H.R. 6090 — FRESHER Act of 2025

This section eliminates the exemption from National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for stormwater runoff from oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations or transmission facilities by striking paragraph (2) of CWA section 402(l) (33 U.S.C. 1342(l)) and redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2). (Thus, such discharges are now subject to NPDES permitting requirements.) It also strikes the related exclusion from the definition of "stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity" in CWA section 502(24) (33 U.S.C. 1362(24)) and makes conforming redesignations. Finally, this section directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of stormwater impacts from oil or gas operations—including analyses of measurable contamination, groundwater resources, and aquifer susceptibility—and to submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment.