Senate Gives Trump Huge Win To Strengthen Energy Sector
The Trump administration’s “American Energy Dominance” agenda remains the core effort to strengthen the U.S. energy sector through increased domestic production of oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear power, and critical minerals, alongside deregulation and faster permitting.
It began on day one with a national energy emergency declaration and the executive order “Unleashing American Energy,” which reopened federal lands and offshore areas, accelerated approvals, and prioritized “drill, baby, drill.”
And the president and Republicans are not slowing down.
The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a key piece of legislation aimed at bolstering the country’s nuclear energy sector.
The nuclear package was combined with another bill that reauthorized the U.S. Fire Administration and grant programs for firefighters.
The measure aims to accelerate the approval process for new nuclear plants as many of the country’s existing plants reach the end of their serviceable lives.
Additionally, it reduces the licensing fees that power companies must pay to initiate projects.
It also mandates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to prepare a report examining ways to simplify and expedite the environmental review process.
The bill passed by a vote of 88-2, with Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) opposing the measure.
As of mid-July 2026, the agenda emphasizes fossil fuel expansion, coal revival, nuclear growth, deregulation (especially NEPA streamlining), and baseload/grid reliability to support economic and AI-driven demand.
Official sources highlight record production and permitting wins, while independent reports note impacts on renewables investment.
The Trump administration has placed an extreme focus on “unleashing American energy.”
A separate federal bill that could lower the cost of new homes by repealing energy efficiency programs is headed to the U.S. Senate.
The House bill, which is led by Fort Worth Republican Congressman Craig Goldman, gets rid of energy rules for home appliances that were put in place by the Biden administration.
He said that the Biden administration’s expensive rules have made homes more expensive, making it feel like owning one is out of reach for many. This law could let house prices drop by as much as $31,000.
Goldman made it a priority to undo Biden-era rules on the House Energy and Commerce Committee during his first year.
He is now in his second year on Capitol Hill, and his main goals are to make things more affordable and lower the cost of health care.
“Affordability is way more than just a buzzword,” Goldman said. “How do we decrease housing costs? How do we decrease oil and gas prices, like I mentioned? How do we decrease healthcare costs? You know, big issues that affect people in my district.”
The Homeowner Energy Freedom Act would make it easier to put gas stoves and water heaters in new homes.
If this bill passes the Senate and is signed by the president, the Department of Energy will no longer have programs that reward low- and middle-income homes for using certain very efficient electricity projects.
It would also end grants for training contractors in home energy efficiency and help state and local governments to adopt building energy codes. Representatives from both parties are sponsoring the bill. Dan Crenshaw is a House Republican from Texas, and Jake Ellzey is a Republican from Dallas.
Goldman said he’s hopeful the Senate will “swiftly” pass the legislation.
President Trump has also issued four executive orders directing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to streamline regulations and expedite the issuance of new licenses for nuclear power facilities, acting on applications within 18 months.
The United States was formerly the world leader in nuclear design and construction.
Still, delays and exorbitant prices have given China that position, which is building a record number of reactors.
The directives aim to expedite federal permitting for new nuclear projects and technology, as well as implement cost-cutting strategies to reduce the NRC’s footprint.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
