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Cole Votes in Favor of Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, Unleashing American Energy Dominance

September 4, 2025
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026 passed the U.S. House of Representatives:

“America’s prosperity begins with energy. The Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations Act unleashes American energy dominance, lowers costs for families and businesses, and restores confidence in our grid. Energy strength is national strength – fueling jobs, innovation, and resilience in every community – and no longer will traditional energy sources be punished for being affordable and reliable. This bill also makes a historic commitment to critical mineral production, securing the resources America needs to reduce dependence on adversaries and power the technologies of tomorrow. United States safety and security are further prioritized through modernizing our nuclear deterrent and safeguarding technology from the CCP and other hostile regimes. Further, it backs vital investments in water infrastructure, ports, and flood control that protect communities and keep commerce moving,” said Congressman Cole. “Under Subcommittee Chairman Fleischmann’s leadership, this measure makes it clear that America will lead with strength built on abundant domestic energy and resources, and I am proud to have supported this bill and an America First energy future.”

 

Key Provisions in the FY26 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

  • Champions America’s nuclear deterrent and strengthens national security by:
    • Allocating nearly $20.7 billion for the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and infrastructure and over $2 billion to support the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet.
    • Prohibiting the sale of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the Chinese Communist Party.
    • Preventing the purchase of technology and telecommunications equipment from China and other adversaries.
  • Codifies President Trump’s executive actions by prohibiting funding for DEI and Critical Race Theory programs and ending federal censorship of free speech.
  • Restores American energy dominance, drives down energy costs, and facilitates economic growth by:
    • Supporting one of the largest investments focused on mining production technologies for critical minerals extraction in decades, reducing reliance on foreign sources.
    • Robustly funding small modular reactor and advanced reactor demonstration projects, as well as increasing funding for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to achieve the Trump Administration’s goal to expand nuclear energy capacity to 400 gigawatts by 2050.
    • Facilitating the efficient transport of goods and commodities through improvements and maintenance of America’s ports and waterways.
  • Ends wasteful government spending, including:
    • Eliminating the Biden-era Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
    • Providing no funds for the Office of Energy Justice and Equity.
    • Refocusing applied energy technology program funding to ensure taxpayer resources are directed to the highest priority research and development efforts.

 

Provisions Congressman Cole Secured for Oklahoma in the FY26 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

  • $25 million for distributed wind technologies to support research activities that lead to lower costs and increased deployments of distributed wind systems for rural homes, farms, and other applications
  • 15% of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management directed towards research and development funds, which will build off research being done at the University of Oklahoma on natural gas, enhanced oil recovery, water treatment, and reservoir improvements
  • $75 million for the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, which provides technical assistance, direct and remote education, policy research and analysis, and financial assistance to Indian tribes, Alaska Native Village and Regional corporations, and Tribal Energy Resource Development organizations
  • $6.3 million for the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program to support tribal investment in energy-related projects and expand economic development opportunities on tribal lands
  • $20 million for competitively awarded, multi-disciplinary research centers that will help with tornado preparedness, complimenting research conducted at the National Weather Center and NOAA in Norman
  • $9.3 million for the Risk Based Data Management System, which assists state regulatory agencies in the oversight of oil and natural gas drilling and production operations, which the state of Oklahoma highly utilizes
  • Funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a national assessment and working group to conduct 10 feasibility studies of Managed Aquifer Recharge, which will enhance research already being done at the Oka’ Institute housed at East Central University in Ada
  • $4.43 billion for construction, operations, and maintenance through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help construction projects and operations on the McClellan-Keer Arkansas River Navigation System

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Issues:Energy & Environment