Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
Summary
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, is a bill allocating funds for various energy and water projects. It covers the Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation, Central Utah Project), and the Department of Energy. The bill also addresses related agencies like the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The Act outlines specific appropriations for civil works, water resource management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and environmental cleanup. It includes provisions for reprogramming funds, restrictions on certain activities, and general guidelines for the use of allocated resources.
The bill also includes general provisions related to the use of funds, such as restrictions on influencing congressional action, maintaining computer network security, and prohibitions on certain diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill will fund numerous energy and water development projects across the United States through September 30, 2026. This includes infrastructure improvements, environmental restoration, and energy research and development.
It will also set parameters for how these funds can be used and transferred, as well as restrictions on certain activities like open lake placement of dredged material and implementation of certain COVID-19 mandates. The bill also extends the authorization for several existing programs.
Potential Benefits
- Funding for flood and storm damage reduction projects, enhancing community resilience.
- Support for aquatic ecosystem restoration, improving environmental health.
- Investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy, promoting sustainability.
- Resources for nuclear waste disposal and environmental cleanup, addressing long-term environmental concerns.
- Support for grid modernization and energy security, ensuring reliable energy access.
Potential Disadvantages
- Restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives may hinder efforts to promote equal opportunity.
- Prohibitions on certain COVID-19 mandates may limit public health measures.
- Reprogramming limitations could restrict the flexibility of agencies to respond to unforeseen circumstances.
- Potential for earmarks and special interest projects to divert funds from more beneficial uses.
- The bill's focus on specific projects may neglect broader systemic issues in energy and water management.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to appropriate funds for the general welfare and to regulate commerce, including navigation and infrastructure development. The allocations for national security-related activities, such as nuclear weapons activities and defense environmental cleanup, are consistent with the federal government's responsibility for national defense.
However, some provisions, such as those restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, could raise concerns under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment if they are interpreted to promote discrimination. Additionally, provisions limiting speech could raise concerns under the First Amendment.
Overall, the bill's alignment with the Constitution depends on the specific interpretation and implementation of its provisions, particularly those that could impact individual rights and liberties.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).