[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 71 (Monday, May 11, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5321-S5322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RENEWABLE ENERGY PERMITTING ACT

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I am proud to once again have joined my 
friend, Senator Ensign, in introducing legislation that is good for 
Nevada and will help create jobs and contribute to rebuilding Nevada's 
economy.
  The Federal Government owns 87 percent of Nevada's land. Nevada reaps 
tremendous benefits from this land--we have some of the most scenic 
areas and clearest skies in the country. This land is also blessed with 
some of the most valuable clean energy resources America has to offer--
these resources alone could power the entire Nation with the right 
investments in our transmission grid.
  I could not be prouder that President Obama and Secretary Salazar are 
committed to using our public lands to develop solar, wind, geothermal 
and biomass energy resources, and without harming sensitive areas. A 
week ago Saturday, Secretary Salazar came to Nevada to announce over 
$26 million in Recovery funding for Nevada--a large portion for 
expediting renewable energy projects on BLM land. This commitment is 
invaluable to Nevada's future as the Nation's leader in clean renewable 
energy.
  To continue helping this very effort and to ensure that solar and 
wind projects on Federal land provide maximum value to the State, 
Senator Ensign and I have introduced the Renewable Energy Permitting 
Act, REPA. This legislation is very similar to provisions I included in 
the Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act, S. 539, that I 
introduced in March of this year.
  REPA will help solar and wind projects receive BLM approval more 
quickly so these projects can begin generating clean energy and 
creating jobs sooner, rather than later and sustainable economic 
development opportunities
  It will also set aside a portion of the rental fees that are 
collected by the Government for the use of Federal lands by providing 
50 percent of these revenues to the State and 25 percent to the county 
in which a project is located. Additionally, 20 percent will be placed 
into a renewable energy permit processing improvement fund for Nevada, 
Wyoming, Arizona, and California. The last 5 percent will be 
responsibly set aside to augment the restoration and reclamation that 
will be needed if and when these facilities are removed from our public 
lands. Portions of this money will also be available to acquire and 
protect other sensitive lands. This is an important step since, during 
the operation of these beneficial renewable energy facilities, the 
American people will lose access to hundreds of thousands of acres of 
incredible open space and wildlife habitat.

[[Page S5322]]

  Our goal, is to do this right from the beginning. That means 
responsibly developing our vast renewable energy resources and to give 
States and communities new economic development opportunities that will 
create sustainable growth and grow the clean energy industry locally.
  Senator Ensign and I have a long history of working together to 
overcome the challenges Nevada faces because of the significant 
presence of Federal land in our State. Our efforts have made those 
lands work for Nevadans from all walks of life.
  I look forward to continuing these efforts with my friend Senator 
Ensign.

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