Amelia Davidson

E&E News: Republicans cast doubt on ‘REINS Act’ megabill eligibility Sen. Mike Lee says he has repeatedly met with the Senate parliamentarian to get the regulatory overhaul included.

A number of Senate Republicans, including Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, are doubtful that the regulation-slashing REINS Act is eligible for their megabill.

Sen. Mike Lee has been pushing it all week:
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E&E News: Bipartisan push for carbon trade bill slows Legislation to study the carbon intensity of American manufacturing is not yet slated for reintroduction.

A bipartisan carbon trade bill that gained traction last Congress has shown no signs yet of returning, as sponsors explore ways to work with the Trump administration:

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Whitehouse plans bid for top Democratic spot on Judiciary Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin's retirement after next year will spark a shuffle in the new Congress.

New - Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse tells me he will seek the top Dem spot on the Judiciary committee when Sen. Durbin retires in 2026.

He'd be switching over from leading Dems on EPW, but says he would keep a climate focus at Judiciary:
www.eenews.net/articles/whi...

Republicans tap Trump’s love of tariffs in new carbon bill Senate Republican legislation would impose a foreign pollution fee targeting the "nexus between climate, national security, economic security and energy

Two Republican senators are pushing again to put tariffs on countries that generate high levels of manufacturing pollution. Trump's tariff agenda and upcoming reconciliation might make the bill more viable this term-

www.eenews.net/articles/rep...

E&E News: Democrats focus on Musk in hearings, no matter the topic “This is not a political strategy. This is saving our democracy,” a senior Democrat said. Republicans are rolling their eyes.

Democrats are using hearings on all topics to slam Elon Musk + DOGE, as Republicans roll their eyes. But it's not a strategy, senior Dems say -

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E&E News: Colorado group wants voters to decide again on restoring gray wolves Coloradans voted in 2020 to bring wolves back to the state. Ranchers are looking for them to reverse course in 2026.

In 2020, Colorado narrowly passed a ballot initiative bringing wolves back to the state. Opponents of the wolf program hope to reverse course on the 2026 ballot.

Read more about the issue, and a ballot measure's chance of passage, here:
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E&E News: Senators question trade pick on carbon tariffs, energy Members on both sides of the aisle are working on legislation that would enact carbon fees for certain imports.

Senators questioned President Donald Trump’s top trade nominee Thursday on energy, carbon tariffs and renewable energy manufacturing:

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E&E News: Cheat sheet: Trump’s executive orders on energy and the environment, all in one place Trump’s flurry of first-day executive orders included the declaration of an “energy emergency” and the rollback of scores of previous presidents’ environmental initiatives.

Wondering which of Trump's executive orders — and his Biden-era rollbacks — pertain to energy and the environment? Here's a cheat sheet:

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Trump Treasury nominee appears open to carbon tariffs Scott Bessent called carbon tariffs against the Chinese an “interesting idea” but balked at the idea of a “clean energy race."

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Treasury Department spoke repeatedly about energy during his Thursday confirmation hearing, including a willingness to implement carbon tariffs against China.

www.eenews.net/articles/tru...

Western Caucus ready for big energy role under new leader California Rep. Doug LaMalfa says he is ready to mobilize the caucus to advocate for President-elect Donald Trump’s energy priorities.

The Congressional Western Caucus has a new leader in Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who says he wants to make the group an energy policy force on Capitol Hill to help fulfill President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.

More here:
www.eenews.net/articles/wes...

E&E News: ANWR oil lease sale draws no bids That's the second Trump-ordered Arctic sale that has gone bust.

A contentious oil lease sale in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge saw NO interest this week — making it the second Trump-ordered Arctic sale that has gone bust.

Some blame the refuge's remote location, and some blame Biden. More here:
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House approves push to designate Lahaina a heritage area The designation would bolster the Hawaiian community still recovering from last year’s deadly wildfires.

House approves push to designate Lahaina a heritage area —

www.eenews.net/articles/hou...