Environment and energy
Climate, pollution, public lands, and how power gets generated.
Federal law sets pollution floors; states and utility regulators make most of the decisions that determine where your power comes from and what it costs. Your state public utilities commission is often the most consequential body here and the least known.
Who decides this
- Congress
- The Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, EPA authority, public lands, and energy tax credits.
- Your state
- Utility regulation and rates, renewable portfolio standards, siting of power plants and transmission, and state environmental review.
- Your city or county
- Local land use, building energy codes, waste and recycling, and water systems.
In Congress Senate Environment and Public Works · Senate Energy and Natural Resources · House Energy and Commerce · House Natural Resources
5 open questions
S. 5249
Should the U.S. fast-track licensing for domestic nuclear fuel plants?
The MORE American Fuel Act (S. 5249), a bipartisan bill introduced in August 2026, would streamline how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses uranium enrichment facilities: construction could begin at the applicant's own risk once an application is docketed, and mandatory hearings would be dropped when no one requests one — while keeping environmental review and public hearing rights. The goal is cutting U.S. reliance on foreign enriched uranium as data-center electricity demand surges. Supporters say outdated licensing is the bottleneck to energy independence; critics warn trimming hearings erodes independent safety review. Where do you stand?
H.R. 513
Should Congress Limit the President's Power to Block Offshore Drilling?
The bill would curb presidential withdrawals of offshore areas from oil and gas leasing. Supporters cite energy production; opponents cite environmental protection. Where do you land?
S. 4153
Should Congress Force a 10-Year Phase-Out of Non-Essential "Forever Chemicals"?
The bill would require reporting and a phase-out of non-essential PFAS. Supporters cite health and environment; opponents cite industry cost and feasibility. Where do you land?
Federal policy
Should Congress Make It Easier to Build Energy Projects?
Building power lines, pipelines, and energy projects can take a decade under current permitting rules. Some want to streamline approvals to add capacity and lower costs; critics worry that speeding things up weakens environmental and community review. Where do you stand?
Federal policy
Who Should Pay for the Data-Center Power Boom?
Data centers powering AI are consuming enormous amounts of electricity, and in some regions utility costs are being passed on to households. Some want large energy users to pay their full share of grid costs; others warn new charges could chill investment and jobs. Where do you stand?
Common questions
- Who decides my electricity rate?
- Your state public utilities commission, in a formal rate case. Commissioners are appointed or elected depending on the state.
- Who approves a new power plant or data center?
- Usually your state siting authority and your local government, not Congress.