Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | May 18 - May 22, 2026

Highlights:

The House Committee on Appropriations advanced the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2027 (H.R.9022). The bill aims to fund  critical mineral mining technologies, research on baseload energy sources, grid cybersecurity efforts, and port and waterway improvements for fiscal year 2027, among other purposes.

Congress saw a host of geothermal energy bills last week that aim to streamline permitting processes for geothermal energy development. The House Committee on Natural Resources advanced the Geo Act (H.R. 301), the Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025 (H.R.398), the Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms (STEAM) Act (H.R.1077), the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act (H.R.1687), the Geothermal Gold Book Development Act (H.R.5617), Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act (H.R.5631), and the Geothermal Royalty Reform Act (H.R. 5638). The Senate also introduced the Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act (S.4605/H.R.398) and Pacific Promotion of Workable Energy Resources (POWER) Act (S.4610). 

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure completed its markup of the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th (BUILD America 250) Act (H.R. 8870). Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) introduced the bill alongside Reps. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) to reinvest in U.S. roadways, public transportation, freight rail, and bridges. To learn more about each of these modes of transportation, check out EESI’s briefing series, The Next Era of Transportation and Infrastructure. 

The House Committee on Natural Resources advanced the Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025 (H.R.3831). Reps. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) and Darren Soto (D-Fla.) lead the bill, which aims to support biodiversity in marine ecosystems. Specifically, the bill would amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (P.L.94-265) to prohibit the intentional feeding of sharks in federal waters. 

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) along with nine Democratic cosponsors reintroduced the Stay Cool Act (H.R.9021) to address extreme heat risks. The bill includes a package of proposals including establishing a federal heat preparedness system, cooling and community resilience center grants, and funding for air conditioning and cooling systems in public housing. To learn more, check out EESI’s briefing on extreme heat solutions.

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