This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive study on liquid cooling technologies for data centers, specifically to assess their potential for improving energy efficiency as AI workloads grow. The study will evaluate technical aspects like single-phase vs. 2-phase cooling systems, coolant options, heat-reuse opportunities, and safety considerations, while comparing costs and benefits to traditional air cooling. Federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, will use the findings to inform future decisions about cooling infrastructure for government data centers and AI systems. The bill does not mandate new policies or funding but requires a detailed report within 90 days of enactment to guide future adoption.
This bill requires gas pipeline operators to immediately implement a federal safety rule mandating regular leak detection and prompt repair of gas leaks. The rule, finalized by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in January 2025, sets specific standards for identifying and fixing leaks in gas pipelines. By making this rule effective upon enactment, the bill removes any delays in its implementation. Pipeline companies operating under federal jurisdiction will be directly affected by these requirements.
HR 5745, the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act, allows oil and gas operators to convert decommissioned offshore platforms and pipelines into artificial reefs instead of fully removing them. It establishes a process where operators can apply to leave structures in place (called "Reefing in Place") after completing assessments of marine habitat benefits and economic costs. The bill requires the Director to determine if a structure qualifies as an "Eligible Structure" based on habitat potential and safety, with a three-year window for approval after qualification. It also prohibits federal removal orders during key application and assessment periods and permits states to assume liability for reef sites. This directly affects operators of inactive offshore structures and aims to create new marine habitats while streamlining decommissioning.
This bill amends an existing provision in the MAP-21 law to set a specific deadline for airports to transition to quieter aircraft technology. It directly affects airports and aircraft operators required to meet federal noise standards. The key change replaces a flexible "15 years after enactment" deadline with a fixed date of December 31, 2032, for compliance. This is a procedural amendment to an existing regulatory requirement, not a new policy.
This bill, HR 1687 (the CLEAN Act), modifies geothermal leasing and permitting processes on federal lands. It shortens geothermal lease terms from two years to one year and requires the Interior Secretary to hold replacement lease sales if a sale is canceled or delayed. The bill also sets strict 30-day deadlines for the Interior Secretary to notify applicants about complete permit applications and issue final decisions on those applications. These changes directly affect geothermal energy developers seeking to lease federal land for energy projects.
This bill increases the tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements by doubling the dollar limit from $2,000 to $4,000. It specifically applies to heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, biomass stoves, and biomass boilers purchased for home use. The change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. Homeowners making these eligible upgrades will receive a higher tax credit, directly reducing their federal tax liability.
S 2007 (Financing Lead Out of Water Act of 2025) modifies federal tax rules to help communities replace lead pipes in drinking water systems. It clarifies that using tax-exempt bonds to replace privately-owned lead service lines connected to public water systems does not count as "private business use" under tax law, making these bonds eligible for tax exemption. This directly affects public water systems and the communities they serve, particularly those needing to comply with federal lead regulations. The key change allows municipalities to finance lead pipe replacement projects using tax-exempt bonds without violating existing tax code restrictions. The bill applies to bonds issued after December 31, 2025.
The FISH Act of 2025 establishes a U.S. government "blacklist" of foreign fishing vessels, fleets, and their beneficial owners engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing or fishing involving forced labor. The bill prohibits listed vessels from accessing U.S. ports, receiving supplies within U.S. waters, and having their seafood imported into the United States. It creates procedures for adding vessels to the list based on evidence from international organizations, U.S. authorities, or civil society, with mechanisms for removal after corrective actions are taken. The act also authorizes sanctions against entities supporting IUU fishing and requires reports on enforcement efforts and technological solutions to combat IUU fishing.
Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act of 2025 This bill allows the Department of Energy (DOE) to convey the Moab site to Grand County, Utah, at no cost when it finishes cleaning up uranium mill tailings (i.e., radioactive waste) at the site. (The Moab site is a uranium milling site located approximately three miles northwest of Moab, Utah.) DOE must retain certain water rights that are necessary to carry out its responsibilities, such as maintaining access to wells and the associated surface footprint of the wells if the remediation of groundwater is ongoing at the time of the conveyance. The conveyance of the site must include a provision that prohibits Grand County from reconveying to a private entity or nonprofit organization any portion of the land conveyed to the county.
The Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act creates a 30% tax credit for businesses that invest in qualifying disaster mitigation projects on "working waterfront" property, such as commercial fishing facilities or boatyards. The credit covers up to $300,000 per year (adjusted for inflation after 2026) for projects designed to prevent flood, erosion, or storm damage using methods like structural elevation, floodproofing, or shoreline stabilization. To qualify, property must be used for water-dependent activities (e.g., commercial fishing or boating) with average annual gross receipts under $47 million and meet specific building code requirements for disaster resilience. The credit is limited to 10 years per business and applies to projects placed in service after 2025.
