116 S1399 IS: Building American Energy Security Act of 2023
U.S. Senate
2023-05-02
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.
1.Short title; table of contents(a)This Act may be cited as the Building American Energy Security Act of 2023
.(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.TITLE I—Accelerating agency reviewsSec. 101. Definitions.Sec. 102. Streamlining process for authorizations and reviews of energy and natural resources projects.Sec. 103. Prioritizing energy projects of strategic national importance.Sec. 104. Empowering the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council and improving reviews.Sec. 105. Litigation transparency.TITLE II—Modernizing permitting lawsSec. 201. Transmission.Sec. 202. Definition of natural gas under the Natural Gas Act.Sec. 203. Authorization of Mountain Valley Pipeline.Sec. 204. Rights-of-way across Indian land.Sec. 205. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staffing.<enum>I</enum><header>Accelerating agency reviews</header><section id="idD87595EB42834430BCFDFD60227B3308"><enum>101.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text><paragraph id="idf9a62df8089b4ba6bc015a5875f2851a"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Agency</header><text>The term <term>agency</term> means any agency, department, or other unit of Federal, State, local, or Tribal government.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idD0CE9DA081EE46C08D2DEBF1FB5B7B6B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Alaska Native Corporation</header><text>The term <quote>Alaska Native Corporation</quote> has the meaning given the term <quote>Native Corporation</quote> in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1602">43 U.S.C. 1602</external-xref>).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id325d5d7ed1104c768d9fa4304ac69a9a"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Authorization</header><text>The term <term>authorization</term> means any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, interagency consultation, or other administrative decision that is required or authorized under Federal law (including regulations) to design, plan, site, construct, reconstruct, or commence operations of a project, including any authorization described in section 41001(3) of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m">42 U.S.C. 4370m(3)</external-xref>). </text></paragraph><paragraph id="id43676f3f106d46c089198614ea67bbce"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Cooperating agency</header><text>The term <term>cooperating agency</term> means any Federal agency (and a State, Tribal, or local agency if agreed on by the lead agency), other than a lead agency, that has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to an environmental impact relating to a project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id488b7468778f4b95accc6359de2666ce"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Environmental document</header><text>The term <term>environmental document</term> includes any of the following, as prepared under NEPA:</text><subparagraph id="id64218D06D45041FF87AF6FAC42C325B3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>An environmental assessment.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id08179538BDB94526A5884FE41001402A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A finding of no significant impact.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2CB2D1EB273A4F3282DB8D829B7FFBCD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An environmental impact statement.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6CC2BB12E6684D8EB4A22F1A49EEACD3"><enum>(D)</enum><text>A record of decision.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id560fce721bc54d2e9d00d6a55a19f848"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Environmental impact statement</header><text>The term <term>environmental impact statement</term> means the detailed statement of environmental impacts of a project required to be prepared under NEPA.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idcc6abf9eb430454d85a8a84ef50c0179"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Environmental review process</header><text>The term <term>environmental review process</term> means the process for preparing an environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, categorical exclusion, or other document required to be prepared to achieve compliance with NEPA, including pre-application consultation and scoping processes.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id6c890c89c44046fc8af4ef25998c3557"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Indian tribe</header><text>The term <term>Indian Tribe</term> has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/25/5130">25 U.S.C. 5130</external-xref>).</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id1adb0f0fb6384e098392dfd51d9e9b64"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Lead agency</header><text>The term <term>lead agency</term>, with respect to a project, means—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="id193671086FB2489E84D18725AE5EA075"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Federal agency preparing, or assuming primary responsibility for, the authorization or review of the project; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idEA0D02A28B2A4E4CA46B9E53E3C7EBEF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if applicable, any State, local, or Tribal government entity serving as a joint lead agency for the project.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idd70707ec6bc842409a164dcae89a8b24"><enum>(10)</enum><header>NEPA</header><text>The term <term>NEPA</term> means the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.</external-xref>) (including NEPA implementing regulations).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id6a7a2a6437bc473e99e6fca08d6dd7e4"><enum>(11)</enum><header>NEPA implementing regulations</header><text>The term <term>NEPA implementing regulations</term> means the regulations in subpart A of chapter V of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id73a9fe767f98495b957a70543619eeff"><enum>(12)</enum><header>Participating agency</header><text>The term <term>participating agency</term> means an agency participating in an environmental review or authorization for a project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idcedc51e808824a8798f3b3495f621d26"><enum>(13)</enum><header>Project sponsor</header><text>The term <term>project sponsor</term> means an entity, including any private, public, or public-private entity, seeking an authorization for a project.</text></paragraph></section><section id="id1d495e415d1c4a69967efb674ddc0851"><enum>102.</enum><header>Streamlining process for authorizations and reviews of energy and natural resources projects</header><subsection id="id5197cebdef6e431eafc2357d0f319671"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="id72c7ba3a1eaf47a39d24fbf36c5860a3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Categorical exclusion</header><text>The term <term>categorical exclusion</term> means a categorical exclusion within the meaning of NEPA.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id0c2fbd499e1c4f0ba5360cb3f891d8c7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Major project</header><text>The term <term>major project</term> means a project—</text><subparagraph id="id9965f95b2bc44f04962f5445d5069e30"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for which multiple authorizations, reviews, or studies are required under a Federal law other than NEPA; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idceb7e08f261a43aca99a730c56982c4a"><enum>(B)</enum><text>with respect to which the head of the lead agency has determined that—</text><clause id="id93A7A71469D34ED2937E6A6913F1277C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an environmental impact statement is required; or</text></clause><clause id="id639d2b190e7e4539b92ce5dc96ccddd6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an environmental assessment is required, and the project sponsor requests that the project be treated as a major project.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ida38ba1d7a26a41329ff77ffb4f27bec5"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Project</header><text>The term <term>project</term> means a project—</text><subparagraph id="id3B0697F78BD7451EAA85265475714BC5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>proposed for the construction of infrastructure—</text><clause id="ide47693b08f9d4e8b85fd7480a897ae50"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to develop, produce, generate, store, transport, or distribute energy;</text></clause><clause id="id28d03ad27d204fecaa96fae1609ceb0d"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to capture, remove, transport, or store carbon dioxide; or</text></clause><clause id="idbc2b45441ca74830bf02e9448014d52c"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to mine, extract, beneficiate, or process minerals; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id47eedbc3bd1b4fdd90748ff4c56fa09d"><enum>(B)</enum><text>that, if implemented as proposed by the project sponsor, would be subject to the requirements that—</text><clause id="id440fc9af1b7e48648f336257fa668c67"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an environmental document be prepared; and</text></clause><clause id="id0198f5f670014b9aacf280029037636a"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the applicable agency issue an authorization of the activity.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0446c87935e84dcc80f0f695060d5d65"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Secretary concerned</header><text>The term <term>Secretary concerned</term> means, as appropriate—</text><subparagraph id="idF2B798A9F82443BE8993A090722AD186"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to the Forest Service;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9535DACC66CA4463944AC2E177EF1299"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of Energy;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id41F994E44F024CE09F331B15F2D5019E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Secretary of the Interior;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5163AEE04EFC4DFD8927A28347B988C0"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id24b07c052de041c2957b60ec215bc565"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the Secretary of the Army, with respect to the Corps of Engineers; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6489281dbb7a47f19cab72d9aca6855b"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the Secretary of Transportation, with respect to the Maritime Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. </text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id50d4f16838ea4e6fbb3fd7a390d2b007"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Applicability</header><paragraph id="id87e60c3fb7c544fb8cc605d82f8242ae"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The project development procedures under this section—</text><subparagraph id="idD247CFA5303341239F8AA4BFD58B698B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall apply to—</text><clause id="id7CCF5F2A52CA4D26BC938D833414CC36"><enum>(i)</enum><text>all projects for which an environmental impact statement is prepared;</text></clause><clause id="idF88EE6E48D844DEB99A4E089650AC0A1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>all major projects; and</text></clause><clause id="idb497a599160e474cbc5ed498d6e6f119"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to the maximum extent practicable, projects described in clause (i) or (ii) for which an authorization is being sought or that are subject to an environmental review process initiated prior to the date of enactment of this Act;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF686695D410841F08CD721C93BD6C87C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may be applied, as requested by a project sponsor and to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary concerned, to other projects for which an environmental document is prepared; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id38febba2286944d8bbe1408368114bb9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>shall not apply to—</text><clause id="id584bf15c129844d6808d5cfdd892e9f0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>any project subject to section 139 of title 23, United States Code;</text></clause><clause id="id2b8e93121b0945a9b714ffd6390defbd"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any project that is a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers; or</text></clause><clause id="idcfdcacc169de44be9cf14ddd41f5e269"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any authorization of the Corps of Engineers if that authorization is for a project that alters or modifies a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ida1d4c50fdcd74984ba86b82a3817c152"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Flexibility</header><text>Any authority provided by this section may be exercised, and any requirement established under this section may be satisfied, for a project, class of projects, or program of projects.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id579aa67553ee4484953923db1a8fd238"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Savings provision</header><text>Nothing in this section—</text><subparagraph id="id1B32272F572540F3A7077CC43982A8AA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>precludes the use of an authority provided under any other provision of law, including for a covered project under title XLI of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m">42 U.S.C. 4370m et seq.</external-xref>); </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDB84459BDCE44FA7856201F34EDFEAE1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>supersedes or modifies any applicable requirement, authority, or agency responsibility provided under the <act-name parsable-cite="NEPA69">National Environmental Policy Act of 1969</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.</external-xref>) or any other provision of law; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ida47ee73b2243428cb197985c04a78763" commented="no"><enum>(C)</enum><text>shall be considered an abbreviated authorization or environmental review process for purposes of section 41001(6)(A)(i)(III) of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m">42 U.S.C. 4370m(6)(A)(i)(III)</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idf44ce73f4ac1424091241cd87cbac821"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Lead agencies</header><paragraph id="id564c7b1e0af04769a51d19b5f4ae9e54"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Joint lead agencies</header><text>Nothing in this section precludes an agency from serving as a joint lead agency for a project, in accordance with NEPA.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idac488162bb844cee9c6732e08e4e949f"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Roles and responsibilities</header><text>With respect to the environmental review process for a project, the lead agency shall have the authority and responsibility—</text><subparagraph id="idf4deb227d67f47699cfe18cf57c9d7c0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to take such actions as are necessary and appropriate to facilitate the expeditious resolution of the environmental review process for the project;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id75cd999fd8614df088ad0812a517f175"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to prepare any required environmental impact statement or other environmental document, or to ensure that such an environmental impact statement or environmental document is completed, in accordance with this section and applicable Federal law;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8eac158610e6463dbe39ba9da0172138"><enum>(C)</enum><text>not later than 45 days after the date of publication of a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, or the initiation of an environmental assessment, as applicable, for a project—</text><clause id="id7ec893158e094e16bdaca64382b08a09"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to identify any other agencies that may have financing, environmental review, authorization, or other responsibilities with respect to the project;</text></clause><clause id="id1f7c6eb1617649d8abba5def778885ab"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to invite the identified agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental review process for the project; and</text></clause><clause id="ide84082ef55bc4ea7a88048d2bcee695a"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to establish, as part of the invitation, a deadline for the submission of a response, which may be extended by the lead agency for good cause;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8c8fe0612e5d460f952d071b432d0790"><enum>(D)</enum><text>to consider and respond to comments timely received from participating agencies relating to matters within the special expertise or jurisdiction of those agencies;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0048c5c6289a4a7eab98091c17bee90f"><enum>(E)</enum><text>to consider, and, as appropriate, rely on, adopt, or incorporate by reference, baseline data, analyses, and documentation that have been prepared for the project under the laws and procedures of a State or an Indian Tribe if the lead agency determines that—</text><clause id="idE59EBEDE32DA47C2B127DB9922147864"><enum>(i)</enum><text>those laws and procedures are of equal or greater rigor, as compared to each applicable Federal law and procedure; and</text></clause><clause id="id20284FF3D6BA44CF84D3D4C776B2C606"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the baseline data, analysis, or documentation, as applicable, was prepared under circumstances that allowed for—</text><subclause id="id2EEC96FDFEF544BD872289D98A9C2E09"><enum>(I)</enum><text>opportunities for public participation;</text></subclause><subclause id="id52A1BCADE0AA424995CD17E0586EF423"><enum>(II)</enum><text>consideration of alternatives and environmental consequences; and</text></subclause><subclause id="id9C05F4513C7644E5A1E44CC2FC46F40B"><enum>(III)</enum><text>other required analyses that are substantially equivalent to the analyses that would have been prepared if the baseline data, analysis, or documentation was prepared by the lead agency pursuant to NEPA; and</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id62eb0f0d4e7b436b8eed60442328a65d"><enum>(F)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id5c063900a2294838b3dcc36d9af5eabb"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to ensure that the project sponsor complies with design and mitigation commitments for the project made jointly by the lead agency and the project sponsor; and</text></clause><clause id="idDEF0EEE698894BCAB6739350B58A78CB" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to ensure that environmental documents are appropriately supplemented if changes become necessary with respect to the project.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id117e4f48c6ff4ca2a92e7502de75c5d0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Participating agencies</header><paragraph id="idf76af4ccbad34e49a8713cf607346489"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Applicability</header><subparagraph id="id74DACB0CA4DF45FE88B5B962F421EF0A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Inapplicability to covered projects</header><text>The procedures under this subsection shall not apply to a covered project (as defined in section 41001 of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m">42 U.S.C. 4370m</external-xref>))—</text><clause id="id97E1AF59CAE344E1A1521AFEF064C741"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for which a project initiation notice has been submitted pursuant to section 41003(a) of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m-2">42 U.S.C. 4370m–2(a)</external-xref>); and</text></clause><clause id="id956DC738842C413EB4EBBF65B676A645"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>that is carried out in accordance with the procedures described in that notice.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7b226f31044748d98b04673d621dfe52"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Designations for categories of projects</header><text>The Secretary concerned may exercise the authority under this subsection with respect to—</text><clause id="id9A5D4064FC874882915424DF46015B82"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a project;</text></clause><clause id="idEF0E4BAC54764362B2C718E30D021A9C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a class of projects; or</text></clause><clause id="id6BE6D0DD2ACF4D849369E21E50800365"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a program of projects.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="iddde60d08484a41e9bf70ee7db5dec669"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Federal participating agencies</header><text>Any Federal agency that is invited by a lead agency to participate in the environmental review process for a project shall be designated as a participating agency by the lead agency, unless the invited agency informs the lead agency, in writing, by the deadline specified in the invitation, that the invited agency has no responsibility for or interest in the project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id7f774711ad97495580f29bc36291c7d2"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Federal cooperating agencies</header><text>A Federal agency that has not been invited by a lead agency to participate in the environmental review process for a project, but that is required to make an authorization or carry out an action for a project, shall—</text><subparagraph id="idDB822FBB21A14983B9B70DB261423060"><enum>(A)</enum><text>notify the lead agency of the financing, environmental review, authorization, or other responsibilities of the notifying Federal agency with respect to the project; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9F0BFF7563074B4AA9A4C7B5750C80A0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>work with the lead agency to ensure that the agency making the authorization or carrying out the action is treated as a cooperating agency for the project.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1c02b4492fb24f7d856e73b3582c6dc0"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>A participating agency participating in the environmental review process for a project shall—</text><subparagraph id="id09e9f9cea40d4c3a9c8d3bde11f6a0e3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provide comments, responses, studies, or methodologies relating to the areas within the special expertise or jurisdiction of the agency; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1a5c704b6c1940ffab8bb55779ff2b52"><enum>(B)</enum><text>use the environmental review process to address any environmental issues of concern to the agency.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id50944e2dcaf64e6ea80fef3003d133ac"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Effect of designation</header><subparagraph id="id62456750eb6c4d4fadc82799baff9712"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>A participating agency for a project shall comply with the applicable requirements of this section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb36f8c8c8f7e43c0b24745cc6f69e1d5"><enum>(B)</enum><header>No implication</header><text>Designation as a participating agency under this subsection shall not imply that the participating agency—</text><clause id="id2a64a92a30f14770a26dc3307457d727"><enum>(i)</enum><text>has made a determination to support or deny any project; or</text></clause><clause id="id316eb6695f9546909c8624b821b7a70b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise with respect to evaluation of, the applicable project.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ide68f9010a79b4404a7e7752eb707848b"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Cooperating agency designation</header><text>Any agency designated as a cooperating agency shall also be designated by the applicable lead agency as a participating agency under the NEPA implementing regulations.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idb717a68ce699492f8a40bd7bc7d43583"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Coordination of required reviews; environmental documents</header><paragraph id="ide8bbe470edaf4e1fa3724e32b2c2e0ba"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The lead agency and each participating agency for a project shall apply the requirements of section 41005 of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m-4">42 U.S.C. 4370m–4</external-xref>) to the project, subject to the condition that any reference contained in that section to a <quote>covered project</quote> shall be considered to be a reference to the project under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id0e1c5915abba4d3db66e236376b05238"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Single environmental document</header><subparagraph id="id3863a243e0844e22bea755736e99fb31"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (C), to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with Federal law, to achieve compliance with NEPA, all Federal authorizations and reviews that are necessary for a project shall rely on a single environmental document for each type of environmental document prepared under NEPA under the leadership of the lead agency.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id61a4e9e7ea284f8389c355ac6b7dd23a"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Use of document</header><clause id="id7a73137ebc7449e894c36efd49697463"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>To the maximum extent practicable, the lead agency shall develop environmental documents sufficient to satisfy the NEPA requirements for any authorization or other Federal action required for the project.</text></clause><clause id="id4dbfc3e6e9974dbc8f12223dc6b3ed24"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Cooperation of participating agencies</header><text>Each participating agency shall cooperate with the lead agency and provide timely information to assist the lead agency to carry out subparagraph (A).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id119d10bdad7b42bb963783c2b2264d94"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>A lead agency may waive the application of subparagraph (A) with respect to a project if—</text><clause id="id95945b683f764c55a5f640dc20223355"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the project sponsor requests that agencies issue separate environmental documents;</text></clause><clause id="id7a9583e1d059466dabf3a6d0f1589106"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the obligations of a cooperating agency or participating agency under NEPA have already been satisfied with respect to the project; or</text></clause><clause id="idfa347aebd9a6442ebcfdb59ea0f1b244"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the lead agency determines, and provides justification in the coordination plan established under subsection (g)(1), that multiple environmental documents are more efficient for the environmental review process or authorization process for the project.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4888ec0d38314cf7a07b45bf024ffeb3"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Page limits</header><clause id="id1fb5b3b392b649c9866d3a10c518547f"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in clause (ii), to the maximum extent practicable, the text of the items described in paragraphs (4) through (6) of section 1502.10(a) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), of an environmental impact statement for a project shall be not more than 150 pages.</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaa5f80d6f0c94732a1bd2feb04b88e32"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The text described in clause (i)—</text><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5e24fc5cb3a044dc9b638086081e7991"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall be not more than 300 pages in the case of a proposal of unusual scope or complexity; and </text></subclause><subclause id="idef9bd321a0bb4f21a2095c05cea9d09f"><enum>(II)</enum><text>may exceed 300 pages if the lead agency establishes a new page limit for the environmental impact statement for that project.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idDA2E89C44FA646F997893CD8A62919AE"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Errata for environmental impact statements</header><paragraph id="id59643287DC5A48BA97BE606DD5E5D34A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In preparing a final environmental impact statement for a project, if the lead agency modifies the draft environmental impact statement in response to comments, the lead agency may write on errata sheets attached to the environmental impact statement in lieu of rewriting the draft environmental impact statement, subject to the conditions described in paragraph (2).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idE467A3FDABFA4B26B273DDE0CE855C92"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conditions</header><text>The conditions referred to in paragraph (1) are as follows:</text><subparagraph id="idD17775E6E6F24249B14FD633771AE78C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The comments to which the applicable modification responds shall be minor.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id56A68B08D3D84C8FA7F71924C98C013E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The modifications shall be confined to—</text><clause id="id27961161605543CAB7D05619C7F0A91A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>minor factual corrections; or</text></clause><clause id="id5CE84AA310E54053A0865C13E9004806"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an explanation of the reasons why the comments do not warrant additional response from the lead agency.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC01E9929065E4765B06F0F841837C210"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The errata sheets shall—</text><clause id="idE9C63143A9744624970388E945527409"><enum>(i)</enum><text>cite the sources, authorities, and reasons that support the position of the lead agency; and</text></clause><clause id="id2DD96CE10E6D432DA555BD0A25937A32"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if appropriate, indicate the circumstances that would trigger reappraisal or further response by the lead agency.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idC7FFE9B9D923403C8DFE1F6CEB71087F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Savings provision</header><text>Nothing in this subsection precludes a lead agency from responding to comments in a final environmental impact statement in accordance with procedures described in section 1503.4(c) of the NEPA implementing regulations.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id18185110017a439eb34f30e272a7685d"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Coordination and scheduling</header><paragraph id="id7c4553b65af64f78b3e7b54a193b2882"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Coordination plan</header><subparagraph id="id18fbe5083642450f9de6dabf64ed06c1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), not later than 90 days after the date of publication of a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, or the initiation of an environmental assessment, as applicable, for a project, the lead agency shall establish a plan for coordinating public and agency participation in, and comment regarding, the environmental review process and authorization decisions for the project or applicable category of projects (referred to in this paragraph as the <quote>coordination plan</quote>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7c85b44bcf334faba13ceb663334fe97"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Other date</header><text>If the project sponsor requests the establishment of a coordination plan for a project by a date earlier than the deadline described in subparagraph (A), the lead agency shall establish the coordination plan not later than 90 days after the request is received by the head of the lead agency.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id58DB8370E96A4AC79BFDCB75E7C3C4FC"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Incorporation into memorandum</header><text>A coordination plan may be incorporated into a memorandum of understanding with the project sponsor, lead agency, and any other appropriate entity to accomplish the coordination activities described in this subsection.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idef238cba8f4041c48d4943f9535fb151"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Schedule</header><clause id="idd3a7fbe14ed04192be3c9be7eb26fc77"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>As part of a coordination plan for a project, the lead agency shall establish and maintain a schedule for completion of the environmental review process and authorization decisions for the project that—</text><subclause id="idca5009229753467a82d730d7783758a1"><enum>(I)</enum><text>includes the date of project initiation or earliest Federal agency contact for the project, including any pre-application consultation;</text></subclause><subclause id="ideb9f974b7c254fbf9bb4224df5176eb9"><enum>(II)</enum><text>includes any programmatic environmental document or agreement that is a prerequisite or predecessor for the environmental review process for the project; </text></subclause><subclause id="idae82c55e7c44428bb3ed5e18e4550534"><enum>(III)</enum><text>includes—</text><item id="id32BE0B07CE8A41799A5B1DA101D937C0"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>any Federal authorization, action required as part of the environmental review process, consultation, or similar process that is required through project completion;</text></item><item id="id4dd7e0d5216743489220f6bae43743d1"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>to the maximum extent practicable, any Indian Tribe, Alaska Native Corporation, State, or local agency authorization, review, consultation, or similar process; and </text></item><item id="id4092c9df490a49a091edc66570c4b8c7"><enum>(cc)</enum><text>a schedule for each authorization under item (aa) or (bb), including any pre-application consultations, applications, interim milestones, public comment periods, draft decisions, final decisions, and final authorizations necessary to begin construction; and </text></item></subclause><subclause id="id06B7FFE0BD214D79B04A71C6DA99038D"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>is established—</text><item id="idFBD30C31BA78415EA59945847D1953C6"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>after consultation with, and the concurrence of, each participating agency for the project; and</text></item><item id="id1455BF393391456A80CAEA4711DFD8EA"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>with the participation of the project sponsor.</text></item></subclause></clause><clause id="id5a69fcf58362411799a8266e73cb0358"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Major project schedules</header><text>To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with applicable Federal law, in the case of a major project, the lead agency shall develop, with the concurrence of each participating agency for the major project and in consultation with the project sponsor, a schedule for the major project that is consistent with completing—</text><subclause id="id13DF40C32E0745A6B111CF8DD0D5269C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the environmental review process—</text><item id="idfd6abac2990349b5addb326be527d708"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>in the case of major projects for which the lead agency determines an environmental impact statement is required, not later than 2 years after the date of publication by the lead agency of a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement to the record of decision; and</text></item><item id="ida13b4d33049f429ba94637a2d4b800ed"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>in the case of major projects for which the lead agency determines an environmental assessment is required, not later than 1 year after the date on which the head of the lead agency determines that an environmental assessment is required to a finding of no significant impact; and</text></item></subclause><subclause id="id5c2c7044fc3744d29076a03538d8b8c5"><enum>(II)</enum><text>any outstanding authorization required for project construction not later than 150 days after the date of an issuance of a record of decision or a finding of no significant impact under subclause (I).</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbf9ff4fc5e814487b1b114259168efc8"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Factors for consideration</header><text>In establishing a schedule under subparagraph (D), a Federal lead agency shall consider factors such as—</text><clause id="id5652a12ea7804fbc92ef47d6d2f188f9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the responsibilities of participating agencies or cooperating agencies under applicable law;</text></clause><clause id="ide819f16719c64f62bdbad368c25fe1be"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>resources available to the participating agencies or cooperating agencies;</text></clause><clause id="id3dfe9f4e701c4675a83eaf944ba1a301"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the overall size and complexity of the project;</text></clause><clause id="id241463c5fb6c4ff6828143fde7c841ef"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the overall time required by an agency to conduct the environmental review process and make decisions under applicable Federal law relating to a project (including the issuance or denial of a permit or license);</text></clause><clause id="id5f6994aba1b44bdabfbd7d7661c549e9"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the cost of the project;</text></clause><clause id="idf329be261f364a1eb84197e12a75dd26"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>the sensitivity of the natural and historic resources that could be affected by the project; and</text></clause><clause id="id9e2fd7580c6a49e9818655b1ce4317b2"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>timelines and deadlines established in this section and other applicable law.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1002c1bca2414baab4f2494881d961ec"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Modifications</header><clause id="id4c5ae20192d149dfac0f31b7cfec6a53"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in clause (iii), the lead agency may lengthen—</text><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id27e709f11d624269b95e6c28ccdb3121"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a schedule established for a project under subparagraph (D) for good cause, in accordance with clause (ii); or</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddf74e6a81a6348ba9ac7da9b67bb017f"><enum>(II)</enum><text>shorten a schedule established for a project under subparagraph (D) if the lead agency has—</text><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaa96ddb71cae4f0ab66b066e04c1add6"><enum>(aa)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">good cause; and</text></item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb30e03531a3948b997961624d1098802"><enum>(bb)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the concurrence of the project sponsor and any participating agencies.</text></item></subclause></clause><clause id="id999e51f24d5a49e3bba02ee3a40ebfa0"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Good cause</header><text>Good cause to lengthen a schedule under clause (i)(I) may include—</text><subclause id="ida0bfb4295987425c80fce6b995bb8596"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Federal law prohibiting the lead agency or another agency from issuing an approval or permit within the period required under subparagraph (D);</text></subclause><subclause id="idb30daff717934ad3a002885d51ccea5b"><enum>(II)</enum><text>a request from the project sponsor that the permit or approval follow a different timeline; or</text></subclause><subclause id="id01e438ff4ba64fc299227366d04023cc"><enum>(III)</enum><text>a determination by the lead agency, with the concurrence of the project sponsor, that an extension would facilitate completion of the environmental review process and authorization process of the project.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id72765663bfd248c5979a08f6e4969c53"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><subclause id="ida4c71329683c4ad7a49d61d66175e04b"><enum>(I)</enum><header>Shortening of time period</header><text>A lead agency may not shorten a schedule under clause (i)(II) if shortening the schedule would impair the ability of a participating agency—</text><item id="id27904E147BF34709AD3260D6BA35FB4E"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>to conduct any necessary analysis; or</text></item><item id="id132969F116504EAF928FFBD618AA3B38"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>to otherwise carry out any relevant obligation of the participating agency for the project. </text></item></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0222eb98dae34b85afd036532536581f"><enum>(II)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Major projects</header><text>In the case of a major project, the lead agency may lengthen a schedule for a project under subparagraph (D) for a Federal participating agency by not more than 1 year after the latest deadline established for the major project by the lead agency.</text></subclause><subclause id="id0c1fa81eff704fa6b03ff2ba4943eaac"><enum>(III)</enum><header>Coordination plans prior to notice of intent</header><text>In the case of a schedule established for a project under subparagraph (D) prior to the publication of a notice of intent, the lead agency may adjust the schedule, with the concurrence of participating agencies and the participation of the project sponsor, until the date of publication of the notice of intent. </text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id664642434b224025aabf33556261fa48"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Failure to meet schedule or deadline</header><text>If a participating Federal agency fails to meet a schedule or deadline established under subparagraph (D), not later than 30 days after the missed schedule or deadline, the participating Federal agency shall—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd13925ad394c4e419654dc193b96ab8c"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">notify—</text><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbb1f80a9bed249b18a39d8c492d030f7"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id71c70cbbdc6b496b9143dfba5e1c8106"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfa0fba5c23c94630aa31cc9e89bc05ee"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Secretary concerned;</text></subclause><subclause id="id064823e6b11a4f1fad9604f773a18c6c"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; </text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb17aae4459394d3d91c012d17164054d"><enum>(V)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3070893957b3466b844bd37a2310ed34"><enum>(VI)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and </text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9abc6fc68d3d41eabaeff0c296474865"><enum>(VII)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and </text></subclause></clause><clause id="id07a4f98889fb49708e4e6d5d7253ba18"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>include in the notifications under clause (i)—</text><subclause id="idd0f5e2d537804fdc89dce477dabeb3a9"><enum>(I)</enum><text>a description of the cause for the failure; and</text></subclause><subclause id="id0405ab1feb9d41a7a8526a352b1a3e7b"><enum>(II)</enum><text>a new schedule or deadline agreed on by the project sponsor, the lead agency, and cooperating agencies. </text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id19ec42637c9546648d7764a9acf4c5ad"><enum>(H)</enum><header>Dissemination</header><text>A copy of a schedule for a project under subparagraph (D), and any modifications to such a schedule, shall be—</text><clause id="id4b1b35715d354e369047da667c89935f"><enum>(i)</enum><text>provided to—</text><subclause id="id1B3529230AE84A6389B73E9535C161E7"><enum>(I)</enum><text>all participating agencies; and</text></subclause><subclause id="idEC32CBD1659D434CB80105ED94082853"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the project sponsor; and</text></subclause></clause><clause id="idbb90a9fc58b842f9b9da3c7a86e6d86a"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of a schedule for a major project under that subparagraph, made available to the public pursuant to subsection (l).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8F552AA6948F4AEE8E88BB30E5FC4A62"><enum>(I)</enum><header>No delay in decision making</header><text>No agency shall seek to encourage a sponsor of a project to withdraw or resubmit an application to delay decision making within the timelines under this subsection.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idcf9d0ee4b323451ba9af621a2b83e4ac"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Comment deadlines</header><text>The lead agency shall establish the following deadlines for comment during the environmental review process for a project:</text><subparagraph id="id4f135110281a4850b71cbe13cf085bd9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>For comments by agencies and the public on a draft environmental impact statement, a period of not more than 60 days after publication in the Federal Register of a notice of the date of public availability of the draft, unless—</text><clause id="idf50ca183f35d43e9911b9479cf1cc479"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a different deadline is established by agreement of the lead agency, the project sponsor, and all participating agencies; or</text></clause><clause id="id4ecc427f7e074de2b476deca54f1ab70"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the deadline is extended by the lead agency for good cause, together with a documented and publicly available explanation of the need for an extended comment period.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc4e0ade701074598b41c5f85048dfc05"><enum>(B)</enum><text>For all other comment periods established by the lead agency for agency or public comment for a Federal authorization or in the environmental review process, a period of not more than 45 days beginning on the first date of availability of the materials regarding which comment is requested, unless a different deadline of not more than 60 days is established by agreement of the lead agency and all participating agencies, in consultation with the project sponsor.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id407649d0300a4f108e87c125eb33794c"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Public involvement</header><text>Nothing in this section—</text><subparagraph id="id6b1dbd4949d24d27be75a8e6987b115a"><enum>(A)</enum><text>reduces any time period provided for—</text><clause id="idA8DB288AC7B740BEADDFA7341D680DE9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>public comment in the environmental review process; or</text></clause><clause id="id028DC80E5D70449FA57331BB1D4C8E6F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an authorization for a project under applicable Federal law;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id986090e451654d7bbbf83de76e6e549e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>creates a requirement for an additional public comment opportunity in addition to any public comment opportunity required for a project under applicable Federal law; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb7e9ce48f73f4c61bd44a4d857f594df"><enum>(C)</enum><text>creates a new requirement for public comment on a project for which an environmental assessment is being prepared.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id878aa31635c7473c86565b318e5cd181"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Categorical exclusions</header><text>Nothing in this subsection affects or creates new requirements for a project or activity that is eligible for a categorical exclusion.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idbb67c9ef83494dcf875dcfccfc9b178b"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Deadline enforcement</header><subparagraph id="id499b61be3f7046a387f41e3578b6b2dd"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Definition of applicable deadline</header><text>In this paragraph, the term <quote>applicable deadline</quote> means a deadline—</text><clause id="id036701578b31437d9c4c5337f9da9450"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for the environmental review process for a major project required under paragraph (1)(D)(ii)(I);</text></clause><clause id="idc4443414541b4b498a98d7e7d597c3a7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for a decision on an authorization for a major project required under paragraph (1)(D)(ii)(II); or</text></clause><clause id="idfef23d81c2154ce8bca35f2642db8d68"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>described in clause (i) or (ii) that has been modified under paragraph (1)(F).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id884bff1ac3c147ca852ded063055058c"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Petition to court</header><text>A project sponsor may obtain a review of an alleged failure by a Federal agency, or a State agency acting pursuant to Federal law, to act in accordance with an applicable deadline under this section by filing a written petition with a court of competent jurisdiction seeking an order under subparagraph (C).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idce0d2a3bf4324058a475be3ce0e1311b"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Court order</header><text>If a court of competent jurisdiction finds that a Federal agency, or a State agency acting pursuant to Federal law, has failed to act in accordance with an applicable deadline, the court shall set a schedule and deadline for the agency to act as soon as practicable, which shall not exceed 90 days from the date on which the order of the court is issued, unless the court determines a longer time period is necessary to comply with applicable law.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide968869f054e42f6be571b33f0c0cc97"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Jurisdiction</header><text>The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia shall have original jurisdiction over any civil action brought pursuant to subparagraph (B), in addition to any court of competent jurisdiction under any other Federal law.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0b2f6e6341be4eb19c01202559dca15f"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Expedited consideration</header><text>A court of competent jurisdiction shall set for expedited consideration any action brought under this subsection.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id6386ce1634fc4051ab5e7642f5cf32ab"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Issue identification and resolution</header><paragraph id="idc5e25bf7dec34900ab696b588c5ef28e"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Cooperation</header><text>The lead agency and each participating agency shall work cooperatively in accordance with this section to facilitate the timely completion of the environmental review and authorization process by identifying and resolving issues that could— </text><subparagraph id="id0f2f9169dee44a4aadd843fe1842b0ef"><enum>(A)</enum><text>delay final decision making for any authorization for a project;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBAE75521E0934CDDA9AB44F889B4C140"><enum>(B)</enum><text>delay completion of the environmental review process for a project; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD3E4BD84A6A740048B9AFFA3373F8181"><enum>(C)</enum><text>result in the denial of any authorization required for the project under applicable law.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id906407422a084c1296432b2bfa3fde8f"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Accelerated issue resolution and referral</header><subparagraph id="id170652d66863450c9c63cf1d1b77807b"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A participating agency, project sponsor, or the Governor of a State in which a project is located may request an issue resolution meeting to resolve issues relating to a project that could—</text><clause id="ide4565715e8c34633b5b330ba2ef781c7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>delay final decision making for any authorization for a project;</text></clause><clause id="id56e6d40f60de4348b7cbf433741b0ac2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>significantly delay completion of the environmental review process for a project; or</text></clause><clause id="ide4a060f8cf0a421c81567eb3b9bd1584"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>result in the denial of any authorization required for the project under applicable law.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="iddc47f50e814f46c89b3c5976382cdfd4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Initial meeting</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of a request under subparagraph (A), the lead agency shall convene an issue resolution meeting, which shall include—</text><clause id="idadd3ed2f7fe3475bb28554180eb919e2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the relevant participating agencies;</text></clause><clause id="idd0cd313904f3427897dfc0ff21a4b619"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the project sponsor; and</text></clause><clause id="ide2189435d7f04180ad4c8d6203062719"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the Governor of a State in which the project is located, if the Governor requested the issue resolution meeting under that subparagraph.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id808e49492bf643f28c909cc7985cde6e"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Elevation</header><text>If issue resolution is not achieved by 30 days after the date of the initial meeting under subparagraph (B), the issue shall be elevated to the head of the lead agency, who shall—</text><clause id="idb9a017789300439488d1c771c2e80cfc"><enum>(i)</enum><text>notify—</text><subclause id="idc85f438441754d3a878ee5d0e3e32b51"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the heads of the relevant participating agencies;</text></subclause><subclause id="id04ca15d0c2e74b608d657c6a583d530f"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the project sponsor; and</text></subclause><subclause id="ide936ea5a226842f0ad3e149e2c32b0fc"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the Governor of a State in which the project is located, if the Governor requested the issue resolution meeting under subparagraph (A); and</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id9afe457eb02746d0b9b5e1a256a53df2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>convene a leadership issue resolution meeting not later than 90 days after the date of the initial meeting under subparagraph (B) with—</text><subclause id="id0916e3f6f2cc4384b19233a1fd308e94"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the heads of the relevant participating agencies, including any relevant Secretaries;</text></subclause><subclause id="idde0bae6a404344299cb1f20a245b90d1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the project sponsor; and</text></subclause><subclause id="id708dfb769e04422fa1ab46a5efd34438"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the Governor of a State in which the project is located, if the Governor requested the issue resolution meeting under subparagraph (A).</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id35d835bba36c42c191af47c644ab3b8f"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Convention by lead agency</header><text>A lead agency may convene an issue resolution meeting at any time to resolve issues relating to an authorization or environmental review process for a project, without the request of a participating agency, project sponsor, or the Governor of a State in which the project is located.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id824c3a717a4b4acb9f2aed5f3606bb02"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Referral of issue resolution for major projects to Council on Environmental Quality</header><clause id="idd0282b1a73cc4f7993d06dab6fd39fc1"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If issue resolution for a major project is not achieved by 30 days after the date on which a leadership issue resolution meeting is convened under subparagraph (C), the head of the lead agency shall refer the matter to the Council on Environmental Quality.</text></clause><clause id="id7d18d044f1d942c6a932973dcf234989"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Meeting</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of a referral from the head of the lead agency under clause (i), the Council on Environmental Quality shall convene an issue resolution meeting with—</text><subclause id="id63A6677256564FCC860B5488D5D5D24B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the head of the lead agency;</text></subclause><subclause id="ide69ba560476f452a9957cad0301a3c26"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the heads of relevant participating agencies;</text></subclause><subclause id="id897b6897cf6143b4a7ef211eae276650"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the project sponsor; and</text></subclause><subclause id="ida00a1bdbd9af4d46be474e377fc0b2b4"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>the Governor of a State in which the major project is located, if the Governor requested the issue resolution meeting under subparagraph (A).</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idabc4518c112f4ceaac97389a985e61a9"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Consistency with other law</header><text>An agency shall implement the requirements of this paragraph—</text><clause id="id0f6acd36b6bd4c5b905d3789f3b1c3df"><enum>(i)</enum><text>unless doing so would prevent the compliance of the agency with existing law; and</text></clause><clause id="id31aa49ff11e54f6ea23fc5b22d759f46"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>consistent with, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any dispute resolution process established in an applicable law, regulation, or legally binding agreement.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd90f46ef9b9f43f89522e1c163faae57"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Effect of paragraph</header><text>Nothing in this paragraph limits the application of section 41003 of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m-2">42 U.S.C. 4370m–2</external-xref>) to a covered project (as defined in section 41001 of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m">42 U.S.C. 4370m</external-xref>)) that is a project subject to the requirements of this section, including with respect to dispute resolution procedures regarding a permitting timetable.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idc008be65cea4471ab25c20fceca0beba"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Enhanced technical assistance from lead agency</header><paragraph id="id0e071e8c3a5f486eae22db512df01bd5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Definition of covered project</header><text>In this subsection, the term <term>covered project</term> means a project—</text><subparagraph id="id3cc959c5e5f041db85914ec7924addc9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>that has a pending environmental review or authorization under NEPA; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbf012d961cf74abab0a5d8167c454552"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for which the lead agency determines a delay to the schedule established under subsection (g) is likely.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ided1361eaf14649fba013153b8f548624"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Technical assistance</header><text>At the request of a project sponsor, participating agency, or the Governor of a State in which a covered project is located, the head of the lead agency may provide technical assistance to resolve any outstanding issues that are resulting in project delay for the covered project, including by—</text><subparagraph id="id7c077190f43c4cdba33be409e7b5e8f7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>providing additional staff, training, and expertise;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6bb5930cef5c4b7f8186291c26e877e1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>facilitating interagency coordination;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3c5b337672b54eacb106f4a7c636d3e4"><enum>(C)</enum><text>promoting more efficient collaboration; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1f12a7c404024686a466348427a05689"><enum>(D)</enum><text>supplying specialized onsite assistance.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0a9e307c021a4240a5d75f8dd1bd100d"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Scope of work</header><text>In providing technical assistance for a covered project under this subsection, the head of the lead agency shall establish a scope of work that describes the actions that the head of the lead agency will take to resolve the outstanding issues and project delays.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idfa0afb8bbe634a48a7170989fe43e033"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In providing technical assistance for a covered project under this subsection, the head of the lead agency shall consult, if appropriate, with participating agencies on all methods available to resolve any outstanding issues and project delays for a covered project as expeditiously as practicable.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8273c8e1f1434a1f8f9a2f5145666984"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Judicial review</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (k), nothing in this section affects the reviewability of any final Federal agency action in a court of—</text><paragraph id="idB4AD722479F04E83BCFA2E4401DD5F3D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the United States; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id0997A4DAB06B44E9BBF847B8AB46E9BC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any State.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7ad7ab825b6647f880b030c5410b2122"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Efficiency of claims</header><paragraph id="ide2c3398bf90e47b190110db7b99ef87d"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Statute of limitations</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of an authorization issued or denied by a Federal agency for a project shall be barred unless the claim is filed by 150 days after the later of the date on which the authorization is final in accordance with the law under which the agency action is taken and the date of publication of a notice that the environmental document is final in accordance with NEPA, unless a shorter time is specified in the Federal law pursuant to which judicial review is allowed.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4209e43a950e4e1aaffcb30eca3f0381"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Expedited review</header><text>A court of competent jurisdiction shall set for expedited consideration any claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of an authorization issued or denied by a Federal agency, or a State agency acting pursuant to Federal law, for a project. </text></paragraph><paragraph id="id77c8cdd644a54b759ff6f0bed55211d5"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Remanded actions</header><subparagraph id="id0ecfe3d00eb740059ade6e6105fa1307"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If a court of competent jurisdiction remands a final Federal agency action for a project to the Federal agency, the court shall set a reasonable schedule and deadline for the agency to act on remand, which shall not exceed 180 days from the date on which the order of the court was issued, unless a longer time period is necessary to comply with applicable law.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4c30e9b34f2c4954abb0c7999802a9b1"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Expedited treatment of remanded actions</header><text>The head of the Federal agency to which a court remands a final Federal agency action under subparagraph (A) shall take such actions as may be necessary to provide for the expeditious disposition of the action on remand in accordance with the schedule and deadline set by the court under that subparagraph.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id72d6897ec4d74bdca63d789fadaac4fd"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Random assignment of cases</header><text>To the maximum extent practicable, district courts of the United States and courts of appeals of the United States shall randomly assign cases seeking judicial review of any authorization issued by a Federal agency for a project to judges appointed, designated, or assigned to sit as judges of the court in a manner to avoid the appearance of favoritism or bias.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id903BA5A7073041B0A66EE51890B4CB3E"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Effect of subsection</header><text>Nothing in this subsection—</text><subparagraph id="id3328010F784D4DA68D7DF1A59EB32EC2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>establishes a right to judicial review; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id14CD4F3B295E40098BAC47B7B17E4D79"><enum>(B)</enum><text>places any limit on filing a claim that a person has violated the terms of an authorization.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0c0ef259aa3b45009498f628a632feca"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Treatment of supplemental or revised environmental documents</header><text>With respect to a project—</text><subparagraph id="idf00db0bc865043c885cb114001dbbe80"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the preparation of a supplemental or revised environmental document for the project, when required, shall be considered to be a separate final agency action for purposes of the deadline under subparagraph (B); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb46cb63b70e34d8c9b404cab749e4c87"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the deadline for filing a claim for judicial review of that action shall be the date that is 150 days after the date of publication of a notice in the Federal Register announcing the final agency action, unless a shorter time is specified in the Federal law pursuant to which judicial review is authorized.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4cd1a0c8483242c3affe8e58d03dd56a"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Improving transparency in project status</header><paragraph id="id37d200e3c3a046ef86449944b74ab8f7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall—</text><subparagraph id="idd082a0bb96574ea6a3e3973f3b321943"><enum>(A)</enum><text>use the searchable internet website maintained under section 41003(b) of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m-2">42 U.S.C. 4370m–2(b)</external-xref>) to make publicly available—</text><clause id="id22822277FA72462E9BDA1FDD954DE404"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the status, schedule, and progress of each major project, including a project for which an authorization is being sought or that is subject to an environmental review process initiated prior to the date of enactment of this Act, with respect to compliance with the applicable requirements of NEPA, any authorization, and any other Indian Tribe, State, or local agency authorization required for the major project; and </text></clause><clause id="id81357806bd104120a3903e8be885a07e"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a list of the participating agencies for each major project; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id358ab122d97945ab84a67a4937dd87aa"><enum>(B)</enum><text>establish such reporting standards as are necessary to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A), which shall include requirements—</text><clause commented="no" id="id5490df3f01394ba1beb5bf994438c765"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to track major projects from initiation through the date that final authorizations required to begin construction are issued or the major project is withdrawn; and</text></clause><clause commented="no" id="id61f61c1b7c384a0ea200d6735af8a6d0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to update the status, schedule, and progress of major projects to reflect any changes to the project status or schedule, including changes resulting from litigation (including any injunctions, vacatur of authorizations, and timelines for any additional authorization or environmental review process that is required as a result of litigation).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6ea6d08fbc2a42a39510c885b19d48f2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Federal, State, and local agency participation</header><subparagraph id="idbdcd3ab80e7c4da4ada07e5b25631c44"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Federal agencies</header><text>A Federal agency participating in the environmental review process or authorization process for a major project shall provide to the Secretary concerned information relating to the status and progress of the authorization of the major project for publication on the internet website referred to in paragraph (1)(A), consistent with the standards established under paragraph (1)(B).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id90f8c39e168b4c5f801e9d9fdcf6eeb7"><enum>(B)</enum><header>State and local agencies</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall encourage State and local agencies participating in the environmental review process or authorization process for a major project to provide information relating to the status and progress of the authorization of the major project for publication on the internet website referred to in paragraph (1)(A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idf906e424efb545eca4683357880374dd"><enum>(m)</enum><header>Accountability and reporting for major projects</header><text>Each Secretary concerned shall—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="id272A6C9D7E8344BBA81F509521183A80"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, establish a performance accountability system for the agency represented by the Secretary concerned; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id54173583D76E461193FA0ABCD2439D15"><enum>(2)</enum><text>on establishment of the performance accountability system under paragraph (1), and not less frequently than annually thereafter, publish a report describing performance accountability for each major project authorization and review conducted during the preceding year by the agency represented by the Secretary concerned, including—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="ida5f60f8edf0c4ec8bd2de410d2906c23"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for each major project for which that agency serves as a lead agency or a participating agency, the extent to which the agency is achieving compliance with each schedule established under this section for an authorization, environmental review process, or consultation;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="ida41c6252a45d425abbd95f5e95dd7158"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for each major project for which that agency serves as a lead agency, information regarding the average time required to complete each applicable authorization and the environmental review process; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="ida6f67f678f7b4ca8b69ab59606430966"><enum>(C)</enum><text>for each major project for which that agency serves as a participating agency with jurisdiction over an authorization, information regarding the average time required to complete the authorization process.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id81b411f2e9ae452482632a81fbcb3de1"><enum>(n)</enum><header>Programmatic compliance</header><paragraph id="idecfc717843294146b3d35bedcb6e4385"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall allow for the use of programmatic approaches to conduct environmental reviews that—</text><subparagraph id="id29bc51ec1b5041bb91c36f3db5808e33"><enum>(A)</enum><text>eliminate repetitive discussions of the same issue;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idacb27e9501994557af018c0de3a5e2d7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>focus on the issues ripe for analysis at each level of review; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6ee7c6459c174793b5deda11cc6e09ac"><enum>(C)</enum><text>are consistent with—</text><clause id="id46a20d89b83640a5b78d9dbdc7484348"><enum>(i)</enum><text>NEPA; and</text></clause><clause id="id56e5f6eb54e54574b0ec5ad85e192af9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>other applicable laws.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ide5f9c08376e74604b2f366d4c97c6876"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>In carrying out this subsection, each lead agency shall ensure that programmatic approaches to conduct environmental review processes—</text><subparagraph id="id252e73bf853e4a9eb07d9f18e3235535"><enum>(A)</enum><text>promote transparency, including the transparency of—</text><clause id="id7468e77d741b482b955aa26d8548b3f0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the analyses and data used in the environmental review process;</text></clause><clause id="id9847a0ed30ad45efa832735eebc39990"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the treatment of any deferred issues raised by agencies or the public; and</text></clause><clause id="idbd8bfda5163442868234cf06bcc59c3a"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the temporal and spatial scales to be used to analyze issues under clauses (i) and (ii);</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0685f818b4aa4266ae132c681b8033fd"><enum>(B)</enum><text>use accurate and timely information, including through the establishment of—</text><clause id="idd994a3c5cc0b44fa9e716fa948797b95"><enum>(i)</enum><text>criteria for determining the general duration of the usefulness of the environmental review process; and</text></clause><clause id="id78e16206148245f997fa080910139ea6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a timeline for updating any out-of-date environmental review process;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id75fd4abdaf394da5af22b05c343a4dec"><enum>(C)</enum><text>describe—</text><clause id="idc0403413c0f24a5ca04f499a42b02710"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the relationship between any programmatic analysis and future tiered analysis; and</text></clause><clause id="id1d9ee02d433641bba4cfb1e5a2229cd9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the role of the public in the creation of future tiered analyses;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf39a605335814ab18c981db8eedfb151"><enum>(D)</enum><text>are available to other relevant Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and the public; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idefbb1deb3e754437926fd1cb160ca7f9"><enum>(E)</enum><text>provide notice and public comment opportunities consistent with applicable requirements.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idf4578e89a711494a8ad3bfe074be7f8d"><enum>(o)</enum><header>Development of categorical exclusions</header><paragraph id="id77b1e75cce85406b8242e6e7b946dd44"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 4 years thereafter, each Secretary concerned, in consultation with the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, shall—</text><subparagraph id="iddab82d1a58eb47e7a4c65d05809c5b79"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in consultation with the other agencies described in paragraph (2), as applicable, identify each categorical exclusion available to such an agency that would accelerate delivery of a project if the categorical exclusion was available to the Secretary concerned; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id98b4b2a3a2c5446b91a47e937f85a54d"><enum>(B)</enum><text>collect existing documentation and substantiating information relating to each categorical exclusion identified under subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1b137ca1d29b469aaed8168bb3bbf1ac"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Description of agencies</header><text>The agencies referred to in paragraph (1) are—</text><subparagraph id="idc2815c14743b4752bb063257d2ac75b8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Department of Agriculture;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7b8f7f581ca24ee38571b622cfc8f112"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Department of the Army;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idce9bbb9bc80d4c81aa251a8bc9e76ddb"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Department of Commerce;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0ac4904653f24c909ef053d2620e6de0"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Department of Defense;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0122262f0c2941ce9ce78de40cdfd772"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the Department of Energy;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id02a759f0e5544e9bb2e0cc12dcc4a4e8"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the Department of the Interior;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2e33020b032f4037a083b741a0310ff2"><enum>(G)</enum><text>the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id202823ebdc7a4d1ab0e5e11417b11611"><enum>(H)</enum><text>any other Federal agency that has participated in an environmental review process for a project, as determined by the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idc83f6f6eab6a42119439f15414864989"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Adoption of categorical exclusions</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date on which categorical exclusions are identified under paragraph (1)(A), each Secretary concerned shall—</text><subparagraph id="idEA8975EEC0954BB5A590DA65876D6221"><enum>(A)</enum><text>determine whether any such categorical exclusion meets the applicable criteria for a categorical exclusion under—</text><clause id="idAF2C0F313EE44F9797A02D828BEA8303"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the NEPA implementing regulations; and</text></clause><clause id="id1A55F7C44F0F43919B107491AACB3E68"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any relevant regulations of the agency represented by the Secretary concerned; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE0E45F38599A483BB50D10867F57BE26"><enum>(B)</enum><text>publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to propose the adoption of any identified categorical exclusion that—</text><clause id="id69C60C9853844219BD798AA5684989D4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is applicable to the agency represented by the Secretary concerned; and</text></clause><clause id="id443DD2EF46ED48ED920FB00614DBD5F3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>meets the applicable criteria described in subparagraph (A).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id551cc057b7134a84ae8ee57661c88846"><enum>(p)</enum><header>Additions to categorical exclusions</header><paragraph id="ide7d35fde6f0f4dc68b26e19bba0aeccf"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and not later than 5 years thereafter, each Secretary concerned shall—</text><subparagraph id="idb94eda029b37486aa0a87cf82f2f9163"><enum>(A)</enum><text>conduct a survey regarding the use by the agency represented by the Secretary concerned of categorical exclusions for projects during the 5-year period preceding the date of the survey;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb5bc2999c21b4d17a0c85bf8d14a2255"><enum>(B)</enum><text>publish a review of the survey under subparagraph (A) that includes a description of—</text><clause id="id3050c735d7b344b18155d6950e785d89"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the types of actions eligible for each categorical exclusion covered by the survey; and</text></clause><clause id="id953fd76cd3774440a7f455639ad557da"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any requests previously received by the Secretary concerned for new categorical exclusions; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id34762bddbfa8493c9f0cd8b0669e7f2f"><enum>(C)</enum><text>solicit requests for new categorical exclusions.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idae24df48d651456d83093ef269d7d158"><enum>(2)</enum><header>New categorical exclusions</header><text>Not later than 120 days after the date of a solicitation of requests under paragraph (1)(C), the Secretary concerned shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to propose the adoption of any such new categorical exclusions, to the extent that the categorical exclusions meet the applicable criteria for a categorical exclusions under—</text><subparagraph id="id84138401A9964B2B8161F2416FC3E579"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the NEPA implementing regulations; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA11797E6A25448709EBB9E123659E7DB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any relevant regulations of the agency represented by the Secretary concerned.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idd8a5fa06ebec4e989d24bc27dab2b4cf"><enum>103.</enum><header>Prioritizing energy projects of strategic national importance</header><subsection id="idd6847adb6e0442bbaf961399eac643a9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="id1f166ce2d0be45079e2005d69f599ef6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Critical mineral</header><text>The term <term>critical mineral</term> has the meaning given the term in section 7002(a) of the Energy Act of 2020 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/1606">30 U.S.C. 1606(a)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ide5d92f00a55a421dbad72a69d51cd5a0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Designated project</header><text>The term <term>designated project</term> means an energy project of strategic national importance designated for priority Federal review under subsection (b).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id79885800227c4a5d92c15ff55fc24d63"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Designation of projects</header><paragraph id="id2b5d974590be4711b6fe072549ec62a2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the heads of any other relevant Federal departments or agencies, as determined by the President, shall—</text><subparagraph id="id4F07456174414389BE357FB0DBE70A2C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>designate 25 energy projects of strategic national importance for priority Federal review, in accordance with this section; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2826DB37E0FA49609956821CCC9AB7C9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>publish a list of those designated projects in the Federal Register.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id97cf5b2a8cda4dafb8fb223118fd51e1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Updates</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date on which the President publishes the list under paragraph (1)(B), and every 180 days thereafter during the 10-year period beginning on that date, the President shall publish an updated list, which shall—</text><subparagraph id="id97CF24BA37504EBDA80A1C5B619B9AD0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>include not less than 25 designated projects; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id195E9567D17F48CB954C45321EA47F5A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>include each previously designated project until—</text><clause id="idf4e4065cebe84d64a7e9065cde94e7fe"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a final decision has been issued for each authorization for the designated project; or</text></clause><clause id="id562cce68a0ac483a90aa456b11531134"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the project sponsor withdraws its request for authorization.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ide94e2dac58624a9faf9eec9cbdcd433e"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Project types; first 7 years</header><text>During the 7-year period beginning on the date on which the President publishes the list under paragraph (1)(B), of the list of designated projects maintained on an ongoing basis pursuant to this subsection, not fewer than—</text><subparagraph id="idd3f9cbb2a5df4920b6902e13997e79b8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>5 shall be projects for the mining, extraction, beneficiation, or processing of critical minerals—</text><clause id="id695740f9b0104ec5b2b81e3517006654"><enum>(i)</enum><text>of which not fewer than 3 shall include new mining or extraction of critical minerals; and</text></clause><clause id="id75efd48154b24d29bf8d4a1750402a7d"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for which critical mineral production may occur as a byproduct;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9b341179d2f142df9a7d5bc22ffd0278"><enum>(B)</enum><text>7 shall be projects—</text><clause id="id0F119786E108412AAA183CBE1E112E76"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to generate electricity or store energy without the use of fossil fuels; or</text></clause><clause id="idDAD672EB7EF94B8397CD770BAEBEDE33"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to manufacture clean energy equipment;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbf932d266ad34094bc2264fad5d3c72d"><enum>(C)</enum><text>6 shall be projects to produce, process, transport, or store fossil fuel products, or biofuels, including projects to export or import those products from nations described in subsection (c)(3)(A)(vi);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide4a92dd981094c10a3d7c7a35c425046"><enum>(D)</enum><text>3 shall be electric transmission projects or projects using grid-enhancing technology;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id80fd176ca8c946faa6b0833bc8b93b79"><enum>(E)</enum><text>2 shall be projects to capture, transport, or store carbon dioxide, which may include the utilization of captured or displaced carbon dioxide emissions; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0e2c271e78a34d898e69c7538d8bad77"><enum>(F)</enum><text>2 shall be a project to produce, transport, or store clean hydrogen, including projects to export or import those products from nations described in subsection (c)(3)(A)(vi).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idd5ccb1c0ccb94911a6f510b223c1fa98"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Project types; phase-down</header><text>During the 3-year period beginning 7 years after the date on which the President publishes the list under paragraph (1)(B), of the list of designated projects maintained on an ongoing basis pursuant to this subsection, not fewer than—</text><subparagraph id="id8b3e914f9fa444289212260e6a52e119"><enum>(A)</enum><text>2 shall be projects for the mining, extraction, beneficiation, or processing of critical minerals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf6221ce5f184444a96a5c81b588e2864"><enum>(B)</enum><text>3 shall be projects described in paragraph (3)(B);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idfcc9201172324ba8ad9b623526f12f28"><enum>(C)</enum><text>3 shall be projects described in paragraph (3)(C);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0d087ca67ce249a89779bfdca426646c"><enum>(D)</enum><text>1 shall be a project described in paragraph (3)(D);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id41c80cb469044c69a619fb087d4f45a6"><enum>(E)</enum><text>1 shall be a project described in paragraph (3)(E); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id149d7f90a44a405e93774b80e2a8917c"><enum>(F)</enum><text>1 shall be a project described in paragraph (3)(F).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id35617594fa504533a63b4891a5c9f017"><enum>(5)</enum><header>List of projects meeting each category threshold; insufficient applications</header><subparagraph id="id0660e9972b784b4f8f3aaf46025fc364"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), during the 10-year period beginning on the date on which the President publishes the list under paragraph (1)(B), the President shall maintain a list of designated projects that meet the minimum threshold for the applicable category of projects under each subparagraph of paragraph (3) or (4), as applicable.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ida56ccc3b792e4ac3962f9ea4fe9d2308"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Insufficient applications</header><text>If the number of applications submitted that meet the requirements for a designated project for a category of projects under a subparagraph of paragraph (3) or (4), as applicable, is not sufficient to meet the minimum threshold under that subparagraph, the President shall designate the maximum number of applications submitted that meet the requirements for a designated project for the applicable category until a sufficient number of applications meeting the requirements for a designated project for such category has been submitted.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3086F12A89AC464FB5037D9D7BD9EEED"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Selection and priority requirements</header><paragraph id="id91319005e4cd48a6b33e6bab2f47d2b6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The President shall carry out subsection (b) based on a review of applications for authorizations or other reviews submitted to the Corps of Engineers, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Maritime Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id8fc13cd6ac4d4042ba5e95728ac9183a"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>The President shall designate under subsection (b) only projects that the President determines are likely—</text><subparagraph id="id43b5c699c44d45f6aff42d90424a735e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to require an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under NEPA;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf88fdf13f9944edc8515147b5db0168f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to require review by more than 2 Federal or State agencies;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id35fd4db827c242bbb982b444dd90c43c"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to have a total project cost of more than $250,000,000; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id498c72871bde4242a86f1c218f33220b"><enum>(D)</enum><text>to have sufficient financial support from the project sponsor to ensure project completion.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id8e1f47835ae947a3bff3637d90aace8f"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Priority</header><subparagraph id="idcdec7bc66e8a4fdda5ff439f81e1949d"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In considering projects to designate under subsection (b), the President shall give priority to projects the completion of which will significantly advance 1 or more of the following objectives:</text><clause id="id02047f0c8fae49df8f74f0eb14f3eb31"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Reducing energy prices in the United States.</text></clause><clause id="id1d230bc915f94db1880f67c2c86ccbd7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.</text></clause><clause id="id5054006847504066829805d685801968"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Improving electric reliability in North America.</text></clause><clause id="id409be8687dbf47aa8c1f8d7ff8aa4f06"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Advancing emerging energy technologies.</text></clause><clause id="id0e8c60a28ea843049220181768e13f18"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Improving the domestic supply chains for, and manufacturing of, energy products, energy equipment, and critical minerals.</text></clause><clause id="idbb9a0ec86c1e4406b106903593e01164"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Increasing energy trade between the United States and—</text><subclause id="idb00bd94f6807430fa3ca9a6bf6e011c9"><enum>(I)</enum><text>nations that are signatories to free trade agreements with the United States that cover the trade of energy products;</text></subclause><subclause id="id4dff73704c024573af19fa5838b72d5c"><enum>(II)</enum><text>members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;</text></subclause><subclause id="idef266955da0a4eddb6057ddbf60f66fd"><enum>(III)</enum><text>members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development;</text></subclause><subclause id="ida19b38a332db4c54be0919ad96cad294"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>nations with a transmission system operator that is included in the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, including as an observer member; or</text></subclause><subclause id="id3b557ca052904fb2a367ccba958970c2"><enum>(V)</enum><text>any other country designated as an ally or partner nation by the President for purposes of this section.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id10c5560a2d4944bdac6bdfa25becd3d5"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Reducing the reliance of the United States on the supply chains of foreign entities of concern (as defined in section 40207(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/18741">42 U.S.C. 18741(a)</external-xref>)).</text></clause><clause id="idb7598f45fc234dd88be77f08c2a0b28b"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>To the extent practicable, minimizing development impacts through the use of existing—</text><subclause id="id195eaa631c374aa093eb2786abffea87"><enum>(I)</enum><text>rights-of-way;</text></subclause><subclause id="idf02444c73572460fbbf786564ed735c2"><enum>(II)</enum><text>facilities; or</text></subclause><subclause id="id790a34659b0f49c386b4952390fd491d"><enum>(III)</enum><text>other infrastructure.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="iddd0711f4a21949b3bf73eb4dc63be7f8"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>Creating jobs—</text><subclause id="idacb6db003aa0470bb3de6ab584e86f6c"><enum>(I)</enum><text>with wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar projects in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/40/31">chapter 31</external-xref> of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the <quote>Davis-Bacon Act</quote>); and</text></subclause><subclause id="id92059855e46c4d6592bc13b8f948ac4f"><enum>(II)</enum><text>with consideration of the magnitude and timing of the direct and indirect employment impacts of carrying out the project.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idfc3b3ad7261143babd225f578d292ad3"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Other priority</header><text>In considering projects to designate for the category of projects described in subsection (b)(3)(C), in addition to the priorities specified in subparagraph (A), the President shall give priority to projects the completion of which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idec251b72518b43708e3556cdd8db7874"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reviews of designated projects</header><paragraph id="id29f13d8a6cb04bd180d6c58b93a71bef"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The President shall, in consultation with the applicable department and agency heads, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, direct Federal agencies through executive order to prioritize the completion of the environmental review process and decisions on authorizations for designated projects.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idf269cae42a7c4170afc7b9af4e472b7c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Timelines</header><text>To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with applicable Federal law, the President shall complete—</text><subparagraph id="ide7eda437fb754032aa2f7938896a21ee"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the environmental review process—</text><clause id="idD0898C16C7504DFE977092FEE636913A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the case of a designated project for which the lead agency determines an environmental impact statement is required, not later than 2 years after the date of publication by the lead agency of a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement to the record of decision; and</text></clause><clause id="id40ef650b71934831bfa288fccae83b1f"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of a designated project for which the lead agency determines an environmental assessment is required, not later than 1 year after the date on which the head of the lead agency determines that an environmental assessment is required to a finding of no significant impact; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id54a5fce47d5640aca466d16ce5623b8e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>decisions on any outstanding authorization required for project construction within 180 days of the issuance of a record of decision or finding of no significant impact under subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id687a9962e6b14985afae89c37c542dc4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Streamlining review process</header><text>A designated project shall be considered a major project (as defined in section 102(a)) subject to the requirements of that section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id807f2b42fb3f4d8d95c5a40903f3eeb2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>NEPA</header><paragraph id="id3A99B5CF71AB40AD95CEA8CC524A63C1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Nothing in this section supersedes or modifies any applicable requirement, authority, or agency responsibility provided under NEPA.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idbc4049658e7d454ba6c56315d087eb25"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Designation of projects</header><text>The act of designating a project under subsections (b) and (c) shall not be subject to the <act-name parsable-cite="NEPA69">National Environmental Policy Act of 1969</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id02e3eeed2eb548f582841fe59e104c2c"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the President shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing— </text><paragraph id="idfc59200f3b8f4f31b4b762985fa6820e"><enum>(1)</enum><text>each designated project and the basis for designating that project pursuant to subsection (c);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id547a737499154d979d29c2f4ea37ff1a"><enum>(2)</enum><text>for each designated project, all outstanding authorizations, environmental reviews, consultations, public comment periods, or other Federal, State, or local reviews required for project completion; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idec19efccf1f9424a8a071ec5a248acd8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>for each authorization, environmental review, consultation, public comment period, or other review under paragraph (2)—</text><subparagraph id="idE440687DAD204DD59F8E601B99FCDFE0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an estimated completion date; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbd8fb2229a474f07896977f08f3e4fa9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an explanation of—</text><clause id="id2cd78ebce1814bd1acb61dfe3d207f61"><enum>(i)</enum><text>any delays meeting the timelines established in this section or in applicable Federal, State, or local law; and</text></clause><clause id="idec07f75958744442be503ce05fea6ba7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any changes to the date described in subparagraph (A) from a report previously submitted under this subsection.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8a333b15a13b42629cf0574365f930a1"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Funding</header><paragraph id="id971852a28f5c45bba334ae4cf63b21e0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Out of amounts appropriated under section 70007 of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/117/169">Public Law 117–169</external-xref> to the Environmental Review Improvement Fund established under section 41009(d)(1) of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m-8">42 U.S.C. 4370m–8(d)(1)</external-xref>), $250,000,000 shall be used to provide funding to agencies to support more efficient, accurate, and timely reviews of designated projects in accordance with paragraph (2).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idb11f03680767463fbadc3029b901181a"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of funds</header><text>The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council shall prescribe the use of funds provided to agencies under paragraph (1), which may include—</text><subparagraph id="idED3DB9402A53482DA3CD2697392DA2B1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the hiring and training of personnel;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE18F9A27906F47D0A8B4FB65F49CBC4C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the development of programmatic documents;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id36C829D0F52A48AF83F05F2FD43F35E5"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the procurement of technical or scientific services for environmental reviews;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id40C9F027EF32420E9FAEA339D3EF8EC6"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the development of data or information systems;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3BFD56C7CCF941768A84C74E36B9FDE2"><enum>(E)</enum><text>stakeholder and community engagement;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id56AFBC10B0C341C9BA55AA6B5CC243E7"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the purchase of new equipment for analysis; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8DF10F481C3F43309FDF351A4C1D17AE"><enum>(G)</enum><text>the development of geographic information systems and other analytical tools, techniques, and guidance to improve agency transparency, accountability, and public engagement.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idb7608bd507114843b1fa811957fed2e9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, not more than $1,500,000 shall be allocated to support the review of a single designated project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3f1d9211e120429a861d2a0ff23a4745"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Supplement not supplant</header><text>Funds appropriated under this subsection shall be used in addition to existing funding mechanisms, including agency user fees and application fees.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id2D575C2E5E7549F6892FDF80C375823B"><enum>104.</enum><header>Empowering the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council and improving reviews</header><subsection id="idEBF456544D8942B4B70CEBB3855A1C78"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition of covered project</header><text>Section 41001(6)(A) of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m">42 U.S.C. 4370m(6)(A)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id97704A0825A744C8838C033353F7EEEA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting <quote>critical mineral mining, production, beneficiation, or processing,</quote> before <quote>electricity transmission</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3941af6616dc457494c30854be7c3f19"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in clause (i), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4DE6056BB5374D8DBDE579BC51EEE96B" style="OLC"><subclause id="id6430EE7C67C146DBA727C2A333C2F5CF" indent="up1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>is likely to require a total investment of—</text><item id="idA5FBEB5EBBA74C7BBA885B09FA30E9DE"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>more than $200,000,000; or</text></item><item id="id71711BAEDB7D4E0CB3451E60A64CDE74"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>in the case of a project for the construction, production, transportation, storage, or generation of energy, more than $50,000,000; and</text></item></subclause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idb9da99af741442c28ee9b0daf5102edf"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Transparency</header><text>Section 41003(b)(2)(A)(iii) of the FAST Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4370m-2">42 U.S.C. 4370m–2(b)(2)(A)(iii)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id04E0D657B7274285AAD0A5E4C10F31C0" style="OLC"><subclause id="id1a93ca6403d1453caca30e3ca70233b0"><enum>(III)</enum><header>Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act</header><text>The Secretary of the Interior shall create and maintain a specific entry on the Dashboard for the preparation and revision of the oil and gas leasing program required under section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1344">43 U.S.C. 1344</external-xref>).</text></subclause><subclause id="idd66914f75d234da9977fe629d5b88d3b"><enum>(IV)</enum><header>Additional energy projects</header><text>The Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Energy, as applicable, shall create and maintain a specific entry on the Dashboard for any project that is a designated project (as defined in section 103(a) of the <short-title>Building American Energy Security Act of 2023</short-title>) for which a notice of initiation under subsection (a)(1)(A) has not been submitted, unless the project is already included on the Dashboard as a covered project.</text></subclause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section><section id="ida60fc839a7fa4145a45615f95f64f572"><enum>105.</enum><header>Litigation transparency</header><subsection id="id3878589cc2de4f20879062574e666493"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="id9e437c1f37914720af63fbbf9665370f"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Covered civil action</header><text>The term <term>covered civil action</term> means a civil action—</text><subparagraph id="id93151b161e0942f79f092e01d3d53174"><enum>(A)</enum><text>seeking to compel agency action affecting a project, as defined under section 102 of this Act; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc4863bb5277f4fc6b9181d9d1c7766a9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>brought under—</text><clause id="id1da35f219e624702a768cec15c39e43b"><enum>(i)</enum><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/7">chapter 7</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code; or</text></clause><clause id="id9c6164a2276b429aa8ee8191f3f36325"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any other statute authorizing such an action.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id4d071c2cc2424406ad706d060bcd028a"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered consent decree</header><text>The term <term>covered consent decree</term> means a consent decree entered into in a covered civil action.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id0b13f910fd4f433c8973435d5afaf36d"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Covered consent decree or settlement agreement</header><text>The term <term>covered consent decree or settlement agreement</term> means a covered consent decree and a covered settlement agreement.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idb78593d40f354596af8240da9a6fd386"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Covered settlement agreement</header><text>The term <term>covered settlement agreement</term> means a settlement agreement entered into in a covered civil action.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idc2862dde2d7e4c298ecbc987585ca447"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Transparency</header><paragraph id="idaa67a32da6cd4050ab9ae63132475178"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Pleadings and preliminary matters</header><subparagraph id="idb7b7b69cd2554f9688eca666f87347dd"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In any covered civil action, the agency against which the covered civil action is brought shall publish the notice of intent to sue and the complaint in a readily accessible manner, including by making the notice of intent to sue and the complaint available online not later than 15 days after receiving service of the notice of intent to sue or complaint, respectively.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idea6c5145f2bc47d18bbea1fdd22c8bc9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Entry of a covered consent decree or settlement agreement</header><text>A party may not make a motion for entry of a covered consent decree or to dismiss a civil action pursuant to a covered settlement agreement until after the requirements of subparagraph (A) have been met.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id580d06553eac459f978fa96bd6fbe96f"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Publication of covered consent decrees or settlement agreements; public comment</header><text>Not later than 30 days before the date on which a covered consent decree or settlement agreement is filed with a court, the agency seeking to enter the covered consent decree or settlement agreement shall—</text><subparagraph id="id1f03991b88604c869399cd18eb71d884"><enum>(A)</enum><text>publish online the proposed covered consent decree or settlement agreement; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3826c89f54114bed977ca24a2cdaeee8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide a reasonable opportunity by notice in the Federal Register to persons who are not named as parties or interveners to the covered civil action to comment in writing.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4b5dcc9fa1514c8f9f44cd699653283d"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consideration of public comment</header><text>An agency seeking to enter a covered consent decree or settlement agreement shall promptly consider any written comments received under subsection (b)(2)(B) and may withdraw or withhold consent to the proposed consent decree or settlement agreement if the comments disclose facts or considerations that indicate that the consent is inappropriate, improper, inadequate, or inconsistent with any provision of law.</text></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Modernizing permitting laws</header><section id="id3b8c2b30cbe8431cba4e1c7e39c8272f"><enum>201.</enum><header>Transmission</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id90da71b1c0a2408aa9bdeb1bae9ebd40"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Construction permit</header><text>Section 216 of the Federal Power Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/824p">16 U.S.C. 824p</external-xref>) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA0D2C072982F4A6383E45FE44CA0C646"><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf8ac5adace8149f9bda9fe61e2fe0d50"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Construction permit</header><text>Except as provided in subsections (d)(1) and (i), the Commission may, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, issue 1 or more permits for the construction or modification of electric transmission facilities necessary in the national interest if the Commission finds that—</text><paragraph id="iddcfbb5ca1b2848b789a0c266f9ae08f6"><enum>(1)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id66a7a3362771402b95df0c23352066ae"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a State in which the transmission facilities are to be constructed or modified does not have authority to—</text><clause id="idacf646df72b44ba089544deede4296cf" indent="up1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>approve the siting of the facilities; or</text></clause><clause id="iddb4fa766ac5f49a3968f1dcf99e9de02" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>consider the interstate benefits or interregional benefits expected to be achieved by the proposed construction or modification of transmission facilities in the State;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id23bacb060cde40c5b799dd0bf0a61a72" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the applicant for a permit is a transmitting utility under this Act but does not qualify to apply for a permit or siting approval for the proposed project in a State because the applicant does not serve end-use customers in the State; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7222557000364659ae800b02cbf8fc71" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a State commission or other entity that has authority to approve the siting of the facilities—</text><clause id="idFC4E8D09EA104E6895221F59DC1A6CD3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>has not made a determination on an application seeking approval pursuant to applicable law by the date that is 1 year after the date on which the application was filed with the State commission or other entity;</text></clause><clause id="id9d66273847d7427990e07a468bd1d4bf"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has conditioned its approval in such a manner that the proposed construction or modification will not significantly reduce transmission capacity constraints or congestion in interstate commerce or is not economically feasible; or</text></clause><clause id="idfa11174cb18b4d5a8e2963d0e7fdac44"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>has denied an application seeking approval pursuant to applicable law;</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id5d863e15f2d14cd28c983227a3338f4d"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the proposed facilities will be used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate (including transmission from the outer Continental Shelf to a State) or foreign commerce;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id036bd2fa26d34d16b6447a203ea4f53d"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the proposed construction or modification is consistent with the public interest;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3097267028b2445592f39c2e4f6b893c"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the proposed construction or modification will—</text><subparagraph id="id28c307ab0b1e4ac39ac73145970a6cd8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>significantly reduce transmission congestion in interstate commerce; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idae9131930bf540fca2bd975f6cb03ec4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>protect or benefit consumers;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id8639796c53584935b21f325be3ade245"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the proposed construction or modification—</text><subparagraph id="id9bff8694637e4be4837cceea2c8dc545"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is consistent with sound national energy policy; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf732977631c548a49463965f094820d1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>will enhance energy independence; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id2376fb08b4d24c5f8118f12144e23300"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the proposed modification will maximize, to the extent reasonable and economical, the transmission capabilities of existing towers or structures.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5fbee0bed5834d25aba8c4a6df121e2a"><enum>(b)</enum><header>State siting and consultation</header><text>Section 216 of the Federal Power Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/824p">16 U.S.C. 824p</external-xref>) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3f74125847064c3494977849ab8d9241"><subsection id="ida9edb11b232849fa9281b878e07a7566"><enum>(d)</enum><header>State siting and consultation</header><paragraph id="id048e6807fc484175a0f9bfd10c70e30b"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Preservation of State siting authority</header><text>The Commission shall have no authority to issue a permit under subsection (b) for the construction or modification of an electric transmission facility within a State except as provided in paragraph (1) of that subsection.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idc7a3844cfe424975aef084e025207874"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In any proceeding before the Commission under subsection (b), the Commission shall afford each State in which a transmission facility covered by the permit is or will be located, each affected Federal agency and Indian Tribe, private property owners, and other interested persons a reasonable opportunity to present their views and recommendations with respect to the need for and impact of a facility covered by the permit.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id9252e8cd1ddf458ab5ff16347455da77"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rights-of-Way</header><text>Section 216(e) of the Federal Power Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/824p">16 U.S.C. 824p(e)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id00303b070ba547fb9049be9cf237cec8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>or a State</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idbd41ec28f58249b7b793a3a6955db924"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida901534ff21048fb81acfcd2ca71c279"><paragraph id="id7162b70761884f999b93e46ec00ccdae"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Compensation for property taken under this subsection shall be determined and awarded by the district court of the United States in accordance with section 3114(c) of title 40, United States Code.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ide7f9ef8a83c64214b0c165ef175c1c70"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Cost allocation</header><paragraph id="id13e1526985ae42f497869936b164c901"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 216 of the Federal Power Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/824p">16 U.S.C. 824p</external-xref>) is amended by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id92257ac57dda44ceb44b2e0c87f5d1a6"><subsection id="idfd451820dd5540de9d1ae9fe039b393f"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Cost allocation</header><paragraph id="id30419ce9bac44a48907cb20c4e46ad37"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Transmission tariffs</header><text>For the purposes of this section, any transmitting utility that owns, controls, or operates electric transmission facilities that the Commission finds to be consistent with the findings under paragraphs (2) through (5) and, if applicable, (6) of subsection (b) shall file a tariff with the Commission in accordance with section 205 and the regulations of the Commission allocating the costs of the new or modified transmission facilities.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ide5a42a19237c4da3b978cc6af8c1064e"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Cost allocation principles</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Commission shall require that tariffs filed under this subsection fairly reflect and allocate the costs of providing service to each class of customers, including improved reliability, reduced congestion, reduced power losses, greater carrying capacity, reduced operating reserve requirements, and improved access to generation, in accordance with cost allocation principles of the Commission.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3c9490bd151d4ff2ad29c873b1943e5b"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Cost causation principle</header><text>The cost of electric transmission facilities described in paragraph (1) shall be allocated to customers within the transmission planning region or regions that benefit from the facilities in a manner that is at least roughly commensurate with the estimated benefits described in paragraph (2).</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="id922359de3854471389d095cec3b61484"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Savings clause</header><text>If the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission finds that the considerations under paragraphs (2) through (5) and, if applicable, (6) of subsection (b) of section 216 of the Federal Power Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/824p">16 U.S.C. 824p</external-xref>) (as amended by subsection (a)) are met, nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to exclude transmission facilities located on the outer Continental Shelf from being eligible for cost allocation established under subsection (f)(1) of that section (as amended by paragraph (1)).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id476037c8c322482885db2d5ec9008cd5"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Coordination of federal authorizations for transmission facilities</header><text>Section 216(h) of the Federal Power Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/824p">16 U.S.C. 824p(h)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id38becb3dc6ca4256bda750e3c19d4da2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: “, except that—</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1e4cf67950d94417a26e2c471023eb44"><subparagraph id="id4c3ca6a5261144758bc859d1d5295401"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Commission shall act as the lead agency in the case of facilities permitted under subsection (b); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd5064bd6e9cc4920b0e83b22e2730169"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Department of the Interior shall act as the lead agency in the case of facilities located on a lease, easement, or right-of-way granted by the Secretary of the Interior under section 8(p)(1)(C) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1337">43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(1)(C)</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="id5085800638194daca4e50700c8de86a9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in each of paragraphs (3), (4)(B), (4)(C), (5)(B), (6)(A), (7)(A), (7)(B)(i), (8)(A)(i), and (9), by striking <quote>Secretary</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>lead agency</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4f584fd0159344908132bd31181f1912"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in paragraph (4)(A), by striking <quote>As head of the lead agency, the Secretary</quote> and inserting <quote>The lead agency</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idbea31b58b96b4d84aad01641a29b23ef"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in paragraph (5)(A), by striking <quote>As lead agency head, the Secretary</quote> and inserting <quote>The lead agency</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id0fb6ee10e69f49fab813d03e8eb9e884"><enum>(5)</enum><text>in paragraph (7)—</text><subparagraph id="id2d323cde5f094033b3db8c9143288822"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>18 months after the date of enactment of this section</quote> and inserting <quote>18 months after the date of enactment of the <short-title>Building American Energy Security Act of 2023</short-title></quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id945e009563fd4c7f9a1741efa207c1cf"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking <quote>1 year after the date of enactment of this section</quote> and inserting <quote>18 months after the date of enactment of the <short-title>Building American Energy Security Act of 2023</short-title></quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD93A553A032C4205BEB51083E9C3B902"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Interstate compacts</header><text>Section 216(i)(4) of the Federal Power Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/824p">16 U.S.C. 824p(i)(4)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>in disagreement</quote> in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that follows through the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting <quote>unable to reach an agreement on an application seeking approval by the date that is 1 year after the date on which the application for the facility was filed.</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="id4e3c5619b0e643a99671c8bcd44a25e2"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Transmission infrastructure investment</header><text>Section 219(b)(4) of the Federal Power Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/824s">16 U.S.C. 824s(b)(4)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id1991f5ca810b4b9b9e0eecd9203d50a0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>and</quote> after the semicolon at the end;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ided05179a8ccd4e24a2d11cd727e2505d"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id56ac2704526f43f2b2bebb3c4be0a264"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd49e28f2d59842db84838ae8cf161002"><subparagraph id="id08d304f639d34408a0b3d7314d8026f3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>all prudently incurred costs associated with payments to jurisdictions impacted by electric transmission facilities developed pursuant to section 216.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9bf0244979cf487980f1c68ad5e6c8eb"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 50151(b) of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/117/169">Public Law 117–169</external-xref> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/18715">42 U.S.C. 18715(b)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>facilities designated by the Secretary to be necessary in the national interest</quote> and inserting <quote>facilities in national interest electric transmission corridors designated by the Secretary</quote>.</text></subsection></section><section id="id36e9394c71bb46a196880c23345947b8"><enum>202.</enum><header>Definition of natural gas under the Natural Gas Act</header><subsection id="idAEA019D440814ED2B5960561B9FC6875"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 2 of the Natural Gas Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/717a">15 U.S.C. 717a</external-xref>) is amended by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd5f6df70960c4bf49a245c01622cafa9" style="OLC"><paragraph id="id070722e1800141398bae8a7028d56c03"><enum>(5)</enum><text><term>Natural gas</term> means—</text><subparagraph id="id4dd2bb155ef6476a81ae8263daf4789d"><enum>(A)</enum><text>natural gas unmixed;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbaeea9ffb907432489ba78cdc40988cd"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any mixture of natural and artificial gas; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id14dc52e6327548458dfbf52522698a02"><enum>(C)</enum><text>hydrogen mixed or unmixed with natural gas.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id7d8e180c7cff4d9bb7bf4509c0094e57"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header><text>Section 7(c)(1)(A) of the Natural Gas Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/717f">15 U.S.C. 717f(c)(1)(A)</external-xref>) is amended, in the first sentence, in the proviso—</text><paragraph id="id37a902972e4f4ae7954f2459645f1f26"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>or, in the case of any person engaged in the transportation of natural gas described in section 2(5)(C), on the date of enactment of the <short-title>Building American Energy Security Act of 2023</short-title>,</quote> before <quote>over the route</quote>; and </text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3351a5d8bd704efd921f2709f60a8cc2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>within ninety days after the effective date of this amendatory Act</quote> and inserting <quote>within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act, or, in the case of any person engaged in the transportation of natural gas described in section 2(5)(C), within 90 days after the date of enactment of the <short-title>Building American Energy Security Act of 2023</short-title></quote>. </text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8ccb335ead52453c9e85e80b22545b12"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Savings clause</header><text>Nothing in this section or an amendment made by this section authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission—</text><paragraph id="id5fb5d9eb27f74e0297fbf14592bbaf3b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to order a natural-gas company under section 7(a) of the Natural Gas Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/717f">15 U.S.C. 717f(a)</external-xref>) to extend or modify the transportation facilities of the natural-gas company used for natural gas described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 2(5) of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/717a">15 U.S.C. 717a(5)</external-xref>) to transport natural gas described in subparagraph (C) of that section; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idbd5bb24a1ab84a1d845b77f37f4230dd"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to attach to a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under section 7(e) of the Natural Gas Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/717f">15 U.S.C. 717f(e)</external-xref>) any requirement that transportation facilities used for natural gas described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 2(5) of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/717a">15 U.S.C. 717a(5)</external-xref>) be capable of transporting natural gas described in subparagraph (C) of that section. </text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id88b34e5ce6e5407aa5d63dffa9e4c986" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>203.</enum><header>Authorization of Mountain Valley Pipeline</header><subsection id="idb83beb876b674e788e9e659edc45175d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Finding</header><text>Congress finds that the timely completion of the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline—</text><paragraph id="id0D95B33077994511AAB29DE204D258F9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is necessary—</text><subparagraph id="id137a5cfee74c47ad867a5831b84f773f"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to ensure an adequate and reliable supply of natural gas to consumers at reasonable prices;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd68627bcda614a1e956b4e9ad8c9717b"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to facilitate an orderly transition of the energy industry to cleaner fuels; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5B2301F570D340528EDE4A6E43081755"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to reduce carbon emissions; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id3ec8b566a7074024a5583c33944e7fb3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>is in the national interest.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7f92ce79d0774e0bacab02abd3748a56"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of this section is to require the appropriate Federal officers and agencies to take all necessary actions to permit the timely completion of the construction and operation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline without further administrative or judicial delay or impediment.</text></subsection><subsection id="id3a3458662ad64790ade34b2456a1ed9b"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="idEAD1ABDD65C047B298BE0C1B0051A725"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Commission</header><text>The term <term>Commission</term> means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id48AE124BE1C0419CB3AC789EE5AC2B89"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Mountain Valley Pipeline</header><text>The term <term>Mountain Valley Pipeline</term> means the Mountain Valley Pipeline Project, as generally described and approved in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Docket Nos. CP16–10 and CP19–477.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id4E752484FB9D4193A9BC32474E6F9004"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Secretary concerned</header><text>The term <term>Secretary concerned</term> means, as applicable—</text><subparagraph id="id664F97E92632470296409ABF82EAEC7A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of Agriculture;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCB2D6F5377CF4765AA85CCC8C2DD2354"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of the Interior; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEA934C545AC4497C8299B08837EB9EC0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Secretary of the Army.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id561928ceb1534915b138852429ee51ee"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of necessary approvals</header><paragraph id="id3683e8b93b5a4e728d3c5584c48a3a43"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Biological opinion and incidental take statement</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall issue a biological opinion and incidental take statement for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, substantially in the form of the biological opinion and incidental take statement for the Mountain Valley Pipeline issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on September 4, 2020.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id51b4b436ce214ae7bd6435121fd8a962"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Additional authorizations</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act—</text><subparagraph id="idb4e16c5421b849abae3ecbe5f7ba30ba"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of the Interior shall issue all rights-of-way, permits, leases, and other authorizations that are necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, substantially in the form approved in the record of decision of the Bureau of Land Management entitled <quote>Mountain Valley Pipeline and Equitrans Expansion Project Decision to Grant Right-of-Way and Temporary Use Permit</quote> and dated January 14, 2021;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0cb52804e0e646e7ac3c052ed6a17461"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of Agriculture shall amend the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Jefferson National Forest as necessary to permit the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Mountain Valley Pipeline within the Jefferson National Forest, substantially in the form approved in the record of decision of the Forest Service entitled <quote>Record of Decision for the Mountain Valley Pipeline and Equitrans Expansion Project</quote> and dated January 2021;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1bcb3aecb4e642c09e4cd03da6e44f6e"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Secretary of the Army shall issue all permits and verifications necessary to permit the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Mountain Valley Pipeline across waters of the United States; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ida50be02d814540248fddf0e1093bb984"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Commission shall—</text><clause id="id96C6CCD590B54BCC9AD468649E1718AB"><enum>(i)</enum><text>approve any amendments to the certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Commission on October 13, 2017 (161 FERC 61,043); and</text></clause><clause id="ida325cec11a094a2b9f77de2411867987"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>grant any extensions necessary to permit the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idec5a4f21c56b4c52b9d88264df1fb3c7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authority To modify prior decisions or approvals</header><text>In meeting the applicable requirements of subsection (d), a Secretary concerned may modify the applicable prior biological opinion, incidental take statement, right-of-way, amendment, permit, verification, or other authorization described in that subsection if the Secretary concerned determines that the modification is necessary—</text><paragraph id="id29391E31A93049C48DC204880E59FBF9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to correct a deficiency in the record; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idE055FD47A6544B4FA764FA49E85A3EFF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to protect the public interest or the environment.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7d542cdd46444cb7b39bfafbdc38ec10"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Relationship to other laws</header><paragraph id="id083af95860704081948b8fa9ac0a9839"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Determination to issue or grant</header><text>The requirements of subsection (d) shall supersede the provisions of any law (including regulations) relating to an administrative determination as to whether the biological opinion, incidental take statement, right-of-way, amendment, permit, verification, or other authorization shall be issued for the Mountain Valley Pipeline.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id732ac4c42fd14b9aac8a483ad0351d69"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Savings provision</header><text>Nothing in this section limits the authority of a Secretary concerned or the Commission to administer a right-of-way or enforce any permit or other authorization issued under subsection (d) in accordance with applicable laws (including regulations).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id16da3d12c81c4f04b9d09bdf96ba6768"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Judicial review</header><paragraph id="id3ffd9fdf42804d3e954874ec125e8357"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The actions of the Secretaries concerned and the Commission pursuant to subsection (d) that are necessary for the construction and initial operation at full capacity of the Mountain Valley Pipeline shall not be subject to judicial review.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id2ca506f336424271b378089de780904e"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other actions</header><text>The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over—</text><subparagraph id="idd01134e5bb09469593f0ca148f7f51c0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any claim alleging—</text><clause id="idB12BE6662AC94E98A7B0C27122E1F59C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the invalidity of this section; or</text></clause><clause id="idB34211F57462418F92CED3F184C59555"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>that an action is beyond the scope of authority conferred by this section; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id49a4029a405441648d42185dfab0e83f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any claim relating to any action taken by a Secretary concerned or the Commission relating to the Mountain Valley Pipeline other than an action described in paragraph (1).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idECACE1E2C8864E1C81AF84866CB4624A"><enum>204.</enum><header>Rights-of-way across Indian land</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The first section of the Act of February 5, 1948 (62 Stat. 17, chapter 45; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/25/323">25 U.S.C. 323</external-xref>), is amended by adding at the end the following: <quote>Any right-of-way granted by an Indian tribe for the purposes authorized under this section shall not require the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, on the condition that the right-of-way approval process by the Indian tribe substantially complies with subsection (h) of the first section of the Act of August 9, 1955 (69 Stat. 539, chapter 615; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/25/415">25 U.S.C. 415(h)</external-xref>), or the Indian tribe has approved regulations under paragraph (1) of that subsection.</quote>. </text></section><section id="idae466d5563de470284d429f00b63318c"><enum>205.</enum><header>Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staffing</header><subsection id="idee9b2cfbea134d8d92db349ac153d26f"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Consultation deadline</header><text>Section 401(k)(6) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/7171">42 U.S.C. 7171(k)(6)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc0b12d5bdcda4bc0bd9d29147fe3d18b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>The Chairman</quote> and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id40EB6A594ED84CF6BC4DEA40EBE5C477"><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id369bbbd6469e4bf492923673827fd3e7"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Chairman</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9a2805d75b344dbb9644dd2bf2033349"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4D862E5991EF45FB959EF34AEE7008BA"><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id12f7622ce5bb4cf8b9bd3fff3fa71531"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The requirement under subparagraph (A) shall be considered met if the Director of the Office of Personnel Management has not taken final action on a plan for applying authorities under this subsection within 120 days of submission of the plan by the Chairman to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2c3517623c5740528f0966a291ee913b" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elimination of reporting sunset</header><text>Section 11004(b)(1) of the Energy Act of 2020 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/7171">42 U.S.C. 7171</external-xref> note; <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/116/260">Public Law 116–260</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>thereafter for 10 years,</quote> and inserting <quote>thereafter,</quote>.</text></subsection></section>