May 31, 2026 to June 06, 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

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Business Meeting: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold an open business meeting on June 10, 2026, in Dirksen 366, considering legislation on forest health, wilderness designations, water infrastructure, park restoration, and critical mineral reports.
• House Natural Resources Committee Markup: The House Natural Resources Committee will convene a markup session on June 10, 2026, in Longworth 1324, addressing bills on bird habitat stewardship, mineral leasing in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and public land withdrawals near Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

Federal Government News

Presidential Message on National Ocean Month

The White House marked National Ocean Month with a statement detailing initiatives to expand commercial fishing access, reopen 5,000 square miles of Atlantic waters, reduce regulations, and revitalize shipbuilding and maritime industries. Efforts include developing the Gulf of America for oil and gas extraction, opening the Outer Continental Shelf for critical mineral access, and advancing port modernization through the Maritime Action Plan. The Administration is pursuing a major naval shipbuilding campaign while outlining plans to maintain U.S. maritime dominance and secure supply chains. These activities are intended to reinforce the economic and national security value of U.S. ocean resources.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

EPA Issues Notice of Environmental Impact Statements and Amended Reviews

EPA published its weekly receipt of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), including Final EISs for the Last Chance Grade Permanent Restoration Project (California), Veterans Affairs Medical Center relocation (Texas), and T-7A Recapitalization at Sheppard Air Force Base (Texas). Revisions concern enhanced plutonium facility utilization at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Grand Targhee Master Development Plan Projects, with updated comment periods. EPA comment letters related to EIS reviews are accessible online, and all notices were filed between May 22 and June 1, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Consent Decree Proposed for San Joaquin Valley Ozone Standards

EPA announced a proposed consent decree to resolve litigation regarding its obligations under the Clean Air Act for state implementation plan (SIP) revisions in California's San Joaquin Valley. The settlement establishes deadlines for EPA to take final actions on penalty fee program and contingency measures related to the 2008 and 2015 ozone national ambient air quality standards. The decree requires EPA to sign final rules on District Rules 3172 and 3173, and the Ozone Contingency Measure Plan by September 30, 2026, with subsequent Federal Register publication.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Agency Information Collection Activities; PCBs Reporting (Revision)

EPA submitted a revised information collection request on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), consolidating reporting and recordkeeping requirements under TSCA section 6(e) and associated regulations. The revision merges two prior collection approvals and increases the total estimated respondent burden to 634,681 hours per year, with an annual cost of $38,169,084. Entities affected include those possessing PCB items or PCB-contaminated equipment. EPA seeks additional public comments for 30 days on the revised requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Agency Information Collection; Clean Air Act Implementation Plans on Indian Reservations

EPA is requesting public comment on extending Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) for Indian reservations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, as authorized under the Clean Air Act. The information collection covers administrative activities, permits, emission records, and compliance verification, supporting air quality management on tribal lands. The proposed extension increases estimated respondent burden to 4,034 hours per year, and includes mandatory reporting using EPA Form series 7630 and related documentation.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill 2860 seeks to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative for continued support of marine conservation efforts. The bill was received in the Senate, read twice, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders, Calendar No. 427.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to regulate fishing in marine national monuments

Bill 8904 proposes changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act for regulation of fishing activities within marine national monuments. The latest action was subcommittee hearings held.

Sources: www.congress.gov

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025

Bill 2406 addresses improvements for sexual harassment and assault prevention within NOAA, advancing through subcommittee hearings.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act for subsistence sea otter uses

Bill 8401 would allow transport, sale, and use of pelts and handicrafts derived from Alaska northern sea otters taken for subsistence. Subcommittee hearings were held as the latest legislative action.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act

Bill 3922, targeting multi-jurisdictional wildfire solutions, was received in the Senate following House passage.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Auction of oil drilling rights in Alaska wildlife refuge draws tepid response: Oil drilling lease sales in Alaska wildlife refuge see limited interest from bidders.
• Study warns biodiversity loss could trigger wave of debt crises: Economic analysis suggests biodiversity loss could impact financial stability and cause debt crises.
• Takeaways from how water pollution in Iowa can deflate summer fun: Iowa faces water quality challenges that affect summer recreation and swimming.
• Facing a Western water crisis, Trump turns to Democrats’ climate law: Western water scarcity prompts use of climate funds to address Colorado River issues.
• Opinion | The Common Sense Climate Trump Card: Editorial discusses practical climate policy approaches for U.S. leadership.
• U.S. Forest Service to Open Millions of Acres to Off-Road Vehicles, Memo Shows: Document indicates national forests will expand access for off-road vehicle recreation.
• Energy, water use and pollution of AI and data centers rival most countries: Report finds AI and data centers have environmental impacts comparable to national emissions.
• Equinix faces challenge to Cape Town data centres over environmental concerns: Legal challenge targets data center projects in Cape Town over environmental risks.
• Major oil firms skip Trump’s auction of Arctic wildlife refuge drilling leases: Large oil companies did not participate in latest Arctic drilling lease auction.

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