July 12, 2026 to July 18, 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.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Environment channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Mining. Also consider subscribing to our Environment - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 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

• House Natural Resources Legislative Hearing on Wildlife and Water Bills – July 21: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a hearing July 21 on H.R. 7332 (Whale CHARTS Act), H.R. 7466 (SAFE CATTLE Act), H.R. 8876 (Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act), and H.R. 9621 (Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act). The session begins at 2:00 p.m. EDT in 1324 Longworth.
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources National Parks Subcommittee Hearing – July 21: The Senate ENR National Parks Subcommittee will hold an open hearing July 21 at 4:30 p.m. EDT (Dirksen 366) to examine multiple bills on national heritage, parks, motor vehicle use, and historic designations.
• House Natural Resources Committee Markup – July 22: House Natural Resources will consider a slate of bills July 22 at 10:00 a.m. EDT, including the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act and Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act.
• Senate Environment and Public Works Nomination Meeting – July 22: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee meets July 22 at 2:00 p.m. EDT to consider the nomination of Kevin Lilly to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, Department of the Interior.

Federal Government News

Trump Administration Suspends EPA Emissions Rules for Chemical Manufacturers

On July 13, President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation granting a two-year exemption from 2024 EPA synthetic organic chemical manufacturing emissions requirements for facilities deemed critical to national security. The action, aimed at industries such as semiconductor materials and medical device sterilization, suspends application of the "HON Rule," citing unavailable technologies and the need to avoid disruptions to domestic supply chains. The decision maintains pre-2024 standards for affected operations, postponing costly compliance and referencing Clean Air Act emergency authorities.

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

Canada Lynx Critical Habitat Revised in the Western United States

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule revising critical habitat for the Canada lynx distinct population segment in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Washington, effective August 17. The new designation covers approximately 14,030 square miles, reducing or excluding previously protected areas in response to a court order and new scientific data. Several state and tribal lands are excluded based on habitat conservation plans and land management practices. The rule refines physical and biological features deemed essential for lynx, focusing on snow conditions, snowshoe hare presence, den sites, and connectivity.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Interior and NOAA Rescind ESA Regulatory Definition of “Harm”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA issued a final rule rescinding the longstanding regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, effective September 14. The agencies assert the rule’s habitat modification provisions do not reflect the statute’s best reading as interpreted post-Loper Bright. The rescission affects ESA Section 9 ‘take’ determinations; it does not re-open prior permits or biological opinions, and existing critical habitat designations remain unchanged.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments Boundaries Reduced

President Trump signed proclamations reducing the sizes of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, scaling back the protected areas to approximately 121,100 and 181,500 acres, respectively. The Bears Ears Commission was disbanded, and new management and advisory structures were established. The revised boundaries prioritize access for grazing, timber harvest, recreation, energy development, and mining, with presidential statements citing the Antiquities Act’s "smallest area compatible" requirement and prior legislative protections.

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

Justice Department Finalizes Consent Decree Over Keystone Pipeline Oil Spill

The Justice Department filed a proposed consent decree in U.S. District Court for Kansas resolving Clean Water Act claims arising from a December 2022 Keystone Pipeline oil spill. Defendants South Bow (USA) LP and South Bow Infrastructure Operations Inc. have agreed to pay a $26.8 million civil penalty and to implement additional measures designed to prevent future spills. The action addresses federal and Kansas state claims and is subject to a 30-day public comment period.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 (H.R. 7332)

The Whale CHARTS Act, focused on environmental protection, was referred to the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries on July 14.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026 (H.R. 9621)

This bill addresses predation on endangered salmon populations in the Northwest. Latest action: referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026 (H.R. 8876)

The act aims to enhance federal response and funding for aquatic invasive species. It is currently before the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

Sources: www.congress.gov

SAFE CATTLE Act (H.R. 7466)

The bill focuses on agricultural and food policy; it has been referred to the relevant subcommittee for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act (H.R. 1420)

H.R. 1420, relating to agriculture and food and originally introduced by Rep. LaMalfa, reassigned first sponsorship to Rep. Gallagher. The bill is before the House.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump cuts to clean energy linked to $83 billion in delayed or canceled projects: Reuters reports on the economic impacts of Trump administration policy changes to clean energy permitting.
• Smoke, fire, floods: US faces triple extreme summer weather threats: The U.S. contends with simultaneous wildfire smoke, flooding, and heat, raising concerns about climate adaptation.
• Trump cites national security to stop offshore wind development. Here’s what to know: AP examines President Trump’s national security rationale for halting offshore wind projects.
• In US West, drought pits farms against towns, industry in scramble for water: Western U.S. drought sharpens competition between agriculture, municipalities, and industry for water supply.
• Hungary channels water to protect UNESCO bird haven amid drought: Reuters covers Hungarian water management for a UNESCO wetlands site impacted by drought.
• Low Rhine water levels pose cost and logistics threat to German industry, analysts say: Industry responds to low Rhine levels, facing higher costs and transport delays in Germany.
• A Brazilian bay’s surprise shark nursery sparks conservation project: Discovery of a shark nursery in Brazil triggers a new local conservation effort.
• Congo's planned mining law reform could dent investor confidence, industry warns: Mining reform proposals in Congo raise questions about investor willingness.
• E.U. Proposes Changes to Emissions Trading System: The European Union introduces revisions to its emissions trading market.

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