Hill Heat

The legislative hearing will be on the following bills:

• H.R. 280 (Rep. Hageman), “Combatting Obstruction Against Leasing Act of 2025” or the “COAL Act of 2025”, to codify key aspects of the Trump administration’s EO 14261, “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and amending Executive Order 14241,” by nullifying DOI’s Secretarial Order 3338, which placed a moratorium on new federal coal leases
• H.R. 1366 (Rep. Amodei), “Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2025”, to override the Rosemont decision, by creating a new category of mill sites to ensure that operators can use federal lands, whether mineral or non-mineral in character, for activities ancillary to mining, and also creates the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund
• H.R. 3872 (Rep. Fallon), “Mineral Extraction for Renewable Industry and Critical Applications Act of 2025” or the “MERICA Act of 2025”, to amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to clarify that all federally acquired lands are eligible to be considered for hardrock mineral leasing
• H.R. 4018 (Rep. Ezell), to direct DOI and other federal agencies to accelerate leasing and permitting of seabed mineral projects on the OCS and to identify critical minerals recoverable from those resources, codifying key elements of EO 14285, “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources”
• H.R. 4068 (Rep. Collins), “Streamlining NEPA for Coal Act”, to require the Secretary of the Interior to identify any existing and potential categorical exclusion under NEPA that could further the production and export of domestic coal
• H.R. 4090 (Rep. Stauber), To codify certain provisions of certain Executive Orders relating to domestic mining and hardrock mineral resources, including ordering DOI to annually report on the dollar value and overall economic impact of each mineral commodity for which the U.S. is import-reliant; requiring the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to identify priority mining projects on federal lands that can be immediately approved and take all necessary and appropriate steps to expedite these projects; directing the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to identify all federal lands in their respective jurisdictions that may be suitable for hardrock mineral, exploration, development, or production, as well as potential sites for expanded production of hardrock minerals and their byproducts; directing DOI to revise or rescind agency actions that hinder mining projects, recommend changes to current law necessary to streamline domestic mining, and conduct a nationwide review of state and local laws or regulations that impede mineral exploration and development; and directing DOI to accelerate geologic mapping of the U.S., with a focus on hardrock mineral deposits

Hearing memo

Witnesses:

Panel I (Members of Congress):

• To Be Announced

Panel II (Administration Witness):

• Adam Suess, Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. [All bills]

Panel III (Outside Experts):

• Debra W. Struhsacker, Mining and Public Lands Policy Consultant and CoFounder, The Women’s Mining Coalition, Reno, NV [H.R. 1366, H.R. 3872, H.R. 4090]
• Travis Deti, Executive Director, Wyoming Mining Association, Cheyenne, WY [H.R. 280, H.R. 4068]
• Hans Smit, President and CEO, Ocean Minerals LLC, Spring, TX [H.R. 4018]
• Dr. Steve Feldgus, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. [All bills] [Minority witness]

Full committee hearing, following business meeting.

Witnesses:

• David Wright, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Bradley Crowell, Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Matthew Marzano, Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission

EPW business meeting to consider:

• Jeffrey Hall to be Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (postponed)
• Katherine Scarlett to be Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (reported favorably 12-7, ranking member Whitehouse voting with Republicans)
• 10 Committee Resolutions to approve prospectuses from the General Services Administration.

Nomination hearing was on July 3rd.

Scarlett has been serving as the CEQ chief of staff and acting chair since the start of the current administration; previously, she worked at CEQ and served as chief of staff to the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council during President Trump’s first administration. Additionally, she served as senior Republican professional staff on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee under Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

On February 19, 2025, Scarlett issued guidance in the form of a memorandum to the heads of federal agencies and departments (2025 CEQ Memo), providing direction on how agencies should update their existing NEPA procedures for consistency with the NEPA amendments in the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) (2023 NEPA Statute) and the policy priorities laid out in the various Executive Orders (EOs) from President Trump. She made clear that environmental justice and cumulative impacts don’t need to be considered.

Jeffrey Hall, previously a partner at oil-industry law firm Burke Law Group, is principal deputy assistant administrator in EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. At Burke, Hall represented Dr. Eithan Haim, an anti-trans surgeon who stole minor patient files and shared them with neo-Nazi activist Chris Rufo. The case against Haim was dropped by the DOJ days after Trump became president. Hall also represented the anti-trans organization Do No Harm. Hall also represented the State of Louisiana in arguments before the Fifth Court of Appeals in Texas v. EPA. The court ruled against Louisiana.

A March 12 memo from Hall lays out specific “initial guidance” on realigning the agency’s 2023 National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives with the Trump Administration’s stated goals. The memo provides that “enforcement and compliance assurance actions shall not shut down any stage of energy production . . . or power generation absent an imminent and substantial threat to human health or an express statutory or regulatory requirement to the contrary.” Further, actions that “would unduly burden or significantly disrupt energy production or power generation,” among other consequences, must be approved by Mr. Hall.

Nomination hearing.

Witnesses:

• Bill Bazzi, of Michigan, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Tunisia
• Melinda Hildebrand, of Texas, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Costa Rica
• Todd Wilcox, of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Diplomatic Security), vice Gentry O. Smith, resigned

Melinda “Mindy” Hildebrand is the wife of Texas fracking billionaire Jeffery Hildebrand, founder of Hilcorp Energy, a major Trump donor.

This is a markup of the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The Committee will consider the following legislation:

• The Fiscal Year 2026 Views and Estimates of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
• Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 4669, Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 or FEMA Act of 2025
• Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 5061, Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act

Subcommittee markup.

Subcommittee mark

• Blocks implementation of executive orders on climate (Sec. 532)

The Committee on Rules will meet Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET in H-313, The Capitol on the following emergency measure:

• H. Res. ____ – Directing the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to continue its ongoing investigation into the possible mismanagement of the Federal government’s investigation of Mr. Jeffrey Epstein and Ms. Ghislaine Maxwell, and for other purposes.

The Committee on Rules will meet Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET in H-313, The Capitol on the following measures:

• H.J. Res. 104 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to ‘‘Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment’’. [Rule Markup Only]
• H.J. Res. 105 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to ‘‘North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan’’. [Rule Markup Only]
• H.J. Res. 106 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to ‘‘Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan’’. [Rule Markup Only]
• H.R. 4553 – Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Join us for a virtual FEMA rally and teach-in!

We are excited to host signers of the Katrina Declaration and rally behind them as they teach us about what FEMA does.

Please register for the Zoom webinar and we will see you Thursday 8/28 at 8p et/5p PT.

What if thousands of us ran for local office on climate? With climate action stalled federally, cities, counties, and states have a huge opportunity to lead, which is why we need progressive climate champions in office at all levels of government now more than ever.

On August 27 at 6pm ET/3pm PT, Lead Locally is hosting a virtual panel featuring elected climate leaders from across the country. In this moment, voters are calling for a change in leadership – generationally, and politically – at all levels of government.

Zohran Mamdani’s historic win in NYC’s mayoral primary, for instance, provides one exciting model of what new leadership on climate can look like. From fare-free buses to green public schools, his bold climate platform centered on making the city more affordable and livable for working class families.

Aru Shiney-Ajay, Sunrise Movement’s Executive Director, will be joining us for a conversation with three elected climate champions from across the country to hear about how they successfully ran for local office and how they’re governing in the face of the Trump administration’s attacks on our planet and communities:

• Oscar De Los Santos, AZ State House Rep. District 11
• Kate Sykes, Portland City Councilor District 5
• Andre Carroll, PA State House Rep. District 201

Panelists will share with us:

• How they successfully ran for local office – and what motivated them to do so
• How they’re governing in the face of Trump’s attacks on our planet and communities
• Whether, and in what way, they think voters are demanding a change in leadership right now – and what races like Mamdani’s can tell us

This call is for all, whether you are just curious about local climate politics or you are committed to running for local office already.

RSVP

ADVISORY

Administrator Zeldin Announces New Name for EPA:

Environmental Pollution Agency

Name change reflects new pro-polluters mission under President Trump

Adm. Zeldin to host renaming ceremony at EPA on Thursday

EAST PALESTINE, OHIO – While visiting the site of an infamous 2023 chemical spill, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the EPA would henceforth be known as the Environmental Pollution Agency to better align with the Trump administration’s pro-pollution agenda.

“For too long the EPA has worked for Americans who want clean air, clean water, and safe environments,” said Administrator Zeldin. “Under President Trump, we’re giving the power back to America’s patriotic fossil fuel and chemical companies. The same guys who raise your electric bill every year should be able to dump where they want without government interference. It’s called freedom.”

The name change comes on the heels of Administrator Zeldin’s other moves to prioritize polluters at the EPA, including dismantling the Office of Research & Development; reconsidering the ban on asbestos and regulations related to wastewater and mercury; and taking steps to allow the oil, gas, automotive, and other industries to pollute to their hearts’ desire.

Administrator Zeldin further announced that he will officiate a renaming ceremony this Thursday, August 7, at 10 a.m. Media and the public are invited to join him at the EPA (12th St. NW between Pennsylvania and Constitution Aves.) at that time. Please RSVP to [email protected].

“The Climate Hoax is DEAD! Just like I PROMISED during the Campaign when I told oil execs why they should give me a BILLION dollars — we’re ENDING the ridiculous, job-destroying “Environmental” Regulations that the Radical Left loves so much,” President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social. “Lee and I are doing an INCREDIBLE job with the Environmental POLLUTION Agency (much better name!). No more Green New Scam — America FIRST means chemical runoff in EVERY backyard and FIRES in every river — just like the GOOD OLD DAYS!!!”

“I commend the Trump administration for taking steps to get rid of the Endangerment Finding that’s been regulating greenhouse gases — or as we call them, Miracle Molecules,” said Michael K. Wirth, CEO of Chevron. “True to its name, the finding endangers small businesses like mine. Thank you to President Trump for the freedom to pollute.”

“Naysayers will claim that pulling back regulations will cause more disasters like the deadly floods in Texas,” said EPA spokeswoman Melinda McFossilShill. “This is 100% false. We all know that floods and hurricanes are caused either by God’s wrath or by suspicious minority groups manipulating the weather.”