The GREEN Appraisals Act of 2025 requires lenders to inform borrowers about energy efficiency reports for home appraisals and mandates that appraisers consider these reports when valuing properties. It directly affects homebuyers, appraisers, and lenders handling covered loans (like most mortgages insured by FHA, VA, or Fannie Mae). Key provisions include requiring appraisers to factor in energy efficiency features, renewable energy systems, and estimated savings - such as lower utility costs - into property valuations, while ensuring these reports cannot be used to deny a loan. The law also sets standards for energy reports (e.g., using HERS ratings) and requires appraisers to complete specific training on evaluating energy data. This policy change aims to make energy efficiency a standard part of home value assessments, potentially influencing both home prices and financing decisions.
The Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2025 expands federal support for developing advanced biofuels (including ultra-low-carbon and zero-carbon bioethanol), renewable chemicals, and biobased products. It creates a new grant program for pilot and demonstration-scale biorefineries, requiring projects to meet specific criteria like environmental benefits, rural economic development, innovation, and market potential. Grants cover up to 60% of project costs, with the remaining 40% coming from non-federal sources, and will receive $100 million annually from 2026 through 2030. This program directly supports eligible entities such as companies, cooperatives, and associations working to commercialize sustainable biorefinery technologies.
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Rural Communities
S 2664, the Skilled Workforce Act, creates a 30% federal tax credit for businesses investing in training facilities that address workforce shortages in high-demand industries like high-tech manufacturing, clean energy, construction, and advanced transportation. The credit applies to eligible institutions (such as community colleges, career schools, and public secondary schools) partnering with businesses to build or upgrade facilities for skills-based training programs. Projects must be certified by Treasury and Commerce, with a total funding cap of $500 million, prioritizing rural schools and those serving underserved communities. The credit cannot be combined with other tax benefits for the same investment and applies to property placed in service after the bill's enactment.
SRES 563 is a non-binding Senate resolution affirming that the federal government should support school districts in replacing diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives like electric models. It highlights that diesel exhaust - harmful pollutants linked to asthma, missed school days, and long-term health risks for children - directly affects over 30% of U.S. students who ride school buses. The resolution cites bipartisan past efforts, including funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to support this transition but does not create new funding or mandates. It serves as a statement of policy preference, not a legislative action.
This resolution expresses the Senate's support for the European Union's progress in reducing dependence on Russian energy since 2022, including a 90% cut in Russian oil imports and efforts to end all Russian gas imports by 2027 under the REPowerEU initiative. It specifically highlights Hungary's increased reliance on Russian energy (adding $6.7 billion in revenue to Russia since 2022) and calls on Hungary to comply with the EU's timeline. The resolution urges U.S. allies to terminate contracts with Russian energy firms Rosneft and Lukoil, following recent U.S. sanctions. It also reaffirms opposition to the Nord Stream pipelines but does not create new legal requirements or affect any entities directly.
S 896, the Co-Location Energy Act, allows renewable energy projects (solar/wind) to be developed on existing federal oil, gas, coal, and geothermal lease areas. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to obtain leaseholder consent before authorizing evaluations or issuing permits for renewable energy development on those lands. The bill mandates the Secretary to determine within 180 days if such projects qualify for streamlined environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. This directly affects federal leaseholders (e.g., oil/gas companies) and renewable energy developers seeking to co-locate projects on currently leased federal lands.
HR 4308 reauthorizes the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program through 2030, providing $3.5 billion annually for state and local governments to fund energy efficiency projects. The bill expands eligible uses to include infrastructure for alternative fuels and energy distribution technologies like district heating systems and distributed energy resources. It directs grants toward diversifying energy supplies and increasing efficiency, with administrative costs capped at 1% of annual funding. This program directly supports communities implementing clean energy initiatives under the 2007 Energy Independence Act.
The End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025 eliminates federal subsidies for fossil fuel production by repealing tax incentives, increasing royalty rates, and prohibiting federal funding for fossil fuel projects. It directly affects oil, gas, and coal companies by terminating tax credits like the enhanced oil recovery credit (Section 43), ending special tax treatments for fossil fuel activities, and increasing offshore royalty rates to 18 3/4 percent. The bill prohibits U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank funding for fossil fuel projects, ends interest payments on royalty overpayments, and terminates tax provisions allowing accelerated depreciation for fossil fuel infrastructure. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date, with specific provisions targeting coal, petroleum, and natural gas production.
SRES 146 is a symbolic Senate resolution condemning recent violence targeting electric vehicle infrastructure, including attacks on dealerships and charging stations. It specifically references incidents like Molotov cocktail attacks on Tesla properties and DOJ charges against individuals involved in such acts. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the Senate’s position that all violence against EV infrastructure is unacceptable. It directly addresses the Senate’s stance on domestic terrorism threats to emerging transportation technology.
The GRID Act requires new data centers (20+ megawatts) to power all operations - including backup energy - from off-grid sources like captive power plants or on-site generation, effective 180 days after enactment. Existing data centers can continue using the grid for 10 years if they obtain a "Zero Rate Effect Certificate" from the Secretary of Energy, which requires studying whether the data center raises electricity rates for ratepayers - prioritizing residential rates in the analysis. Covered entities must also publicly report utility usage, property acquisitions, and financial agreements with utilities (including Rate Effect Credits) within 90 days of enactment. Violations carry $1 million daily penalties, and all power sources must comply with environmental and labor laws.
