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The Week in Climate Hearings: Super Team Algae!

The dangerously unqualified Kevin Lilly, facilitating the AI data center bubble, and recycling minerals

Author

Brad Johnson
June 23, 2026

Hill Heat is on a summer publishing schedule.

At 7:30 pm tonight, the Union of Concerned Scientists is hosting Danger Season Action Hour: Defend Climate Science & Resilience Policies, an online seminar.

On Wednesday in D.C., the Open Markets Institute is holding The Next American Revolution, an all-day conference featuring California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reps. Greg Casar (D-Texas), Becca Balint (D-Vt.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), and Congressional candidates Chris Rabb and Dan Osborn.

As previewed by the U.S. Climate Politics Almanac, June 23rd is a busy primary day, with elections in Maryland, New York, and Utah.

Europe is baking in a deadly 40°C (104°F) fossil-fueled heatwave, with temperatures reaching 44°C (111°F) in Spain and France. Dozens have drowned attempting to avoid the heat. The searing heat has shuttered schools and crippled transport in England during London Climate Week. Wednesday’s scheduled seminar on extreme heat at the Grantham Institute of the London School of Economics has been canceled due to the extreme heat. “London isn’t just calling, it’s cooking,” said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. On a happier note, Spain, France, and England are each at the top of their respective group in the FIFA World Cup, sponsored by Aramco.

Several hundred police from across the nation were deputized as federal agents to join the occupation of Washington, D.C. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on June 19th. They join the thousands of federal police and National Guardsmen roving the streets and guarding the patriotic green Reflecting Pool, which has been ruined by Trump’s no-bid contractors, from former Olympians and sarcastic frogs.

U.S. Marshals Service Deputy Director Stephanie Creasy administers the official oath to state and local law enforcement officers during a special deputation ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., June 19, 2026. The officers were sworn in as special deputies of the U.S. Marshals Service to support security operations for Unite 250–Freedom 250 events.

Without further ado, the week in climate hearings, including the dangerously unqualified Kevin Lilly, facilitating the AI data center bubble, and mineral recycling programs.

Tuesday, June 23

At 9:30 am, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee considered the nominations of William Hague to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs, Kevin Lilly to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, and Kaveh Farzad to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs. Hague is a long-time AT&T executive and major campaign donor to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Although he is not legally qualified to serve, Lilly is the acting assistant secretary for fish, wildlife, and parks at the Interior Department, overseeing both the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Lilly is an evangelical Christian and a Texas wealth manager without conservation experience. Farzad will be the Department of Energy’s top international climate negotiator.

Wednesday, June 24

At 10 am, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee interviews Kevin Lilly.

The House Agriculture Committee examines the implementation of farm safety net, disaster, and conservation programs with USDA undersecretary Richard Fordyce.

The House Science oversight subcommittee looks into the False Claims Act's role in combating grant fraud with officials from the inspector general offices for NASA and NSF.

At 10:15 am, the House Energy and Commerce environment subcommittee examines legislation to support domestic mineral recovery and recycling with Union of Concerned Scientists expert Dr. Jessica Dunn and corporate executives.

At 10:30 am, the House Natural Resources Committee marks up H.R. 9250, the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250.

At 11 am, House Appropriations Committee conducts its markup of FY27 defense bill, a $1.072 trillion behemoth.

At 2 pm, the House Energy and Commerce energy subcommittee marks up eight bills on electricity and pipeline safety, responding to the skyrocketing electricity demand of data centers. H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, would compel data center operators to bear more of the costs, while H.R. 6529, Protecting Families from AI Data Center Energy Costs Act, would merely call for a study on the problem.

Thursday, June 25

At 10 am, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee marks up the Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act, a bill promoting AI in elementary schools, and other AI legislation. The NSF AI Education Act (H.R. 5351), with Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) as lead co-sponsor, would push AI into kindergartens; the Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act (H.R. 9372), from Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), would encourage better tracking of energy and water use from AI data centers.

The House Agriculture forestry subcommittee looks at management of the National Forest System, with an eye towards increased privatization and logging.

The House Natural Resources energy and mineral resources subcommittee holds a hearing on the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, designed for speeding domestic mining efforts.

The House Appropriations homeland security subcommittee conducts oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, interviewing DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and his top deputy.

Team Algae at the Reflecting Pool

Team Algae. Via Popville.

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