Republicans pivot to single sweeping bill for energy and tax overhaul

House Republicans are consolidating their legislative efforts into one expansive bill, aiming to address energy, tax and border policies while sidestepping procedural hurdles.

Garrett Downs reports for E&E News.

In short:

Republicans plan to streamline permitting reform and energy policy into a single reconciliation bill, focusing on revenue-generating projects like oil and gas leases and repealing clean energy tax breaks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson set an aggressive timeline to deliver the bill to President-elect Donald Trump by April, prioritizing energy independence, tax cuts and border security.
GOP leaders are strategizing to use reconciliation rules to bypass Senate opposition, emphasizing revenue-driven initiatives, despite challenges balancing conservation spending and climate-related guardrails.

Key quote:

“I don’t think there’s any question that energy is going to be where we’re going to get a big pay-for.”

— Rep. Kevin Hern, Republican Policy Committee chair

Why this matters:

Tax cuts and drilling revenue might look good on paper, but slashing clean energy incentives risks derailing the country’s already fragile progress on climate-warming emissions reductions. As the clock ticks, expect battles over climate safeguards, conservation funding and what “energy independence” really means in an era of escalating climate risks.

www.eenews.net

A row of data center cooling towers connected to a building with pipes

Credit: octofocus/Big Stock Photo

The AI boom will increase US carbon emissions—but it doesn’t have to

A new analysis finds that data centers’ energy demands will drastically increase power plant emissions over the next decade. Renewables, though, could cut them while helping keep prices from rising.

Read the Full Article on

www.wired.com

A factory or power plant with smokestacks emitting pollution

Credit: Faux Toe/Big Stock Photo

Half of world’s CO2 emissions come from just 32 fossil fuel firms, study shows

Critics accuse leading firms of sabotaging climate action but say data increasingly being used to hold them to account.

Read the Full Article on

www.theguardian.com

Republicans pivot to single sweeping bill for energy and tax overhaul

The AI boom will increase US carbon emissions—but it doesn’t have to

Half of world’s CO2 emissions come from just 32 fossil fuel firms, study shows

Six years on, New Mexico still hasn’t codified governor’s climate goals

After Helene, rural North Carolina turns to solar and battery hubs

Patagonia is burning

A California climate expert is working to restore climate risk scores deleted by Zillow

Scientists set up camp on Thwaites glacier in Antarctica

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.