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March 30, 2021
From March 15 to 26, Congress introduced a total of 120 bills, resolutions, and amendments related to environmental and energy topics. Of these, 51 were in the Senate and 69 in the House. Committees in both chambers held several relevant hearings during this period.
Highlights
Many bills introduced during this period address waste management. For example, S.984 seeks to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act in order to reduce the production and use of single-use plastics. H.R.2101 offers a directive to the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants to zero-waste projects. Several other bills deal with issues related to water, including S.953, which plans to improve the reliability of water supplies and enhance drought preparedness, and H.R.2202, which repeals an exemption for hydraulic fracturing in the Safe Drinking Water Act.
On the topics of waste and water, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing entitled “Examining the Challenges Facing Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects,” discussing climate resilience, research and development, and workforce training in the context of enhancing U.S. wastewater infrastructure.
Other hearings held during this period include “The CLEAN Future Act: Industrial Climate Policies to Create Jobs and Support Working Communities,” during which members of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce discussed ways to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 while creating jobs and elevating working class communities.
House
Bills passed
H.R.1603 - Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] (Introduced 03/08/2021)
Committees: House - Judiciary; Ways and Means; Education and Labor; Financial Services | Senate - Judiciary
Bills referred to committee
H.R.2267 - To amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide Federal financial assistance to States to implement expanded energy savings performance contracting programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
H.R.2263 - To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a clean energy manufacturing grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
H.R.2259 - To establish the Office of Supply Chain Preparedness within the Department of Commerce to manage the partnership of the United States with private industry and State and local governments with respect to the manufacturing of critical resources, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
H.R.2245 - To establish the White House Council on Energy Transitions within the Executive Office of the President, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure; Financial Services; Education and Labor
H.R.2244 - To provide for the adjustment or modification by the Secretary of Agriculture of loans for critical rural utility service providers, and for other purposes.
Committees: House - Agriculture; Energy and Commerce; Budget
H.R.2241 - To direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Civilian Climate Corps, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture; Education and Labor
H.R.2240 - To direct the Comptroller General of the United States, in coordination with the National Academy of Sciences, to study alternatives for a nonpartisan congressional office or agency to project the net greenhouse gas emissions likely to be caused by Federal legislation, and for other purposes.
Committees: House - House Administration
H.R.2238 - To amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to reduce the production and use of certain single-use plastic products and packaging, to improve the responsibility of producers in the design, collection, reuse, recycling, and disposal of their consumer products and packaging, to prevent pollution from consumer products and packaging from entering into animal and human food chains and waterways, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Transportation and Infrastructure; Foreign Affairs
H.R.2204 - To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish additional requirements for certain transportation projects with estimated costs of $2,500,000,000 or more, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
H.R.2203 - To amend titles 23 and 49, United States Code, to improve public understanding of how transportation investments are made by public agencies through establishing greater transparency and accountability processes.
H.R.2202 - To repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing in the Safe Drinking Water Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
H.R.2197 - To encourage the research and use of innovative materials and associated techniques in the construction and preservation of the domestic transportation and water infrastructure system, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Science, Space, and Technology; Energy and Commerce
H.R.2184 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal fossil fuel subsidies for oil companies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 03/26/2021)
Committees: House - Ways and Means
H.R.2173 - To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to wastewater infrastructure workforce development, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-9] (Introduced 03/23/2021)
H.R.2164 - To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require testing of underground sources of drinking water in connection with hydraulic fracturing operations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (Introduced 03/23/2021)
H.R.2159 - To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a consumer recycling education and outreach grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Phillips, Dean [D-MN-3] (Introduced 03/23/2021)
H.R.2157 - To require the Corps of Engineers to prohibit certain discharges of water at Lake Okeechobee, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-18] (Introduced 03/23/2021)
H.R.2155 - To require the Corps of Engineers to notify affected communities before releasing water contaminated with cyanobacteria from flood risk management projects, and for other purposes.
H.R.2150 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)
To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to add Rhode Island to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] (Introduced 03/23/2021)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
H.R.2133 - To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study with respect to stormwater runoff from oil and gas operations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] (Introduced 03/23/2021)
H.R.2132 - To require regulation of wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal energy under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and for other purposes.
H.R.2131 - To amend the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to require payments to Gulf producing States and their coastal political subdivisions to compensate for reductions in other payments under that Act resulting from the moratorium on new oil and natural gas leases in offshore waters under Executive Order 14008 of January 27, 2021.
Sponsor: Rep. Carl, Jerry L. [R-AL-1] (Introduced 03/23/2021)
H.R.2115 - To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to apply certain procedures before granting a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a proposed pipeline project, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12] (Introduced 03/19/2021)
H.R.2102 - To eliminate certain subsidies for fossil-fuel production.
Sponsor: Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (Introduced 03/19/2021)
Committees: House - Ways and Means; Natural Resources; Transportation and Infrastructure; Financial Services; Science, Space, and Technology; Agriculture; Energy and Commerce
H.R.2101 - To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for projects that are consistent with zero-waste practices, and for other purposes.
H.R.2100 - To prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from prohibiting the transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22] (Introduced 03/19/2021)
H.R.2097 - To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a program for the interim storage of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6] (Introduced 03/19/2021)
H.R.2081 - To provide for improved management of Federal lands and increased efficiencies within public land agencies while strengthening tourism, conservation, outdoor recreation, grazing, responsible energy production, and other multiple uses.
Sponsor: Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-3] (Introduced 03/19/2021)
H.R.2074 - To assist Tribal governments in the management of buffalo and buffalo habitat and for the reestablishment of buffalo on Indian lands.
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
H.R.2073 - To place a moratorium on permitting for mountaintop removal coal mining until health studies are conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Energy and Commerce
H.R.2060 - To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to fund job-creating improvements in energy and resiliency for Federal buildings, to enable a portfolio of clean buildings by 2030, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure; Oversight and Reform; Armed Services; Veterans' Affairs; Homeland Security
H.R.2053 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)
To amend the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 to extend the provision of assistance for critical services with respect to certain disasters, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
H.R.2052 - To amend chapter 11 of title 31, United States Code, to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to annually submit to Congress a report on all disaster-related assistance provided by the Federal Government.
Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
H.R.2049 - To amend the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to promote reforestation following unplanned events on Federal land, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-20] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
Committees: House - Agriculture; Natural Resources
H.R.2038 - To establish a green transportation infrastructure grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
H.R.2026 - To assist in the conservation of highly endangered amphibian species in foreign countries, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
H.R.2021 - To restore, reaffirm, and reconcile environmental justice and civil rights, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ-3] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Judiciary; Transportation and Infrastructure; Agriculture; Education and Labor
H.R.2020 - To provide for an online repository for certain reporting requirements for recipients of Federal disaster assistance, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Small Business; Financial Services
H.R.2019 - To amend the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 to include certain services in the definition of critical services for purposes of repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities.
H.R.2018 - To waive certain provisions in the case of an emergency declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
H.R.2016 - To amend the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 to develop a study regarding streamlining and consolidating information collection and preliminary damage assessments, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large] (Introduced 03/18/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
H.R.2013 - To establish the Climate Change Advisory Commission to develop recommendations, frameworks, and guidelines for projects to respond to the impacts of climate change, to issue Federal obligations, the proceeds of which shall be used to fund projects that aid in adaptation to climate change, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure; Ways and Means
H.R.2012 - To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a grant program for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and hydrogen fueling infrastructure along the National Highway System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
H.R.2008 - To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain programs relating to nonpoint source management, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
H.R.1993 - To direct the Secretary of Energy to provide grants for energy improvements to certain public buildings, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (Introduced 03/17/2021)
H.R.1992 - To require the Secretary of Energy to establish programs for carbon dioxide capture, transport, utilization, and storage, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33] (Introduced 03/17/2021)
Committees: House - Science, Space, and Technology; Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure
H.R.1984 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for owning certain disaster resilient property.
Sponsor: Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9] (Introduced 03/17/2021)
H.R.1983 - To encourage and facilitate efforts by States and other stakeholders to conserve and sustain the western population of monarch butterflies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-20] (Introduced 03/17/2021)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture
H.R.1982 - To amend title 23, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to provide grants to carry out activities to benefit pollinators on roadsides and highway rights-of-way, including the planting and seeding of native, locally-appropriate grasses and wildflowers, including milkweed, and for other purposes.
H.R.1954 - To amend the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to clarify that during a lapse in appropriations certain services relating to the Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecasting System are excepted services under the Anti-Deficiency Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19] (Introduced 03/17/2021)
Committees: House - Science, Space, and Technology; Natural Resources
H.R.1951 - To increase the Federal share provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for a certain time frame during fiscal year 2020.
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] (Introduced 03/16/2021)
H.R.1936 - To require the Comptroller General to evaluate and issue a report on the structural and economic impacts of climate resiliency at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including recommendations on how to improve the building codes and standards that the Agency uses to prepare for climate change and address resiliency in housing, public buildings, and infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
Sponsor: Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] (Introduced 03/16/2021)
H.R.1921 - To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Graves, Garret [R-LA-6] (Introduced 03/16/2021)
H.R.1917 - To modify eligibility requirements for certain hazard mitigation assistance programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7] (Introduced 03/16/2021)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Financial Services
H.R.1915 - To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain water pollution control programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (Introduced 03/16/2021)
H.R.1898 - To amend the FAST Act to authorize appropriations for the United States Forest Service, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] (Introduced 03/16/2021)
H.R.1144 - PUGET SOS Act
Sponsor: Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6] (Introduced 02/18/2021)
H.R.610 - San Francisco Bay Restoration Act
Sponsor: Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14] (Introduced 01/28/2021)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Budget
H.R.587 - Ocean Pollution Reduction Act II
Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52] (Introduced 01/28/2021)
Resolutions referred to committee
H.Con.Res.25 - Encouraging the Architect of the Capitol to transition to the exclusive use of electricity derived from renewable energy sources to power the United States Capitol Complex by 2032.
H.J.Res.34 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review".
Committee hearings
A HEARING TO REVIEW THE STATE OF BLACK FARMERS IN THE U.S.
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``A Hearing to Review the State of Black Farmers in the U.S.''. Testimony was heard from Tom Vilsack, Secretary, Department of Agriculture; and public witnesses.
BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES RESEARCH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing entitled ``Building Technologies Research for a Sustainable Future''. Testimony was heard from Roderick Jackson, Laboratory Program Manager for Buildings Research at National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Energy; and public witnesses.
THE ADMINISTRATION'S PRIORITIES FOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``The Administration's Priorities for Transportation Infrastructure''. Testimony was heard from Pete Buttigieg, Secretary, Department of Transportation.
THE CLEAN FUTURE ACT: POWERING A RESILIENT AND PROSPEROUS AMERICA
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing entitled "The CLEAN Future Act: Powering a Resilient and Prosperous America". Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
POWER STRUGGLE: EXAMINING THE 2021 TEXAS GRID FAILURE
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled "Power Struggle: Examining the 2021 Texas Grid Failure". Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
EXAMINING R&D PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing entitled “Examining R&D Pathways to Sustainable Aviation”. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
HOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN CAN BENEFIT THE U.S. TERRITORIES
Committee on Natural Resources: Committee on Natural Resources Office of Insular Affairs held a remote oversight hearing entitled “How the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better Plan Can Benefit the U.S. Territories”. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
WOOD INNOVATION: SUSTAINABLE FOREST PRODUCTS TO REINVIGORATE RURAL ECONOMIES
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled ``Wood Innovation: Sustainable Forest Products to Reinvigorate Rural Economies''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
BUILDING BACK BETTER: EXAMINING THE FUTURE OF AMERICA'S PUBLIC LANDS
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing entitled ``Building Back Better: Examining the Future of America's Public Lands''. Testimony was heard from Brad Little, Governor, Idaho; and public witnesses.
THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2020: STATUS OF ESSENTIAL PROVISIONS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing entitled ``The Water Resources Development Act of 2020: Status of Essential Provisions''. Testimony was heard from Matthew J. Strickler, Secretary of Natural Resources, V
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