American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015

To free the private sector to harness domestic energy resources to create jobs and generate economic growth by removing statutory and administrative barriers. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I—Expanding American energy exports Sec. 1001. Finding. Sec. 1002. Natural gas exports. Sec. 1003. Crude oil exports. Sec. 1004. Coal exports. TITLE II—Improving North American energy infrastructure Subtitle A—North American energy infrastructure Sec. 2001. Finding. Sec. 2002. Definitions. Sec. 2003. Authorization of certain energy infrastructure projects at the national boundary of the United States. Sec. 2004. Importation or exportation of natural gas to Canada and Mexico. Sec. 2005. Transmission of electric energy to Canada and Mexico. Sec. 2006. No Presidential permit required. Sec. 2007. Modifications to existing projects. Sec. 2008. Effective date; rulemaking deadlines. Subtitle B—Keystone XL permit approval Sec. 2011. Findings. Sec. 2012. Keystone XL permit approval. TITLE III—Outer Continental Shelf leasing Sec. 3001. Finding. Sec. 3002. Extension of leasing program. Sec. 3003. Lease sales. Sec. 3004. Applications for permits to drill. Sec. 3005. Lease sales for certain areas. TITLE IV—Utilizing America's onshore resources Sec. 4001. Findings. Sec. 4002. State option for energy development. Subtitle A—Energy development by States Sec. 4011. Definitions. Sec. 4012. State programs. Sec. 4013. Leasing, permitting, and regulatory programs. Sec. 4014. Judicial review. Sec. 4015. Administrative Procedure Act. Subtitle B—Onshore oil and gas permit streamlining Part I—Oil and gas leasing certainty Sec. 4021. Minimum acreage requirement for onshore lease sales. Sec. 4022. Leasing certainty. Sec. 4023. Leasing consistency. Sec. 4024. Reduce redundant policies. Sec. 4025. Streamlined congressional notification. Part II—Application for permits To drill process reform Sec. 4031. Permit to drill application timeline. Sec. 4032. Administrative protest documentation reform. Sec. 4033. Improved Federal energy permit coordination. Sec. 4034. Administration. Part III—Oil shale Sec. 4041. Effectiveness of oil shale regulations, amendments to resource management plans, and record of decision. Sec. 4042. Oil shale leasing. Part IV—National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Access Sec. 4051. Sense of Congress and reaffirming national policy for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Sec. 4052. National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: lease sales. Sec. 4053. National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: planning and permitting pipeline and road construction. Sec. 4054. Issuance of a new integrated activity plan and environmental impact statement. Sec. 4055. Departmental accountability for development. Sec. 4056. Deadlines under new proposed integrated activity plan. Sec. 4057. Updated resource assessment. Part V—Miscellaneous provisions Sec. 4061. Sanctions. Sec. 4062. Ensuring consideration of economic impacts of protections for endangered species and threatened species. Part VI—Judicial review Sec. 4071. Definitions. Sec. 4072. Exclusive venue for certain civil actions relating to covered energy projects. Sec. 4073. Timely filing. Sec. 4074. Expedition in hearing and determining the action. Sec. 4075. Limitation on injunction and prospective relief. Sec. 4076. Limitation on attorneys’ fees and court costs. Sec. 4077. Legal standing. TITLE V—Additional onshore resources Subtitle A—Leasing program for land within Coastal Plain Sec. 5001. Finding. Sec. 5002. Definitions. Sec. 5003. Leasing program for land on the Coastal Plain. Sec. 5004. Lease sales. Sec. 5005. Grant of leases by the Secretary. Sec. 5006. Lease terms and conditions. Sec. 5007. Coastal Plain environmental protection. Sec. 5008. Expedited judicial review. Sec. 5009. Rights-of-way across the Coastal Plain. Sec. 5010. Conveyance. Subtitle B—Native American Energy Sec. 5021. Findings. Sec. 5022. Appraisals. Sec. 5023. Standardization. Sec. 5024. Environmental reviews of major Federal actions on Indian land. Sec. 5025. Judicial review. Sec. 5026. Tribal resource management plans. Sec. 5027. Leases of restricted lands for the Navajo Nation. Sec. 5028. Nonapplicability of certain rules. Subtitle C—Additional regulatory provisions Part I—State authority over hydraulic fracturing Sec. 5031. Finding. Sec. 5032. State authority. Part II—Miscellaneous provisions Sec. 5041. Environmental legal fees. Sec. 5042. Master leasing plans. TITLE VI—Improving America's domestic refining capacity Subtitle A—Refinery permitting reform Sec. 6001. Finding. Sec. 6002. Definitions. Sec. 6003. Streamlining of refinery permitting process. Subtitle B—Repeal of renewable fuel standard Sec. 6011. Findings. Sec. 6012. Phase out of renewable fuel standard. TITLE VII—Stopping EPA overreach Sec. 7001. Findings. Sec. 7002. Clarification of Federal regulatory authority to exclude greenhouse gases from regulation under the Clean Air Act. Sec. 7003. Clarification of authority. Sec. 7004. Jobs analysis for all EPA regulations. TITLE VIII—Debt freedom fund Sec. 8001. Findings. Sec. 8002. Debt freedom fund. I Expanding American energy exports 1001. Finding Congress finds that opening up energy exports will contribute to economic development, private sector job growth, and continued growth in American energy production. 1002. Natural gas exports (a) Finding Congress finds that expanding natural gas exports will lead to increased investment and development of domestic supplies of natural gas that will contribute to job growth and economic development. (b) Natural gas exports Section 3(c) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717b(c) (1) by inserting or any other nation not excluded by this section trade in natural gas (2) by striking (c) For purposes (c) Expedited application and approval process (1) In general For purposes ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (2) Exclusions (A) In general Any nation subject to sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States is excluded from expedited approval under paragraph (1). (B) Designation by President or Congress The President or Congress may designate nations that may be excluded from expedited approval under paragraph (1) for reasons of national security. (3) Order not required No order is required under subsection (a) to authorize the export or import of any natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico. . 1003. Crude oil exports (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) the restrictions on crude oil exports from the 1970s are no longer necessary due to the technological advances that have increased the domestic supply of crude oil; and (2) repealing restrictions on crude oil exports will contribute to job growth and economic development. (b) Repeal of Presidential authority To restrict oil exports (1) In general Section 103 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6212 (2) Conforming amendments (A) Section 12 of the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Act of 1976 ( 15 U.S.C. 719j (i) by striking and section 103 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (ii) by striking such Acts that Act (B) The Energy Policy and Conservation Act is amended— (i) in section 251 ( 42 U.S.C. 6271 (I) by striking subsection (d); and (II) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d); and (ii) in section 523(a)(1) ( 42 U.S.C. 6393(a)(1) (other than section 103 thereof) (c) Repeal of limitations on exports of oil (1) In general Section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 185 (A) by striking subsection (u); and (B) by redesignating subsections (v) through (y) as subsections (u) through (x), respectively. (2) Conforming amendments (A) Section 1107(c) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3167(c) (u) through (y) (u) through (x) (B) Section 23 of the Deep Water Port Act of 1974 ( 33 U.S.C. 1522 (C) Section 203(c) of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1652(c) (w)(2), and (x)) (v)(2), and (w)) (D) Section 509(c) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 43 U.S.C. 2009(c) subsection (w)(2) subsection (v)(2) (d) Repeal of limitations on export of OCS oil or gas Section 28 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1354 (e) Termination of limitation on exportation of crude oil Section 7(d) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 ( 50 U.S.C. App. 2406(d) 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (f) Clarification of crude oil regulation (1) In general Section 754.2 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to crude oil) shall have no force or effect. (2) Crude oil license requirements The Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce shall grant licenses to export to a country crude oil (as the term is defined in subsection (a) of the regulation referred to in paragraph (1)) (as in effect on the date that is 1 day before the date of enactment of this Act) unless— (A) the country is subject to sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States; or (B) the President or Congress has designated the country as subject to exclusion for reasons of national security. 1004. Coal exports (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) increased international demand for coal is an opportunity to support jobs and promote economic growth in the United States; and (2) exports of coal should not be unreasonably restricted or delayed. (b) NEPA review for coal exports In completing an environmental impact statement or similar analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1) may only take into account domestic environmental impacts; and (2) may not take into account any impacts resulting from the final use overseas of the exported coal. II Improving North American energy infrastructure A North American energy infrastructure 2001. Finding Congress finds that the United States should establish a more uniform, transparent, and modern process for the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of oil and natural gas pipelines and electric transmission facilities for the import and export of oil and natural gas and the transmission of electricity to and from Canada and Mexico, in pursuit of a more secure and efficient North American energy market. 2002. Definitions In this subtitle: (1) Cross-border segment The term cross-border segment (2) Electric Reliability Organization The term Electric Reliability Organization 16 U.S.C. 824o (3) Independent System Operator The term Independent System Operator 16 U.S.C. 796 (4) Modification The term modification (5) Natural gas The term natural gas 15 U.S.C. 717a (6) Oil The term oil (7) Regional entity The term regional entity 16 U.S.C. 824o (8) Regional Transmission Organization The term Regional Transmission Organization 16 U.S.C. 796 2003. Authorization of certain energy infrastructure projects at the national boundary of the United States (a) Authorization Except as provided in subsection (c) and section 2007, no person may construct, connect, operate, or maintain a cross-border segment of an oil pipeline or electric transmission facility for the import or export of oil or the transmission of electricity to or from Canada or Mexico without obtaining a certificate of crossing for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the cross-border segment under this section. (b) Certificate of crossing (1) Requirement Not later than 120 days after final action is taken under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (2) Additional requirement for electric transmission facilities In the case of a request for a certificate of crossing for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of a cross-border segment of an electric transmission facility, the Secretary of Energy shall require, as a condition of issuing the certificate of crossing for the request under paragraph (1), that the cross-border segment of the electric transmission facility be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained consistent with all applicable policies and standards of— (A) the Electric Reliability Organization and the applicable regional entity; and (B) any Regional Transmission Organization or Independent System Operator with operational or functional control over the cross-border segment of the electric transmission facility. (c) Exclusions This section shall not apply to any construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of a cross-border segment of an oil pipeline or electric transmission facility for the import or export of oil or the transmission of electricity to or from Canada or Mexico— (1) if the cross-border segment is operating for that import, export, or transmission as of the date of enactment of this Act; (2) if a permit described in section 2006 for that construction, connection, operation, or maintenance has been issued; (3) if a certificate of crossing for that construction, connection, operation, or maintenance has previously been issued under this section; or (4) if an application for a permit described in section 2006 for that construction, connection, operation, or maintenance is pending on the date of enactment of this Act, until the earlier of— (A) the date on which the application is denied; or (B) July 1, 2016. (d) Effect of other laws (1) Application to projects Nothing in this section or section 2007 affects the application of any other Federal law to a project for which a certificate of crossing for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of a cross-border segment is sought under this section. (2) Effect on Natural Gas Act Nothing in this section or section 2007 affects the requirement to obtain approval or authorization under sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717b 2004. Importation or exportation of natural gas to Canada and Mexico Section 3(c) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717b(c) (1) by striking (c) For purposes (c) Expedited approval (1) In general For purposes ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) Expedited exports to Canada or Mexico No order is required under subsection (a) to authorize the export or import of any natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico. . 2005. Transmission of electric energy to Canada and Mexico (a) Repeal of requirement To secure order Section 202 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 824a (b) Conforming amendments (1) State regulations Section 202(f) of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 824a(f) insofar as such State regulation does not conflict with the exercise of the Commission's powers under or relating to subsection 202(e) (2) Seasonal diversity electricity exchange Section 602(b) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 824a–4(b) the Commission has the Secretary has conducted hearings and finds that the proposed transmission facilities would not impair the sufficiency of electric supply within the United States or would not impede or tend to impede the coordination in the public interest of facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Secretary. 2006. No Presidential permit required No Presidential permit (or similar permit) required under Executive Order 13337 ( 3 U.S.C. 301 3 U.S.C. 301 2007. Modifications to existing projects No certificate of crossing under section 2003, or permit described in section 2006, shall be required for a modification to the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility— (1) that is operating for the import or export of oil or natural gas or the transmission of electricity to or from Canada or Mexico as of the date of enactment of this Act; (2) for which a permit described in section 2006 for such construction, connection, operation, or maintenance has been issued; or (3) for which a certificate of crossing for the cross-border segment of the pipeline or facility has previously been issued under section 2003. 2008. Effective date; rulemaking deadlines (a) Effective date Sections 2003 through 2007, and the amendments made by those sections, shall take effect on January 1, 2016. (b) Rulemaking deadlines The Secretary of Energy shall— (1) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, publish in the Federal Register notice of a proposed rulemaking to carry out the applicable requirements of section 2003; and (2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, publish in the Federal Register a final rule to carry out the applicable requirements of section 2003. B Keystone XL permit approval 2011. Findings Congress finds that— (1) building the Keystone XL pipeline will provide jobs and economic growth to the United States; and (2) the Keystone XL pipeline should be approved immediately. 2012. Keystone XL permit approval (a) In General Notwithstanding Executive Order 13337 ( 3 U.S.C. 301 3 U.S.C. 301 (b) Environmental Impact Statement The final environmental impact statement issued by the Secretary of State on January 31, 2014, regarding the pipeline referred to in subsection (a), shall be considered to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (c) Critical habitat No area necessary to construct or maintain the Keystone XL pipeline shall be considered critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. (d) Permits Any Federal permit or authorization issued before the date of enactment of this Act for the pipeline and cross-border facilities described in subsection (a), and the related facilities in the United States, shall remain in effect. (e) Federal judicial review The pipeline and cross-border facilities described in subsection (a), and the related facilities in the United States, that are approved by this section, and any permit, right-of-way, or other action taken to construct or complete the project pursuant to Federal law, shall only be subject to judicial review on direct appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. III Outer Continental Shelf leasing 3001. Finding Congress finds that the United States has enormous potential for offshore energy development and that the people of the United States should have access to the jobs and economic benefits from developing those resources. 3002. Extension of leasing program (a) In general Subject to subsection (c), the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2015–2020 issued by the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this title as the Secretary 43 U.S.C. 1344 (b) Final environmental impact statement The Secretary is considered to have issued a final environmental impact statement for the program applicable to the period described in subsection (a) in accordance with all requirements under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (c) Exceptions Lease Sales 214, 232, and 239 shall not be included in the final oil and gas leasing program for the period of fiscal years 2015 through 2020. 3003. Lease sales (a) In general Except as otherwise provided in this section, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and every 270 days thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a lease sale in each outer Continental Shelf planning area for which the Secretary determines that there is a commercial interest in purchasing Federal oil and gas leases for production on the outer Continental Shelf. (b) Subsequent determinations and sales If the Secretary determines that there is not a commercial interest in purchasing Federal oil and gas leases for production on the outer Continental Shelf in a planning area under this section, not later than 2 years after the date of the determination and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall— (1) make an additional determination on whether there is a commercial interest in purchasing Federal oil and gas leases for production on the outer Continental Shelf in the planning area; and (2) if the Secretary determines that there is a commercial interest under paragraph (1), conduct a lease sale in the planning area. (c) Protection of State interest In developing future leasing programs, the Secretary shall give deference to affected coastal States (as the term is used in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. (d) Petitions If a person petitions the Secretary to conduct a lease sale for an outer Continental Shelf planning area in which the person has a commercial interest, the Secretary shall conduct a lease sale for the area in accordance with subsection (a). 3004. Applications for permits to drill Section 5 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1334 (k) Applications for permits To drill (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall approve or disapprove an application for a permit to drill submitted under this Act not later than 20 days after the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary. (2) Disapproval If the Secretary disapproves an application for a permit to drill under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) provide to the applicant a description of the reasons for the disapproval of the application; (B) allow the applicant to resubmit an application during the 10-day period beginning on the date of the receipt of the description described in subparagraph (A) by the applicant; and (C) approve or disapprove any resubmitted application not later than 10 days after the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary. . 3005. Lease sales for certain areas (a) In general As soon as practicable but not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct Lease Sale 220 for areas offshore of the State of Virginia. (b) Compliance with other laws For purposes of the lease sale described in subsection (a), the environmental impact statement prepared under section 3001 shall satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (c) Energy projects in Gulf of Mexico (1) Jurisdiction The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit shall have exclusive jurisdiction over challenges to offshore energy projects and permits to drill carried out in the Gulf of Mexico. (2) Filing deadline Any civil action to challenge a project or permit described in paragraph (1) shall be filed not later than 60 days after the date of approval of the project or the issuance of the permit. IV Utilizing America's onshore resources 4001. Findings Congress finds that— (1) current policy has failed to take full advantage of the natural resources on Federal land; (2) the States should be given the option to lead energy development on all available Federal land in a State; and (3) the Federal Government should not inhibit energy development on Federal land. 4002. State option for energy development Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a State may elect to control energy development and production on available Federal land in accordance with the terms and conditions of subtitle A and the amendments made by subtitle A in lieu of being subject to the Federal system established under subtitle B and the amendments made by subtitle B. A Energy development by States 4011. Definitions In this subtitle: (1) Available Federal land The term available Federal land (A) is located within the boundaries of a State; (B) is not held by the United States in trust for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian tribe; (C) is not a unit of the National Park System; (D) is not a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and (E) is not a congressionally designated wilderness area. (2) Secretary The term Secretary (3) State The term State (A) a State; and (B) the District of Columbia. 4012. State programs (a) In general A State— (1) may establish a program covering the leasing and permitting processes, regulatory requirements, and any other provisions by which the State would exercise the rights of the State to develop all forms of energy resources on available Federal land in the State; and (2) as a condition of certification under section 4013(b) shall submit a declaration to the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Energy that a program under paragraph (1) has been established or amended. (b) Amendment of programs A State may amend a program developed and certified under this subtitle at any time. (c) Certification of amended programs Any program amended under subsection (b) shall be certified under section 4013(b). 4013. Leasing, permitting, and regulatory programs (a) Satisfaction of Federal requirements Each program certified under this section shall be considered to satisfy all applicable requirements of Federal law (including regulations), including— (1) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (2) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. (3) the National Historic Preservation Act ( 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq. (b) Federal certification and transfer of development rights Upon submission of a declaration by a State under section 4012(a)(2)— (1) the program under section 4012(a)(1) shall be certified; and (2) the State shall receive all rights from the Federal Government to develop all forms of energy resources covered by the program. (c) Issuance of permits and leases If a State elects to issue a permit or lease for the development of any form of energy resource on any available Federal land within the borders of the State in accordance with a program certified under subsection (b), the permit or lease shall be considered to meet all applicable requirements of Federal law (including regulations). 4014. Judicial review Activities carried out in accordance with this subtitle shall not be subject to Federal judicial review. 4015. Administrative Procedure Act Activities carried out in accordance with this subtitle shall not be subject to subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Administrative Procedure Act B Onshore oil and gas permit streamlining I Oil and gas leasing certainty 4021. Minimum acreage requirement for onshore lease sales Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (1) by striking Sec. 17. Lease of oil and gas land (a) Authority of Secretary (1) In general All land ; and (2) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following: (2) Minimum acreage requirement for onshore lease sales (A) In general In conducting lease sales under paragraph (1)— (i) there shall be a presumption that nominated land should be leased; and (ii) the Secretary of the Interior shall offer for sale all of the nominated acreage not previously made available for lease, unless the Secretary demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that an individual lease should not be granted. (B) Administration Acreage offered for lease pursuant to this paragraph— (i) shall not be subject to protest; and (ii) shall be eligible for categorical exclusions under section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15942 (C) Availability In administering this paragraph, the Secretary shall only consider leasing of Federal land that is available for leasing at the time the lease sale occurs. . 4022. Leasing certainty Section 17(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(a) (3) Leasing certainty (A) In general The Secretary of the Interior shall not withdraw any covered energy project (as defined in section 4051 of the American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015 (B) Delay The Secretary shall not infringe on lease rights under leases issued under this Act by indefinitely delaying issuance of project approvals, drilling and seismic permits, and rights-of-way for activities under the lease. (C) Availability for lease Not later than 18 months after an area is designated as open under the applicable land use plan, the Secretary shall make available nominated areas for lease using the criteria established under section 2. (D) Last payment (i) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall issue all leases sold not later than 60 days after the last payment is made. (ii) Cancellation The Secretary shall not cancel or withdraw any lease parcel after a competitive lease sale has occurred and a winning bidder has submitted the last payment for the parcel. (E) Protests (i) In general Not later than the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date a lease sale is held under this Act, the Secretary shall adjudicate any lease protests filed following a lease sale. (ii) Unsettled protest If, after the 60-day period described in clause (i) any protest is left unsettled— (I) the protest shall be considered automatically denied; and (II) the appeal rights of the protestor shall begin. (F) Additional lease stipulations No additional lease stipulation may be added after the parcel is sold without consultation and agreement of the lessee, unless the Secretary considers the stipulation as an emergency action to conserve the resources of the United States. . 4023. Leasing consistency A Federal land manager shall follow existing resource management plans and continue to actively lease in areas designated as open when resource management plans are being amended or revised, until such time as a new record of decision is signed. 4024. Reduce redundant policies Bureau of Land Management Instruction Memorandum 2010–117 shall have no force or effect. 4025. Streamlined congressional notification Section 31(e) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 188(e) at least thirty days in advance of the reinstatement in an annual report II Application for permits To drill process reform 4031. Permit to drill application timeline Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(p) (2) Applications for permits to drill reform and process (A) In general Not later than the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date an application for a permit to drill is received by the Secretary, the Secretary shall decide whether to issue the permit. (B) Extension (i) In general The Secretary may extend the period described in subparagraph (A) for up to 2 periods of 15 days each, if the Secretary has given written notice of the delay to the applicant. (ii) Notice The notice shall— (I) be in the form of a letter from the Secretary or a designee of the Secretary; and (II) include— (aa) the names and titles of the persons processing the application; (bb) the specific reasons for the delay; and (cc) a specific date a final decision on the application is expected. (C) Notice of reasons for denial If the application is denied, the Secretary shall provide the applicant— (i) a written statement that provides clear and comprehensive reasons why the application was not accepted and detailed information concerning any deficiencies; and (ii) an opportunity to remedy any deficiencies. (D) Application deemed approved (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), if the Secretary has not made a decision on the application by the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date the application is received by the Secretary, the application shall be considered approved. (ii) Exceptions Clause (i) shall not apply in cases in which existing reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. (E) Denial of permit If the Secretary decides not to issue a permit to drill under this paragraph, the Secretary shall— (i) provide to the applicant a description of the reasons for the denial of the permit; (ii) allow the applicant to resubmit an application for a permit to drill during the 10-day period beginning on the date the applicant receives the description of the denial from the Secretary; and (iii) issue or deny any resubmitted application not later than 10 days after the date the application is submitted to the Secretary. (F) Fee (i) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall collect a single $6,500 permit processing fee per application from each applicant at the time the final decision is made whether to issue a permit under subparagraph (A). (ii) Resubmitted application The fee required under clause (i) shall not apply to any resubmitted application. (iii) Treatment of permit processing fee Subject to appropriation, of all fees collected under this paragraph for each fiscal year, 50 percent shall be— (I) transferred to the field office at which the fees are collected; and (II) used to process protests, leases, and permits under this Act. . 4032. Administrative protest documentation reform Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(p) (4) Protest fee (A) In general The Secretary shall collect a $5,000 documentation fee to accompany each administrative protest for a lease, right-of-way, or application for a permit to drill. (B) Treatment of fees Subject to appropriation, of all fees collected under this paragraph for each fiscal year, 50 percent shall— (i) remain in the field office at which the fees are collected; and (ii) be used to process protests. . 4033. Improved Federal energy permit coordination (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Energy project The term energy project (2) Project The term Project (3) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a Federal Permit Streamlining Project in each Bureau of Land Management field office with responsibility for permitting energy projects on Federal land. (c) Memorandum of understanding (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding for purposes of carrying out this section with— (A) the Secretary of Agriculture; (B) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and (C) the Chief of Engineers. (2) State participation The Secretary may request that the Governor of any State with energy projects on Federal land to be a signatory to the memorandum of understanding. (d) Designation of qualified staff (1) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the signing of the memorandum of understanding under subsection (c), each Federal signatory party shall, if appropriate, assign to each Bureau of Land Management field office an employee who has expertise in the regulatory issues relating to the office in which the employee is employed, including, as applicable, particular expertise in— (A) the consultations and the preparation of biological opinions under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1536 (B) permits under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1344 (C) regulatory matters under the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. (D) planning under the National Forest Management Act of 1976 ( 16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq. (E) the preparation of analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (2) Duties Each employee assigned under paragraph (1) shall— (A) not later than 90 days after the date of assignment, report to the Bureau of Land Management Field Managers in the office to which the employee is assigned; (B) be responsible for all issues relating to the energy projects that arise under the authorities of the home agency of the employee; and (C) participate as part of the team of personnel working on proposed energy projects, planning, and environmental analyses on Federal land. (e) Additional personnel The Secretary shall assign to each Bureau of Land Management field office described in subsection (b) any additional personnel that are necessary to ensure the effective approval and implementation of energy projects administered by the Bureau of Land Management field office, including inspection and enforcement relating to energy development on Federal land, in accordance with the multiple use mandate of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (f) Funding Funding for the additional personnel shall come from the Department of the Interior reforms under paragraph (2) of section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(p) (g) Savings provision Nothing in this section affects— (1) the operation of any Federal or State law; or (2) any delegation of authority made by the head of a Federal agency any employee of which is participating in the Project. 4034. Administration Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior shall not require a finding of extraordinary circumstances in administering section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15942 III Oil shale 4041. Effectiveness of oil shale regulations, amendments to resource management plans, and record of decision (a) Regulations (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including regulations), the final regulations regarding oil shale management published by the Bureau of Land Management on November 18, 2008 (73 Fed. Reg. 69414), shall be considered to satisfy all legal and procedural requirements under any law, including— (A) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. (C) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (2) Implementation The Secretary of the Interior shall implement the regulations described in paragraph (1) (including the oil shale leasing program authorized by the regulations) without any other administrative action necessary. (b) Amendments to resource management plans and record of decision (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including regulations) to the contrary, the Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments/Record of Decision for Oil Shale and Tar Sands Resources to Address Land Use Allocations in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming and the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement of the Bureau of Land Management, as in effect on November 17, 2008, shall be considered to satisfy all legal and procedural requirements under any law, including— (A) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. (C) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (2) Implementation The Secretary of the Interior shall implement the oil shale leasing program authorized by the regulations described in paragraph (1) in those areas covered by the resource management plans covered by the amendments, and covered by the record of decision, described in paragraph (1) without any other administrative action necessary. 4042. Oil shale leasing (a) Additional research and development lease sales Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall hold a lease sale offering an additional 10 parcels for lease for research, development, and demonstration of oil shale resources, under the terms offered in the solicitation of bids for such leases published on January 15, 2009 (74 Fed. Reg. 2611). (b) Commercial lease sales (1) In general Not later than January 1, 2017, the Secretary of the Interior shall hold not less than 5 separate commercial lease sales in areas considered to have the most potential for oil shale development, as determined by the Secretary, in areas nominated through public comment. (2) Administration Each lease sale shall be— (A) for an area of not less than 25,000 acres; and (B) in multiple lease blocs. IV National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Access 4051. Sense of Congress and reaffirming national policy for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska remains explicitly designated, both in name and legal status, for purposes of providing oil and natural gas resources to the United States; and (2) accordingly, the national policy is to actively advance oil and gas development within the Reserve by facilitating the expeditious exploration, production, and transportation of oil and natural gas from and through the Reserve. 4052. National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: lease sales Section 107 of the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 ( 42 U.S.C. 6506a (a) In general The Secretary shall conduct an expeditious program of competitive leasing of oil and gas in the Reserve— (1) in accordance with this Act; and (2) that shall include at least 1 lease sale annually in the areas of the Reserve most likely to produce commercial quantities of oil and natural gas for each of calendar years 2015 through 2024. . 4053. National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: planning and permitting pipeline and road construction (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies, shall facilitate and ensure permits, in a timely and environmentally responsible manner, for all surface development activities, including for the construction of pipelines and roads, necessary— (1) to develop and bring into production any areas within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska that are subject to oil and gas leases; and (2) to transport oil and gas from and through the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska in the most direct manner possible to existing transportation or processing infrastructure on the North Slope of Alaska. (b) Timeline The Secretary shall ensure that any Federal permitting agency shall issue permits in accordance with the following timeline: (1) Permits for the construction described in subsection (a) for transportation of oil and natural gas produced under existing Federal oil and gas leases with respect to which the Secretary has issued a permit to drill shall be approved not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Permits for the construction described in subsection (a) for transportation of oil and natural gas produced under Federal oil and gas leases shall be approved not later than 180 days after the date on which a request for a permit to drill is submitted to the Secretary. (c) Plan To ensure timely future development of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to Congress a plan for approved rights-of-way for a plan for pipeline, road, and any other surface infrastructure that may be necessary infrastructure that will ensure that all leasable tracts in the Reserve are within 25 miles of an approved road and pipeline right-of-way that can serve future development of the Reserve. 4054. Issuance of a new integrated activity plan and environmental impact statement (a) Issuance of new integrated activity plan Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall issue— (1) a new proposed integrated activity plan from among the nonadopted alternatives in the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska-Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision issued by the Secretary of the Interior and dated February 21, 2013; and (2) an environmental impact statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (b) Nullification of existing record of decision, IAP, and EIS Except as provided in subsection (a), the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision issued by the Secretary of the Interior and dated February 21, 2013, including the integrated activity plan and environmental impact statement referred to in that record of decision, shall have no force or effect. 4055. Departmental accountability for development The Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate regulations not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act that establish clear requirements to ensure that the Department of the Interior is supporting development of oil and gas leases in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. 4056. Deadlines under new proposed integrated activity plan At a minimum, the new proposed integrated activity plan issued under section 4054(a)(1) shall— (1) require the Department of the Interior to respond within 5 business days to a person who submits an application for a permit for development of oil and natural gas leases in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska acknowledging receipt of the application; and (2) establish a timeline for the processing of each application that— (A) specifies deadlines for decisions and actions on permit applications; and (B) provides that the period for issuing a permit after the date on which the application is submitted shall not exceed 60 days without the concurrence of the applicant. 4057. Updated resource assessment (a) In general The Secretary of the Interior shall complete a comprehensive assessment of all technically recoverable fossil fuel resources within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, including all conventional and unconventional oil and natural gas. (b) Cooperation and consultation The assessment required by subsection (a) shall be carried out by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation and consultation with the State of Alaska and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. (c) Timing The assessment required by subsection (a) shall be completed not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (d) Funding In carrying out this section, the United States Geological Survey may cooperatively use resources and funds provided by the State of Alaska. V Miscellaneous provisions 4061. Sanctions Nothing in this title authorizes the issuance of a lease under the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. (1) the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 ( 22 U.S.C. 2151 Public Law 108–175 (2) the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestiture Act of 2010 ( 22 U.S.C. 8501 et seq. (3) section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8513a (4) the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8701 et seq. (5) the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8801 et seq. (6) the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 Public Law 104–172 (7) Executive Order 13224 ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (8) Executive Order 13338 ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (9) Executive Order 13622 ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (10) Executive Order 13628 ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (11) Executive Order 13645 ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 4062. Ensuring consideration of economic impacts of protections for endangered species and threatened species (a) In general Section 13 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (87 Stat. 902; relating to conforming amendments to other laws, which have been executed) is amended to read as follows: 13. Ensuring the consideration of the economic impacts of protections (a) Consideration of economic costs and benefits Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any authorization, requirement, or prohibition of, or other restriction on, any action by a Federal agency or other person under this Act shall not apply with respect to a species determined by the Secretary to be an endangered species or threatened species, unless— (1) the Secretary has published and submitted to Congress a report that— (A) describes the application; (B) sets forth the data considered by the Secretary regarding the economic costs and benefits of the application; and (C) determines that the economic benefits of the application exceed the economic costs of the application; and (2) the application is authorized expressly with respect to that species in a law enacted by Congress after the date of enactment of the American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015 (b) Limitations Subsection (a)— (1) does not affect any authority of the Secretary under this Act— (A) to determine that a species is an endangered species or threatened species and designate the critical habitat of that species; (B) to conduct research regarding a species or the critical habitat of that species; or (C) to prepare, publish, or revise lists, or conduct reviews, under section 4(c); (2) does not apply with respect to a species if— (A) the Secretary— (i) determines that prompt application of an authorization, requirement, or prohibition under this Act is necessary to prevent the extinction of the species; and (ii) convenes a meeting of the Endangered Species Committee to consider that determination, except that for purposes of this paragraph each member of the Committee from an affected State under section 4(e)(3)(G) shall be appointed by the Governor of that State; and (B) the Committee— (i) concurs in that determination by not later than 30 days after the date the Secretary convenes the Committee; and (ii) the vote to concur in that determination is unanimous, with all 7 votes in favor; and (3) does not affect the application of this Act with respect to a species that is included in the list in effect under section 4(c) on the date of enactment of the American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015 (c) Change in status of species (1) In general A species shall not be treated under this Act as an endangered species or threatened species after the end of the 15-year period beginning on the date the Secretary determines under this Act that the species is an endangered species or a threatened species, unless the Secretary determines under section 4(c)(2), after the end of the 10-year period beginning on that date, that the species should not be changed in status. (2) Application with respect to previously listed species In the case of a species included in a list under section 4(c) in effect on the date of enactment of the American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015 the Secretary determines under this Act that the species is an endangered species or a threatened species . (b) Conforming amendment The table of contents for the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 15 U.S.C. 1531 Sec. 13. Ensuring the consideration of the economic impacts of protections. . VI Judicial review 4071. Definitions In this part: (1) Covered civil action The term covered civil action (2) Covered energy project (A) In general The term covered energy project (i) the leasing of Federal land for the exploration, development, production, processing, or transmission of oil, natural gas, wind, or any other source of energy; and (ii) any action under the lease. (B) Exclusion The term covered energy project 4072. Exclusive venue for certain civil actions relating to covered energy projects Venue for any covered civil action shall lie in the United States district court in which the covered energy project or lease exists or is proposed. 4073. Timely filing To ensure timely redress by the courts, a covered civil action shall be filed not later than the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the final Federal agency action to which the covered civil action relates. 4074. Expedition in hearing and determining the action The court shall endeavor to hear and determine any covered civil action as expeditiously as practicable. 4075. Limitation on injunction and prospective relief (a) In general In a covered civil action, a court shall not grant or approve any prospective relief unless the court finds that the relief— (1) is narrowly drawn; (2) extends no further than necessary to correct the violation of a legal requirement; and (3) is the least intrusive means necessary to correct the violation. (b) Duration (1) In general A court shall limit the duration of preliminary injunctions to halt covered energy projects to not more than 60 days, unless the court finds clear reasons to extend the injunction. (2) Administration In the case of an extension, the extension shall— (A) only be in 30-day increments; and (B) require action by the court to renew the injunction. 4076. Limitation on attorneys’ fees and court costs (a) In general Sections 504 of title 5 and 2412 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Equal Access to Justice Act (b) Court costs A party to a covered civil action shall not receive payment from the Federal Government for the attorneys’ fees, expenses, or other court costs incurred by the party. 4077. Legal standing A challenger that files an appeal with the Department of the Interior Board of Land Appeals shall meet the same standing requirements as a challenger before a United States district court. V Additional onshore resources A Leasing program for land within Coastal Plain 5001. Finding Congress finds that development of energy reserves under the Coastal Plain of Alaska, performed in an environmentally responsible manner, will contribute to job growth and economic development. 5002. Definitions In this subtitle: (1) Coastal plain The term Coastal Plain (2) Peer reviewed The term peer reviewed (A) by individuals chosen by the National Academy of Sciences with no contractual relationship with, or those who have no application for a grant or other funding pending with, the Federal agency with leasing jurisdiction; or (B) if individuals described in subparagraph (A) are not available, by the top individuals in the specified biological fields, as determined by the National Academy of Sciences. (3) Secretary The term Secretary 5003. Leasing program for land on the Coastal Plain (a) In general The Secretary shall— (1) establish and implement, in accordance with this subtitle and acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management in consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain; and (2) administer the provisions of this subtitle through regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, stipulations, and other provisions that ensure the oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on the Coastal Plain do not result in any significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, the habitat of fish and wildlife, subsistence resources, or the environment, including, in furtherance of this goal, by requiring the application of the best commercially available technology for oil and gas exploration, development, and production to all exploration, development, and production operations under this subtitle in a manner that ensures the receipt of fair market value by the public for the mineral resources to be leased. (b) Repeal of existing restriction (1) Repeal Section 1003 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3143 (2) Conforming amendment The table of contents contained in section 1 of that Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3101 (c) Compliance with requirements under certain other laws (1) Compatibility For purposes of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 ( 16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq. (2) Adequacy of the Department of the Interior’s legislative environmental impact statement The document of the Department of the Interior entitled Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement 16 U.S.C. 3142 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (3) Compliance with NEPA for other actions (A) In general Prior to conducting the first lease sale under this subtitle, the Secretary shall prepare an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (B) Nonleasing alternatives not required Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in preparing the environmental impact statement under subparagraph (A), the Secretary— (i) shall— (I) only identify a preferred action for leasing and a single leasing alternative; and (II) analyze the environmental effects and potential mitigation measures for those 2 alternatives; and (ii) is not required— (I) to identify nonleasing alternative courses of action; or (II) to analyze the environmental effects of nonleasing alternative courses of action. (C) Deadline The identification under subparagraph (B)(i)(I) for the first lease sale conducted under this subtitle shall be completed not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. (D) Public comment The Secretary shall only consider public comments that— (i) specifically address the preferred action of the Secretary; and (ii) are filed not later than 20 days after the date on which the environmental analysis is published. (E) Compliance Notwithstanding any other provision of law, compliance with this paragraph is deemed to satisfy all requirements for the analysis and consideration of the environmental effects of proposed leasing under this subtitle. (d) Relationship to State and local authority Nothing in this subtitle expands or limits State or local regulatory authority. (e) Special areas (1) In general The Secretary, after consultation with the State of Alaska, the city of Kaktovik and the North Slope Borough of the State of Alaska, may designate not more than 45,000 acres of the Coastal Plain as a Special Area (2) Sadlerochit Spring area The Secretary shall designate the Sadlerochit Spring area, consisting of approximately 4,000 acres, as a Special Area. (3) Management Each Special Area shall be managed To protect and preserve the unique and diverse character of the area, including the fish, wildlife, and subsistence resource values of the area. (4) Exclusion from leasing or surface occupancy (A) In general The Secretary may exclude any Special Area from leasing. (B) No surface occupancy If the Secretary leases a Special Area, or any part of a Special Area, for oil and gas exploration, development, production, or related activities, there shall be no surface occupancy of the land comprising the Special Area. (5) Directional drilling Notwithstanding the other provisions of this subsection, the Secretary may lease all or a portion of a Special Area under terms that permit the use of horizontal drilling technology from sites on leases tracts located outside the Special Area. (f) Limitation on closed areas The authority of the Secretary to close land on the Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing, exploration, development, or production shall be limited to the authority provided under this subtitle. (g) Regulations (1) In general Not later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out this subtitle, including regulations relating to protection of fish and wildlife, the habitat of fish and wildlife, subsistence resources, and environment of the Coastal Plain. (2) Revision of regulations The Secretary shall, through a rulemaking conducted in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, periodically review and, if appropriate, revise the regulations promulgated under paragraph (1) to reflect a preponderance of the best available scientific evidence that has been peer reviewed and obtained by following appropriate, documented scientific procedures, the results of which can be repeated using those same procedures. 5004. Lease sales (a) In general In accordance with the requirements of this subtitle, the Secretary may lease land under this subtitle to any person qualified to obtain a lease for deposits of oil and gas under the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. (b) Procedures The Secretary shall, by regulation and not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, establish procedures for— (1) receipt and consideration of sealed nominations for any area of the Coastal Plain for inclusion in, or exclusion from, a lease sale; (2) the holding of lease sales after the nomination process; and (3) public notice of and comment on designation of areas to be included in, or excluded from, a lease sale. (c) Lease sale bids Lease sales under this subtitle may be conducted through an Internet leasing program, if the Secretary determines that the Internet leasing program will result in savings to the taxpayer, an increase in the number of bidders participating, and higher returns than oral bidding or a sealed bidding system. (d) Sale acreages and schedule The Secretary shall— (1) offer for lease under this subtitle— (A) those tracts the Secretary considers to have the greatest potential for the discovery of hydrocarbons, taking into consideration nominations received under subsection (b)(1); and (B) (i) not fewer than 50,000 acres by not later than 22 months after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (ii) not fewer than an additional 50,000 acres at 6-, 12-, and 18-month intervals following the initial offering under subclause (i); (2) conduct 4 additional lease sales under the same terms and schedule as the last lease sale under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) not later than 2 years after the date of that sale, if sufficient interest in leasing exists to warrant, in the judgment of the Secretary, the conduct of the sales; and (3) evaluate the bids in each lease sale under this subsection and issue leases resulting from the sales not later than 90 days after the date on which the sale is completed. 5005. Grant of leases by the Secretary (a) In general The Secretary may grant to the highest responsible qualified bidder in a lease sale conducted under section 5004 any land to be leased on the Coastal Plain upon payment by the bidder of any bonus as may be accepted by the Secretary. (b) Subsequent transfers No lease issued under this subtitle may be sold, exchanged, assigned, sublet, or otherwise transferred except with the approval of the Secretary after the Secretary consults with, and gives due consideration to the views of, the Attorney General. 5006. Lease terms and conditions An oil or gas lease issued under this subtitle shall— (1) provide for the payment of a royalty of not less than 12.5 percent in amount or value of the production removed or sold under the lease, as determined by the Secretary under the regulations applicable to other Federal oil and gas leases; (2) provide that the Secretary may close, on a seasonal basis, portions of the Coastal Plain to exploratory drilling activities as necessary to protect caribou calving areas and other species of fish and wildlife based on a preponderance of the best available scientific evidence that has been peer reviewed and obtained by following appropriate, documented scientific procedures, the results of which can be repeated using those same procedures; (3) require that the lessee of land on the Coastal Plain shall be fully responsible and liable for the reclamation of land on the Coastal Plain and any other Federal land that is adversely affected in connection with exploration, development, production, or transportation activities conducted under the lease and on the Coastal Plain by the lessee or by any of the subcontractors or agents of the lessee; (4) provide that the lessee may not delegate or convey, by contract or otherwise, the reclamation responsibility and liability to another person without the express written approval of the Secretary; (5) provide that the standard of reclamation for land required to be reclaimed under this subtitle shall be, as nearly as practicable, a condition capable of supporting the uses which the land was capable of supporting prior to any exploration, development, or production activities, or upon application by the lessee, to a higher or better use as certified by the Secretary; (6) contain terms and conditions relating to protection of fish and wildlife, the habitat of fish and wildlife, subsistence resources, and the environment as required under section 5003(a)(2); (7) provide that the lessee, agents of the lessee, and contractors of the lessee use best efforts to provide a fair share, as determined by the level of obligation previously agreed to in the 1974 agreement implementing section 29 of the Federal Agreement and Grant of Right of Way for the Operation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, of employment and contracting for Alaska Natives and Alaska Native corporations from throughout the State; and (8) contain such other provisions as the Secretary determines necessary to ensure compliance with this subtitle and the regulations issued pursuant to this subtitle. 5007. Coastal Plain environmental protection (a) No significant adverse effect standard To govern authorized Coastal Plain activities The Secretary shall, consistent with the requirements of section 5003, administer this subtitle through regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, stipulations, and other provisions that— (1) ensure the oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on the Coastal Plain shall not result in any significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, the habitat of fish and wildlife, or the environment; (2) require the application of the best commercially available technology for oil and gas exploration, development, and production on all new exploration, development, and production operations; and (3) ensure that the maximum amount of surface acreage covered by production and support facilities, including airstrips and any areas covered by gravel berms or piers for support of pipelines, does not exceed 10,000 acres on the Coastal Plain for each 100,000 acres of area leased. (b) Site-Specific assessment and mitigation With respect to any proposed drilling and related activities, the Secretary shall require that— (1) a site-specific analysis be made of the probable effects, if any, that the drilling or related activities will have on fish and wildlife, the habitat of fish and wildlife, subsistence resources, and the environment; (2) a plan be implemented to avoid, minimize, and mitigate (in that order and to the extent practicable) any significant adverse effect identified under paragraph (1); and (3) the development of the plan shall occur after consultation with the agency or agencies having jurisdiction over matters mitigated by the plan. (c) Regulations To protect Coastal Plain fish and wildlife resources, subsistence users, and the environment Prior to implementing the leasing program authorized by this subtitle, the Secretary shall prepare and promulgate regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, stipulations, and other measures designed to ensure that the activities undertaken on the Coastal Plain under this subtitle are conducted in a manner consistent with the purposes and environmental requirements of this subtitle. (d) Compliance with Federal and State environmental laws and other requirements The proposed regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, and stipulations for the leasing program under this subtitle shall require compliance with all applicable provisions of Federal and State environmental law and compliance with the following: (1) Standards at least as effective as the safety and environmental mitigation measures set forth in items 1 through 29 at pages 167 through 169 of the document of the Department of the Interior entitled Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (2) Seasonal limitations on exploration, development, and related activities, where necessary, to avoid significant adverse effects during periods of concentrated fish and wildlife breeding, denning, nesting, spawning, and migration based on a preponderance of the best available scientific evidence that has been peer reviewed and obtained by following appropriate, documented scientific procedures, the results of which can be repeated using those same procedures. (3) That exploration activities, except for surface geological studies— (A) be limited to the period between approximately November 1 and May 1 each year; and (B) be supported, if necessary, by ice roads, winter trails with adequate snow cover, ice pads, ice airstrips, and air transport methods, except that exploration activities may occur at other times if the Secretary finds that the exploration will have no significant adverse effect on the fish and wildlife, the habitat of fish and wildlife, and the environment of the Coastal Plain. (4) Design safety and construction standards for all pipelines and any access and service roads, that minimize, to the maximum extent practicable, adverse effects on— (A) the passage of migratory species such as caribou; and (B) the flow of surface water by requiring the use of culverts, bridges, and other structural devices. (5) Prohibitions on general public access and use on all pipeline access and service roads. (6) Stringent reclamation and rehabilitation requirements, consistent with the standards set forth in this subtitle, requiring the removal from the Coastal Plain of all oil and gas development and production facilities, structures, and equipment upon completion of oil and gas production operations, except that the Secretary may exempt from the requirements of this paragraph those facilities, structures, or equipment that the Secretary determines would assist in the management of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and that are donated to the United States for that purpose. (7) Appropriate prohibitions or restrictions on access by all modes of transportation. (8) Appropriate prohibitions or restrictions on sand and gravel extraction. (9) Consolidation of facility siting. (10) Appropriate prohibitions or restrictions on the use of explosives. (11) Avoidance, to the extent practicable, of springs, streams, and river systems, the protection of natural surface drainage patterns, wetlands, and riparian habitats, and the regulation of methods or techniques for developing or transporting adequate supplies of water for exploratory drilling. (12) Avoidance or minimization of air traffic-related disturbance to fish and wildlife. (13) Treatment and disposal of hazardous and toxic wastes, solid wastes, reserve pit fluids, drilling muds and cuttings, and domestic wastewater, including an annual waste management report, a hazardous materials tracking system, and a prohibition on chlorinated solvents, in accordance with applicable Federal and State environmental law (including regulations). (14) Fuel storage and oil spill contingency planning. (15) Research, monitoring, and reporting requirements. (16) Field crew environmental briefings. (17) Avoidance of significant adverse effects upon subsistence hunting, fishing, and trapping by subsistence users. (18) Compliance with applicable air and water quality standards. (19) Appropriate seasonal and safety zone designations around well sites, within which subsistence hunting and trapping shall be limited. (20) Reasonable stipulations for protection of cultural and archeological resources. (21) All other protective environmental stipulations, restrictions, terms, and conditions determined necessary by the Secretary. (e) Considerations In preparing and promulgating regulations, lease terms, conditions, restrictions, prohibitions, and stipulations under this section, the Secretary shall consider— (1) the stipulations and conditions that govern the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska leasing program, as set forth in the 1999 Northeast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska Final Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement; (2) the environmental protection standards that governed the initial Coastal Plain seismic exploration program under parts 37.31 to 37.33 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations; and (3) the land use stipulations for exploratory drilling on the KIC–ASRC private land that are set forth in appendix 2 of the August 9, 1983, agreement between Arctic Slope Regional Corporation and the United States. (f) Facility consolidation planning (1) In general The Secretary shall, after providing for public notice and comment, prepare and update periodically a plan to govern, guide, and direct the siting and construction of facilities for the exploration, development, production, and transportation of Coastal Plain oil and gas resources. (2) Objectives The plan shall have the following objectives: (A) Avoiding unnecessary duplication of facilities and activities. (B) Encouraging consolidation of common facilities and activities. (C) Locating or confining facilities and activities to areas that will minimize impact on fish and wildlife, the habitat of fish and wildlife, and the environment. (D) Using existing facilities wherever practicable. (E) Enhancing compatibility between wildlife values and development activities. (g) Access to public land The Secretary shall— (1) manage public land in the Coastal Plain subject to section 811 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3121 (2) ensure that local residents shall have reasonable access to public land in the Coastal Plain for traditional uses. 5008. Expedited judicial review (a) Filing of complaint (1) Deadline Subject to paragraph (2), any complaint seeking judicial review of— (A) any provision of this subtitle shall be filed by not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act; or (B) any action of the Secretary under this subtitle shall be filed— (i) except as provided in clause (ii), during the 90-day period beginning on the date on which the action is challenged; or (ii) in the case of a complaint based solely on grounds arising after the period described in clause (i), not later than 90 days after the date on which the complainant knew or reasonably should have known of the grounds for the complaint. (2) Venue Any complaint seeking judicial review of any provision of this subtitle or any action of the Secretary under this subtitle may be filed only in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. (3) Limitation on scope of certain review (A) In general Judicial review of a decision by the Secretary to conduct a lease sale under this subtitle, including an environmental analysis, shall be— (i) limited to whether the Secretary has complied with this subtitle; and (ii) based on the administrative record of that decision. (B) Presumption The identification by the Secretary of a preferred course of action to enable leasing to proceed and the analysis by the Secretary of environmental effects under this subtitle is presumed to be correct unless shown otherwise by clear and convincing evidence. (b) Limitation on other review Actions of the Secretary with respect to which review could have been obtained under this section shall not be subject to judicial review in any civil or criminal proceeding for enforcement. (c) Limitation on attorneys’ fees and court costs (1) In general Sections 504 of title 5 and 2412 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Equal Access to Justice Act (2) Court costs A party to any action under this subtitle shall not receive payment from the Federal Government for the attorneys’ fees, expenses, or other court costs incurred by the party. 5009. Rights-of-way across the Coastal Plain (a) In general The Secretary shall issue rights-of-way and easements across the Coastal Plain for the transportation of oil and gas produced under leases under this subtitle— (1) except as provided in paragraph (2), under section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 185 16 U.S.C. 3161 et seq. (2) under title XI of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act ( 30 U.S.C. 3161 et seq. 16 U.S.C. 3170 (b) Terms and conditions The Secretary shall include in any right-of-way or easement issued under subsection (a) such terms and conditions as may be necessary to ensure that transportation of oil and gas does not result in a significant adverse effect on the fish and wildlife, the habitat of fish and wildlife, subsistence resources, or the environment of the Coastal Plain, including requirements that facilities be sited or designed so as to avoid unnecessary duplication of roads and pipelines. (c) Regulations The Secretary shall include in regulations promulgated under section 5003(g) provisions granting rights-of-way and easements described in subsection (a). 5010. Conveyance In order to maximize Federal revenues by removing clouds on titles to land and clarifying land ownership patterns on the Coastal Plain, and notwithstanding section 1302(h)(2) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3192(h)(2) (1) to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation, the surface estate of the land described in paragraph 1 of Public Land Order 6959, to the extent necessary to fulfill the entitlement of the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation under sections 12 and 14 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1611 (2) to the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation the remaining subsurface estate to which the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation is entitled pursuant to the August 9, 1983, agreement between the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation and the United States of America. B Native American Energy 5021. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the Federal Government has unreasonably interfered with the efforts of Indian tribes to develop energy resources on tribal land; and (2) Indian tribes should have the opportunity to gain the benefits of the jobs, investment, and economic development to be gained from energy development. 5022. Appraisals (a) Amendment Title XXVI of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 ( 25 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. 2607. Appraisal reforms (a) Options to Indian Tribes With respect to a transaction involving Indian land or the trust assets of an Indian tribe that requires the approval of the Secretary, any appraisal or other estimates of value relating to fair market value required to be conducted under applicable law, regulation, or policy may be completed by— (1) the Secretary; (2) the affected Indian tribe; or (3) a certified, third-party appraiser pursuant to a contract with the Indian tribe. (b) Time Limit on Secretarial Review and Action Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives an appraisal conducted by or for an Indian tribe pursuant to paragraphs (2) or (3) of subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) review the appraisal; and (2) provide to the Indian tribe a written notice of approval or disapproval of the appraisal. (c) Failure of Secretary To approve or disapprove If the Secretary has failed to approve or disapprove any appraisal by the date that is 60 days after the date on which the appraisal is received, the appraisal shall be deemed approved. (d) Option of Indian tribes To waive appraisal An Indian tribe may waive the requirements of subsection (a) if the Indian tribe provides to the Secretary a written resolution, statement, or other unambiguous indication of tribal intent to waive the requirements that— (1) is duly approved by the governing body of the Indian tribe; and (2) includes an express waiver by the Indian tribe of any claims for damages the Indian tribe might have against the United States as a result of the waiver. (e) Regulations The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement this section, including standards the Secretary shall use for approving or disapproving an appraisal under subsection (b). . (b) Conforming amendment The table of contents of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 ( 42 U.S.C. 13201 Sec. 2607. Appraisal reforms. . 5023. Standardization As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall implement procedures to ensure that each agency within the Department of the Interior that is involved in the review, approval, and oversight of oil and gas activities on Indian land shall use a uniform system of reference numbers and tracking systems for oil and gas wells. 5024. Environmental reviews of major Federal actions on Indian land Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332 (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting (a) In general.— The Congress authorizes (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Review of major Federal actions on Indian land (1) Definitions of Indian land and Indian tribe In this subsection, the terms Indian land Indian tribe 25 U.S.C. 3501 (2) In general For any major Federal action on Indian land of an Indian tribe requiring the preparation of a statement under subsection (a)(2)(C), the statement shall only be available for review and comment by— (A) the members of the Indian tribe; and (B) any other individual residing within the affected area. (3) Regulations The Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, in consultation with Indian tribes, shall develop regulations to implement this section, including descriptions of affected areas for specific major Federal actions. . 5025. Judicial review (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Agency action The term agency action (2) Energy-related action The term energy-related action (A) is filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act; and (B) seeks judicial review of a final agency action relating to the issuance of a permit, license, or other form of agency permission allowing— (i) any person or entity to conduct on Indian land activities involving the exploration, development, production, or transportation of oil, gas, coal, shale gas, oil shale, geothermal resources, wind or solar resources, underground coal gasification, biomass, or the generation of electricity; or (ii) any Indian tribe, or any organization of 2 or more entities, not less than 1 of which is an Indian tribe, to conduct activities involving the exploration, development, production, or transportation of oil, gas, coal, shale gas, oil shale, geothermal resources, wind or solar resources, underground coal gasification, biomass, or the generation of electricity, regardless of where such activities are undertaken. (3) Indian land (A) In general The term Indian land 25 U.S.C. 3501 (B) Inclusion The term Indian land 43 U.S.C. 1602 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. (4) Ultimately prevail (A) In general The term ultimately prevail (B) Exclusion The term ultimately prevail (b) Time for filing complaint (1) In general Any energy related action shall be filed not later than the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the action or decision by a Federal official that constitutes the covered energy project concerned. (2) Prohibition Any energy related action that is not filed within the time period described in paragraph (1) shall be barred. (c) District court venue and deadline An energy related action— (1) may only be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia; and (2) shall be resolved as expeditiously as possible, and in any event not more than 180 days after the energy related action is filed. (d) Appellate review An interlocutory order or final judgment, decree or order of the district court in an energy related action— (1) may be appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; and (2) if the court described in paragraph (1) undertakes the review, the court shall resolve the review as expeditiously as possible, and in any event by not later than 180 days after the interlocutory order or final judgment, decree or order of the district court was issued. (e) Limitation on certain payments Notwithstanding section 1304 of title 31, United States Code, no award may be made under section 504 of title 5, United States Code, or under section 2412 of title 28, United States Code, and no amounts may be obligated or expended from the Claims and Judgment Fund of the United States Treasury to pay any fees or other expenses under such sections, to any person or party in an energy related action. (f) Limitation on attorneys' fees and court costs (1) In general Sections 504 of title 5 and 2412 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Equal Access to Justice Act (2) Court costs A party to a covered civil action shall not receive payment from the Federal Government for the attorneys’ fees, expenses, or other court costs incurred by the party. 5026. Tribal resource management plans Unless otherwise explicitly exempted by Federal law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act, any activity conducted or resources harvested or produced pursuant to a tribal resource management plan or an integrated resource management plan approved by the Secretary of the Interior under the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act ( 25 U.S.C. 3101 et seq. 25 U.S.C. 3701 et seq. 5027. Leases of restricted lands for the Navajo Nation Subsection (e)(1) of the first section of the Act of August 9, 1955 ( 25 U.S.C. 415 Long-Term Leasing Act (1) by striking , except a lease for , including leases for (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking 25 years, except ; and 99 years; (3) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (C) in the case of a lease for the exploration, development, or extraction of mineral resources, including geothermal resources, 25 years, except that the lease may include an option to renew for 1 additional term not to exceed 25 years. . 5028. Nonapplicability of certain rules No rule promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior regarding hydraulic fracturing used in the development or production of oil or gas resources shall affect any land held in trust or restricted status for the benefit of Indians except with the express consent of the beneficiary on behalf of which the land is held in trust or restricted status. C Additional regulatory provisions I State authority over hydraulic fracturing 5031. Finding Congress finds that given variations in geology, land use, and population, the States are best placed to regulate the process of hydraulic fracturing occurring on any land within the boundaries of the individual State. 5032. State authority (a) Definition of Federal land In this section, the term Federal land (1) public lands (as defined in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1702 (2) National Forest System land; (3) land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation; and (4) land under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers. (b) State authority (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State shall have the sole authority to promulgate or enforce any regulation, guidance, or permit requirement regarding the treatment of a well by the application of fluids under pressure to which propping agents may be added for the expressly designed purpose of initiating or propagating fractures in a target geologic formation in order to enhance production of oil, natural gas, or geothermal production activities on or under any land within the boundaries of the State. (2) Federal land Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the treatment of a well by the application of fluids under pressure to which propping agents may be added for the expressly designed purpose of initiating or propagating fractures in a target geologic formation in order to enhance production of oil, natural gas, or geothermal production activities on Federal land shall be subject to the law of the State in which the land is located. II Miscellaneous provisions 5041. Environmental legal fees Section 504 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (g) Environmental legal fees Notwithstanding section 1304 of title 31, no award may be made under this section and no amounts may be obligated or expended from the Claims and Judgment Fund of the Treasury to pay any legal fees of a nongovernmental organization related to an action that (with respect to the United States)— (1) prevents, terminates, or reduces access to or the production of— (A) energy; (B) a mineral resource; (C) water by agricultural producers; (D) a resource by commercial or recreational fishermen; or (E) grazing or timber production on Federal land; (2) diminishes the private property value of a property owner; or (3) eliminates or prevents 1 or more jobs. . 5042. Master leasing plans (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land Management, shall not establish a master leasing plan as part of any guidance issued by the Secretary. (b) Existing master leasing plans Instruction Memorandum No. 2010–117 and any other master leasing plan described in subsection (a) issued on or before the date of enactment of this Act shall have no force or effect. VI Improving America's domestic refining capacity A Refinery permitting reform 6001. Finding Congress finds that the domestic refining industry is an important source of jobs and economic growth and whose growth should not be limited by an excessively drawn out permitting and approval process. 6002. Definitions In this subtitle: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Expansion The term expansion (3) Indian tribe The term Indian tribe 25 U.S.C. 450b (4) Permit The term permit (A) under any Federal law; or (B) from a State or tribal government agency delegated authority by the Federal Government, or authorized under Federal law, to issue permits. (5) Refiner The term refiner (A) owns or operates a refinery; or (B) seeks to become an owner or operator of a refinery. (6) Refinery (A) In general The term refinery (i) a facility at which crude oil is refined into transportation fuel or other petroleum products; and (ii) a coal liquification or coal-to-liquid facility at which coal is processed into synthetic crude oil or any other fuel. (B) Inclusion The term refinery (7) Refinery permitting agreement The term refinery permitting agreement (8) State The term State (A) a State; and (B) the District of Columbia. 6003. Streamlining of refinery permitting process (a) In general At the request of the Governor of a State or the governing body of an Indian tribe, the Administrator shall enter into a refinery permitting agreement with the State or Indian tribe under which the process for obtaining all permits necessary for the construction and operation of a refinery shall be streamlined using a systematic, interdisciplinary multimedia approach, as provided in this section. (b) Authority of Administrator Under a refinery permitting agreement, the Administrator shall have the authority, as applicable and necessary— (1) to accept from a refiner a consolidated application for all permits that the refiner is required to obtain to construct and operate a refinery; (2) in consultation and cooperation with each Federal, State, or tribal government agency that is required to make any determination to authorize the issuance of a permit, to establish a schedule under which each agency shall— (A) concurrently consider, to the maximum extent practicable, each determination to be made; and (B) complete each step in the permitting process; and (3) to issue a consolidated permit that combines all permits issued under the schedule established under paragraph (2). (c) Refinery permitting agreements Under a refinery permitting agreement, a State or governing body of an Indian tribe shall agree that— (1) the Administrator shall have each of the authorities described in subsection (b); and (2) the State or tribal government agency shall— (A) in accordance with State law, make such structural and operational changes in the agencies as are necessary to enable the agencies to carry out consolidated, project-wide permit reviews concurrently and in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal agencies; and (B) comply, to the maximum extent practicable, with the applicable schedule established under subsection (b)(2). (d) Deadlines (1) New refineries In the case of a consolidated permit for the construction of a new refinery, the Administrator and the State or governing body of an Indian tribe shall approve or disapprove the consolidated permit not later than— (A) 365 days after the date of receipt of an administratively complete application for the consolidated permit; or (B) on agreement of the applicant, the Administrator, and the State or governing body of the Indian tribe, 90 days after the expiration of the deadline described in subparagraph (A). (2) Expansion of existing refineries In the case of a consolidated permit for the expansion of an existing refinery, the Administrator and the State or governing body of an Indian tribe shall approve or disapprove the consolidated permit not later than— (A) 120 days after the date of receipt of an administratively complete application for the consolidated permit; or (B) on agreement of the applicant, the Administrator, and the State or governing body of the Indian tribe, 30 days after the expiration of the deadline described in subparagraph (A). (e) Federal agencies Each Federal agency that is required to make any determination to authorize the issuance of a permit shall comply with the applicable schedule established under subsection (b)(2). (f) Judicial review Any civil action for review of a permit determination under a refinery permitting agreement shall be brought exclusively in the United States district court for the district in which the refinery is located or proposed to be located. (g) Efficient permit review In order to reduce the duplication of procedures, the Administrator shall use State permitting and monitoring procedures to satisfy substantially equivalent Federal requirements under this subtitle. (h) Severability If 1 or more permits that are required for the construction or operation of a refinery are not approved on or before an applicable deadline under subsection (d), the Administrator may issue a consolidated permit that combines all other permits that the refiner is required to obtain, other than any permits that are not approved. (i) Consultation with local governments The Administrator, States, and tribal governments shall consult, to the maximum extent practicable, with local governments in carrying out this section. (j) Effect of section Nothing in this section affects— (1) the operation or implementation of any otherwise applicable law regarding permits necessary for the construction and operation of a refinery; (2) the authority of any unit of local government with respect to the issuance of permits; or (3) any requirement or ordinance of a local government (such as a zoning regulation). B Repeal of renewable fuel standard 6011. Findings Congress finds that the mandates under the renewable fuel standard contained in section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7545(o) (1) impose significant costs on American citizens and the American economy, without offering any benefit; and (2) should be repealed. 6012. Phase out of renewable fuel standard (a) In general Section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7545(o) (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking clause (ii); and (ii) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses (ii) and (iii), respectively; and (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking clauses (ii) through (v) and inserting the following: (ii) Calendar years 2014 through 2019 Notwithstanding clause (i), for purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable volumes of renewable fuel for each of calendar years 2014 through 2019 shall be determined as follows: (I) For calendar years 2014 and 2015, in accordance with the table entitled I–2—Proposed 2014 Volume Requirements (II) For calendar year 2016, the applicable volumes established under subclause (I), reduced by 20 percent. (III) For calendar year 2017, the applicable volumes established under subclause (I), reduced by 40 percent. (IV) For calendar year 2018, the applicable volumes established under subclause (I), reduced by 60 percent. (V) For calendar year 2019, the applicable volumes established under subclause (I), reduced by 80 percent. ; (2) in paragraph (3)— (A) by striking 2021 2018 (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting , subject to the condition that the renewable fuel obligation determined for a calendar year is not more than the applicable volumes established under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) (3) by adding at the end the following: (13) Sunset The program established under this subsection shall terminate on December 31, 2019. . (b) Regulations Effective beginning on January 1, 2020, the regulations contained in subparts K and M of part 80 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on that date of enactment), shall have no force or effect. VII Stopping EPA overreach 7001. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the Environmental Protection Agency has exceeded its statutory authority by promulgating regulations that were not contemplated by Congress in the authorizing language of the statutes enacted by Congress; (2) no Federal agency has the authority to regulate greenhouse gases under current law; and (3) no attempt to regulate greenhouse gases should be undertaken without further Congressional action. 7002. Clarification of Federal regulatory authority to exclude greenhouse gases from regulation under the Clean Air Act (a) Repeal of Federal climate change regulation (1) Greenhouse gas regulation under Clean Air Act Section 302(g) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7602(g) (A) by striking (g) The term (g) Air pollutant (1) In general The term ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (2) Exclusion The term air pollutant . (2) No regulation of climate change Notwithstanding any other provision of law, nothing in any of the following Acts or any other law authorizes or requires the regulation of climate change or global warming: (A) The Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. (B) The Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. (C) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (D) The Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. (E) The Solid Waste Disposal Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. (b) Effect on proposed rules of the EPA In accordance with this section, the following proposed or contemplated rules (or any similar or successor rules) of the Environmental Protection Agency shall be void and have no force or effect: (1) The proposed rule entitled Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (2) The proposed rule entitled Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (3) Any other contemplated or proposed rules proposed to be issued pursuant to the purported authority described in subsection (a)(2). 7003. Clarification of authority (a) In general Neither the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, nor the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall— (1) finalize the proposed rule entitled Definition of Waters of the United States Under the Clean Water Act (2) use the proposed rule described in paragraph (1), or any substantially similar proposed rule or guidance, as the basis for any rulemaking or any decision regarding the scope or enforcement of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. (b) Rules The use of the proposed rule described in subsection (a)(1), or any substantially similar proposed rule or guidance, as the basis for any rulemaking or any decision regarding the scope or enforcement of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. 7004. Jobs analysis for all EPA regulations (a) In general Before proposing or finalizing any regulation, rule, or policy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall provide an analysis of the regulation, rule, or policy and describe the direct and indirect net and gross impact of the regulation, rule, or policy on employment in the United States. (b) Limitation No regulation, rule, or policy described in subsection (a) shall take effect if the regulation, rule, or policy has a negative impact on employment in the United States unless the regulation, rule, or policy is approved by Congress and signed by the President. VIII Debt freedom fund 8001. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the national debt being over $17,000,000,000,000 in 2014— (A) threatens the current and future prosperity of the United States; (B) undermines the national security interests of the United States; and (C) imposes a burden on future generations of United States citizens; and (2) revenue generated from the development of the natural resources in the United States should be used to reduce the national debt. 8002. Debt freedom fund Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in accordance with all revenue sharing arrangement with States in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, an amount equal to the additional amount of Federal funds generated by the programs and activities under this Act (and the amendments made by this Act)— (1) shall be deposited in a special trust fund account in the Treasury, to be known as the Debt Freedom Fund (2) shall not be withdrawn for any purpose other than to pay down the national debt of the United States, for which purpose payments shall be made expeditiously.

Summary: American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015 Amends the Natural Gas Act regarding natural gas exports to exclude from the expedited application and approval process any nation subject to sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to repeal the authority of the President to restrict exports of coal, petroleum products, natural gas, or petrochemical feedstocks, and related materials or equipment. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) to repeal limitations on oil exports. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to repeal limitations on export of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil or gas. Declares without force or effect a specified regulation and the limitation placed upon crude oil exports under the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce to grant licenses to export crude oil except in certain circumstances. Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to take into account solely domestic environmental impacts when completing an environmental impact statement for either coal export terminals or for coal transportation to such terminals. Prescribes an authorization and certification process for certain energy infrastructure projects pertaining to a cross-border segment of either an oil or natural gas pipeline or an electric transmission facility for the import or export of oil or the transmission of electricity to or from Canada or Mexico. Amends the Natural Gas Act to state that no order of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is required to authorize the export or import of any natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico. Amends the Federal Power Act to repeal the prerequisite that, before transmitting electric energy to a foreign country, a person must first obtain authorization from FERC. Declares that a presidential permit shall not be required for a certain pipeline application by TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State for the northern portion of the Keystone XL pipeline from the Canadian border to the border between the states of South Dakota and Nebraska. Prescribes guidelines for leasing on the OCS. Deems the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015, issued by the Secretary of the Interior, to be the final oil and gas leasing program under the OCSLA for FY2015-FY2020, except with regard to specified lease sales. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a lease sale every 270 days in each OCS planning area for which there is a commercial interest in purchasing federal oil and gas leases, and (2) conduct Lease Sale 220 for areas offshore of Virginia. Permits a state, in lieu of being subject to a federal oil and gas leasing system, to elect to control energy development and production on available federal land in accordance with certain state leasing, permitting and regulatory programs prescribed by this Act. Amends the MLA to require the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to offer for sale all nominated acreage not previously made available for lease, unless an individual lease should not be granted. Prescribes guidelines governing leasing certainty for onshore lease sales. Permits the Secretary to extend for up to 2 periods of 15 days each the initial 30-day period after receipt of an application for deciding whether to issue a drilling permit. Deems an application approved if a decision has not been made within 60 days after the application is received. Imposes a $5,000 documentation fee upon each administrative protest concerning a lease, right-of-way, or application for a drill permit. Directs the Secretary to establish a Federal Permit Streamlining Project in each field office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with responsibility for permitting energy projects on federal land. Considers final regulations governing oil shale management published by BLM on November 18, 2008, to satisfy all legal and procedural requirements. Directs the Secretary to implement them and the oil shale leasing program without any other administrative action necessary. Considers the Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments/Record of Decision for Oil Shale and Tar Sands Resources to Address Land Use Allocations in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, and the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement of the Bureau of Land Management (Plan), as in effect on November 17, 2008, to satisfy all legal and procedural requirements. Directs the Secretary to implement, without additional administrative action, the oil shale leasing program and regulations authorized in such Plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) hold a lease sale offering an additional 10 parcels for lease for research, development, and demonstration of oil shale resources, under certain terms; and (2) hold at least five separate commercial lease sales of at least 25,000 acres considered to have the most potential for oil shale development in areas nominated through public comment. Amends the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary to conduct a competitive oil and gas leasing program that includes at least one lease sale annually in areas most likely to produce commercial quantities of oil and natural gas in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA) for each of calendar years 2015 through 2024. Directs the Secretary to: (1) facilitate and ensure permits for all surface development activities, including pipeline and road construction; (2) issue an integrated activity plan from among the nonadopted alternatives in the NPRA Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision, and (3) issue an environmental impact statement for issuance of oil and gas leases in the NPRA. Declares without force or effect the NPRA Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision, dated February 21, 2013, including the integrated activity plan and environmental impact statement to which it refers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate regulations to ensure that the Department of the Interior is supporting development of oil and gas leases in the NPRA, and (2) complete a comprehensive assessment of all technically recoverable NPRA fossil fuel resources. Declares that this Act does not authorize issuance of a lease under the MLA to persons designated for the imposition of specified sanctions. Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to declare certain federal actions inapplicable to an endangered or threatened species, unless: (1) the Secretary has reported to Congress economic costs and benefits of the application; and (2) the application is authorized expressly for that species in a law enacted by Congress after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to implement a competitive leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources on the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal the prohibition against leasing or other development leading to production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Deems oil and gas leasing programs and activities authorized by this Act to be in compliance with the purposes of ANWR, so that no further findings or decisions are required to implement this determination. States that the Secretary is neither required to identify nonleasing alternative courses of action, nor to analyze their environmental effects. Deems compliance with this Act satisfies all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) governing analysis and consideration of the environmental effects of proposed leasing. Authorizes the Secretary, after consultation with the state of Alaska, the city of Kaktovik, and the North Slope Borough, to designate as a Special Area up to 45,000 acres of the Coastal Plain. Directs the Secretary to designate the Sadlerochit Spring area as a Special Area. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude any Special Area from leasing. Permits directional (horizontal) drilling in a Special Area. Restricts to the terms of this Act the Secretary's authority to close lands within the Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing, exploration, development, and production. Instructs the Secretary to offer: (1) tracts with the greatest potential for hydrocarbon discovery; (2) at least 50,000 acres for lease within 22 months after enactment of this Act; and (3) at least an additional 50,000 acres at 6-, 12-, and 18-month intervals thereafter. Authorizes the Secretary to grant to the highest responsible qualified bidder in a lease sale, upon payment of a bonus, any lands to be leased on the Coastal Plain. Prescribes a "no significant adverse effect" standard to govern Coastal Plain activities. Directs the Secretary to develop a facility consolidation plan for the exploration, development, production, and transportation of Coastal Plain oil and gas resources. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue rights-of-way and easements across the Coastal Plain for the transportation of oil and gas produced under leases under this Act, (2) convey to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation the surface estate of specified lands, and (3) convey to the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation a certain subsurface estate to which it is entitled pursuant to a specified agreement. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to allow either the Secretary, an affected Indian tribe, or a certified third-party appraiser under contract with the Indian tribe, to appraise Indian land or trust assets involved in a transaction requiring the Secretary's approval. Deems approved any appraisal conducted by an Indian tribe or by such an appraiser if the Secretary neither approves nor disapproves it within 60 days after it is received. Gives tribes the option of waiving such appraisals if they give the Secretary an unambiguous indication of tribal intent, including an express waiver of any claims they might have against the United States as a consequence of forgoing the appraisal. States that, when sustainability is federally required, any activities or resources conducted or produced pursuant to either a tribal resource management plan or a Secretary-approved integrated resource management plan shall be deemed to be sustainable. Amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to authorize the Navajo Nation to enter into 99-year leases on their restricted lands without the Secretary's approval, if they are executed under tribal regulations approved by the Secretary. Permits the Navajo Nation to enter into mineral resource leases on restricted lands without the Secretary's approval if they are executed under approved tribal regulations not to exceed 25 years. Permits a renewal option for one additional term not exceeding 25 years. Declares inapplicable, except with the express consent of Indian beneficiaries, any rule promulgated by the Secretary regarding hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas development or production on land either held in trust or restricted status for Indians. Grants to the states sole authority to promulgate or enforce requirements for hydraulic fracturing within their boundaries. Subjects federal land upon which hydraulic fracturing is performed to the law of the state in which the land is located. Prohibits award of legal fees to any nongovernmental organization related to an action that: (1) prevents, terminates, or reduces access to or the production of specified enterprises; (2) diminishes the private property value of a property owner; or (3) eliminates or prevents jobs. Prohibits the Secretary from establishing a master leasing plan as part of any guidance the Secretary issues. Declares certain existing master leasing plans without force or effect. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), upon request of a state or the governing body of an Indian tribe, to enter into a prescribed refinery permitting agreement to streamline the permitting process using a specified systematic, interdisciplinary multimedia approach. Prescribes deadlines for approval or disapproval of consolidated permits for new refineries and for expansion of existing ones. Amends the Clean Air Act to phase out the renewable fuel standard. Repeals greenhouse gas regulation. Redefines air pollutant to exclude carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride. Declares that the following acts neither authorize nor require the regulation of climate change or global warming: (1) the Clean Air Act, (2) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, (3) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, (4) the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and (5) the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Declares void and without force or effect certain proposed EPA rules regarding greenhouse gas emissions and carbon pollution. Prohibits both the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, and EPA from: (1) finalizing the proposed rule entitled "Definition of Waters of the United States Under the Clean Water Act," or (2) using that rule (or substantially similar guidance) as the basis for any rulemaking or decision regarding either the scope or enforcement of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Makes violation of the latter prohibition grounds for vacation of the final rule, the decision, or enforcement action. Requires the Administrator, before proposing or finalizing any regulation, rule, or policy, to first analyze and describe its direct and indirect net and gross impact upon employment in the United States. Establishes the Debt Freedom Fund to pay down the national debt of the United States.