This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news regarding the environment, climate change policies, fish and wildlife protection, habitat conservation, environmental activism, and forestry. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

NOAA Initiates Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska State Waters

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service has announced its intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in the state waters of the Gulf of Alaska. The action, required under the National Environmental Policy Act and Executive Order 13921, initiates a 45-day public scoping process running from April 13 through May 28, 2026. Virtual public scoping meetings are scheduled for April 22 and April 28, 2026. The PEIS will analyze potential environmental, economic, and social impacts of identifying AOAs for shellfish and seaweed aquaculture, with the final publication expected in spring 2028. Stakeholder comments will inform the draft alternatives and mitigation strategies to be considered in the draft PEIS.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of 12-Month Finding and Proposal to List Two Tope Shark DPSs as Threatened

NOAA has completed a status review of the tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) in response to a petition, determining the existence of six distinct population segments (DPSs). On April 15, 2026, the agency proposed ESA threatened listings for the Southern Africa and Southwest Atlantic DPSs, finding the species is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future in those regions. Four other DPSs (Northeast Atlantic, Northeast Pacific, Southwest Pacific, Southeast Pacific) were not proposed for listing. The agency invites public comments through June 15, 2026. No critical habitat is proposed because listed DPSs are foreign. The proposal includes a review of population structure, abundance, threats, and existing regulations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Issues Multiple Presidential Permits for Cross-Border Pipeline Operations

On April 15, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued a series of Presidential permits authorizing Enbridge Energy Company, Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership, Bakken Pipeline Company LP, and Enbridge Pipelines (Southern Lights) L.L.C. to operate, maintain, or construct multiple existing and new pipeline facilities on the U.S.-Canada border in Michigan and North Dakota. The permits apply to crude oil and petroleum product pipelines and supersede prior authorizations, with conditions including reporting, maintenance, indemnification, compliance with relevant safety and environmental laws, and the right of the U.S. to assume control for national security. Facilities covered include border pipelines at St. Clair County, Pembina County, and Burke County, outlining specific requirements for operation and future modifications.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

FERC Issues Notice of Intent to Prepare Environmental Assessment for Wiscons8 Hydroelectric Relicensing

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has outlined a schedule for preparing an environmental assessment (EA) for the relicense application of the 210-kilowatt Weyauwega Hydroelectric Project No. 2550, located on the Waupaca River in Wisconsin. Filed by Wiscons8, LLC, the EA will evaluate whether relicensing the project constitutes a major federal action affecting the human environment. The Commission intends to issue the EA for a 30-day public comment period with a target date of December 28, 2026. All submitted comments will be incorporated into FERC's final licensing decision.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House CEQ Launches Permitting Innovators Program with NASA Partnership

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in collaboration with NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, has announced the launch of the Permitting Innovators program. The initiative is aimed at modernizing federal environmental review and permitting processes by facilitating public-private collaboration. A call for solutions addressing permitting technology gaps will be issued, and selected proposals will be invited to present at an inaugural Expo. The program is designed to advance President Trump’s 2025 memorandum directives on permitting technology and will feature a publicly accessible Solutions Catalog. The Permitting Innovators effort is expected to offer tools to enhance interagency permitting for infrastructure projects while maintaining environmental safeguards.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

GLRI Act of 2025 (S.528)

The GLRI Act of 2025, focusing on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, is under consideration in the Senate with hearings held in the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The bill addresses environmental protection for the Great Lakes region.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Providing for consideration of environmental air quality bills and tax policies (H. Res. 1174 and related bills)

The House adopted a resolution to govern debate for H.R. 6387, H.R. 6398, H.R. 6409, and H. Res. 1156, which concern revisions to the Clean Air Act for wildfire risk, EPA legislative review, international emissions standards, and support for working family tax policies. The motion to reconsider was agreed to without objection.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Making Reviews Certain Act (H.R. 8249)

H.R. 8249, the Making Reviews Certain Act, would amend statutory review procedures, with reference to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The bill addresses the certainty and timing of reviews for public lands and natural resources projects.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend CERCLA to provide for the consideration of climate change (H.R. 8296)

H.R. 8296 proposes amendments to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), introducing requirements to consider climate change during environmental remediation and response actions. The bill is under review in both the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To establish requirements for the termination and judicial review of authorizations (H.R. 8308)

H.R. 8308 aims to create statutory requirements for the termination, completion, and coordination of authorizations and related reviews, as well as to organize the process for judicial review of actions related to such authorizations. The measure is referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and other relevant committees.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Governor Gavin Newsom Announces State Government Efficiency Initiatives in California

Governor Newsom announced several efficiency-focused programs in California, including new digital DMV tools, improved tax fraud detection, and a machine learning tool for monitoring water data quality. Additional initiatives include targeted outreach for unclaimed scholarships, risk analytics for postsecondary institutions, and digital driver ID safeguards.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

Governor Greg Abbott Declares Disaster for Border Security in Multiple Texas Counties

Governor Abbott renewed the disaster proclamation originally issued in 2021 related to border security in over 70 Texas counties, maintaining authority for state agencies to use all available resources due to the ongoing threat posed by cross-border activity.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

Governor Kathy Hochul Launches NY SWIMS Grant for Haffen Park Pool Complex Modernization

Governor Hochul announced the start of construction at the Haffen Park Pool Complex in the Bronx, supported by a $5 million NY SWIMS grant and part of a $13.4 million upgrade project. The reconstruction will deliver fully accessible, modern aquatic facilities for Bronx families.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Governor Kathy Hochul Proposes Legislative Measures to Strengthen New York Immigration Protections

Governor Hochul announced a plan to expand New York’s protections against federal immigration enforcement actions, proposing legal restrictions on coordination with ICE, mask-wearing by law enforcement, and use of public schools and government resources for immigration enforcement.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Governor Kathy Hochul Announces Evelyn Linares Legacy Scholarship for CUNY City College Students

A new $50,000 scholarship at CUNY City College, the Evelyn Linares Legacy Scholarship, was announced by Governor Hochul to support rising seniors entering teaching, broadening financial support for prospective educators in New York.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Earth Day spotlight on water and wildlife: Earth Day events in 2026 focus on water stewardship and wildlife conservation efforts across North America.
• Climate reporting rules for food sector set high bar for regenerative agriculture: New climate disclosure regulations challenge the food sector to meet transparent standards for regenerative agriculture.
• US Energy Department restores funding to carbon removal projects: The US Energy Department reinstates support for several carbon removal initiatives following earlier funding delays.
• Codelco, Anglo pursue twin environmental approvals for shared Chile copper pit: Codelco and Anglo American are seeking new joint environmental approvals for an overlapping open pit in Chile.
• Canadian insurers fortify homes, urge Carney to put climate first as wildfire season kicks off: Canadian insurers boost wildfire resilience and call for climate-focused action as fire season begins.
• Carbon-Capture Hub Gets Lifeline From Trump Administration: The Trump administration advances a major carbon-capture project with renewed federal support and funding.
• The stunning underwater world that’s at risk as the Iran war drags on: Ongoing conflict in Iran places diverse marine species in the Strait of Hormuz under growing environmental stress.
• Exxon takes on California in legal battle that could shape U.S. climate disclosure: ExxonMobil launches a lawsuit against California over new climate-related disclosure rules impacting the energy sector.

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