May 17, 2026 to May 23, 2026

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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📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Fact Sheet: Changes to Refrigerant Regulations and Broader Deregulatory Measures

President Donald J. Trump has announced a reversal of the 2023 EPA refrigerant rules, extending deadlines for hydrofluorocarbon transitions and relaxing leak repair requirements under the 2024 Emissions Reduction and Reclamation Rule. These changes aim to provide access to more affordable refrigerants and reduce compliance costs for businesses and food transporters, with the EPA estimating $1.5 billion in savings for the latter. Additional deregulatory actions detailed in the fact sheet include higher SBA loan limits, adjusted fuel standards, repeal of the Obama-era Endangerment Finding, and expansion of tariff-rate quotas for beef imports. The combined measures are projected by the administration to save $1.2 trillion.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

DOI Initiates Environmental Impact Statement for Alaska Production Site Permitting

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska State Office issued notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for streamlined permitting of oil production sites and rights-of-way in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The rule would establish pre-defined criteria for project approval, in response to an industry petition. The EIS will consider the effects of permitting activities on resources such as subsistence use, wildlife, water, wetlands, air quality, noise, and socioeconomic conditions. The scoping process is open until July 6, 2026, and the final rule is anticipated for late 2026 or early 2027.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program: Supplemental PEIS and Public Input Request

NOAA's Office for Coastal Management is soliciting written comments through June 18, 2026, on its intention to prepare a supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Coral Reef Conservation Program. The proposed PEIS will address new restoration activities, expanded coral nursery methods—including whole colony collection for research, broader site preparation, assisted gene flow, coral disease response, and enlargement of restoration areas. Scoping aims to identify significant environmental issues, incorporate scientific advances in restoration, and coordinate with federal and local agencies.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Issues Marine Mammal and Endangered Species Permits

The National Marine Fisheries Service announced issuance of permits for marine mammal and sea turtle research under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Permits and amendments were granted to eight applicants, including Minnesota Zoological Gardens, University of Alaska Southeast, and Alaska Department of Fish and Game, for activities ranging from population studies to health assessment. All activities are categorically excluded from preparing an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. The issuance followed earlier Federal Register notices of application and a review confirming alignment with ESA purposes and NEPA requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Notice: Environmental Impact Statements Availability for Energy and Resource Projects

EPA published notice of Environmental Impact Statements filed from May 11–18, 2026, including BLM supplements for oil and gas leasing in California's Bakersfield and Central Coast field offices, NNSA's Enhanced Plutonium Facility Utilization at Lawrence Livermore, and USACE's Willamette Valley System Operations and Maintenance. Public review periods for these EISs conclude on June 22, 2026. Formal agency comments are accessible online per Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Timber Harvesters, Haulers, and Landowners Market Disruptions Relief Act

Bill 7195, focused on addressing market disruptions affecting timber harvesters, haulers, and landowners, has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act of 2025

Bill 6154, titled the Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act, was introduced in the House and sent to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology. The bill targets science and research for wildland fires.

Sources: www.congress.gov

CLEAR Act of 2025

Bill 6802, the CLEAR Act of 2025, addresses issues in public lands and natural resources and was referred to the House Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act: Golden Mussel Demonstration Program

Bill 4603 proposes a demonstration program targeting invasive golden mussels. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works received the bill for review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 for aquatic nuisance species

Bill 8876, which aims to strengthen prevention, management, and eradication of aquatic nuisance species, was referred to the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Natural Resources for jurisdictional review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Texas Governor Reappoints Members to Upper Colorado River Authority Board

Governor Abbott has reappointed Nancy Blackwell, P.E., Fred Hernandez, Jr., and Mason Vaughan to the Upper Colorado River Authority Board of Directors, with terms expiring February 1, 2031.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

Virginia Governor Announces Board Appointments

Governor Abigail Spanberger named new members to advisory boards and commissions, including Clean Energy Advisory Board, Board of Wildlife Resources, and Fair Housing Board, signifying personnel changes across natural resource-focused groups.

Sources: www.governor.virginia.gov

California Launches Wildfire Response with 2,800 Personnel

Governor Gavin Newsom announced deployment of over 2,800 firefighting and emergency personnel statewide, in coordination with CAL FIRE and Cal OES, responding to active fires and advancing forest management and wildfire resilience.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

Pennsylvania Canal Infrastructure Rebuilt for Resilience and Recreation

DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Bucks County to mark completion of the Lumberville Aqueduct and High Falls Sub Canal Culvert reconstruction, reconnecting two Delaware Canal Towpath sections for improved climate resiliency and recreation.

Sources: pacast.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Climate change threatens global plant species as habitats shrink: Recent study finds shrinking habitats put global plant species at heightened risk.
• Loss of US tidal wetlands accelerates, with Louisiana hardest hit: US tidal wetland loss is accelerating, with Louisiana experiencing the largest decline.
• A U.S. Reckoning Over Chemical Pollution From Military Bases: PFAS contamination lawsuits highlight growing scrutiny of chemical pollution from US military installations.
• Europe’s Green-Energy Future Has a Problem: Reindeer: Development of new green energy projects in Europe faces resistance from indigenous communities over land use.
• Trump Eases Restrictions on Climate ‘Super Pollutants’: EPA rules on climate super pollutants have been relaxed, affecting standards for refrigerants.
• Senate confirms Trump’s pick to lead federal land agency as drilling and mining expand: Senate confirmation of new federal land agency head coincides with expanded drilling activity.
• From pilots to practice: a new bid to scale regenerative agriculture: Initiatives move forward to scale regenerative agriculture from pilot projects to broader adoption.
• UK urged to invest much more to tackle risks of drought, flooding, heat: Calls arise for increased UK investment to address risks from drought, flooding, and extreme heat.

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