Energy (Oil & Gas)

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9700: Ratepayer Justice and Commercial Power Accountability Act

The Ratepayer Justice and Commercial Power Accountability Act creates a federal system to refund money to electricity and natural gas customers who were overcharged due to corruption or misconduct by utility companies, executives, and lobbyists. It establishes a new Treasury fund financed by assessments against these entities to cover costs and profits gained from illegal actions, with the goal of restoring affected ratepayers to the financial position they would have held without the misconduct. The bill mandates that the Treasury and Energy Department identify eligible customers, calculate their specific losses, and issue direct tax refunds or cash payments, while also providing grants to communities for infrastructure repair and small business development. Additionally, the legislation requires the creation of a searchable public database to track all collections and payments, sets up a working group to coordinate with state regulators, and includes provisions for increased prison sentences for public officials and executives convicted of related crimes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects utility consumers from overcharges due to corruption, aligning with the indicator to protect utility consumers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Utility Regulation

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4960: CLEAN Act

The CLEAN Act aims to speed up geothermal energy development by requiring the Department of the Interior to lease 75 percent of nominated land parcels each year and to conduct replacement sales if a scheduled lease is canceled. It also mandates strict timelines for processing drilling permit applications, requiring officials to acknowledge receipt within 30 days and issue or defer decisions within another 30 days. These provisions directly affect the federal leasing process and companies seeking to drill for geothermal energy, ensuring that applications are reviewed quickly and that a majority of available resources are offered for lease.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyThe bill explicitly aims to accelerate geothermal energy development by mandating high lease rates and strict permit processing timelines.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe CLEAN Act promotes geothermal energy development, a clean energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, thereby supporting environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4944: American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026

The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026 streamlines the permitting process for natural gas pipelines and other energy projects by designating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the sole lead agency for environmental reviews and establishing strict deadlines for federal and state agencies to complete their portions of the review. The bill also modifies water quality laws to reduce the number of required certifications for discharges into navigable waters, extends the validity of certain nationwide permits for dredged or fill material from five to ten years, and creates a new fund to address abandoned hardrock mines. Additionally, the legislation updates the National Environmental Policy Act to limit the scope of environmental reviews to effects directly caused by a project, impose specific timelines for agency decisions, and restrict the ability of courts to issue injunctions that would halt construction while legal challenges are pending.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill streamlines permitting for natural gas pipelines and energy projects, reducing regulatory barriers to energy infrastructure development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill streamlines permitting for pipelines, designates FERC as sole lead for reviews, modifies water quality laws to reduce certifications, and establishes strict deadlines, indicating deregulation of environmental standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 16, 2026

S 4795: FREEDOM Act

The FREEDOM Act aims to speed up energy infrastructure development by establishing strict federal deadlines for reviewing applications for oil, gas, and mineral projects on public lands. It requires agencies to publish project schedules and issue final decisions within specific timeframes, with automatic legal consequences if those deadlines are missed. The bill also creates a new Permitting Performance Fund to pay for independent contractors who can help complete stalled environmental reviews when agencies fail to meet their timelines. Additionally, the legislation introduces specific measures for geothermal energy, including a new ombudsman to resolve disputes, updated permitting guidelines, and revised royalty rates for electricity generated from geothermal sources.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill accelerates energy infrastructure development by enforcing strict deadlines for oil, gas, and mineral project reviews, directly advancing energy production.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill accelerates fossil fuel project approvals and weakens environmental review standards to prioritize industry over conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 10, 2026

S 4735: Protecting Americans from High Electricity Prices Act of 2026

The Protecting Americans from High Electricity Prices Act of 2026 amends the Natural Gas Act to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission explicit authority to block natural gas exports if they raise prices for U.S. households or increase greenhouse gas emissions. The bill specifically defines "countries of concern" as Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and other nations deemed detrimental to U.S. national security, prohibiting energy supply to these entities. It requires the Commission to consider direct, indirect, and value-chain emissions when reviewing export applications and mandates the creation of new regulations within 30 days of enactment to enforce these criteria. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that military installations are excluded from certain export limitations and ensures agencies retain the power to deny exports that harm domestic affordability or environmental goals.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill aims to protect consumers from high prices and restrict exports to nations of concern, aligning with protecting utility consumers and national security.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by blocking natural gas exports that increase them.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Climate Change

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4765: Let America Build Act of 2026

The Let America Build Act of 2026 primarily streamlines the process for leasing and permitting oil, gas, and mineral resources on federal lands while expanding state and tribal regulatory authority. It requires the Interior Department to resolve lease protests within 60 days and prevents lawsuits from delaying drilling permits or invalidating leases, even if environmental reviews are challenged. The bill grants states and tribes the power to issue drilling permits and regulate hydraulic fracturing on available federal land, provided they meet specific effectiveness standards. Additionally, it accelerates the approval of liquefied natural gas export projects by setting strict deadlines for federal decisions and limiting the scope of environmental reviews for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill streamlines oil and gas leasing, reduces permitting delays, and expands state/tribal authority to facilitate fossil fuel production.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill streamlines oil/gas leasing, limits lawsuits, and removes delays for drilling, directly weakening environmental protections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House May 26, 2026

HR 9035: Ending Fossil Fuel Bailouts Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Ending Fossil Fuel Bailouts Act of 2026, modifies federal bankruptcy laws to specifically target oil, gas, and coal companies. It requires these companies to prioritize paying worker wages and environmental cleanup costs over other debts, including those owed to shareholders. The legislation also prevents fossil fuel firms from abandoning their assets during bankruptcy and extends the time period for investigating fraudulent financial transfers to ten years. Additionally, it prohibits the transfer of certain federal energy leases if the company holding them files for bankruptcy. These changes aim to ensure that environmental liabilities and employee compensation are addressed before other financial claims are settled.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill restricts fossil fuel bailouts and prioritizes cleanup, aligning with reducing dependence on fossil fuels.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates fossil fuel companies prioritize environmental cleanup costs over shareholder debts, directly strengthening environmental protection and remediation efforts.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates fossil fuel companies prioritize paying worker wages over shareholder debts during bankruptcy, directly protecting worker compensation rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8919: To nullify the decision and order of the Endangered Species Committee with respect to certain oil and gas activities, and for other purposes.

This bill nullifies a specific decision made by the Endangered Species Committee regarding oil and gas operations in the Gulf of America. It immediately cancels any exemptions previously granted to these activities under the Endangered Species Act and bars federal agencies from using funds to enforce the canceled order. For a three-year period starting when the bill is enacted, the committee is prohibited from issuing any new exemptions for Gulf oil and gas projects. Consequently, all standard environmental protections required by the Endangered Species Act will continue to apply fully to these activities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill removes restrictions on Gulf oil and gas operations, facilitating fossil fuel production.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill nullifies Endangered Species Committee decisions and cancels exemptions for oil and gas activities, weakening environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HRES 1315: Expressing support for the designation of May 2026 as "Renewable Fuels Month" to recognize the important role that renewable fuels play in lowering fuel prices for consumers, lessening reliance on foreign adversaries, supporting rural communities, and reducing carbon impacts.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that expresses support for designating May 2026 as 'Renewable Fuels Month.' It aims to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which are used in vehicles and aviation. The resolution recognizes how these fuels help lower consumer prices, create jobs in rural areas, reduce reliance on foreign oil, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Because this is a symbolic gesture rather than a law with enforceable rules, it does not change any existing policies or regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly promotes renewable fuels to lower prices, reduce foreign reliance, and cut emissions.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly aims to reduce carbon impacts and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting renewable fuels.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes renewable fuels to lower prices, reduce foreign reliance, and decrease emissions, aligning with sustainable transportation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Airports

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 4406: Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act

This bill establishes a comprehensive research and development framework to advance next-generation geothermal technologies, specifically targeting enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop systems, and supercritical geothermal energy. It directs the Department of Energy to create a new research program that awards milestone-based grants for deep drilling projects and establishes a center of excellence to coordinate efforts across universities, national laboratories, and private partners. Key provisions include updating federal data repositories to standardize subsurface information, commissioning deep exploration boreholes to map heat and rock properties, and funding innovations in drilling equipment, power generation efficiency, and water usage. The legislation also mandates periodic reports on the commercialization barriers of these technologies and authorizes $5 million annually through 2031 to support these initiatives.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes R&D framework and grants for next-generation geothermal technologies, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds next-generation geothermal research to promote clean energy and reduce emissions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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