Co-Location Energy Act
H.R. 10513118th Congress

Co-Location Energy Act

Introduced in the HouseRep. John Curtis (R-UT-3)14 sections · 2 min read
Version: Introduced in House · Dec 19, 2024

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Co-Location Energy Act.

(1) In general

In addition to the authority provided under section 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)) and section 501(a)(4) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761(a)(4)), the Secretary of the Interior may authorize a person to evaluate an area of an existing Federal energy lease for solar or wind energy development.

(1) In general

In addition to the authority provided under section 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)) and section 501(a)(4) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761(a)(4)), the Secretary of the Interior may issue a permit to authorize a person to construct or operate systems or facilities for the production, transportation, storage, or transmission of energy from solar or wind resources on an area of an existing Federal energy lease.

(c) Categorical exclusions

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall determine whether any of the actions for which a permit may be issued under subsection (b)(1), or any actions that may be carried out pursuant to a lease granted under section 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)) or section 501(a)(4) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761(a)(4)), are a category of actions that normally do not significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).

(d) Rulemaking

The Secretary of the Interior may issue a rule to carry out this section.

(e) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Existing Federal energy lease

The term existing Federal energy lease means a lease—

(A) of land managed by the Secretary of the Interior; and

(B) issued, granted, or renewed before, on, or after the date of enactment of the Co-Location Energy Act under—

(i) the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.); or

(ii) the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).

(2) Lease

The term lease includes an easement and right-of-way.

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