Energy

HR 526, the Declaration of Energy Independence Act, reduces costs for oil and gas leaseholders on federal lands. It lowers royalty rates from 16.67% to 12.5%, cuts minimum bids from $10 to $2 per acre, and adjusts annual rental rates (from $3-$15 to $1.50-$2 per acre). The bill also creates new noncompetitive leasing options for existing leases meeting production thresholds (e.g., 15 barrels/day oil or 60,000 ft³/day gas), allowing continued operation without bidding. These changes directly affect companies holding federal oil/gas leases, particularly those with older leases or low-production sites.

This bill withdraws federal lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) from oil and gas leasing and development. It automatically terminates non-producing oil and gas leases on these lands and prevents new mineral leasing within the designated area, protecting cultural resources and the park’s visitor experience. The withdrawal specifically applies to federal land within the mapped "Chaco Cultural Heritage Withdrawal Area" but does not affect tribal mineral rights on trust land. It aims to safeguard sacred sites, prehistoric roads, and the park’s dark sky status from potential impacts of energy development.

The FARE Act establishes a 10-year advisory committee to study barriers to rail electrification and recommend solutions. The committee, with balanced representation from passenger and freight railroads, utilities, manufacturers, and state/federal agencies, will research technical, financial, and regulatory challenges. It must submit biennial reports to Congress starting two years after the bill's enactment, detailing its findings and recommendations. The committee will terminate 10 years after the bill becomes law, with no direct impact on rail operations or funding.

HR 346, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, amends the Clean Air Act to clarify that state emissions standards directly or indirectly limiting sales of new internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE) would not qualify for federal EPA waivers. It adds a specific definition to the law, requiring states to avoid restrictions on ICE vehicle sales to maintain waiver eligibility. The bill also mandates the EPA to revoke existing waivers granted between January 2022 and the bill's enactment if those waivers didn't comply with the new definition. This directly affects states with their own vehicle emission standards (like California), the EPA's waiver approval process, and automakers selling vehicles in those states.

This bill (SJRES 55) is a congressional resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA rule, published in January 2025, established safety standards for hydrogen fuel systems in vehicles. The resolution aims to nullify this rule through a formal disapproval process under federal law, meaning the safety standards would not take effect. This directly affects hydrogen vehicle manufacturers and dealers who would have been required to comply with the NHTSA rule.

HR 5888, the UNtaxed Act, prohibits the United Nations or its affiliated bodies from imposing taxes, tariffs, or fees on U.S. citizens or companies without a Senate-approved agreement. It also blocks U.S. funding for any United Nations activities related to implementing or enforcing a global carbon tax, which is defined as a tax on vessel emissions under a worldwide fuel system. The bill directly affects U.S. businesses and citizens who might face UN levies, and it restricts federal resources from supporting international carbon tax initiatives. This legislation aims to prevent unilateral UN taxation and funding of carbon-related policies without congressional oversight.

S 990, the Freedom to Haul Act of 2025, prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing or enforcing Phase 3 greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (finalized in April 2024). It amends the Clean Air Act to require that future emissions rules for vehicles cannot mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new trucks based on engine type. This directly affects EPA regulatory authority and vehicle manufacturers, ensuring a broader range of new truck options remains available. The bill focuses on preventing regulatory restrictions on vehicle choice, not on emissions outcomes.

Federal Lands and Waters Leasing Transparency Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to provide explanations to the highest bidders when it rejects their bids for certain offshore oil and gas leases. The bill also prohibits courts from invalidating or delaying certain onshore and offshore oil and gas leases. When Interior determines that the federal government will not receive the fair market value for offshore lease tracts on submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf from the highest bidder, then Interior must provide a report to the bidder that explains the basis for the determination. If the bid was subject to a resource and economic evaluation, the report must include information on how the bid compares to specified valuation metrics. These requirements apply to lease sales in which Interior received at least one bid and did not issue a lease to the highest bidder. Additionally, courts may not prevent Interior from issuing certain onshore oil and gas leases by a 60-day statutory deadline unless the lease would violate federal law. Further, the bill prohibits civil actions that challenge certain offshore oil and gas lease sales from (1) invalidating leases issued under such sales; and (2) delaying the consideration of plans, documents, or applications for a federal authorization or approval of activities for a lease. If a court finds that the sale was not carried out in compliance with federal law, the court must (1) remand the matter to Interior, and (2) direct Interior to correct the noncompliance.

HR 1001 requires federal agencies to create a memorandum of understanding (MOU) addressing how a specific 2024 record of decision (related to Glen Canyon Dam operations) might impact the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. The MOU, developed with the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group, must establish a plan to address three key areas: potential effects on infrastructure costs and operations, impacts on hydropower production and grid reliability, and effects on endangered species. It directly affects the Interior Department, Energy Department, and the fund managing hydropower revenues from Glen Canyon Dam. The bill focuses on assessing and planning for potential financial and operational impacts, not on changing the record of decision itself.

National Coal Council Reestablishment Act This bill provides statutory authority for the National Coal Council and directs the Department of Energy to reestablish the council in accordance with the charter that was in effect on November 19, 2021. Established in 1984, the council made recommendations to DOE on matters relating to coal and the coal industry. In addition, the bill removes the requirement under the Federal Advisory Committee Act for the council to be re-chartered every two years.