Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | July 28 - August 2, 2025

Highlights:

Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) introduced S.2570, which amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to reauthorize the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program. The program helps reduce low-income households’ energy costs by increasing their energy efficiency.  

Reps. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) and Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced the Advancing Research on Agricultural Climate Impacts Act (H.R. 4865). The bill aims to improve tracking of farmers’ conservation efforts, particularly through soil carbon sequestration. By improving standards and technology for tracking soil carbon, the government can better reward farmers’ efforts for improving soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more about carbon sinks in agriculture, check out EESI’s briefing, Maximizing the Impact of Natural Climate Solutions.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) reintroduced the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act (S.2583), which aims to expand and improve federal weather radio to better assist emergency communications during severe weather events. 

Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025 (S.2643). The bill would promote developing seedling nurseries through funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  (P.L. 117-58). The expansion of seedling nurseries supports the growth of native seedlings, which are needed for reforestation and habitat restoration programs across the country.

To catch up on all of the recent environmental and energy legislation in Congress, read the pdf here.