Technology; Ways and Means; Education and Labor; Agriculture; Oversight and Reform
H.R.1845 - To amend chapter 261 of title 49, United States Code, to provide for high-speed rail corridor development, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
H.R.1844 - To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to ensure that publicly owned treatment works monitor for and report sewer overflows, and for other purposes.
H.R.1837 - To establish and support the Quantum User Expansion for Science and Technology Program at the Department of Energy and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
H.R.1821 - To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Gibbs, Bob [R-OH-7] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Agriculture
H.R.1820 - To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify when the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to prohibit the specification of a defined area, or deny or restrict the use of a defined area for specification, as a disposal site under section 404 of such Act, and for other purposes.
H.R.1817 - To direct the Secretary of Labor to establish a renewable energy transition grant program and to establish a National Employment Corps, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
H.R.1812 - To amend titles 23 and 49, United States Code, to streamline the environmental review process for major projects, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
H.R.1805 - To amend the Clean Air Act to establish a tradeable performance standard covering emissions from the electricity generation and industrial sectors, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
H.R.1804 - To amend the public participation requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure
H.R.1797 - To amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to ensure community accountability for areas repetitively damaged by floods, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
Committees: House - Foreign Affairs
H.R.1788 - To amend title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 relating to the eligibility for loan guarantees for projects relating to hydrogen production, delivery, infrastructure, storage, fuel cells, and end uses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Pence, Greg [R-IN-6] (Introduced 03/11/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology
H.R.1780 - To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require disclosures related to the Paris Climate Agreement, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (Introduced 03/10/2021)
Committees: House - Financial Services
H.R.1761 - To amend title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 relating to the eligibility for loan guarantees for carbon capture, utilization, and storage projects, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1] (Introduced 03/10/2021)
H.R.1760 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the qualifying advanced coal project credit, and for other purposes.
Committees: House - Ways and Means
H.R.1755 - To designate certain National Forest System lands and certain public lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, wildland recovery areas, and biological connecting corridors, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] (Introduced 03/10/2021)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
H.R.1748 - To assess and improve the competitiveness of American civilian nuclear commerce, to expedite Department of Energy review of certain nuclear technology exports, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6] (Introduced 03/10/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Foreign Affairs
H.R.1747 - To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide direct hire authority to appoint individuals to Federal firefighting and firefighting support positions in the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-50] (Introduced 03/10/2021)
Committees: House - Oversight and Reform
H.R.1736 - To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Challenge Grant Program to promote technological innovation in our Nation's communities.
Sponsor: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11] (Introduced 03/10/2021)
H.R.1734 - To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to allow the Secretary of the Interior to delegate certain emergency reclamation activities to the States and Tribes, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] (Introduced 03/10/2021)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Budget
H.R.1733 - To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to provide funds to States and Indian tribes for the purpose of promoting economic revitalization, diversification, and development in economically distressed communities through the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by coal mining carried out before August 3, 1977, and for other purposes.
H.R.1726 - To provide that an order or action by the President or the Secretary of the Interior imposing a moratorium on oil and gas leasing shall not take effect without the express approval of Congress.
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large] (Introduced 03/09/2021)
H.R.1705 - To repeal section 115 of the Clean Air Act.
Sponsor: Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10] (Introduced 03/09/2021)
H.R.1698 - To require the Secretary of Energy to establish the Nuclear Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program.
Sponsor: Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] (Introduced 03/09/2021)
H.R.1697 - To amend title 23, United States Code, to increase accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities.
Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] (Introduced 03/09/2021)
H.R.1692 - To extend and expand the Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program to cover losses due to high winds, polar vortexes, and hailstorms.
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13] (Introduced 03/09/2021)
Committees: House - Agriculture
H.R.1689 - To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to apply to territories of the United States, to establish offshore wind lease sale requirements, to provide dedicated funding for coral reef conservation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large] (Introduced 03/09/2021)
H.R.1684 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax credits for energy storage technologies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Doyle, Michael F. [D-PA-18] (Introduced 03/09/2021)
H.R.1679 - To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from conditioning any permit, lease, or other use agreement on the transfer of any water right to the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-3] (Introduced 03/09/2021)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture
H.R.1678 - To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Parks, Jobs, and Equity Program to support job creation, economic revitalization, and park development for communities impacted by COVID-19.
Sponsor: Rep. Barragan, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (Introduced 03/09/2021)
H.R.1663 - To provide for the water quality restoration of the Tijuana River and the New River, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-51] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Foreign Affairs; Budget
H.R.1660 - To make certain municipalities eligible for grants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
H.R.1646 - To require the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the United States Executive Director at the World Bank and other international financial institutions to support assistance for nuclear energy, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. McHenry, Patrick T. [R-NC-10] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
H.R.1640 - To amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to ensure community accountability for areas repetitively damaged by floods, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
H.R.1638 - To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer certain National Forest System land to the State of South Dakota, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
H.R.1637 - To approve certain advanced biofuel registrations, to require the consideration of certain advanced biofuel pathways, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for other purposes.
H.R.1636 - To authorize funding for the purchase of electric or zero-emission vehicles for United States Postal Service fleet, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
H.R.1618 - To require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue an annual report to Congress projecting and accounting for the economic costs directly and indirectly caused by the impacts of climate change, to require the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to establish a Federal Advisory Panel on the Economics of Climate Change, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
Committees: House - Oversight and Reform; Financial Services
H.R.1616 - To provide for Federal and State agency coordination in the approval of certain authorizations under the Natural Gas Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
H.R.1615 - To amend title 49, United States Code, to expand and codify the transit oriented development planning grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
H.R.1612 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that products derived from tar sands are crude oil for purposes of the Federal excise tax on petroleum, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
H.R.1608 - To amend the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 with respect to future interstate designations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
H.R.1600 - To reduce methane emissions from flaring and venting natural gas during oil and natural gas production activities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1599 - To amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials, and for other purposes.
H.R.1597 - To provide for conservation and economic development in the State of Nevada, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1588 - To modernize the hydropower licensing process and to promote next generation hydropower projects, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Oversight and Reform
H.R.1578 - To streamline nuclear technology regulatory permitting and licensing, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-16] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1575 - To repeal restrictions on the export and import of natural gas.
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1569 - To assist in the conservation of critically endangered species in foreign countries, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1563 - To extend the authorities under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016 providing operational flexibility, drought relief, and other benefits to the State of California.
Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Mike [R-CA-25] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Science, Space, and Technology
H.R.1561 - To amend title 14, United States Code, to require the Coast Guard to conduct icebreaking operations in the Great Lakes to minimize commercial disruption in the winter months, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1559 - To direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to submit a report on facilitating efficient, timely environmental reviews of nuclear reactors through expanded use of categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, and generic environmental impact statements, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1557 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain credits related to solar energy.
Sponsor: Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1549 - To establish the Advisory Committee on Climate Risk on the Financial Stability Oversight Council.
Sponsor: Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1548 - To establish a pilot program for native plant species, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
H.R.1546 - To amend the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2016 to direct the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking to develop recommendations to address wildlife trafficking on the internet and on social media, and to direct the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to develop a strategy to address wildlife trafficking on the internet and on social media, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
Committees: House - Foreign Affairs; Natural Resources
H.R.1542 - To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to provide grants for deployment of renewable fuel infrastructure, to finalize proposed rules relating to requirements for E15 fuel dispenser labeling and underground storage tank compatibility, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3] (Introduced 03/03/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Agriculture
H.R.1524 - To require the Secretary of Energy to obtain the consent of affected State and local governments before making an expenditure from the Nuclear Waste Fund for a nuclear waste repository, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (Introduced 03/02/2021)
H.R.1517 - To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to make certain adjustments to the fiscal terms for fossil fuel development and to make other reforms to improve returns to taxpayers for the development of Federal energy resources, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45] (Introduced 03/02/2021)
H.R.1514 - To amend the Federal Power Act to increase transmission capacity for clean energy, reduce congestion, and increase grid resilience.
Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52] (Introduced 03/02/2021)
H.R.1512 - To build a clean and prosperous future by addressing the climate crisis, protecting the health and welfare of all Americans, and putting the Nation on the path to a net-zero greenhouse gas economy by 2050, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] (Introduced 03/02/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure; Oversight and Reform; Education and Labor; Ways and Means; Natural Resources; Armed Services; Foreign Affairs; Science, Space, and Technology; Intelligence (Permanent Select); Financial Services
H.R.1506 - To provide for the accurate reporting of fossil fuel extraction and emissions by entities with leases on public land, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (Introduced 03/02/2021)
H.R.1505 - To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to make certain adjustments to the regulation of surface-disturbing activities and to protect taxpayers from unduly bearing the reclamation costs of oil and gas development, and for other purposes.
H.R.1503 - To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to make certain adjustments in leasing on Federal lands for oil and gas drilling, and for other purposes.
Advancing science-based climate solutions
Top-Rated Climate Nonprofit – 4-Star Charity