Build Electric Transmission Lines Faster

For the past two Congresses, Scott has led the SPEED and Reliability Act, a bill to significantly hasten the siting and permitting of critically needed electric transmission lines. Faster approvals will let us build the electrical lines that carry energy from where it is generated to where it is needed sooner. This will lead to lower costs for consumers and prevent blackouts.

Address Growing Drought Crisis

Scott has led the DROUGHT Act designed to address the Western water crisis, which has worsened with climate change. It raises the limit from 80 percent to 90 percent for projects in areas experiencing extreme drought, projects of regional and national significance, or projects serving historically disadvantaged communities. He also introduced this bill in the 118th Congress.

Safety Use Nuclear Waste

Scott co-led the Nuclear REFUEL Act which supports a fast approval process for recycling used nuclear fuel, while developing new technologies for said fuel. This bill aims to help the nuclear energy industry reduce waste, to potentially lower costs for utilities and consumers who rely on nuclear power.

Digitize the Permitting Process

Scott co-led the ePERMIT Act which would digitize the United States permitting process, reducing processing time for all federal permits, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews. The House passed the bill unanimously in December 2025.

Ensure Energy Projects Are Built Quickly

Scott led the CERTAIN Act to streamline the federal permitting process from when an application is submitted to when agencies reach a final decision. It provides enforceable accountability measures, stronger coordination between agencies, and ensures agencies are fully staffed. 

Accelerate Building of Transmission Lines

Scott led the CLEAR Act (2026) to accelerate the review process for large energy infrastructure projects and establish clear rules for stalled transmission projects, giving developers and local stakeholders the certainty to plan along with relief for ratepayers from rising costs.

Secure Funding for San Diego Water Infrastructure

Scott helped the House pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 in September 2026. The bill includes $11.5 million for the McCollom Water Treatment Plant, speeds up a sea level rise study for San Diego Bay, and provides full Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund allocations for the Port of San Diego.

Reduce Methane Emissions

Methane, a super pollutant more potent and harmful than carbon dioxide, is responsible for about 25 percent of the human-made warming we experience today. Scott led the METHANE Act, directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set methane intensity standards for oil and gas facilities with substantial emission levels, allowing each facility owner to determine how to meet the relevant standard. It requires the EPA to impose monitoring, detection, repair, and replacement mandates.
Modernize and Decarbonize the Grid

Scott led the POWER ON Act, boosting reliability, supporting a decarbonize the power sector, electrifying the transportation sector, adapting the grid to withstand the devastating effects of climate change, and lowering electricity costs for consumers.

Ocean Pollution and Water Security

Scott led the reintroduction of the Ocean Pollution Reduction Act II to simplify the City of San Diego’s required permitting process to operate the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant (PLWTP). The legislation solidifies the region’s water security amidst worsening conditions on the Colorado River and further cuts the amount of wastewater that flows into the ocean from the plant.

Strengthen the Electric Grid

Scott co-led the BIG WIRES Act to require each of the FERC transmission planning regions to be capable of transferring 30% of their peak electrical loads to neighboring regions, strengthening the national grid by improving connectivity – building “new exit ramps” rather than new highways. 
Bolster Hydrogen Infrastructure 

Scott co-led the Hydrogen Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act,to help kickstart the hydrogen economy in Southern California. The Department of Energy (DOE) must provide grants and low-interest loans to certain entities for hydrogen infrastructure, including projects for hydrogen storage, transportation, and delivery infrastructure.

Protect Public Lands from Illegal Grows

Scott co-led the Targeting and Offsetting Existing Illegal Contaminants Act, to remedy the environmental damage caused by banned pesticides to our public lands and ensures those who illegally grow cannabis on federal property using banned pesticides are subject to stricter criminal penalties.

Prioritizing Clean Energy with International Partners

Scott co-led the Prioritizing Clean Energy and Climate Cooperation with India Act, which establishes the U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership to serve as the primary forum for cooperation on clean energy technologies and promotes U.S.-India partnerships in research and innovation for clean energy technologies.

Ocean Pollution and Water Security

Scott led the reintroduction of the Ocean Pollution Reduction Act II, to simplify the City of San Diego's required permitting process to operate the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant (PLWTP).  The legislation will solidify the region's water security and further cut the amount of wastewater that flows into the ocean from the plant.

Bolster Transmission Line Build

Currently, it can take a decade or more to build new high-voltage, interregional transmission lines. Fragmented state, local, and federal jurisdiction over transmission siting, lack of coordination and communication between cooperating agencies, inadequate staff resources, failure to secure buy-in from local community stakeholders, and incomplete applications are among the top factors slowing down interregional transmission development. Scott led the FASTER Act to expand eligibility for the Department of Energy’s $760 million TSEDG program through partnerships with Community Benefits Agreement sponsors and to reallocate funds to better support community economic development and state transmission‑siting activities.