119 S896 IS: Co-Location Energy Act U.S. Senate 2025-03-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 896IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 6, 2025Mr. Curtis (for himself and Mr. Hickenlooper) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public WorksA BILLTo authorize the Secretary of the Interior to co-locate renewable energy projects on certain existing Federal leased areas, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

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

2.

Co-location of renewable energy projects

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Existing Federal energy lease

The term existing Federal energy lease means a lease, easement, or right-of-way, as applicable—(A)on land managed by the Secretary; and(B)that was issued, granted, or renewed on or before the date of enactment of this 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)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.(b)

Authorization To evaluate leased areas for renewable energy development

(1)

In general

In addition to the authority of the Secretary 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 may authorize a person to evaluate an area of an existing Federal energy lease for solar or wind energy development.(2)

Consent of leaseholder

The Secretary may not authorize a person to evaluate an area under paragraph (1) unless the applicable leaseholder consents to that authorization.(c)

Permits for renewable energy development on existing oil, gas, coal, and geothermal lease areas

(1)

In general

In addition to the authority of the Secretary 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 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.(2)

Consent of leaseholder

The Secretary may not issue a permit for an activity described in paragraph (1) unless the applicable leaseholder consents to the issuance of that permit.(d)

Categorical exclusions

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall determine whether any of the actions for which a permit may be issued under subsection (c)(1), or any actions that may be carried out pursuant to constructing or operating systems or facilities for the production, transportation, storage, or transmission of energy from solar or wind resources on areas not subject to an existing Federal energy lease, 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)).(e)

Rulemaking

The Secretary shall issue a rule to carry out this section.