Energy

HRES 290 is a non-binding resolution recognizing that retiring nonintermittent power plants (like coal, natural gas, and nuclear facilities) before reliable replacements are available threatens U.S. grid reliability. It cites North American Electric Reliability Corporation reports showing 18 out of 20 grid regions may face insufficient power reserves by 2034, linking this to environmental regulations and rapid shifts to weather-dependent renewable sources. The resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses the House's view supporting President Trump's energy policies to prioritize grid stability and domestic energy development. As a symbolic statement, it directly affects no individuals or entities but reflects congressional concern about grid risks.

HR 3843, the Baseload Reliability Protection Act, prohibits the retirement or fuel-source conversion of certain large, reliable power plants (over 25 megawatts, not relying on intermittent renewables like solar/wind without storage) in areas designated as high or elevated risk for electricity shortages. It directly affects power plant operators in these high-risk regions, requiring them to maintain existing facilities unless they qualify for an exemption. Exemptions can be granted if operators demonstrate financial hardship, safety risks, or prove they’ll replace the plant with a comparable reliable unit, with potential federal grants or loans from the Department of Energy to cover operational costs. The bill explicitly blocks consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in exemption decisions and mandates standardized risk assessment criteria for identifying high-risk areas.

This bill repeals four executive orders issued on January 20, 2025, which related to energy policy and environmental agreements. It directly affects federal agencies responsible for implementing those orders, prohibiting the use of federal funds for any of their provisions. The key mechanism is an immediate ban on funding for the orders' implementation upon the bill's enactment, effectively canceling their legal force.

HJRES 124 is a procedural resolution seeking to block a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule issued on April 25, 2022, concerning the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska's Integrated Activity Plan. It uses the Congressional Review Act (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove this rule, which the Government Accountability Office identified as requiring congressional review. If passed, the resolution would nullify the BLM rule, preventing it from taking effect. This affects federal management of oil and gas activities in the Alaska reserve but does not change existing drilling policies or create new regulations.

This bill repeals multiple tax credits for renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and clean transportation fuels, which currently provide financial incentives to businesses. It directly affects companies that claim these credits, such as renewable energy developers and manufacturers, by eliminating their eligibility for these tax benefits starting in 2025. Key provisions remove specific sections of the tax code (like Sections 45, 45Q, and 48) and adjust related references to reflect the repeal. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, with no new provisions added - only the removal of existing credits.

Supporting Made in America Energy Act This bill requires oil and natural gas lease sales that include certain public land and waters, prohibits lease sales in other areas, and establishes related requirements. Beginning in FY2025, the Department of the Interior must conduct a minimum of four onshore lease sales annually in each state that has federal land available for oil and natural gas leasing. If a lease sale is canceled, delayed, or deferred, Interior must conduct a replacement sale during the same year.  Beginning in FY2026, Interior must conduct a minimum of two offshore, region-wide lease sales annually in the Gulf of Mexico Region of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) by specified dates. The sales must include the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area and the Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area. Interior must also conduct a minimum of six offshore lease sales of at least 1 million acres each over a 10-year period in the Cook Inlet Planning Area. The bill sets a 12.5% royalty rate for such leases. Interior must plan and approve the subsequent OCS oil and gas leasing programs by specified deadlines. The bill extends through 2035 a moratorium on oil and gas leasing in certain eastern and central portions of the Gulf of Mexico and expands the moratorium to include the South Atlantic Planning Area and the Straits of Florida Planning Area. The bill also requires the President to obtain congressional approval before impeding or circumventing certain federal energy mineral leasing processes.

HR 4603, the FAIR Act, prohibits state energy regulators from approving rates for electric utilities that use specific diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices or consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in rate decisions. It blocks rate approvals if a utility enforces mandatory training on race/ethnicity superiority, requires employees to sign statements about systemic bias, or uses quotas based on protected characteristics. The bill also restricts utilities from considering ESG factors like climate initiatives or supplier diversity programs unless directly required by federal or state law. Exceptions apply only for mandatory legal compliance (e.g., federal emissions rules) without discretionary ESG considerations. This directly affects state-regulated electric utilities and their rate-setting processes.

HR 1513, the "Unplug the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Program Act," terminates two existing federal programs that funded electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The bill repeals the authorization for grants supporting EV charging stations and eliminates the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which distributed funds to states for building charging networks. It also rescinds unobligated funds previously allocated to these programs. This bill directly affects the Department of Transportation's ability to support EV charging infrastructure development through these specific funding mechanisms. The policy change removes federal financial support for expanding public EV charging networks under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

This bill phases out federal tax credits for electricity generated from wind and solar power over a four-year period. It reduces the clean electricity production credit to 80% in the first year after enactment, 60% in the second, 40% in the third, and 20% in the fourth, ending at 0% after that. Similarly, it phases out the clean electricity investment credit for qualifying solar and wind facilities based on when they begin operation. These changes directly affect renewable energy producers and developers who currently claim these tax credits under the Internal Revenue Code. The bill takes effect for electricity produced or facilities placed in service after enactment.

This bill prohibits new oil and gas exploration, development, and production on the federal outer continental shelf off California, Oregon, and Washington. It amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to block the Secretary from issuing any new leases or authorizations in four specific planning areas: Washington/Oregon, Northern California, Central California, and Southern California. These areas are defined by the 2023 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management leasing program. The bill directly affects oil and gas companies seeking to operate in these coastal zones, preventing new federal leasing activities.