CLEANER Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6080

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-04-10T12:43:00Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The CLEANER Act of 2025 aims to close a regulatory gap by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate and regulate wastes generated from the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal energy under the Solid Waste Disposal Act (also known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA). This ensures these wastes are assessed for hazards and managed to protect human health and the environment, addressing previous exemptions that limited oversight.

Key Provisions

• Assessment and Listing as Hazardous Waste (Subtitle C of RCRA): Within one year of enactment, the EPA Administrator must determine if drilling fluids (liquids used in drilling operations), produced waters (water brought to the surface during production), and other related wastes meet the criteria for hazardous waste. If they do, the EPA must list them as such and issue regulations for their generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal. These regulations can be tailored to the wastes' unique properties but must still safeguard health and the environment.
• Regulation of Non-Hazardous Wastes (Subtitle D of RCRA): For any of these wastes not classified as hazardous, the EPA must revise facility criteria within one year. Revisions include requirements for groundwater monitoring to detect contamination, standards for siting new or existing facilities, corrective actions to address issues, and financial assurances (like bonds) to cover cleanup costs if needed. These rules must protect health and the environment while considering facilities' practical capabilities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, section 3001(b)(2) of RCRA explicitly exempted these oil, gas, and geothermal wastes from hazardous waste identification and Subtitle C regulations, treating them instead under less stringent state programs or other laws. The bill replaces this exemption with a mandatory review and potential listing process.
• It adds a new paragraph to section 4010(c), mandating stricter Subtitle D criteria specifically for these wastes, which were previously not subject to federal updates for environmental protections like monitoring and financial responsibility.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The EPA will face increased responsibilities, including deadlines for assessments and rulemaking, potentially requiring additional resources for implementation and enforcement.
• Citizens and Environment: Enhanced waste management could reduce risks of contamination from toxic substances in these wastes (e.g., chemicals or heavy metals), benefiting communities near extraction sites through better groundwater protection and cleanup assurances.
• Energy Industry and Economy: Oil, gas, and geothermal producers may incur higher compliance costs for waste handling, treatment, and disposal, which could affect operational expenses and project timelines. Waste management facilities will need upgrades to meet new standards.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though stricter U.S. regulations might influence global energy markets by raising production costs or encouraging cleaner technologies in exports.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Energy Producers: Companies involved in crude oil, natural gas, and geothermal operations, who must adapt to potential hazardous waste classifications and stricter disposal rules.
• EPA and Regulators: Primary enforcers, tasked with timely evaluations and regulations.
• Waste Management Facilities: Operators of landfills or treatment sites that handle these wastes, requiring compliance with updated criteria.
• Environmental and Community Groups: Likely to benefit from stronger protections but may advocate for or challenge the adequacy of tailored regulations.
• Local Governments and Residents: Areas with extraction activities could see improved environmental safeguards, reducing health risks from waste disposal.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill strengthens RCRA's framework by eliminating a long-standing exemption (often called the "Bevill Amendment" loophole for oil and gas wastes), potentially leading to litigation from industry groups over the scope of EPA's authority or the feasibility of deadlines. It allows regulatory flexibility (e.g., modified standards) to balance protection with practicality, which could be tested in court.
• Constitutional: No direct challenges anticipated, as it operates within Congress's commerce clause authority to regulate environmental and economic activities affecting interstate commerce.
• Political: Sponsored by a bipartisan but largely Democratic group of representatives focused on environmental justice, the bill could spark debates on energy independence versus pollution control, influencing future climate and energy policy amid tensions between fossil fuel interests and sustainability goals. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, its passage would signal a shift toward tighter federal oversight of extractive industries.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]

Cosponsors (23)

Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-11-18: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• CLEANER Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-18 — PDF (4 pages)