II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3463 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 10, 2008 Mr. Tester (for himself and Mrs. Feinstein) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to establish pilot project offices to improve Federal permit coordination for renewable energy.
1.
Pilot project office to improve Federal permit coordination for renewable energy
(a)
In general
Section 365 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15924) is amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and (2)by inserting after subsection (i) the following: (j)
Pilot project office To improve Federal permit coordination for renewable energy
(1)
Definition of renewable energy
In this subsection, the term renewable energy means energy derived from a wind, solar, renewable biomass, ocean (including tidal, wave, current, and thermal), geothermal, or hydroelectric source. (2)
Field and district offices
As part of the Pilot Project, the Secretary shall designate 1 field or district office of the Bureau of Land Management in each of the following States to serve as Renewable Energy Pilot Project Offices for coordination of Federal permits for renewable energy projects and transmission lines to integrate renewable energy: (A)Arizona. (B)California. (C)New Mexico. (D)Nevada. (E)Montana. (F)Wyoming. (3)
Memorandum of understanding
(A)
In general
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall enter into an amended memorandum of understanding under subsection (b) to provide for the inclusion of the additional Renewable Energy Pilot Project Offices in the Pilot Project. (B)
Secretary of Energy
The Secretary of Energy shall be a signatory of the amended memorandum of understanding. (C)
Signatures by governors
The Secretary may request that the Governors of each of the States described in paragraph (2) be signatories to the amended memorandum of understanding. (4)
Designation of qualified staff
Not later than 30 days after the date of the signing of the amended memorandum of understanding, all Federal signatory parties shall, if appropriate, assign to each Renewable Energy Pilot Project Offices designated under paragraph (2) an employee described in subsection (c) to carry out duties described in that subsection. (5)
Additional personnel
The Secretary shall assign to each Renewable Energy Pilot Project Office additional personnel under subsection (f). . (b)
Permit processing improvement fund
Section 35(c)(3) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191(c)(3)) is amended— (1)by striking use authorizations and inserting and renewable energy use authorizations; and (2)by striking section 365(d) and inserting subsections (d) and (j)(2) of section 365.