Legislative Activity

The Vehicle Energy Performance Act of 2025 incentivizes the purchase of high-energy performance vehicles through a tax credit based on exceeding the median energy performance of the previous model year, while disincentivizing the purchase of low-energy performance vehicles through a fee on manufacturers. It also refines fuel economy testing and labeling for dual-fueled vehicles to reflect real-world usage. The tax credit is capped at \$5,000, and the low energy performance fee starts in model year 2029.

This bill directs the EPA to establish a voluntary labeling program for apparel, providing consumers with information about the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product's lifecycle. Apparel sellers can apply to use the label, which will include a numerical summary of emissions, a QR code for detailed information, and a summary of voluntary commitments to reduce emissions. The EPA will verify label information, certify verifying entities, and publish regular reports on the program's effectiveness. The bill also includes provisions for technical assistance, voluntary commitments, a public database, consumer outreach, and penalties for fraudulent label use.

The "Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2025" increases the tax deduction for eligible educators' expenses from $250 to $1,000. This extension of benefits is applicable through 2026 and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Period PROUD Act of 2025 increases funding for the Social Services Block Grant Program, earmarking $200 million annually from 2026-2029 for providing menstrual products to low-income individuals. States will distribute these funds to eligible entities, who will then provide free products, conduct community outreach, and improve access to menstrual products. The Department of Health and Human Services will evaluate the program's effectiveness and report to Congress. This act ensures that access to menstrual products does not affect eligibility for other federal needs-based programs.

The "Voluntary Food Climate Labeling Act" establishes a voluntary program, managed by the EPA, for food producers to display a label detailing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product's lifecycle. This label will include numerical summaries of emissions from production to disposal, verified by EPA standards, and accessible via a QR code. The act also creates a public database, encourages voluntary emission reduction commitments from manufacturers, and includes consumer education and penalties for misuse of the label.

The "Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act" aims to reduce methane emissions by establishing programs within the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These programs will focus on methane leak detection and mitigation research, development, and demonstration, as well as the creation of national facilities for advancing methane detection and quantification. The Act authorizes specific appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these initiatives, fostering collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector. Ultimately, the goal is to improve methane emissions measurement technologies, data sharing, and the implementation of effective leak detection and repair strategies.

The "Reinforcing the Grid Against Extreme Weather Act of 2025" aims to bolster the resilience of the U.S. electrical grid by improving interregional electricity transfer capabilities. It directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish regulations that mandate minimum transfer capabilities between neighboring transmission planning regions to ensure reliability during extreme events. The Act requires regional transmission entities to develop and regularly update plans for interregional transmission projects, with FERC overseeing the approval and implementation of these plans. This will be achieved by identifying, selecting, and allocating costs for interregional transmission projects needed to meet the minimum transfer capability.

The REDUCE Act requires Transmission Organizations to allow aggregators of retail customers to submit bids that aggregate demand flexibility of the customers of certain utilities. It directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a final rule implementing this requirement within 12 months.

The Exported Carbon Emissions Report Act of 2025 mandates the EPA Administrator to annually collect and publish data on domestic carbon dioxide and methane emissions, as well as emissions resulting from the leakage and combustion of fossil fuels exported from the U.S. The Administrator will use the best available science and established international standards, consult with relevant agencies, and publish the information on the EPA's website. This aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the carbon emissions associated with U.S. fossil fuels, both domestically and internationally. This action must begin within 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

The "End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act of 2025" aims to eliminate various tax benefits and subsidies currently provided to the oil and gas industry. It repeals or modifies provisions related to amortization of geological expenditures, tax credits for marginal wells and enhanced oil recovery, intangible drilling costs, percentage depletion for oil and gas wells, deductions for tertiary injectants, and passive loss limitations. The act also prohibits major integrated oil companies from using last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting and modifies foreign tax credit rules for dual capacity taxpayers. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of crude oil for excise tax purposes to include tar sands.

The LNG Public Interest Determination Act of 2025 amends the Natural Gas Act, requiring the Secretary of Energy to approve natural gas exports only if they are deemed to be in the public interest. Approval requires assessments regarding climate change, economic impacts, and environmental justice, ensuring exports do not significantly worsen climate change, increase energy prices for U.S. consumers, or unfairly burden vulnerable communities. The Act mandates public participation, especially from communities with environmental justice concerns, and terminates a rule that automatically excludes certain natural gas export approvals from environmental review. The Secretary of Energy must create regulations to implement this law within one year.