[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4753 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4753

 To reform leasing, permitting, and judicial review for certain energy 
             and minerals projects, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 23, 2024

  Mr. Manchin (for himself and Mr. Barrasso) introduced the following 
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                           Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To reform leasing, permitting, and judicial review for certain energy 
             and minerals projects, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Permitting 
Reform Act of 2024''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                      TITLE I--ACCELERATING CLAIMS

Sec. 101. Accelerating claims.
        TITLE II--FEDERAL ONSHORE ENERGY LEASING AND PERMITTING

Sec. 201. Onshore oil and gas leasing.
Sec. 202. Term of application for permit to drill.
Sec. 203. Permitting compliance on non-Federal land.
Sec. 204. Coal leases on Federal land.
Sec. 205. Rights-of-way across Indian land.
Sec. 206. Accelerating renewable energy permitting.
Sec. 207. Improving renewable energy coordination on Federal land.
Sec. 208. Geothermal leasing and permitting improvements.
Sec. 209. Electric grid projects.
Sec. 210. Hardrock mining mill sites.
       TITLE III--FEDERAL OFFSHORE ENERGY LEASING AND PERMITTING

Sec. 301. Offshore oil and gas leasing.
Sec. 302. Offshore wind energy.
                    TITLE IV--ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION

Sec. 401. Transmission permitting.
Sec. 402. Transmission planning.
                     TITLE V--ELECTRIC RELIABILITY

Sec. 501. Reliability assessments.
                TITLE VI--LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS EXPORTS

Sec. 601. Action on applications.
Sec. 602. Supplemental reviews.
                         TITLE VII--HYDROPOWER

Sec. 701. Hydropower license extensions.

                      TITLE I--ACCELERATING CLAIMS

SEC. 101. ACCELERATING CLAIMS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Authorization.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``authorization'' means 
                any license, permit, approval, order, 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.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``authorization'' 
                includes--
                            (i) agency approvals of lease sales, 
                        permits, or plans required to explore for, 
                        develop, or produce minerals under--
                                    (I) the Mineral Leasing Act (30 
                                U.S.C. 181 et seq.);
                                    (II) the Act of August 7, 1947 
                                (commonly known as the ``Mineral 
                                Leasing Act for Acquired Lands'') (30 
                                U.S.C. 351 et seq.);
                                    (III) the Act of July 31, 1947 
                                (commonly known as the ``Materials Act 
                                of 1947'') (61 Stat. 681, chapter 406; 
                                30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
                                    (IV) sections 2319 through 2344 of 
                                the Revised Statutes (commonly known as 
                                the ``Mining Law of 1872'') (30 U.S.C. 
                                22 et seq.);
                                    (V) the Outer Continental Shelf 
                                Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.); or
                                    (VI) the Geothermal Steam Act of 
                                1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.); and
                            (ii) statements or permits for a project 
                        under sections 7 and 10 of the Endangered 
                        Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536, 1539).
            (2) Environmental document.--The term ``environmental 
        document'' includes any of the following, as prepared under the 
        National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
        seq.):
                    (A) An environmental assessment.
                    (B) A finding of no significant impact.
                    (C) An environmental impact statement.
                    (D) A record of decision.
            (3) Project.--The term ``project'' means a project--
                    (A) proposed for the construction of 
                infrastructure--
                            (i) to develop, produce, generate, store, 
                        transport, or distribute energy;
                            (ii) to capture, remove, transport, or 
                        store carbon dioxide; or
                            (iii) to mine, extract, beneficiate, or 
                        process minerals; and
                    (B) subject to the requirements that--
                            (i) an environmental document be prepared; 
                        and
                            (ii) the applicable agency issue an 
                        authorization of the activity.
            (4) Project sponsor.--The term ``project sponsor'' means an 
        entity, including any private, public, or public-private 
        entity, seeking an authorization for a project.
    (b) Statute of Limitations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, a civil action arising under Federal law seeking judicial review 
of a final agency action granting or denying an authorization shall be 
barred unless the civil action is filed by the date that is 150 days 
after the date on which the authorization was granted or denied, unless 
a shorter time is specified in the Federal law pursuant to which 
judicial review is allowed.
    (c) Expedited Review.--A reviewing court shall set for expedited 
consideration any civil action arising under Federal law seeking 
judicial review of a final agency action granting or denying an 
authorization.
    (d) Remanded Actions.--
            (1) In general.--If the reviewing court remands a final 
        Federal agency action granting or denying an authorization to 
        the Federal agency for further proceedings, whether on a motion 
        by the court, the agency, or another party, 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.
            (2) Expedited treatment of remanded actions.--The head of 
        the Federal agency to which a court remands a final Federal 
        agency action under paragraph (1) 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 paragraph.
    (e) Treatment of Supplemental or Revised Environmental Documents.--
For the purpose of subsection (b), the preparation of a supplemental or 
revised environmental document, when required, shall be considered to 
be a separate final agency action.
    (f) Notice.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which an 
agency is served a copy of a petition for review or a complaint in a 
civil action described in subsection (b), the head of the agency shall 
notify the project sponsor of the filing of the petition or complaint.

        TITLE II--FEDERAL ONSHORE ENERGY LEASING AND PERMITTING

SEC. 201. ONSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING.

    (a) Limitation on Issuance of Certain Leases or Rights-of-Way.--
Section 50265(b)(1)(B) of Public Law 117-169 (43 U.S.C. 3006(b)(1)(B)) 
is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting ``for 
which expressions of interest have been submitted that have been'' 
after ``sum of total acres''.
    (b) Mineral Leasing Act Reforms.--
            (1) Expressions of interest for oil and gas leasing.--
        Section 17(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(b)) is 
        amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Subdivision.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A parcel of land included in an 
                expression of interest that the Secretary of the 
                Interior offers for lease shall be leased as nominated 
                and not subdivided into multiple parcels unless the 
                Secretary of the Interior determines that a subpart of 
                the submitted parcel is not open to oil or gas leasing 
                under the approved resource management plan.
                    ``(B) Required reviews.--Nothing in this paragraph 
                affects the obligations of the Secretary of the 
                Interior to complete requirements and reviews 
                established by other provisions of law before leasing a 
                parcel of land.
            ``(4) Resource management plans.--
                    ``(A) Lease terms and conditions.--A lease issued 
                under this section shall be subject to the terms and 
                conditions of the approved resource management plan.
                    ``(B) Effect of leasing decision.--Notwithstanding 
                section 1506.1 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations 
                (as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
                paragraph), the Secretary may conduct a lease sale 
                under an approved resource management plan while 
                amendments to the approved plan are under 
                consideration.''.
            (2) Refund of expression of interest fee.--Section 17(q) of 
        the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(q)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``Secretary'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Secretary of the Interior'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                ``nonrefundable''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Refund for nonwinning bid.--If a person other than 
        the person who submitted the expression of interest is the 
        highest responsible qualified bidder for a parcel of land 
        covered by the applicable expression of interest in a lease 
        sale conducted under this section--
                    ``(A) as a condition of the issuance of the lease, 
                the person who is the highest responsible qualified 
                bidder shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior an 
                amount equal to the applicable fee paid by the person 
                who submitted the expression of interest; and
                    ``(B) not later than 60 days after the date of the 
                lease sale, the Secretary of the Interior shall refund 
                to the person who submitted the expression of interest 
                an amount equal to the amount of the initial fee paid.
            ``(4) Refundability.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (3)(B), the fee assessed under paragraph (1) shall be 
        nonrefundable.''.

SEC. 202. TERM OF APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO DRILL.

    Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(p)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Term.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A permit to drill approved under 
                this subsection shall be valid for a single non-
                renewable 4-year period beginning on the date of the 
                approval.
                    ``(B) Retroactivity.--In addition to all approved 
                applications for permits to drill submitted on or after 
                the date of enactment of this paragraph, subparagraph 
                (A) shall apply to--
                            ``(i) all permits approved during the 2-
                        year period preceding the date of enactment of 
                        this paragraph; and
                            ``(ii) all pending applications for permit 
                        to drill submitted prior to the date of 
                        enactment of this paragraph.''.

SEC. 203. PERMITTING COMPLIANCE ON NON-FEDERAL LAND.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
181 et seq.), the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 
(30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), or subpart 3162 of part 3160 of title 43, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), but subject to 
any applicable State or Tribal requirements and subsection (c), the 
Secretary of the Interior shall not require a permit to drill for an 
oil and gas lease under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) 
for an action occurring within an oil and gas drilling or spacing unit 
if--
            (1) the Federal Government--
                    (A) owns less than 50 percent of the minerals 
                within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit; and
                    (B) does not own or lease the surface estate within 
                the area directly impacted by the action;
            (2) the well is located on non-Federal land overlying a 
        non-Federal mineral estate, but some portion of the wellbore 
        enters and produces from the Federal mineral estate subject to 
        the lease; or
            (3) the well is located on non-Federal land overlying a 
        non-Federal mineral estate, but some portion of the wellbore 
        traverses but does not produce from the Federal mineral estate 
        subject to the lease.
    (b) Notification.--For each State permit to drill or drilling plan 
that would impact or extract oil and gas owned by the Federal 
Government--
            (1) each lessee of Federal minerals in the unit, or 
        designee of a lessee, shall--
                    (A) notify the Secretary of the Interior of the 
                submission of a State application for a permit to drill 
                or drilling plan on submission of the application; and
                    (B) provide a copy of the application described in 
                subparagraph (A) to the Secretary of the Interior not 
                later than 5 days after the date on which the permit or 
                plan is submitted;
            (2) each lessee, designee of a lessee, or applicable State 
        shall notify the Secretary of the Interior of the approved 
        State permit to drill or drilling plan not later than 45 days 
        after the date on which the permit or plan is approved; and
            (3) each lessee or designee of a lessee shall provide, 
        prior to commencing drilling operations, agreements authorizing 
        the Secretary of the Interior to enter non-Federal land, as 
        necessary, for inspection and enforcement of the terms of the 
        Federal lease.
    (c) Nonapplicability to Indian Lands.--Subsection (a) shall not 
apply to Indian lands (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Oil and 
Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1702)).
    (d) Effect.--Nothing in this section affects--
            (1) other authorities of the Secretary of the Interior 
        under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 
        (30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or
            (2) the amount of royalties due to the Federal Government 
        from the production of the Federal minerals within the oil and 
        gas drilling or spacing unit.
    (e) Authority on Non-Federal Land.--Section 17(g) of the Mineral 
Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(g)) is amended--
            (1) by striking the subsection designation and all that 
        follows through ``Secretary of the Interior, or'' in the first 
        sentence and inserting the following:
    ``(g)(1) The Secretary of the Interior, or''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2)(A) In the case of an oil and gas lease under this Act on land 
described in subparagraph (B) located within an oil and gas drilling or 
spacing unit, nothing in this Act authorizes the Secretary of the 
Interior--
            ``(i) to require a bond to protect non-Federal land;
            ``(ii) to enter non-Federal land without the consent of the 
        applicable landowner;
            ``(iii) to impose mitigation requirements; or
            ``(iv) to require approval for surface reclamation.
    ``(B) Land referred to in subparagraph (A) is land where--
            ``(i) the Federal Government--
                    ``(I) owns less than 50 percent of the minerals 
                within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit; and
                    ``(II) does not own or lease the surface estate 
                within the area directly impacted by the action;
            ``(ii) the well is located on non-Federal land overlying a 
        non-Federal mineral estate, but some portion of the wellbore 
        enters and produces from the Federal mineral estate subject to 
        the lease; or
            ``(iii) the well is located on non-Federal land overlying a 
        non-Federal mineral estate, but some portion of the wellbore 
        traverses but does not produce from the Federal mineral estate 
        subject to the lease.''.

SEC. 204. COAL LEASES ON FEDERAL LAND.

    (a) Deadlines.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act 
        (30 U.S.C. 201(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), in the first sentence, by 
                striking ``he shall, in his discretion, upon the 
                request of any qualified applicant or on his own motion 
                from time to time'' and insert ``the Secretary shall, 
                at the discretion of the Secretary but subject to 
                paragraph (6), on the request of any qualified 
                applicant or on a motion by the Secretary''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Deadlines.--
                    ``(A) Applicant motion.--Not later than 90 days 
                after the date on which a request of a qualified 
                applicant is received for a lease sale under paragraph 
                (1), or for a lease modification under section 3, the 
                Secretary of the Interior shall commence all necessary 
                consultations and reviews required under Federal law in 
                accordance with that paragraph or section, as 
                applicable.
                    ``(B) Decision.--Not later than 90 days after the 
                completion of an environmental impact statement or 
                environmental assessment consistent with the 
                requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act 
                of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for a lease sale under 
                paragraph (1), or for a lease modification under 
                section 3, the Secretary of the Interior shall issue a 
                record of decision or a finding of no significant 
                impact for the lease sale or lease modification.
                    ``(C) Fair market value.--Not later than 30 days 
                after the date on which the Secretary of the Interior 
                issues a record of decision or a finding of no 
                significant impact under subparagraph (B) for a lease 
                sale under paragraph (1), or for a lease modification 
                under section 3, the Secretary shall determine the fair 
                market value of the coal subject to the lease.''.
            (2) Lease modifications.--Section 3(b) of the Mineral 
        Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 203(b)) is amended by striking ``The 
        Secretary shall prescribe'' and inserting ``Subject to section 
        2(a)(6), the Secretary shall prescribe''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 2(a)(1) of the Mineral Leasing 
Act (30 U.S.C. 201(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence--
                    (A) by striking ``he finds appropriate'' and 
                inserting ``the Secretary of the Interior finds 
                appropriate''; and
                     (B) by striking ``he deems appropriate'' and 
                inserting ``the Secretary of the Interior determines to 
                be appropriate'';
            (2) in the sixth sentence, by striking ``Prior to his 
        determination'' and inserting ``Prior to a determination by the 
        Secretary of the Interior'';
            (3) in the seventh sentence--
                    (A) by striking ``to make public his judgment'' and 
                inserting ``to make public the judgment of the 
                Secretary of the Interior''; and
                    (B) by striking ``comments he receives'' and 
                inserting ``comments received by the Secretary of the 
                Interior''; and
            (4) in the eighth sentence, by striking ``He is hereby 
        authorized'' and inserting ``The Secretary of the Interior is 
        authorized''.
    (c) Technical Correction.--Section 2(b)(3) of the Mineral Leasing 
Act (30 U.S.C. 201(b)(3)) is amended, in the first sentence, by 
striking ``geophyscal'' and inserting ``geophysical''.

SEC. 205. RIGHTS-OF-WAY ACROSS INDIAN LAND.

    The first section of the Act of February 5, 1948 (62 Stat. 17, 
chapter 45; 25 U.S.C. 323), is amended by adding at the end the 
following: ``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; 25 U.S.C. 415(h)) or the Indian tribe has 
approved regulations under paragraph (1) of that subsection.''.

SEC. 206. ACCELERATING RENEWABLE ENERGY PERMITTING.

    (a) Deadline for Consideration of Applications for Rights-of-Way.--
            (1) Completeness of review.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the 
                date on which the Secretary of the Interior or the 
                Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, receives an 
                application for a right-of-way under section 501 of the 
                Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
                U.S.C. 1761) for an eligible project (as defined in 
                section 3101 of the Energy Act of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 
                3001)), the applicable Secretary shall--
                            (i) notify the applicant that the 
                        application is complete; or
                            (ii) notify the applicant that information 
                        is missing from the application and specify any 
                        information that is required to be submitted 
                        for the application to be complete.
                    (B) Environmental impact statement.--For an 
                eligible project (as defined in section 3101 of the 
                Energy Act of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 3001)) that requires an 
                environmental impact statement for an application 
                submitted under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the 
                Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as 
                applicable, shall issue a notice of intent not later 
                than 90 days after the date on which the applicable 
                Secretary determines that an application is complete 
                under subparagraph (A).
            (2) Cost recovery and issuance or deferral.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the 
                date on which an applicant submits a complete 
                application for a right-of-way under paragraph (1), the 
                Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of 
                Agriculture, as applicable, shall, if a cost recovery 
                agreement is required under section 2804.14 of title 
                43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
                regulations), or section 251.58 of title 36, Code of 
                Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), issue a 
                cost recovery agreement.
                    (B) Decision.--Not later than 30 days after the 
                date on which an applicant submits a complete 
                application for a right-of-way under paragraph (1), the 
                Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of 
                Agriculture, as applicable, shall--
                            (i) grant or deny the application, if the 
                        requirements under the National Environmental 
                        Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 
                        any other applicable law have been completed; 
                        or
                            (ii) defer the decision on the application 
                        and provide to the applicant notice--
                                    (I) that specifies steps that the 
                                applicant can take for the decision on 
                                the application to be issued; and
                                    (II) of a list of actions that need 
                                to be taken by the agency in order to 
                                comply with applicable law, and 
                                timelines and deadlines for completing 
                                those actions.
    (b) Low Disturbance Activities for Renewable Energy Projects.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, to facilitate timely permitting of 
        eligible projects (as defined in section 3101 of the Energy Act 
        of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 3001)), the Secretary of the Interior and 
        the Secretary of Agriculture shall each promulgate regulations 
        for the use of 1 or more categorical exclusions under the 
        National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
        seq.) for low disturbance activities necessary for renewable 
        energy projects.
            (2) Activities described.--Low disturbance activities 
        referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:
                    (A) Individual surface disturbances of less than 5 
                acres that have undergone site-specific analysis in a 
                document prepared pursuant to the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
                seq.) that has been previously completed.
                    (B) Activities at a location at which the same type 
                of activity has previously occurred within 5 years 
                prior to the date of commencement of the activity.
                    (C) Activities on previously disturbed or developed 
                (as defined in section 1021.410(g)(1) of title 10, Code 
                of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)) land 
                for which an approved land use plan or any 
                environmental document prepared pursuant to the 
                National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                4321 et seq.) analyzed such activity as reasonably 
                foreseeable, so long as such plan or document was 
                approved within 5 years prior to the date of the 
                activity.
                    (D) The installation, modification, operation, or 
                decommissioning of commercially available energy 
                systems located on a building or other structure (such 
                as a rooftop, parking lot, or facility, or mounted to 
                signage, lighting, gates, or fences).
                    (E) Maintenance of a minor activity, other than any 
                construction or major renovation, or a building or 
                facility.
                    (F) Preliminary geotechnical investigations.
                    (G) The installation and removal of temporary 
                meteorological stations.

SEC. 207. IMPROVING RENEWABLE ENERGY COORDINATION ON FEDERAL LAND.

    (a) National Goal for Renewable Energy Production on Federal 
Land.--
            (1) Goal.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, in accordance with section 3104 of the 
        Energy Act of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 3004), the Secretary of the 
        Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and 
        other heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall establish a 
        target date for the authorization of not less than 50 gigawatts 
        of renewable energy production on Federal land by not later 
        than 2030.
            (2) Periodic goal revision.--Section 3104 of the Energy Act 
        of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 3004) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by inserting ``and 
                periodically revise'' after ``establish''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Permitting.--Subject to the limitations described in section 
50265(b)(1) of Public Law 117-169 (43 U.S.C. 3006(b)(1)), the Secretary 
shall, in consultation with the heads of relevant Federal agencies, 
seek to issue permits that authorize, in total, sufficient electricity 
from eligible projects to meet or exceed the national goals established 
and revised under this section.''.
    (b) Definition of Eligible Project.--Paragraph (4) of section 3101 
of the Energy Act of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 3001) is amended by inserting ``or 
store'' after ``generate''.
    (c) Renewable Energy Project Review Standards.--Section 3102 of the 
Energy Act of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 3002) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), in the second sentence, by inserting 
        ``sufficient to achieve goals for renewable energy production 
        on Federal land established under section 3104'' before the 
        period at the end;
            (2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (h); and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
    ``(f) Renewable Energy Project Review Standards.--Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of the Energy Permitting Reform Act 
of 2024, for the purpose of encouraging standardized reviews and 
facilitating the permitting of eligible projects, the National 
Renewable Energy Coordination Office of the Bureau of Land Management 
shall promulgate renewable energy project review standards to be 
adopted by regional renewable energy coordination offices.
    ``(g) Clarification of Existing Authority.--Under section 307 of 
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1737), 
the Secretary may accept donations from renewable energy companies to 
improve community engagement for the permitting of energy projects.''.
    (d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section, or an amendment made 
by this section, modifies the limitations described in section 
50265(b)(1) of Public Law 117-169 (43 U.S.C. 3006(b)(1)).

SEC. 208. GEOTHERMAL LEASING AND PERMITTING IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Preliminary Geothermal Activities.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each promulgate regulations for 
the use of 1 or more categorical exclusions under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for 
individual disturbances of less than 10 acres for activities required 
to test, monitor, calibrate, explore, or confirm geothermal resources, 
provided those activities do not involve--
            (1) the commercial production of geothermal resources;
            (2) the use of geothermal resources for commercial 
        operations; or
            (3) construction of permanent roads.
    (b) Annual Leasing.--Section 4(b) of the Geothermal Steam Act of 
1970 (30 U.S.C. 1003(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``every 2 years'' and 
        inserting ``per year''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Replacement sales.--If a lease sale under this 
        section for a year is cancelled or delayed, the Secretary shall 
        conduct a replacement sale not later than 180 days after the 
        date of the cancellation or delay, as applicable, and the 
        replacement sale may not be cancelled or delayed.''.
    (c) Deadlines for Consideration of Geothermal Drilling Permits.--
Section 4 of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1003) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Deadlines for Consideration of Geothermal Drilling Permits.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 10 days after the date on 
        which the Secretary receives an application for any geothermal 
        drilling permit, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) provide written notice to the applicant that 
                the application is complete; or
                    ``(B) notify the applicant that information is 
                missing from the application and specify any 
                information that is required to be submitted for the 
                application to be complete.
            ``(2) Decision.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
        which an applicant submits a complete application for a 
        geothermal drilling permit under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
        shall--
                    ``(A) grant or deny the application, if the 
                requirements under the National Environmental Policy 
                Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any other 
                applicable law have been completed; or
                    ``(B) defer the decision on the application and 
                provide to the applicant notice--
                            ``(i) that specifies steps that the 
                        applicant can take for the decision on the 
                        application to be issued; and
                            ``(ii) of a list of actions that need to be 
                        taken by the agency in order to comply with 
                        applicable law, and timelines and deadlines for 
                        completing those actions.''.
    (d) Cost Recovery Authority.--Section 24 of the Geothermal Steam 
Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1023) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section designation and all that 
        follows through ``The Secretary'' and inserting the following:

``SEC. 24. RULES AND REGULATIONS.

    ``The Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following: ``The Secretary 
        shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
        the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, promulgate rules for 
        cost recovery, to be paid by permit applicants or lessees, to 
        facilitate the timely coordination and processing of leases, 
        permits, and authorizations and to reimburse the Secretary for 
        all reasonable administrative costs incurred from the 
        inspection and monitoring of activities thereunder.''.
    (e) Federal Permitting Process.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
promulgate regulations and establish a Federal permitting process to 
allow for simultaneous, concurrent consideration of multiple phases of 
a geothermal project, including--
            (1) surface exploration;
            (2) geophysical exploration;
            (3) drilling; and
            (4) power plant construction.
    (f) Geothermal Production Parity.--Section 390 of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``(NEPA)'' and inserting ``(42 
                U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (referred to in this section as 
                `NEPA')'';
                    (B) by inserting ``(30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.)'' after 
                ``Mineral Leasing Act''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``, or the Geothermal Steam Act of 
                1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) for the purpose of 
                exploration or development of geothermal resources'' 
                before the period at the end; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``oil or gas'' 
                and inserting ``oil, gas, or geothermal resources''; 
                and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``oil or gas'' 
                and inserting ``oil, gas, or geothermal resources''.
    (g) Geothermal Ombudsman.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
        appoint within the Bureau of Land Management a Geothermal 
        Ombudsman.
            (2) Duties.--The Geothermal Ombudsman appointed under 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) act as a liaison between the individual field 
                offices of the Bureau of Land Management and the 
                Director of the Bureau of Land Management;
                    (B) provide dispute resolution services between the 
                individual field offices of the Bureau of Land 
                Management and applicants for geothermal resource 
                permits;
                    (C) monitor and facilitate permit processing 
                practices and timelines across individual field offices 
                of the Bureau of Land Management;
                    (D) develop best practices for the permitting and 
                leasing process for geothermal resources; and
                    (E) coordinate with the Federal Permitting 
                Improvement Steering Council.
            (3) Report.--The Geothermal Ombudsman shall submit to the 
        Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives 
        an annual report that describes the activities of the 
        Geothermal Ombudsman and evaluates the effectiveness of 
        geothermal permit processing during the preceding 1-year 
        period.

SEC. 209. ELECTRIC GRID PROJECTS.

    (a) Definition of Previously Disturbed or Developed.--In this 
section, the term ``previously disturbed or developed'' has the meaning 
given the term in section 1021.410(g)(1) of title 10, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or successor regulations).
    (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, to facilitate timely permitting, the Secretary 
of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each promulgate 
regulations for the use of 1 or more categorical exclusions under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for 
the following activities:
            (1) Placement of an electric transmission or distribution 
        facility in an approved right-of-way corridor, if the corridor 
        was approved during the 5-year period ending on the date of 
        placement of the facility.
            (2) Any repair, maintenance, replacement, upgrade, 
        modification, optimization, or minor relocation of, or addition 
        to, an existing electric transmission or distribution facility 
        or associated infrastructure within an existing right-of-way or 
        on otherwise previously disturbed or developed land, including 
        reconductoring and installation of grid-enhancing technologies.
            (3) Construction, operation, upgrade, or decommissioning of 
        a battery or other energy storage technology on previously 
        disturbed or developed land.

SEC. 210. HARDROCK MINING MILL SITES.

    (a) Multiple Mill Sites.--Section 2337 of the Revised Statutes (30 
U.S.C. 42) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Additional Mill Sites.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Mill site.--The term `mill site' means a 
                location of public land that is reasonably necessary 
                for waste rock or tailings disposal or other operations 
                reasonably incident to mineral development on, or 
                production from land included in a plan of operations.
                    ``(B) Operations; operator.--The terms `operations' 
                and `operator' have the meanings given those terms in 
                section 3809.5 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations 
                (as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
                subsection).
                    ``(C) Plan of operations.--The term `plan of 
                operations' means a plan of operations that an operator 
                must submit and the Secretary of the Interior or the 
                Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, must approve 
                before an operator may begin operations, in accordance 
                with, as applicable--
                            ``(i) subpart 3809 of title 43, Code of 
                        Federal Regulations (or successor regulations 
                        establishing application and approval 
                        requirements); and
                            ``(ii) part 228 of title 36, Code of 
                        Federal Regulations (or successor regulations 
                        establishing application and approval 
                        requirements).
                    ``(D) Public land.--The term `public land' means 
                land owned by the United States that is open to 
                location under sections 2319 through 2344 of the 
                Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.), including--
                            ``(i) land that is mineral-in-character (as 
                        defined in section 3830.5 of title 43, Code of 
                        Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date 
                        of enactment of this subsection));
                            ``(ii) nonmineral land (as defined in 
                        section 3830.5 of title 43, Code of Federal 
                        Regulations (as in effect on the date of 
                        enactment of this subsection)); and
                            ``(iii) land where the mineral character 
                        has not been determined.
            ``(2) In general.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), 
        where public land is needed by the proprietor of a lode or 
        placer claim for operations in connection with any lode or 
        placer claim within the proposed plan of operations, the 
        proprietor may--
                    ``(A) locate and include within the plan of 
                operations as many mill site claims under this 
                subsection as are reasonably necessary for its 
                operations; and
                    ``(B) use or occupy public land in accordance with 
                an approved plan of operations.
            ``(3) Mill sites convey no mineral rights.--A mill site 
        under this subsection does not convey mineral rights to the 
        locator.
            ``(4) Size of mill sites.--A location of a single mill site 
        under this subsection shall not exceed 5 acres.
            ``(5) Mill site and lode or placer claims on same tracts of 
        public land.--A mill site may be located under this subsection 
        on a tract of public land on which the claimant or operator 
        maintains a previously located lode or placer claim.
            ``(6) Effect on mining claims.--The location of a mill site 
        under this subsection shall not affect the validity of any lode 
        or placer claim, or any rights associated with such a claim.
            ``(7) Patenting.--A mill site under this section shall not 
        be eligible for patenting.
            ``(8) Savings provisions.--Nothing in this subsection--
                    ``(A) diminishes any right (including a right of 
                entry, use, or occupancy) of a claimant;
                    ``(B) creates or increases any right (including a 
                right of exploration, entry, use, or occupancy) of a 
                claimant on land that is not open to location under the 
                general mining laws;
                    ``(C) modifies any provision of law or any prior 
                administrative action withdrawing land from location or 
                entry;
                    ``(D) limits the right of the Federal Government to 
                regulate mining and mining-related activities 
                (including requiring claim validity examinations to 
                establish the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit) 
                in areas withdrawn from mining, including under--
                            ``(i) the general mining laws;
                            ``(ii) the Federal Land Policy and 
                        Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et 
                        seq.);
                            ``(iii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 
                        et seq.);
                            ``(iv) sections 100731 through 100737 of 
                        title 54, United States Code;
                            ``(v) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
                        (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
                            ``(vi) division A of subtitle III of title 
                        54, United States Code (commonly referred to as 
                        the `National Historic Preservation Act'); or
                            ``(vii) section 4 of the Act of July 23, 
                        1955 (commonly known as the `Surface Resources 
                        Act of 1955') (69 Stat. 368, chapter 375; 30 
                        U.S.C. 612);
                    ``(E) restores any right (including a right of 
                entry, use, or occupancy, or right to conduct 
                operations) of a claimant that--
                            ``(i) existed prior to the date on which 
                        the land was closed to, or withdrawn from, 
                        location under the general mining laws; and
                            ``(ii) that has been extinguished by such 
                        closure or withdrawal; or
                    ``(F) modifies section 404 of division E of the 
                Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-
                42).''.
    (b) Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of 
        the United States a separate account, to be known as the 
        ``Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund'' (referred to in this 
        subsection as the ``Fund'').
            (2) Source of deposits.--Any amounts collected by the 
        Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the claim maintenance fee 
        under section 10101(a)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
        Act of 1993 (30 U.S.C. 28f(a)(1)) on mill sites located under 
        subsection (c) of section 2337 of the Revised Statutes (30 
        U.S.C. 42) shall be deposited into the Fund.
            (3) Use.--The Secretary of the Interior may make 
        expenditures from amounts available in the Fund, without 
        further appropriations, only to carry out section 40704 of the 
        Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (30 U.S.C. 1245).
            (4) Allocation of funds.--Amounts made available under 
        paragraph (3)--
                    (A) shall be allocated in accordance with section 
                40704(e)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
                Act (30 U.S.C. 1245(e)(1)); and
                    (B) may be transferred in accordance with section 
                40704(e)(2) of that Act (30 U.S.C. 1245(e)(2)).
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--Section 10101 of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1993 (30 U.S.C. 28f) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28-
        28e)'' each place it appears and inserting ``sections 2319 
        through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.)'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the second sentence, by striking 
                        ``Such claim maintenance fee'' and inserting 
                        the following:
                    ``(B) Fee.--The claim maintenance fee under 
                subparagraph (A)''; and
                            (ii) in the first sentence, by striking 
                        ``The holder of'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The holder of''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the second sentence, by striking 
                        ``Such claim maintenance fee'' and inserting 
                        the following:
                    ``(B) Fee.--The claim maintenance fee under 
                subparagraph (A)''; and
                            (ii) in the first sentence, by striking 
                        ``The holder of'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The holder of''; and
            (3) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``The 
                location fee'' and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Fee.--The location fee''; and
                    (B) in the first sentence, by striking ``The claim 
                main tenance fee'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The claim maintenance fee''.

       TITLE III--FEDERAL OFFSHORE ENERGY LEASING AND PERMITTING

SEC. 301. OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING.

    (a) Requirement.--Notwithstanding the 2024-2029 National Outer 
Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program (and any successor 
leasing program that does not satisfy the requirements of this 
section), the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this title as 
the ``Secretary'') shall conduct not less than 1 oil and gas lease sale 
in each of calendar years 2025 through 2029, each of which shall be 
conducted not later than August 31 of the applicable calendar year.
    (b) Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary shall--
            (1) conduct offshore oil and gas lease sales of sufficient 
        acreage to meet the conditions described in section 50265(b)(2) 
        of Public Law 117-169 (43 U.S.C. 3006(b)(2));
            (2) with respect to an oil and gas lease sale conducted 
        under subsection (a), offer the same lease form, lease terms, 
        economic conditions, and stipulations as contained in the 
        revised final notice of sale entitled ``Gulf of Mexico Outer 
        Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 261'' (88 Fed. Reg. 
        80750 (November 20, 2023)); and
            (3) if any acceptable bids have been received for any tract 
        offered in an oil and gas lease sale conducted under subsection 
        (a), issue such leases not later than 90 days after the lease 
        sale to the highest bids on the tracts offered, subject to the 
        procedures described in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 
        document entitled ``Summary of Procedures for Determining Bid 
        Adequacy at Offshore Oil and Gas Lease Sales Effective March 
        2016, with Central Gulf of Mexico Sale 241 and Eastern Gulf of 
        Mexico Sale 226''.

SEC. 302. OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

    (a) Offshore Wind Lease Sale Requirement.--Effective on the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
            (1) subject to the limitations described in section 
        50265(b)(2) of Public Law 117-169 (43 U.S.C. 3006(b)(2)), 
        conduct not less than 1 offshore wind lease sale in each of 
        calendar years 2025 through 2029, each of which shall be 
        conducted not later than August 31 of the applicable calendar 
        year; and
            (2) if any acceptable bids have been received for a tract 
        offered in the lease sale, as determined by the Secretary, 
        issue such leases not later than 90 days after the lease sale 
        to the highest bidder on the offered tract.
    (b) Area Offered for Leasing.--
            (1) Total acres for lease.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
        Secretary shall offer for offshore wind leasing a sum total of 
        not less than 400,000 acres per calendar year.
            (2) Minimum acreage.--An offshore wind lease issued by the 
        Secretary that is less than 80,000 acres shall not be counted 
        toward the acreage requirement under paragraph (1).
    (c) Production Goal for Offshore Wind Energy.--
            (1) Initial goal.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an 
        initial target date for an offshore wind energy production goal 
        of 30 gigawatts.
            (2) Periodic goal revision.--The Secretary shall, in 
        consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, 
        periodically revise national goals for offshore wind energy 
        production on the outer Continental Shelf as initially 
        established under paragraph (1).
    (d) Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.--Section 8(p) of the Outer 
Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (10) and inserting the following:
            ``(10) Applicability.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), this subsection does not apply to any 
                area on the outer Continental Shelf within the exterior 
                boundaries of any unit of the National Park System, the 
                National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Marine 
                Sanctuary System, or any National Monument.
                    ``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
                the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of 
                Commerce under section 304(d) of the National Marine 
                Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1434(d)), may grant rights-
                of-way on the outer Continental Shelf within units of 
                the National Marine Sanctuary System for the 
                transmission of electricity generated by or produced 
                from renewable energy.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) Duration of permits in marine sanctuaries.--
        Notwithstanding section 310(c)(2) of the National Marine 
        Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1441(c)(2)), any permit or 
        authorization granted under that Act that authorizes the 
        installation, operation, or maintenance of electric 
        transmission cables on a right-of-way granted by the Secretary 
        described in paragraph (10)(B) shall be issued for a term equal 
        to the duration of the right-of-way granted by the 
        Secretary.''.
    (e) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section, or an amendment made 
by this section, modifies the limitations described in section 
50265(b)(2) of Public Law 117-169 (43 U.S.C. 3006(b)(2)).

                    TITLE IV--ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION

SEC. 401. TRANSMISSION PERMITTING.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 216 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 
824p) is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
following:
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the Federal 
        Energy Regulatory Commission.
            ``(2) Improved reliability.--The term `improved 
        reliability' has the meaning given the term in section 225(a).
            ``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
            ``(4) Transmission planning region.--The term `transmission 
        planning region' has the meaning given the term in section 
        225(a).''.
    (b) Construction Permit.--Section 216(b) of the Federal Power Act 
(16 U.S.C. 824p(b)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``Except'' and all that follows through ``finds that'' and 
        inserting ``Except as provided in subsections (d)(1) and (i), 
        the Commission may, after notice and an opportunity for 
        hearing, issue one or more permits for the construction or 
        modification of electric transmission facilities necessary in 
        the national interest if the Commission finds that'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting ``or 
                modification'' after ``siting''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                        inserting ``or modification'' after ``siting''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in clause (i), by striking ``the later 
                        of'' in the matter preceding subclause (I) and 
                        all that follows through the semicolon at the 
                        end of subclause (II) and inserting ``the date 
                        on which the application was filed with the 
                        State commission or other entity;''; and
            (3) by striking paragraphs (2) through (6) and inserting 
        the following:
            ``(2) 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;
            ``(3) the proposed construction or modification is 
        consistent with the public interest;
            ``(4) the proposed construction or modification will 
        significantly reduce transmission congestion in interstate 
        commerce, protect or benefit consumers, and provide improved 
        reliability;
            ``(5) the proposed construction or modification is 
        consistent with sound national energy policy and will enhance 
        energy independence;
            ``(6) the electric transmission facilities are capable of 
        transmitting electric energy at a voltage of not less than 100 
        kilovolts or, in the case of facilities that include advanced 
        transmission conductors (including superconductors), as defined 
        by the Commission, voltages determined to be appropriate by the 
        Commission; and
            ``(7) the proposed modification (including reconductoring) 
        will maximize, to the extent reasonable and economical, the 
        transmission capabilities of existing towers, structures, or 
        rights-of-way.''.
    (c) State Siting and Consultation.--Section 216 of the Federal 
Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p) is amended by striking subsection (d) and 
inserting the following:
    ``(d) State Siting and Consultation.--
            ``(1) Preservation of state siting authority.--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.
            ``(2) Consultation.--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.''.
    (d) Rights-of-Way.--Section 216(e)(3) of the Federal Power Act (16 
U.S.C. 824p(e)(3)) is amended by striking ``shall conform'' and all 
that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``shall be in 
accordance with rule 71.1 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.''.
    (e) Cost Allocation.--
            (1) In general.--Section 216 of the Federal Power Act (16 
        U.S.C. 824p) is amended by striking subsection (f) and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(f) Cost Allocation.--
            ``(1) Transmission tariffs.--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 (6) and, if applicable, (7) of subsection (b) shall 
        file a tariff or tariff revision with the Commission pursuant 
        to section 205 and the regulations of the Commission allocating 
        the costs of the new or modified transmission facilities.
            ``(2) Transmission benefits.--The Commission shall require 
        that tariffs or tariff revisions filed under this subsection 
        are just and reasonable and allocate the costs of providing 
        service to customers that benefit, in accordance with the cost-
        causation principle, including through--
                    ``(A) improved reliability;
                    ``(B) reduced congestion;
                    ``(C) reduced power losses;
                    ``(D) greater carrying capacity;
                    ``(E) reduced operating reserve requirements; and
                    ``(F) improved access to lower cost generation that 
                achieves reductions in the cost of delivered power.
            ``(3) Ratepayer protection.--Customers that receive no 
        benefit, or benefits that are trivial in relation to the costs 
        sought to be allocated, from electric transmission facilities 
        constructed or modified under this section shall not be 
        involuntarily allocated any of the costs of those transmission 
        facilities.''.
            (2) Savings provision.--If the Federal Energy Regulatory 
        Commission finds that the considerations under paragraphs (2) 
        through (6) and, if applicable, (7) of subsection (b) of 
        section 216 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p) (as 
        amended by subsection (b)) 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)).
    (f) Coordination of Federal Authorizations for Transmission 
Facilities.--Section 216(h) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 
824p(h)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting the following: ``, except that--
            ``(A) the Commission shall act as the lead agency in the 
        case of facilities permitted under subsection (b) and section 
        225; and
            ``(B) 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 (43 
        U.S.C. 1337(p)(1)(C)).'';
            (2) 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 
        ``Secretary'' each place it appears and inserting ``lead 
        agency'';
            (3) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``As head of the lead 
        agency, the Secretary'' and inserting ``The lead agency'';
            (4) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``As lead agency head, 
        the Secretary'' and inserting ``The lead agency''; and
            (5) in paragraph (7)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``18 months 
                after the date of enactment of this section'' and 
                inserting ``18 months after the date of enactment of 
                the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``1 year 
                after the date of enactment of this section'' and 
                inserting ``18 months after the date of enactment of 
                the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024''.
    (g) Interstate Compacts.--Section 216(i) of the Federal Power Act 
(16 U.S.C. 824p(i)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``, including facilities 
        in national interest electric transmission corridors''; and
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a period;
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B); and
                    (C) by striking ``in disagreement'' in the matter 
                preceding subparagraph (A) and all that follows through 
                ``(A) the'' in subparagraph (A) and inserting ``unable 
                to reach an agreement on an application seeking 
                approval by the''.
    (h) Transmission Infrastructure Investment.--Section 219(b)(4) of 
the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824s(b)(4)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) all prudently incurred costs associated with 
                payments to jurisdictions impacted by electric 
                transmission facilities developed pursuant to section 
                216 or 225.''.
    (i) Jurisdiction.--Section 216 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 
824p) is amended by striking subsection (k) and inserting the 
following:
    ``(k) Jurisdiction.--
            ``(1) ERCOT.--This section shall not apply within the area 
        referred to in section 212(k)(2)(A).
            ``(2) Other utilities.--For the purposes of this section, 
        the Commission shall have jurisdiction over all transmitting 
        utilities, including transmitting utilities described in 
        section 201(f), but excluding any ERCOT utility (as defined in 
        section 212(k)(2)(B)).''.
    (j) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 50151(b) of Public Law 117-169 (42 U.S.C. 
        18715(b)) is amended by striking ``facilities designated by the 
        Secretary to be necessary in the national interest under 
        section 216(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p(a))'' 
        and inserting ``facilities in a geographic area identified 
        under section 224 of the Federal Power Act''.
            (2) Section 1222 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
        U.S.C. 16421) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(1)(A), by striking ``in a 
                national interest electric transmission corridor 
                designated under section 216(a)'' and inserting ``in a 
                geographic area identified under section 224''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ``in an 
                area designated under section 216(a)'' and inserting 
                ``in a geographic area identified under section 224''.
            (3) Section 40106(h)(1)(A) of the Infrastructure Investment 
        and Jobs Act (42 U.S.C. 18713(h)(1)(A)) is amended by striking 
        ``in an area designated as a national interest electric 
        transmission corridor pursuant to section 216(a) of the Federal 
        Power Act 16 U.S.C. 824p(a)'' and inserting ``in a geographic 
        area identified under section 224 of the Federal Power Act''.
    (k) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section or an amendment 
made by this section grants authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.) over 
sales of electric energy at retail or the local distribution of 
electricity.

SEC. 402. TRANSMISSION PLANNING.

    (a) In General.--Part II of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 224. TRANSMISSION STUDY.

    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this section and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary 
of Energy (referred to in this section as the `Secretary'), in 
consultation with affected States and Indian Tribes, shall conduct a 
study of electric transmission capacity constraints and congestion.
    ``(b) Report.--Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the 
Secretary, after considering alternatives and recommendations from 
interested parties (including an opportunity for comment from affected 
States and Indian Tribes), shall issue a report, based on the study 
under subsection (a) or other information relating to electric 
transmission capacity constraints and congestion, which may identify 
any geographic area that--
            ``(1) is experiencing electric energy transmission capacity 
        constraints or congestion that adversely affects consumers; or
            ``(2) is expected to experience such energy transmission 
        capacity constraints or congestion.
    ``(c) Consultation.--Not less frequently than once every 3 years, 
the Secretary, in conducting the study under subsection (a) and issuing 
the report under subsection (b), shall consult with affected 
transmission planning regions (as defined in section 225(a)) and any 
appropriate regional entity referred to in section 215.

``SEC. 225. PLANNING FOR TRANSMISSION FACILITIES THAT ENHANCE GRID 
              RELIABILITY, AFFORDABILITY, AND RESILIENCE.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the Federal 
        Energy Regulatory Commission.
            ``(2) ERO.--The term `ERO' has the meaning given the term 
        in section 215(a).
            ``(3) Improved reliability.--The term `improved 
        reliability' means that, on balance, considering each of the 
        matters described in subparagraphs (A) through (D), reliability 
        is improved in a material manner that benefits customers 
        through at least one of the following:
                    ``(A) facilitating compliance with a mandatory 
                standard for reliability approved by the Commission 
                under section 215;
                    ``(B) a reduction in expected unserved energy, loss 
                of load hours, or loss of load probability (as defined 
                by the ERO);
                    ``(C) facilitating compliance with a tariff 
                requirement or process for resource adequacy on file 
                with the Commission; and
                    ``(D) any other similar material improvement, 
                including a reduction in correlated outage risk, such 
                as achieved through increased geographic or resource 
                diversification.
            ``(4) Interregional transmission facility.--The term 
        `interregional transmission facility' means a transmission 
        facility that--
                    ``(A) is located within 2 or more neighboring 
                transmission planning regions; or
                    ``(B) significantly impacts the ability of 1 or 
                more transmission planning regions to transmit electric 
                energy among neighboring transmission planning regions.
            ``(5) Transmission planning region.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `transmission planning 
                region'--
                            ``(i) when used in a geographical sense, 
                        means a region for which the Commission 
                        determines that electric transmission planning 
                        is appropriate, such as a region established in 
                        accordance with Order No. 1000 of the 
                        Commission, entitled `Transmission Planning and 
                        Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and 
                        Operating Public Utilities' (76 Fed. Reg. 49842 
                        (August 11, 2011)); and
                            ``(ii) when used in a corporate sense, 
                        means the Transmission Organization or other 
                        entity responsible for planning or operating 
                        electric transmission facilities within a 
                        region described in clause (i).
                    ``(B) Exclusion.--The term `transmission planning 
                region' does not include the Electric Reliability 
                Council of Texas or the region served by members of the 
                Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
    ``(b) Jurisdiction.--
            ``(1) ERCOT.--This section shall not apply within the area 
        referred to in section 212(k)(2)(A).
            ``(2) Other utilities.--For the purposes of this section, 
        the Commission shall have jurisdiction over all transmitting 
        utilities, including transmitting utilities described in 
        section 201(f), but excluding any ERCOT utility (as defined in 
        section 212(k)(2)(B)).
    ``(c) Rulemaking Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall, consistent 
with the requirements of this section, by rule--
            ``(1) require neighboring transmission planning regions to 
        jointly plan with each other;
            ``(2) require each transmission planning region to submit 
        to the Commission for approval a joint interregional 
        transmission plan with each of its neighboring transmission 
        planning regions, which requirement may, at the discretion of 
        the transmission planning region, be satisfied through the 
        submission of--
                    ``(A) a separate joint interregional transmission 
                plan with each of its neighboring transmission planning 
                regions; or
                    ``(B) 1 or more joint interregional transmission 
                plans, any of which may be submitted with any 1 or more 
                of its neighboring transmission planning regions; and
            ``(3) establish rate treatments for interregional 
        transmission planning and cost allocation.
    ``(d) Plan Elements.--The Commission shall require, within the rule 
under subsection (c), that joint interregional transmission plans 
contain the following elements:
            ``(1) Compatibility.--A common set of input assumptions and 
        models, on a consistent timeline, that--
                    ``(A) allow for the joint identification and 
                selection, by transmission planning regions, of 
                specific interregional transmission facilities for 
                construction or modification, including through the use 
                of advanced transmission conductors (including 
                superconductors) and reconductoring;
                    ``(B) consider, to the extent reasonable and 
                economical, modifications that maximize the 
                transmission capabilities of existing towers, 
                structures, or rights-of-way; and
                    ``(C) consider existing transmission plans.
            ``(2) Transmission benefits.--A common set of benefits for 
        interregional transmission planning and cost allocation, 
        including--
                    ``(A) improved reliability;
                    ``(B) reduced congestion;
                    ``(C) reduced power losses;
                    ``(D) greater carrying capacity;
                    ``(E) reduced operating reserve requirements; and
                    ``(F) improved access to lower cost generation that 
                achieves reductions in the cost of delivered power.
            ``(3) Selection criteria.--Criteria governing the selection 
        by transmission planning regions, for construction or 
        modification, of interregional transmission facilities that--
                    ``(A) provide improved reliability;
                    ``(B) protect or benefit consumers; and
                    ``(C) are consistent with the public interest.
    ``(e) Deadline; Updates.--The joint interregional transmission 
plans required to be submitted to the Commission pursuant to the rule 
under subsection (c) shall be--
            ``(1) submitted to the Commission not later than 2 years 
        after the date of enactment of this section; and
            ``(2) updated not less frequently than once every 4 years.
    ``(f) Commission Review.--The Commission shall--
            ``(1) review each joint interregional transmission plan 
        submitted pursuant to the rule under subsection (c); and
            ``(2) approve the joint interregional transmission plan if 
        the Commission finds that the plan--
                    ``(A) meets the requirements of subsection (d);
                    ``(B) allocates costs in accordance with subsection 
                (g);
                    ``(C) ensures that all rates, charges, terms, and 
                conditions will be just and reasonable and not unduly 
                discriminatory or preferential; and
                    ``(D) is consistent with the public interest.
    ``(g) Cost Allocation.--
            ``(1) Transmission tariffs.--For the purposes of this 
        section, any transmitting utility that owns, controls, or 
        operates electric transmission facilities constructed or 
        modified as a result of this section shall file a tariff or 
        tariff revision with the Commission pursuant to section 205 and 
        the regulations of the Commission allocating the costs of the 
        new or modified transmission facilities.
            ``(2) Requirement.--The Commission shall require that 
        tariffs or tariff revisions filed under this section are just 
        and reasonable and allocate the costs of providing service to 
        customers that benefit, in accordance with the cost-causation 
        principle, including through the benefits described in 
        subsection (d)(2).
            ``(3) Ratepayer protection.--Customers that receive no 
        benefit, or benefits that are trivial in relation to the costs 
        sought to be allocated, from electric transmission facilities 
        constructed or modified under this section shall not be 
        involuntarily allocated any of the costs of those transmission 
        facilities.
    ``(h) Construction Permit.--For the purposes of obtaining a 
construction permit under section 216(b), a project that is selected by 
transmission planning regions pursuant to a joint interregional 
transmission plan shall be considered to satisfy paragraphs (2) through 
(6) and, if applicable, (7) of that section.
    ``(i) Dispute Resolution.--In the event of a dispute between 
transmission planning regions with respect to a material element of a 
joint interregional transmission plan--
            ``(1) the transmission planning regions shall submit to the 
        Commission their respective proposals for resolving the 
        material element in dispute for resolution; and
            ``(2) not later than 60 days after the proposals are 
        submitted under paragraph (1), the Commission shall issue an 
        order directing a resolution to the dispute.
    ``(j) Failure To Submit Plan.--In the event that neighboring 
transmission planning regions fail to submit to the Commission a joint 
interregional transmission plan under this section, the Commission 
shall, as the Commission determines to be appropriate--
            ``(1) grant a request to extend the time for submission of 
        the joint interregional transmission plan; or
            ``(2) require, by order, the transmitting utilities within 
        the affected transmission planning regions to comply with a 
        joint interregional transmission plan approved by the 
        Commission--
                    ``(A) based on the record of the planning process 
                conducted by the affected transmission planning 
                regions; and
                    ``(B) in accordance with the cost allocation 
                provisions in subsection (g).
    ``(k) NEPA.--For purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)--
            ``(1) any approval of a joint interregional transmission 
        plan under subsection (f) or (j) or order directing resolution 
        of a dispute under subsection (i) shall not be considered a 
        major Federal action; and
            ``(2) any permit granted under section 216(b) for a project 
        that is selected by transmission planning regions pursuant to a 
        joint interregional transmission plan shall be considered a 
        major Federal action.
    ``(l) Savings Provision.--Except as expressly provided in this 
section, nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring, 
limiting, or impairing any authority of the Commission under any other 
provision of law.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 201 of the Federal Power Act 
(16 U.S.C. 824) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``and 222'' 
                and inserting ``222, and 225''; and
                    (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``or 222'' 
                and inserting ``222, or 225''; and
            (2) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) by striking ``206(f),''; and
                    (B) by striking ``or 222'' and inserting ``222, or 
                225''.
    (c) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section or an amendment 
made by this section grants authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.) over 
sales of electric energy at retail or the local distribution of 
electricity.

                     TITLE V--ELECTRIC RELIABILITY

SEC. 501. RELIABILITY ASSESSMENTS.

    Section 215 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o) is amended by 
striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:
    ``(g) Reliability Reports.--
            ``(1) Periodic assessments.--The ERO shall conduct periodic 
        assessments of the reliability and adequacy of the bulk-power 
        system in North America.
            ``(2) Reliability assessments for regulations.--(A) 
        Whenever the Commission determines, on its own motion or on 
        request from another Federal agency, an affected transmission 
        organization, or any State commission, that a rule, regulation, 
        or standard proposed by a Federal agency other than the 
        Commission is likely to result in a violation of a tariff 
        requirement or process for resource adequacy on file with the 
        Commission or a mandatory standard for reliability approved by 
        the Commission, the Commission shall require, by order, the ERO 
        to assess and report on the effects of the proposed rule, 
        regulation, or standard on the reliable operation of the bulk-
        power system.
            ``(B) An ERO reliability assessment ordered under 
        subparagraph (A) shall--
                    ``(i) identify any reasonably foreseeable 
                significant adverse effects on the reliable operation 
                of the bulk-power system that the ERO anticipates will 
                result from the proposed rule, regulation, or standard;
                    ``(ii) account for mitigations that will be 
                available under existing rules, regulations, or tariffs 
                governing facilities of the bulk-power system under 
                this Act that will reduce or prevent significant 
                adverse effects on the reliable operation of the bulk-
                power system from the proposed rule, regulation, or 
                standard; and
                    ``(iii) take into account the technical views of 
                affected transmission organizations regarding effects 
                on the reliable operation of the bulk-power system from 
                the proposed rule, regulation, or standard.
            ``(C) The ERO shall--
                    ``(i) submit the report required under subparagraph 
                (A) to the public docket of the Federal agency 
                proposing the rule, regulation, or standard, and, if 
                practicable, make such submission within the time 
                period established by such Federal agency for 
                submission of public comments on the proposed rule, 
                regulation, or standard;
                    ``(ii) submit such report to the Commission; and
                    ``(iii) publish such report in a publicly available 
                format.
            ``(D) This paragraph shall apply to proposed rules, 
        regulations, or standards pending on, or proposed on or after, 
        the date of enactment of this paragraph.''.

                TITLE VI--LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS EXPORTS

SEC. 601. ACTION ON APPLICATIONS.

    Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (e)(3)(A), by inserting ``and subsection 
        (g)'' after ``subparagraph (B)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Deadline To Act on Certain Export Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall grant or deny an 
        application under subsection (a) to export to a foreign country 
        any natural gas from the United States not later than 90 days 
        after the later of--
                    ``(A) the date on which the notice of availability 
                for each final review required under the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
                seq.) for the exporting facility is published with 
                respect to an application--
                            ``(i) under subsection (e); or
                            ``(ii) for a license for the ownership, 
                        construction, or operation of a deepwater port, 
                        under section 4 of the Deepwater Port Act of 
                        1974 (33 U.S.C. 1503); and
                    ``(B) the date of enactment of this subsection.
            ``(2) Applications to re-export.--The Commission shall 
        grant or deny an application under subsection (a) to re-export 
        to another foreign country any natural gas that has been 
        exported from the United States to Canada or Mexico for 
        liquefaction in Canada or Mexico, or the territorial waters of 
        Canada or Mexico, not later than 90 days after the later of--
                    ``(A) the date on which the notice of availability 
                for each draft review required under the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
                seq.) for the application is published; and
                    ``(B) the date of enactment of this subsection.
            ``(3) Applications for extensions.--The Commission shall 
        grant or deny an application for an extension of a previously 
        issued authorization to export natural gas described in 
        paragraph (1) or (2) not later than 90 days after the later 
        of--
                    ``(A) the date the application for extension is 
                received by the Commission; and
                    ``(B) the date of enactment of this subsection.
            ``(4) Failure to act.--If the Commission fails to grant or 
        deny an application subject to this subsection by the 
        applicable date required by this subsection, the application 
        shall be considered to be granted and a final agency order.''.

SEC. 602. SUPPLEMENTAL REVIEWS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) 2018 lng export study.--The term ``2018 LNG Export 
        Study'' means the report entitled ``Macroeconomic Outcomes of 
        Market Determined Levels of U.S. LNG Exports'', prepared by 
        NERA Economic Consulting for the National Energy Technology 
        Laboratory of the Department of Energy, published June 7, 2018.
            (2) 2019 life cycle ghg review.--The term ``2019 Life Cycle 
        GHG Review'' means the report entitled ``Life Cycle Greenhouse 
        Gas Perspective on Exporting Liquefied Natural Gas from the 
        United States'', prepared by S. Roman-White, S. Rai, J. 
        Littlefield, G. Cooney, and T. J. Skone for the National Energy 
        Technology Laboratory of the Department of Energy, published 
        September 12, 2019.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
            (4) Supplemental greenhouse gas review.--The term 
        ``supplemental greenhouse gas review'' means a review prepared 
        or commissioned by the Department of Energy and published after 
        January 26, 2024, that analyzes the life cycle greenhouse gas 
        emissions of liquefied natural gas exports from the United 
        States, including consideration of the modeling parameters used 
        in the 2019 Life Cycle GHG Review.
            (5) Supplemental macroeconomic review.--The term 
        ``supplemental macroeconomic review'' means a review prepared 
        or commissioned by the Department of Energy and published after 
        January 26, 2024, that analyzes the macroeconomic outcomes of 
        different levels of liquefied natural gas exports from the 
        United States, including consideration of the natural gas 
        market factors and macroeconomic factors analyzed in the 2018 
        LNG Export Study.
            (6) Supplemental review.--The term ``supplemental review'' 
        means a supplemental greenhouse gas review or a supplemental 
        macroeconomic review.
    (b) Requirements for Supplemental Reviews.--
            (1) Notice and comment on proposed supplemental reviews.--
        Before finalizing a supplemental review, the Secretary shall 
        publish a notice of availability of the proposed supplemental 
        review in the Federal Register pursuant to the notice and 
        comment provisions of section 553 of title 5, United States 
        Code.
            (2) Quality of supplemental reviews.--A supplemental review 
        shall be subject to a peer review process consistent with the 
        final bulletin of the Office of Management and Budget entitled 
        ``Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review'' (70 Fed. 
        Reg. 2664 (January 14, 2005)) (or successor guidance).
            (3) Pending applications.--For a review of an application 
        to grant, deny, or extend an order under section 3(a) of the 
        Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b(a)) to export to a foreign 
        country any natural gas from an LNG terminal in the United 
        States or from a facility subject to section 4 of the Deepwater 
        Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1503), or to re-export to another 
        foreign country any natural gas that has been exported from the 
        United States to Canada or Mexico for liquefaction in Canada or 
        Mexico, or the territorial waters of Canada or Mexico, the 
        Secretary shall base any evaluation of--
                    (A) macroeconomic outcomes on the results of the 
                2018 LNG Export Study, or predecessor documents, unless 
                and until the Secretary finalizes and implements a 
                supplemental macroeconomic review; and
                    (B) life cycle greenhouse gas emissions on the 
                results of the 2019 Life Cycle GHG Review, or 
                predecessor documents, unless and until the Secretary 
                finalizes and implements a supplemental greenhouse gas 
                review.

                         TITLE VII--HYDROPOWER

SEC. 701. HYDROPOWER LICENSE EXTENSIONS.

    (a) Definition of Covered Project.--In this section, the term 
``covered project'' means a hydropower project with respect to which 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a license before March 
13, 2020.
    (b) Authorization of Extension.--Notwithstanding section 13 of the 
Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806), on the request of a licensee of a 
covered project, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may, after 
reasonable notice and for good cause shown, extend in accordance with 
subsection (c) the period during which the licensee is required to 
commence construction of the covered project for an additional 4 years 
beyond the 8 years authorized by that section.
    (c) Period of Extension.--An extension of time to commence 
construction of a covered project under subsection (b) shall--
            (1) begin on the date on which the final extension of the 
        period for commencement of construction granted to the licensee 
        under section 13 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806) 
        expires; and
            (2) end on the date that is 4 years after the latest date 
        to which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is authorized 
        to extend the period for commencement of construction under 
        that section.
    (d) Reinstatement of Expired License.--If the time period required 
under section 13 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806) to commence 
construction of a covered project expires after December 31, 2023, and 
before the date of enactment of this Act--
            (1) the Commission may reinstate the license for the 
        applicable project effective as of the date of expiration of 
        the license; and
            (2) the extension authorized under subsection (b) shall 
        take effect on the date of that expiration.
                                 <all>