Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027
Sponsored By: Representative Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
In Committee
Summary
Large FY2027 funding for federal water and energy programs. This bill would direct billions to the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Energy while tightening reporting, oversight, and transfer rules.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.
Big new funding for clean energy research
If enacted, the bill would move $2.675 billion of unobligated balances into the Nuclear Energy account for small modular reactor awards, and transfer $100 million of that to the Title 17 loan program. It would provide $100 million to cover the cost of loan guarantees for eligible small modular and advanced reactor construction and appropriate $35 million for Title 17 administration. The bill would also add $1.85 billion for critical minerals and $300 million for ARPA‑E, and let DOE reprogram SBIR/STTR funds within accounts while keeping FY2024 indirect cost rules.
Tighter rules for Corps water projects
If enacted, the bill would sharply limit how the Army Corps can reprogram and redirect Title I funds. It would set percent and dollar caps for Investigations, Construction, and Operation and Maintenance and require projects to be eligible under the Chief of Engineers before extra funds are allocated. It would bar open-lake placement of dredged material from Lake Erie unless the State approves under Clean Water Act section 401, continue upland placement until approval, and stop using this Act's money for a Wolf Creek Dam water reallocation study. The bill would allow up to $8.733 million to move from Operation and Maintenance to the Fish and Wildlife Service for fisheries mitigation and would bar the Corps from banning lawful firearms at certain water projects. Agencies would also have to give Congress timely basic project and budget information.
New checks on big DOE awards
If enacted, the Secretary of Energy would have to notify Appropriations Committees three full business days before many grants or contracts of $1,000,000 or more and provide quarterly lists of smaller awards within 15 days after each quarter. Projects or awards exceeding $100 million could not proceed without independent project management and separate cost estimates before key approvals. Multiyear contracts would generally need to be fully funded or include a clause conditioning obligations on future appropriations. The bill would also bar DOE from making awards of $10,000,000 or more to certain "entities of concern."
Changes to Reclamation and San Luis costs
If enacted, the bill would limit how the Bureau of Reclamation reprograms Water and Related Resources funds and require quarterly reprogramming reports. It would cap transfers (15 percent for programs with $2,000,000 or more; $400,000 for smaller programs; $500,000 between certain categories; $5,000,000 for settled contractor claims) and require the first report within 60 days. The bill would extend CALFED dates from 2022 to 2027 and raise one authorized funding amount to $40 million. It would also make San Luis Unit cleanup and drainage costs reimbursable and require San Luis beneficiaries to repay those costs under the referenced repayment plans, and bar picking a final drain discharge point until a California-approved water quality plan is developed and EPA-approved.
Limits on nuclear storage and SPR sales
If enacted, the bill would bar federal money from furthering private consolidated interim storage of spent nuclear fuel until the host state, local governments, and affected tribes give formal consent. It would prohibit selling oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to buyers controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and require sales be conditioned so the oil is not exported to China. The Energy Department would need to give 30 days' notice before admitting certain foreign nationals from Russia or China to nuclear weapons production facilities. The bill would also bar DOE from using these funds to finalize or enforce a 2024 federal building clean-energy rule and stop a one-year transfer from a Power Marketing Fund to the Treasury this fiscal year.
Ban using funds to lobby Congress
If enacted, the bill would bar use of any funds made available by this Act to try to influence congressional action on pending legislation or appropriations, except for communications allowed under 18 U.S.C. 1913. The rule would apply to agencies and entities that receive funds under the Act.
New limits on moving appropriated money
If enacted, agencies would not have to send reprogramming requests under $50,000 to the House or Senate Appropriations Committees. Title III funds could be moved only as this Act or other laws allow, and agency heads who use transfer authority must send semiannual reports listing amounts and purposes. The bill would also bar using these title funds to award or change contracts that commit more money than the program has unobligated unless reprogramming lawfully freed the funds.
More oversight for Nuclear Regulatory Commission
If enacted, the NRC would have to tell the Appropriations Committees 30 days before reprogramming that changes funding by more than $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less. The NRC could waive prior notice for safety or security reasons but must notify the Committees within three days with an explanation and report. The NRC would also use its July 5, 2011 Chapter VI procedures when answering Congressional information requests and send monthly budget reports to the Committees.
Block pornography on funded networks
If enacted, the bill would bar using money from this Act to set up or maintain a computer network that allows viewing, downloading, or exchanging pornography. An exception would allow funding where needed for Federal, State, Tribal, or local law enforcement investigations, prosecutions, or adjudications. Agencies receiving Act funds would have to ensure funded networks block that content.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
TN • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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