S 282 — Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act

Summary

Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to extend through FY2022 the authorization for deposit and use of lease revenues under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Such funds shall be available to the Department of the Interior for FY2017 and afterwards to implement both the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Interior shall establish priority areas on covered land (i.e., public land administered by Interior and not excluded under law from the development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy) for geothermal, solar, and wind energy projects. Variance areas shall also be considered for the development of renewable energy projects under this bill, consistent with the principles of multiple use (as defined under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976). The bill defines "variance area" as covered land that is neither an exclusion area (not suitable for development of renewable energy projects) nor a priority area. Interior shall establish a program to improve federal permit coordination with respect to renewable energy projects carried out on covered land. The bill establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund to make funds available to federal, state, and tribal agencies for distribution in regions in which renewable energy projects are located on federal land for: (1) restoring and protecting fish and wildlife habitat and corridors for affected species and water resources in areas affected by wind, geothermal, or solar energy development; and (2) preserving and improving recreational access to federal land and water in an affected region.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html February 02, 2017

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill extends funding and support for renewable energy development on public lands.

• 42 U.S.C. 15873(a)

  in the first 5 fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act → through fiscal year 2022

  Extends the timeframe for which leasing revenues can be used without appropriation.

• 42 U.S.C. 15873(b)

  Amounts → (1) In general.--Amounts

  Clarifies the framework for how funds deposited are to be managed.

• 42 U.S.C. 15873(b)

  (2) Authorization.--Effective for fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year thereafter, amounts deposited under subsection (a) shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior for expenditure, without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation, to implement the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) and this Act.

  Authorizes ongoing use of funds for geothermal energy project implementation.

• 43 U.S.C. 1701

  establish priority areas on covered land for geothermal, solar, and wind energy projects.

  Mandates the establishment of priority areas for renewable energy projects.

• 43 U.S.C. 1701

  To the maximum extent practicable, variance areas shall be considered for renewable energy project development, consistent with the principles of multiple use (as defined in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)).

  Encourages consideration of variance areas for renewable energy project development.

• 43 U.S.C. 1701

  the Secretary shall coordinate, on an ongoing basis, with appropriate State, tribal, and local governments, transmission infrastructure owners and operators, developers, and other appropriate entities.

  Increases coordination requirements for renewable energy project development.

• 43 U.S.C. 1702(6)

  The term "public land" has the meaning given the term "public lands" in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702).

  Clarifies the definition of public land as it relates to this Act.

• 43 U.S.C. 1701

  not later than 90 days after the date of the determination, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the determination.

  Requires timely reporting to Congress on changes to land classifications.

• 42 U.S.C. 15873

  The Secretary shall establish a program to improve Federal permit coordination with respect to renewable energy projects on covered land.

  Establishes a new program to enhance permit coordination for renewable energy projects.

Action History

1. February 02, 2017

   Introduced in Senate

2. February 02, 2017

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsors

• Dean Heller · Primary

Subjects