To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption, and for other purposes.
Direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption.
Occurrences
Evidence
A bill to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Ms. MATSUI (for herself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Cleaver), H1623 [24AP].
To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption, and for other purposes.
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program for facilitating tree planting projects that reduce residential energy consumption. Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (Introduced 11/09/2023). Latest Action: House - 11/10/2023 Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.
Congress.gov’s bill page states the official title is: 'To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption, and for other purposes.' The actions overview lists only '04/24/2025 Introduced in House' and the all-actions section shows only introduction and referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Assessments
Matsui clearly made a serious legislative effort by introducing the TREES Act in both the 118th and 119th Congresses, and the bill text matches the promise. But the official Congress.gov record shows only introduction, referral, and subcommittee/committee consideration, with no passage, enactment, or resulting DOE grant program. Because the promised federal outcome was not delivered, this is best scored as a failed effort rather than fulfillment.
The evidence shows Rep. Matsui introduced and reintroduced the TREES Act to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish this grant program, which is a clear and serious legislative attempt. However, the cited congressional history shows only introduction, referral, and subcommittee referral, with no enactment and no indication that the Department of Energy actually established the program through enacted law. Because the promised outcome was not delivered, but Matsui materially pursued it in Congress, this should be scored as failed delivery with effort credit rather than unresolved.