Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027
- Sponsor
- Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
- Committees
- Appropriations Committee
- Last action
- Jun 23, 2026
Bottom line
H.R. 9022 is a comprehensive appropriations bill for energy and water sectors, featuring substantial funding reallocations and several significant policy riders.
What it actually does
This bill appropriates funds for energy and water development and related agencies for fiscal year 2027. It allocates significant funding to the Army Corps of Engineers for civil works, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation for water resources, and various Department of Energy programs including critical minerals, nuclear energy, science, and national nuclear security. Beyond appropriations, it includes numerous policy provisions, such as restrictions on firearm possession at Corps projects, limitations on Strategic Petroleum Reserve sales, and a substantial transfer of unobligated balances from prior acts to nuclear energy and loan guarantee programs.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue the bill provides essential funding for critical infrastructure, national security, and scientific research, ensuring the continued operation of vital federal agencies. They would likely highlight the investments in nuclear energy and critical minerals as crucial for national security and energy independence, and the transfers of funds as a responsible reallocation of unspent resources to high-priority areas.
Opponents contend
Opponents might criticize the specific funding allocations, particularly the significant transfers of funds from clean energy and carbon management programs to nuclear energy, arguing it undermines climate initiatives. Concerns could also be raised about policy riders, such as those restricting SPR sales or firearm possession, as extraneous to an appropriations bill and potentially controversial.
The bill is 28 pages long and contains complex appropriations language and numerous policy riders. Given the typical speed of legislative action, the time provided for public and congressional review is likely insufficient for a thorough understanding of all its implications.
Title I, "investigations"
Funding for Civil Works Investigations
Appropriates $175,000,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct studies, surveys, and detailed plans for river and harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, and aquatic ecosystem restoration projects. Funds remain available until expended.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this funding is essential for identifying and planning critical water infrastructure projects that protect communities, enhance navigation, and restore ecosystems, laying the groundwork for future construction.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that some investigations could lead to projects with questionable economic or environmental benefits, or that the process is too slow to address urgent needs.
Tradeoffs
Balancing the need for thorough planning with the urgency of addressing infrastructure and environmental challenges.
Title I, "construction"
Funding for Civil Works Construction Projects
Appropriates $2,382,000,000 for the construction of authorized river and harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related projects. Includes $70,000,000 from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for dredged material disposal and funds from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund for inland waterway projects.
Title I, "operation and maintenance"
Funding for Operation and Maintenance of Civil Works
Appropriates $6,255,000,000 for the operation, maintenance, and care of existing Corps projects, including flood and storm damage reduction, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and navigation. A significant portion ($3,487,449,000) is derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for coastal and inland harbors. Includes provisions for emergency activities and resource protection.
Sec. 108, Title I
Right to Possess Firearms at Corps Projects
Prohibits the Secretary of the Army from enforcing any regulation that prevents an individual from possessing a firearm at a Corps of Engineers water resources development project, provided the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law and complies with state law.
Title II, "water and related resources"
Funding for Water and Related Natural Resources Management
Appropriates $1,675,000,000 for the Bureau of Reclamation's activities, including management, development, and restoration of water resources, operation and maintenance of facilities, and fulfilling responsibilities to Native Americans. Includes transfers to the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basin Funds and deposits to the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund.
Sec. 202, Title II
Conditions on San Luis Unit Interceptor Drain Discharge
Prohibits funds from being used to determine the final discharge point for the San Luis Unit interceptor drain until the Secretary of the Interior and California develop a plan to minimize detrimental effects of drainage waters, conforming to state water quality standards. It also classifies Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup and San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program costs as reimbursable or nonreimbursable per a 1995 report, requiring future drainage service costs for the San Luis Unit to be fully reimbursable.
Title III, "Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation"
Funding for Critical Minerals and Next-Generation Energy Innovation
Appropriates $1,850,000,000 for Department of Energy expenses related to advancing critical minerals supply chains and accelerating next-generation energy innovation technologies. Includes $177,742,000 for program direction.
Title III, "Nuclear Energy"
Funding for Nuclear Energy Activities
Appropriates $1,800,000,000 for Department of Energy nuclear energy activities, including plant and capital equipment acquisition, construction, or expansion. Includes $92,000,000 for program direction.
Title III, "Science"
Funding for Basic Scientific Research
Appropriates $8,525,000,000 for Department of Energy science activities, including basic research, plant and capital equipment, and facility expansion. Includes $213,320,000 for program direction.
Title III, "Weapons Activities"
Funding for National Nuclear Security Administration Weapons Activities
Appropriates $22,068,542,000 for Department of Energy atomic energy defense weapons activities, including plant and capital equipment. Includes $143,996,000 for program direction. This is the largest single appropriation in the bill.
Title III, "Defense Environmental Cleanup"
Funding for Atomic Energy Defense Environmental Cleanup
Appropriates $6,555,922,000 for Department of Energy atomic energy defense environmental cleanup activities, including plant and capital equipment. Includes $297,318,000 for program direction.
Sec. 307, Title III
Restriction on SPR Sales to Chinese Communist Party-linked Entities
Prohibits the use of funds to draw down and sell petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to any entity under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party, or if the products will be exported to the People's Republic of China.
Sec. 313, Title III
Repurposing of Inflation Reduction Act Funds for Nuclear Energy and Loan Guarantees
Transfers $2,675,000,000 of unobligated balances from specific Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) accounts (Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, Fossil Energy and Carbon Management) to the "Nuclear Energy" account. These funds are specifically for competitive awards for Generation 3+ small modular reactor deployment projects, Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program awards, and Risk Reduction for Future Demonstrations. Additionally, $100,000,000 for loan guarantees for small modular reactors or advanced nuclear reactors is derived by transfer from these same unobligated balances.
Title IV, "Nuclear Regulatory Commission--salaries and expenses"
Funding for Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations
Appropriates $878,104,000 for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to carry out its functions, with $744,750,000 to be offset by licensing fees and other collections. The net appropriation from the general fund is estimated at $133,354,000.
Sec. 504, Title V
Consent Requirement for Consolidated Interim Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage
Prohibits federal funds from being used for any agreement among private entities for consolidated interim storage of spent nuclear fuel that is not specifically authorized under federal law, unless host state and local governments and any affected Indian tribes have formalized their consent. This prohibition does not apply to facilities already licensed for commercial spent nuclear fuel storage as of the enactment date.
Prohibits the Corps of Engineers from enforcing regulations that prevent individuals from possessing firearms at water resources development projects, provided they comply with state law and are not otherwise prohibited.
Sec. 108, Title I
Why it matters:This is a policy rider that would likely face more scrutiny and debate if introduced as standalone legislation. Its inclusion in an appropriations bill makes it harder to challenge without jeopardizing the entire funding package.
Case for: Supporters argue it protects Second Amendment rights on federal lands, aligning federal regulations with state laws regarding firearm possession.
Case against: Opponents contend it could increase safety risks at public recreation sites and is an inappropriate policy rider in a spending bill.
Estimated impact: Affects millions of visitors to Corps-managed recreation areas nationwide, potentially changing the safety environment and management practices.
Mandates the transfer of $2,675,000,000 in unobligated balances from specific Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) clean energy and carbon management programs to the Department of Energy's Nuclear Energy account, and an additional $100,000,000 for nuclear loan guarantees from the same source.
Sec. 313, Title III
Why it matters:This is a significant policy shift and reallocation of funds from a major climate bill (IRA). Burying it in an appropriations bill's general provisions makes it less visible than if it were a standalone bill to repeal or amend parts of the IRA. It allows for a substantial policy change without direct debate on the original IRA provisions.
Case for: Proponents argue it reallocates unspent funds to high-priority nuclear energy projects, which are seen as critical for reliable, carbon-free power and national security.
Case against: Opponents argue it undermines the original intent of the IRA, diverting funds from other important clean energy and climate initiatives, and represents a partisan attack on climate policy.
Estimated impact: A $2.775 billion reallocation of federal funds, significantly boosting nuclear energy development while reducing resources for carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy efficiency programs originally funded by the IRA.
Requires consent from host state, local governments, and affected Indian tribes for any new private consolidated interim storage of spent nuclear fuel not already federally authorized.
Sec. 504, Title V
Why it matters:This provision addresses a highly contentious issue in nuclear waste management. Placing it in a general provision of an appropriations bill allows it to pass without the intense, standalone debate that a dedicated nuclear waste bill would trigger. It effectively grants a local veto power without a direct policy vote on that specific power.
Case for: Supporters argue it empowers local communities and tribes, ensuring they have a say in hosting potentially hazardous nuclear waste, promoting environmental justice.
Case against: Opponents contend it could further complicate and delay efforts to find a long-term solution for spent nuclear fuel, leaving waste at reactor sites longer.
Estimated impact: Could significantly impact the future siting and development of private consolidated interim storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel across the U.S.