H.R. 2301 would change how renewable energy projects are planned and approved on certain federal lands. It raises a federal renewable energy production goal from 25 million to 60 million megawatt-hours by December 31, 2030, and requires an update to national production goals. The bill directs the Interior Secretary to identify areas where project applications may be submitted and consider preferred areas for projects. It also calls for updates to environmental planning documents and periodic reviews of land allocations, while keeping site-specific environmental reviews in place.
The bill would give priority to applications in preferred areas and allow the Secretary to delegate some application processing to state renewable energy coordination offices. It sets deadlines for certain permitting steps, changes how rents and fees are set, and bases project cleanup bonds on estimated site-specific cleanup costs minus salvage value. A share of wind and solar project revenues would go to states and counties, support permit processing, and fund habitat, water, and public-access work.
If you use or live near affected federal lands, the bill could change which areas are considered for renewable energy projects and how project applications are handled. It calls for planning to consider wildlife, water, cultural resources, recreation, Tribal areas, and other land uses. The text does not describe direct effects on individual households.
The bill does not provide an estimate of total costs. Applicants would pay required filing and cost-recovery fees. Costs of hiring additional experts to help process applications could also be charged to applicants. The bill changes how project rents, fees, and cleanup bonds are determined.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.