This bill creates an FBI-led task force to investigate oil theft in the Permian Basin, requiring coordination with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. It increases criminal penalties for oil theft, raising maximum sentences from 3 to 5 years for certain offenses and from 10 to 15 years for others under federal law. The bill also authorizes using federal crime-fighting funds to support oil theft prevention programs and hire dedicated investigators. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies conducting investigations and individuals committing oil theft crimes involving pipelines, refineries, or related equipment.
The Farm to Fly Act of 2025 amends agricultural programs to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a qualifying biofuel, directly affecting U.S. farmers, agricultural producers, and the aviation industry by creating new market opportunities. It defines SAF with specific requirements - meeting ASTM standards, not derived from palm oil or petroleum, and achieving at least a 50% lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared to jet fuel. The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to lead a new collaboration initiative focusing on advancing SAF development through partnerships with farmers, rural economic support, and public-private partnerships. Additionally, it expands existing manufacturing assistance programs to include SAF production, aiming to strengthen domestic energy security and grow markets for agricultural feedstocks.
Closing Loopholes for Oil and other Sources of Emissions Act or the CLOSE Act This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise requirements for hazardous air pollutants. Specifically, the bill allows (1) emissions from oil or gas exploration or production wells and emissions from pipeline compressors or pump stations to be aggregated with emissions from other similar sources and regulated as a major source of toxic air pollutants, (2) emissions from those wells to be aggregated for purposes of emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants, and (3) emissions from oil or gas production wells to be regulated as an area source of toxic air pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency must (1) issue a final rule adding hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants; and (2) revise the list of air pollution sources within 365 days after issuing the rule to include categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources of hydrogen sulfide, including oil and gas wells.
HR 1341, the DRILL Now Act, prevents three regional river basin commissions (Susquehanna, Delaware, and Potomac) from creating or enforcing their own regulations on hydraulic fracturing. The bill amends existing law to require these commissions to rely solely on state-level regulations for fracking, overriding their previous authority under basin compacts. This directly affects the commissions and states within the Susquehanna, Delaware, and Potomac River basins by shifting regulatory control from regional bodies to individual states. The key provision prohibits the commissions from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any fracking-related rules issued under their own authority.
HR 313, the Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act, repeals Section 136 of the Clean Air Act, which established a methane emissions reduction program for natural gas systems. The bill also rescinds unobligated funds previously allocated for this program. This directly affects the natural gas industry by removing a requirement to reduce methane emissions from their operations. The legislation makes no new policy changes but eliminates an existing regulatory program and its associated funding.
HR 1587, the Protecting International Pipelines for Energy Security Act, prevents the President from revoking existing permits for international oil, natural gas, or electric transmission pipelines without an act of Congress. It directly affects pipeline projects crossing U.S. borders, such as the Keystone XL pipeline, by blocking presidential cancellation of their permits. The key provision requires Congress to pass specific legislation to revoke any permit issued under certain executive orders for border-crossing pipeline facilities. This bill does not create new permits but changes the process for ending existing ones. It focuses on preserving current pipeline operations by limiting executive authority over these projects.
The Cutting LNG Bunkering Red Tape Act clarifies that refueling vessels with LNG as marine fuel in U.S. waters does not count as an export under the Natural Gas Act. This means LNG fuel suppliers and shipping companies operating in U.S. territorial seas or inland waters no longer need an export license for these transactions. The bill specifically states that such refueling is not an export unless the transfer occurs in foreign territorial waters, regardless of vessel flags or registry. This change directly reduces regulatory barriers for domestic LNG bunkering operations.
Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025 This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to give the Department of the Interior the authority to collect certain fees from applicants for, or holders of, geothermal leases through September 30, 2032. Specifically, Interior may direct those applicants or leaseholders to reimburse the United States for costs from (1) processing applications for geothermal leases on federal land, such as applications for geothermal drilling permits; and (2) inspecting and monitoring geothermal exploration and development activities, including reclamation activities. Interior may reduce the amount of the fee if it determines that (1) the full reimbursement would impose an economic hardship on the applicant, or (2) a less than full reimbursement is necessary to promote the greatest use of geothermal resources. Interior may use those fees only to the extent that they are provided in advance in appropriations acts for (1) processing applications for geothermal leases, and (2) inspecting and monitoring related exploration and development activities. Within five years of the bill's enactment, Interior must submit to Congress a report that includes an assessment of how the fees affect Interior's geothermal leasing program and any recommendations for updates to the fees and the program.
HR 2596 creates a $1.00 per gallon tax credit for renewable natural gas (RNG) used as transportation fuel in vehicles, boats, or aircraft. The credit applies to producers and businesses that sell or use RNG meeting specific requirements, including registration under existing rules and producer certification. RNG must be derived from biomass and produced within the U.S., with blended fuel treated as RNG only under strict contractual and certification conditions. The credit expires for sales or uses after December 31, 2035, and applies to fuel sold or used after December 31, 2025.
This bill closes a tax loophole by explicitly including tar sands oil under the definition of "crude oil" for federal excise tax purposes. It directly affects oil producers who previously avoided excise taxes on tar sands-derived oil by exploiting the existing definition gap. The key mechanism amends the tax code to state that "crude oil" encompasses oil derived from tar sands, ensuring it is taxed identically to conventional crude oil. The change applies to excise taxes under Section 4611 of the Internal Revenue Code, requiring producers to pay these taxes on tar sands oil moving forward. The bill takes effect upon enactment.
