Energy & Environment — SPEEDing ahead

View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  SPEED act passes House after anti-wind demands The House on Thursday passed a bill that aims to speed up infrastructure and energy projects —and was expected to include new anti-wind amendment in order to get GOP hard-liners on board. © AP Photo/Nell Redmond The vote was 221-196.   The SPEED Act aims to bolster infrastructure projects by decreasing the amount of scrutiny their environmental impacts face.   It would create new exclusions for which projects are subject to environmental reviews, restrict which environmental factors can be considered in a review of a project, and limit lawsuits against federally approved projects.   While bipartisan lawmakers have for years sought a deal to speed up energy and infrastructure projects — and the bill that passed the House on Wednesday represents a milestone in that effort — it could face setbacks in the Senate where at least seven Democratic votes are needed to pass the legislation.   This week, Republican hard-liners threatened to tank a procedural vote to advance the SPEED Act unless an anti-wind provision was added.   Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), one of the offshore wind opponents, said that the new anti-wind amendment "protects actions to terminate offshore wind permits and leases."   Prior to that maneuver, the legislation was already facing an uncertain future in the upper chamber.   The anti-wind provision added to get hardliners on board makes getting Senate Democratic support all the more difficult.    Read more at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin  — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Trump Media merging with nuclear fusion startup in $6B deal Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, announced a merger Thursday with TAE Technologies, a nuclear fusion startup, in a deal valued at $6 billion.  Full Story Energy Department inspector general to probe billions in canceled climate grants mostly impacting blue states An internal government watchdog says it will probe a Trump administration move to cancel nearly $8 billion in climate and energy funding that primarily impacted blue states.  Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Prices in biggest US power grid auction hit new record, signaling higher utility bills ahead (Reuters) Fish and Wildlife Service staff down by at least 18% (E&E News) What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Trump announces 'Patriot Games,' with 2 high school athletes from each state President Trump on Thursday announced plans for a "Patriot Games" next year that will pit top high school athletes from across the country against one another as part of a series of events to mark 250 years since the nation's founding. Read more House passes GOP health care bill without ObamaCare subsidy extension House Republicans on Wednesday passed a partisan package of health care policies designed to provide a conservative alternative to extending the expiring ObamaCare subsidies.  Read more   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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