Energy & Environment

What’s in and what’s out of the FAA bill

by Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk 05/10/24 06:44 PM CDT

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Energy & Environment

The Big Story

What to know about energy provisions in the FAA bill

The Senate passed a reauthorization package for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that included numerous energy, environment and climate-related provisions.

Here’s what is in the legislation:

$1 billion to make airports more resilient to the impacts of climate change
$350M in grants to help airports replace firefighting foam with foam that does not contain toxic PFAS and disposal of PFAS-laden foam
Allowing airport construction improvement or capacity increases to undergo an expedited environmental review

However, notable proposed amendments did not make it into the package, including efforts to reauthorize aid for radiation victims of U.S. nuclear testing.

The FAA legislation passed late Thursday. It’s expected to go to the House next week before landing on President Biden’s desk.

Read more about the legislation’s passage in general from our colleague Al Weaver at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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Essential Reads

How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

Brown to join Manchin on measure to undo electric car tax credit exemption

Sen. Sherrod Brown (Ohio), considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Democratic incumbents up for reelection this year, will join Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in supporting a resolution to repeal Biden administration rules allowing some China-made battery parts to qualify for an electric vehicle (EV) tax credit, Brown’s office confirmed to The Hill.

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A huge solar storm is hitting the US: 6 big questions and answers

The biggest solar storm to hit the United States in more than two decades is underway — with impacts to begin Friday evening.

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Green transition is stitched into the tax code: White House economist

White House Council of Economic Advisers Chair Lael Brainard dismissed the notion that Republicans would be able to easily reverse the sustainable energy provisions passed in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) even if they win majorities in the general election this fall.

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In Other News

Branch out with a different read on The Hill:

Marijuana move could help Biden in key voter group

The Biden administration’s move to loosen federal regulations on marijuana could help the president make much-needed headway among younger voters, a group that was crucial to his 2020 win but is showing waning enthusiasm for his reelection bid.

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On Our Radar

Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:

Wednesday

EPA Administrator Michael Regan is slated to appear at a House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing on the fiscal 2025 budget request for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s will hold a hearing to examine the president’s budget request for the National Park Service for fiscal year 2025
The Senate Appropriations Committee’s will hold a hearing to examine proposed budget for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. Heads of those agencies are slated to appear

Thursday

White House Council on Environmental Quality chair Brenda Mallory is slated to testify at a House Natural Resources Committee budget hearing
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the Forest Service’s budget

What We’re Reading

News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

Why Japan is struggling to kick its coal dependency (Vox)
Lawmakers take aim at community air monitoring in Louisiana (Floodlight/Louisiana Illuminator)
Regulators approve sweeping change to the way most Californians are billed for electricity (The Los Angeles Times)

What Others are Reading

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Barron Trump declines to be RNC delegate because of ‘prior commitments’

Barron Trump, the youngest son of former President Trump, has declined the offer to serve as a delegate for Florida at this summer’s Republican National Convention (RNC). Read more

George Conway: Stormy Daniels cross was ‘complete disaster’ for Trump defense

Conservative attorney George Conway suggested Thursday that the cross-examination of adult film actor Stormy Daniels by former President Trump’s legal team in his hush money trial this week was a “complete disaster.” Read more

Opinions in The Hill

Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill:

We’re environmentalists: America’s haphazard plastic bag bans are not working

You’re all caught up. See you Monday!

Energy & Environment

Energy & Environment

What to know about energy provisions in the FAA bill

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