Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 26, 2025

S 2185: Energy Circuit Riders Act of 2025

S 2185, the Energy Circuit Riders Act of 2025, creates a federal program to fund trained professionals ("Energy Circuit Riders") who assist rural communities with energy efficiency and clean energy projects. Eligible entities like states, tribes, nonprofits, or rural planning commissions can receive grants (up to 75% federal funding) to hire these riders for 3-6 years. The riders provide direct support including energy planning, audits, financing guidance, and help accessing federal/state incentives to communities in rural areas. The program requires grantees to serve at least two rural areas and mandates annual reports on energy savings, cost reductions, and emissions cuts. It authorizes $25 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds clean energy project assistance in rural areas through federal grants for energy efficiency and renewable infrastructure support.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds clean energy projects and energy efficiency in rural areas, directly advancing environmental protection goals through clean energy promotion and reduced emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 1366: Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act

This bill withdraws approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters in Minnesota's Rainy River Watershed (Superior National Forest) from public land laws, mining claims, and mineral leasing. It directly affects the area by prohibiting new development, mining, and land disposal within the designated boundary. The bill allows limited removal of sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite under Forest Service approval if environmental impacts on water, air, and habitat are deemed non-detrimental.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts mining and mineral leasing on federal lands, limiting potential energy resource extraction and development.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws 225k acres from mining/development, prohibits new mining, and requires environmental safeguards - directly protects watershed and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 5, 2025

S 871: Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025

This bill establishes a federal grant program to fund conservation projects for native plants, fungi, and animals in Hawaii. Eligible entities - including the State of Hawaii, local governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and schools - can apply for funding to address threats like invasive species, climate change impacts, and habitat loss. Federal funding covers up to 75% of project costs (or 100% for projects by Native Hawaiian organizations or focused on youth workforce development), with at least 5% of annual funds reserved for these priority projects. The program requires annual reporting to Congress on funded projects and their progress, ensuring transparency in how funds support Hawaii's native species recovery.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds conservation projects addressing habitat loss, invasive species, and climate impacts for native Hawaiian species through federal grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2025

S 1094: Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025

S 1094, the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025, requires U.S. federal agencies (like the General Services Administration and Department of Defense) to prioritize using U.S.-made mass timber products in new public building construction. It mandates that agencies give contract preference to mass timber sourced from domestic facilities and responsibly harvested U.S. forests, with specific priority for products from forest restoration practices, wildfire prevention efforts, or underserved forest owners. The bill also requires a lifecycle assessment of mass timber buildings' environmental impact and a public report within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects federal building projects and U.S. timber producers meeting the defined sourcing criteria.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes sustainable forestry and carbon sequestration via mass timber use in federal buildings, prioritizing responsibly harvested materials and forest restoration practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Jan 8, 2026

HR 6984: Data Center Transparency Act

The Data Center Transparency Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Energy Information Administration (EIA) to regularly report on data centers' environmental impacts. Specifically, the EPA must publish quarterly reports detailing data centers' water consumption, reuse practices, effects on local water systems (including pollution and service disruptions), and greenhouse gas emissions. The EIA must publish semi-annual reports on nationwide electricity consumption by data centers, broken down by state, including changes in energy use, new facility openings, and potential impacts on household energy costs. These reports will be made publicly available online, directly affecting federal agencies (EPA and EIA) and providing transparency for Congress and the public about data centers' resource use and environmental effects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires EPA/EIA to report data centers' water use, emissions, and pollution impacts, enhancing environmental oversight and transparency on key environmental metrics.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Tags Data Reporting

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in committee · United States · House Jun 7, 2025

HR 3819: PROTECT Florida Act

This bill directs the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize public health in managing Florida's water infrastructure, specifically requiring actions to prevent toxic algae blooms and harmful discharges into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee watersheds. Key provisions include modifying water operations to minimize cyanobacteria risks, updating the Master Operational Manual to coordinate all system elements, and mandating a study on pollution impacts from nutrient loading. It directly affects the Army Corps, Florida water management agencies, and communities downstream from Lake Okeechobee. The bill also prohibits using restoration funds for Deep Well Injection and ensures existing water quality standards remain intact.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates actions to prevent toxic algae blooms, reduce harmful discharges, and study pollution impacts from nutrient loading in Florida waterways, directly protecting ecosystems and public health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes public health by preventing toxic algae blooms and harmful discharges, protecting water quality and reducing health risks from cyanobacteria in Florida watersheds.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Public Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 517: Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025

The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 updates how the U.S. Forest Service collects and reports forest data. It requires the agency to modernize its data collection methods - including adding timber product studies and woodland owner surveys - to better track forest carbon (including below-ground carbon), land use changes, and biomass supplies. The bill mandates nationally consistent data protocols, improved transparency in reporting, and regular updates to a strategic plan (submitted to Congress every 5 years) detailing how the agency will integrate remote sensing technologies and collaborate with partners. These changes directly affect the Forest Service’s inventory program and make forest data more accessible to researchers, landowners, and industries while protecting confidential plot locations and owner information.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enhances forest carbon tracking and biomass data, supporting renewable energy and carbon management efforts.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentModernizes forest data collection for carbon tracking, land use, and biomass, enhancing environmental monitoring and climate policy support per bill's focus on improved carbon reporting and consistent protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 27, 2026

S 2578: Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act

S 2578, the "Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act," directs U.S. agencies to support Brazil in combating criminal networks driving deforestation and environmental harm in the Amazon. It requires the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to identify sustainable economic opportunities and investment risks in the region, and authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance, capacity building, and support for sustainable livelihoods and Indigenous rights in Brazil. The bill mandates reports to Congress on drivers of deforestation (including Chinese involvement in illicit resource extraction), progress on disrupting criminal networks, and U.S. efforts to influence international financial institutions to oppose loans exacerbating deforestation. It directly affects U.S. agencies (State, USAID, Treasury) and Brazilian authorities working to address illegal logging, mining, wildlife trafficking, and associated corruption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance and support sustainable economic opportunities, directly funding a program through government spending.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects U.S. support to combat Amazon deforestation, funds sustainable economic opportunities, and provides technical assistance for environmental protection in the Brazilian Amazon.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 15, 2026

S 528: GLRI Act of 2025

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 or the GLRI Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which carries out programs and projects to protect and restore the Great Lakes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReauthorizes funding for Great Lakes protection/restoration programs, directly advancing environmental conservation and pollution control efforts in a key ecosystem.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Feb 7, 2025

HR 1124: Help Our Kelp Act of 2025

The Help Our Kelp Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund projects restoring and conserving wild kelp forests. It directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to award grants to eligible groups - including fishing industry members, tribes, nonprofits, and local governments - for projects addressing regional kelp decline, enhancing ecosystem resilience, removing sea urchins that harm kelp, and integrating Indigenous knowledge. Projects must include collaboration among eligible entities and meet specific criteria, with grants covering up to 85% of costs (allowing waivers for tribes). The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030), reserving at least $750,000 yearly for tribal-led projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes federal grants to restore kelp forests, conserve ecosystems, enhance resilience, and remove harmful sea urchins - directly advancing environmental conservation and protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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