Lower Energy Costs Act

To lower energy costs by increasing American energy production, exports, infrastructure, and critical minerals processing, by promoting transparency, accountability, permitting, and production of American resources, and by improving water quality certification and energy projects, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Lower Energy Costs Act (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Division A—Increasing American Energy Production, Exports, Infrastructure, and Critical Minerals Processing Sec. 10001. Securing America’s critical minerals supply. Sec. 10002. Protecting American energy production. Sec. 10003. Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining. Sec. 10004. Promoting cross-border energy infrastructure. Sec. 10005. Sense of Congress expressing disapproval of the revocation of the Presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. Sec. 10006. Sense of Congress opposing restrictions on the export of crude oil or other petroleum products. Sec. 10007. Unlocking our domestic LNG potential. Sec. 10008. Promoting interagency coordination for review of natural gas pipelines. Sec. 10009. Interim hazardous waste permits for critical energy resource facilities. Sec. 10010. Flexible air permits for critical energy resource facilities. Sec. 10011. National security or energy security waivers to produce critical energy resources. Sec. 10012. Ending future delays in chemical substance review for critical energy resources. Sec. 10013. Natural gas tax repeal. Sec. 10014. Repeal of greenhouse gas reduction fund. Sec. 10015. Keeping America’s refineries operating. Sec. 10016. Homeowner energy freedom. Division B—Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Sec. 20001. Short title; table of contents. Title I—Onshore and offshore leasing and oversight Sec. 20101. Onshore oil and gas leasing. Sec. 20102. Lease reinstatement. Sec. 20103. Protested lease sales. Sec. 20104. Suspension of operations. Sec. 20105. Administrative protest process reform. Sec. 20106. Leasing and permitting transparency. Sec. 20107. Offshore oil and gas leasing. Sec. 20108. Five-year plan for offshore oil and gas leasing. Sec. 20109. Geothermal leasing. Sec. 20110. Leasing for certain qualified coal applications. Sec. 20111. Future coal leasing. Sec. 20112. Staff planning report. Sec. 20113. Prohibition on Chinese communist party ownership interest. Sec. 20114. Effect on other law. Title II—Permitting streamlining Sec. 20201. Definitions. Sec. 20202. BUILDER Act. Sec. 20203. Codification of National Environmental Policy Act regulations. Sec. 20204. Non-major Federal actions. Sec. 20205. No net loss determination for existing rights-of-way. Sec. 20206. Determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy. Sec. 20207. Determination regarding rights-of-way. Sec. 20208. Terms of rights-of-way. Sec. 20209. Funding to process permits and develop information technology. Sec. 20210. Offshore geological and geophysical survey licensing. Sec. 20211. Deferral of applications for permits to drill. Sec. 20212. Processing and terms of applications for permits to drill. Sec. 20213. Amendments to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Sec. 20214. Access to Federal energy resources from non-Federal surface estate. Sec. 20215. Scope of environmental reviews for oil and gas leases. Sec. 20216. Expediting approval of gathering lines. Sec. 20217. Lease sale litigation. Sec. 20218. Limitation on claims. Sec. 20219. Government Accountability Office report on permits to drill. Sec. 20220. E–NEPA. Title III—Permitting for mining needs Sec. 20301. Definitions. Sec. 20302. Minerals supply chain and reliability. Sec. 20303. Federal register process improvement. Sec. 20304. Designation of mining as a covered sector for Federal permitting improvement purposes. Sec. 20305. Treatment of actions under presidential determination 2022–11 for Federal permitting improvement purposes. Sec. 20306. Notice for mineral exploration activities with limited surface disturbance. Sec. 20307. Use of mining claims for ancillary activities. Sec. 20308. Ensuring consideration of uranium as a critical mineral. Sec. 20309. Barring foreign bad actors from operating on Federal lands. Title IV—Federal land use planning Sec. 20401. Federal land use planning and withdrawals. Sec. 20402. Prohibitions on delay of mineral development of certain Federal land. Sec. 20403. Definitions. Title V—Ensuring competitiveness on Federal lands Sec. 20501. Incentivizing domestic production. Title VI—Energy revenue sharing Sec. 20601. Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf revenue. Sec. 20602. Parity in offshore wind revenue sharing. Sec. 20603. Elimination of administrative fee under the Mineral Leasing Act. Division C—Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Sec. 30001. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 30002. Certification. A Increasing American Energy Production, Exports, Infrastructure, and Critical Minerals Processing Sec. 10001. Securing America’s critical minerals supply. Sec. 10002. Protecting American energy production. Sec. 10003. Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining. Sec. 10004. Promoting cross-border energy infrastructure. Sec. 10005. Sense of Congress expressing disapproval of the revocation of the Presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. Sec. 10006. Sense of Congress opposing restrictions on the export of crude oil or other petroleum products. Sec. 10007. Unlocking our domestic LNG potential. Sec. 10008. Promoting interagency coordination for review of natural gas pipelines. Sec. 10009. Interim hazardous waste permits for critical energy resource facilities. Sec. 10010. Flexible air permits for critical energy resource facilities. Sec. 10011. National security or energy security waivers to produce critical energy resources. Sec. 10012. Ending future delays in chemical substance review for critical energy resources. Sec. 10013. Natural gas tax repeal. Sec. 10014. Repeal of greenhouse gas reduction fund. Sec. 10015. Keeping America’s refineries operating. Sec. 10016. Homeowner energy freedom. 10001. Securing America’s critical minerals supply (a) Amendment to the Department of Energy Organization Act The Department of Energy Organization Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. (1) in section 2, by adding at the end the following: (d) As used in sections 102(20) and 203(a)(12), the term critical energy resource (1) that is essential to the energy sector and energy systems of the United States; and (2) the supply chain of which is vulnerable to disruption. ; (2) in section 102, by adding at the end the following: (20) To ensure there is an adequate and reliable supply of critical energy resources that are essential to the energy security of the United States. ; and (3) in section 203(a), by adding at the end the following: (12) Functions that relate to securing the supply of critical energy resources, including identifying and mitigating the effects of a disruption of such supply on— (A) the development and use of energy technologies; and (B) the operation of energy systems. . (b) Securing critical energy resource supply chains (1) In general In carrying out the requirements of the Department of Energy Organization Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. (A) conduct ongoing assessments of— (i) energy resource criticality based on the importance of critical energy resources to the development of energy technologies and the supply of energy; (ii) the critical energy resource supply chain of the United States; (iii) the vulnerability of such supply chain; and (iv) how the energy security of the United States is affected by the reliance of the United States on importation of critical energy resources; (B) facilitate development of strategies to strengthen critical energy resource supply chains in the United States, including by— (i) diversifying the sources of the supply of critical energy resources; and (ii) increasing domestic production, separation, and processing of critical energy resources; (C) develop substitutes and alternatives to critical energy resources; and (D) improve technology that reuses and recycles critical energy resources. (2) Critical energy resource defined In this section, the term critical energy resource 42 U.S.C. 7101 10002. Protecting American energy production (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that States should maintain primacy for the regulation of hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas production on State and private lands. (b) Prohibition on declaration of a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President may not declare a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing unless such moratorium is authorized by an Act of Congress. 10003. Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Energy shall direct the National Petroleum Council to— (1) submit to the Secretary of Energy and Congress a report containing— (A) an examination of the role of petrochemical refineries located in the United States and the contributions of such petrochemical refineries to the energy security of the United States, including the reliability of supply in the United States of liquid fuels and feedstocks, and the affordability of liquid fuels for consumers in the United States; (B) analyses and projections with respect to— (i) the capacity of petrochemical refineries located in the United States; (ii) opportunities for expanding such capacity; and (iii) the risks to petrochemical refineries located in the United States; (C) an assessment of any Federal or State executive actions, regulations, or policies that have caused or contributed to a decline in the capacity of petrochemical refineries located in the United States; and (D) any recommendations for Federal agencies and Congress to encourage an increase in the capacity of petrochemical refineries located in the United States; and (2) make publicly available the report submitted under paragraph (1). 10004. Promoting cross-border energy infrastructure (a) Authorization of certain energy infrastructure projects at an international boundary of the United States (1) Authorization Except as provided in paragraph (3) and subsection (d), no person may construct, connect, operate, or maintain a border-crossing facility for the import or export of oil or natural gas, or the transmission of electricity, across an international border of the United States without obtaining a certificate of crossing for the border-crossing facility under this subsection. (2) Certificate of crossing (A) Requirement Not later than 120 days after final action is taken, by the relevant official or agency identified under subparagraph (B), under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (B) Relevant official or agency The relevant official or agency referred to in subparagraph (A) is— (i) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with respect to border-crossing facilities consisting of oil or natural gas pipelines; and (ii) the Secretary of Energy with respect to border-crossing facilities consisting of electric transmission facilities. (C) Additional requirement for electric transmission facilities In the case of a request for a certificate of crossing for a border-crossing facility consisting of an electric transmission facility, the Secretary of Energy shall require, as a condition of issuing the certificate of crossing under subparagraph (A), that the border-crossing facility be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained consistent with all applicable policies and standards of— (i) the Electric Reliability Organization and the applicable regional entity; and (ii) any Regional Transmission Organization or Independent System Operator with operational or functional control over the border-crossing facility. (3) Exclusions This subsection shall not apply to any construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of a border-crossing facility for the import or export of oil or natural gas, or the transmission of electricity— (A) if the border-crossing facility is operating for such import, export, or transmission as of the date of enactment of this Act; (B) if a Presidential permit (or similar permit) for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance has been issued pursuant to any provision of law or Executive order; or (C) if an application for a Presidential permit (or similar permit) for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance is pending on the date of enactment of this Act, until the earlier of— (i) the date on which such application is denied; or (ii) two years after the date of enactment of this Act, if such a permit has not been issued by such date of enactment. (4) Effect of other laws (A) Application to projects Nothing in this subsection or subsection (d) shall affect the application of any other Federal statute to a project for which a certificate of crossing for a border-crossing facility is requested under this subsection. (B) Natural Gas Act Nothing in this subsection or subsection (d) shall affect the requirement to obtain approval or authorization under sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas Act for the siting, construction, or operation of any facility to import or export natural gas. (C) Oil pipelines Nothing in this subsection or subsection (d) shall affect the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with respect to oil pipelines under section 60502 of title 49, United States Code. (b) Transmission of electric energy to Canada and Mexico (1) Repeal of requirement to secure order Section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 824a(e) (2) Conforming amendments (A) 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) (B) 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 conducted hearings and made the findings required under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act 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. (c) No Presidential permit required No Presidential permit (or similar permit) shall be required pursuant to any provision of law or Executive order for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility, or any border-crossing facility thereof. (d) Modifications to existing projects No certificate of crossing under subsection (a), or Presidential permit (or similar permit), shall be required for a modification to— (1) an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility that is operating for the import or export of oil or natural gas or the transmission of electricity as of the date of enactment of this Act; (2) an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility for which a Presidential permit (or similar permit) has been issued pursuant to any provision of law or Executive order; or (3) a border-crossing facility for which a certificate of crossing has previously been issued under subsection (a). (e) Prohibition on revocation of Presidential permits Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President may not revoke a Presidential permit (or similar permit) issued pursuant to Executive Order No. 13337 ( 3 U.S.C. 301 3 U.S.C. 301 (f) Effective date; rulemaking deadlines (1) Effective date Subsections (a) through (d), and the amendments made by such subsections, shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Rulemaking deadlines Each relevant official or agency described in subsection (a)(2)(B) shall— (A) 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 subsection (a); and (B) 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 subsection (a). (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Border-crossing facility The term border-crossing facility (2) Modification The term modification (3) Natural gas The term natural gas 15 U.S.C. 717a (4) Oil The term oil (5) Electric Reliability Organization; regional entity The terms Electric Reliability Organization regional entity 16 U.S.C. 824o (6) Independent System Operator; Regional Transmission Organization The terms Independent System Operator Regional Transmission Organization 16 U.S.C. 796 10005. Sense of Congress expressing disapproval of the revocation of the Presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) On March 29, 2019, TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P., was granted a Presidential permit to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the Keystone XL pipeline. (2) On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13990 (86 Fed. Reg. 7037) that revoked the March 2019 Presidential permit for the Keystone XL. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that Congress disapproves of the revocation by President Biden of the Presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. 10006. Sense of Congress opposing restrictions on the export of crude oil or other petroleum products (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The United States has enjoyed a renaissance in energy production, with the expansion of domestic crude oil and other petroleum product production contributing to enhanced energy security and significant economic benefits to the national economy. (2) In 2015, Congress recognized the need to adapt to changing crude oil market conditions and repealed all restrictions on the export of crude oil on a bipartisan basis. (3) Section 101 of title I of division O of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 ( 42 U.S.C. 6212a (4) Lifting the restrictions on crude oil exports encouraged additional domestic energy production, created American jobs and economic development, and allowed the United States to emerge as the leading oil producer in the world. (5) In 2019, the United States became a net exporter of petroleum products for the first time since 1952, and the reliance of the United States on foreign imports of petroleum products has declined to historic lows. (6) Free trade, open markets, and competition have contributed to the rise of the United States as a global energy superpower. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should not impose— (1) overly restrictive regulations on the exploration, production, or marketing of energy resources; or (2) any restrictions on the export of crude oil or other petroleum products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq. 10007. Unlocking our domestic LNG potential Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717b (1) by striking subsections (a) through (c); (2) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively; (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c), and moving such subsection after subsection (b), as so redesignated; (4) in subsection (a), as so redesignated, by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (in this subsection referred to as the Commission (5) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) Nothing in this Act limits the authority of the President under the Constitution, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. 42 U.S.C. 6271 et seq. 50 U.S.C. 4301 et seq. (2) In this subsection, the term state sponsor of terrorism (A) section 1754(c)(1)(A) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 ( 50 U.S.C. 4318(c)(1)(A) (B) section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2371 (C) section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2780 (D) any other provision of law. . 10008. Promoting interagency coordination for review of natural gas pipelines (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Commission The term Commission (2) Federal authorization The term Federal authorization 15 U.S.C. 717n(a) (3) NEPA review The term NEPA review 42 U.S.C. 4332 (4) Project-related NEPA review The term project-related NEPA review (b) Commission NEPA review responsibilities In acting as the lead agency under section 15(b)(1) of the Natural Gas Act for the purposes of complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1) be the only lead agency; (2) coordinate as early as practicable with each agency designated as a participating agency under subsection (d)(3) to ensure that the Commission develops information in conducting its project-related NEPA review that is usable by the participating agency in considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization for which the agency is responsible; and (3) take such actions as are necessary and proper to facilitate the expeditious resolution of its project-related NEPA review. (c) Deference to Commission In making a decision with respect to a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act, each agency shall give deference, to the maximum extent authorized by law, to the scope of the project-related NEPA review that the Commission determines to be appropriate. (d) Participating agencies (1) Identification The Commission shall identify, not later than 30 days after the Commission receives an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act, any Federal or State agency, local government, or Indian Tribe that may issue a Federal authorization or is required by Federal law to consult with the Commission in conjunction with the issuance of a Federal authorization required for such authorization or certificate. (2) Invitation (A) In general Not later than 45 days after the Commission receives an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act, the Commission shall invite any agency identified under paragraph (1) to participate in the review process for the applicable Federal authorization. (B) Deadline An invitation issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish a deadline by which a response to the invitation shall be submitted to the Commission, which may be extended by the Commission for good cause. (3) Designation as participating agencies Not later than 60 days after the Commission receives an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act, the Commission shall designate an agency identified under paragraph (1) as a participating agency with respect to an application for authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act unless the agency informs the Commission, in writing, by the deadline established pursuant to paragraph (2)(B), that the agency— (A) has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the applicable Federal authorization; (B) has no special expertise or information relevant to any project-related NEPA review; or (C) does not intend to submit comments for the record for the project-related NEPA review conducted by the Commission. (4) Effect of non-designation (A) Effect on agency Any agency that is not designated as a participating agency under paragraph (3) with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act may not request or conduct a NEPA review that is supplemental to the project-related NEPA review conducted by the Commission (i) demonstrates that such review is legally necessary for the agency to carry out responsibilities in considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization; and (ii) requires information that could not have been obtained during the project-related NEPA review conducted by the Commission. (B) Comments; record The Commission shall not, with respect to an agency that is not designated as a participating agency under paragraph (3) with respect to an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act— (i) consider any comments or other information submitted by such agency for the project-related NEPA review conducted by the Commission (ii) include any such comments or other information in the record for such project-related NEPA review. (e) Water quality impacts (1) In general Notwithstanding section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1341 (2) Coordination With respect to any NEPA review for a Federal authorization to conduct an activity that will directly result in a discharge into the navigable waters (within the meaning of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act), the Commission shall identify as an agency under subsection (d)(1) the State in which the discharge originates or will originate, or, if appropriate, the interstate water pollution control agency having jurisdiction over the navigable waters at the point where the discharge originates or will originate. (3) Proposed conditions A State or interstate agency designated as a participating agency pursuant to paragraph (2) may propose to the Commission terms or conditions for inclusion in an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act that the State or interstate agency determines are necessary to ensure that any activity described in paragraph (2) conducted pursuant to such authorization or certification will comply with the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. (4) Commission consideration of conditions The Commission may include a term or condition in an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act proposed by a State or interstate agency under paragraph (3) only if the Commission finds that the term or condition is necessary to ensure that any activity described in paragraph (2) conducted pursuant to such authorization or certification will comply with the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. (f) Schedule (1) Deadline for Federal authorizations A deadline for a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act set by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of such Act shall be not later than 90 days after the Commission completes its project-related NEPA review, unless an applicable schedule is otherwise established by Federal law. (2) Concurrent reviews Each Federal and State agency— (A) that may consider an application for a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act shall formulate and implement a plan for administrative, policy, and procedural mechanisms to enable the agency to ensure completion of Federal authorizations in compliance with schedules established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of such Act; and (B) in considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization required with respect to an application for authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act, shall— (i) formulate and implement a plan to enable the agency to comply with the schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of such Act; (ii) carry out the obligations of that agency under applicable law concurrently, and in conjunction with, the project-related NEPA review conducted by the Commission (iii) transmit to the Commission a statement— (I) acknowledging receipt of the schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of the Natural Gas Act; and (II) setting forth the plan formulated under clause (i) of this subparagraph; (iv) not later than 30 days after the agency receives such application for a Federal authorization, transmit to the applicant a notice— (I) indicating whether such application is ready for processing; and (II) if such application is not ready for processing, that includes a comprehensive description of the information needed for the agency to determine that the application is ready for processing; (v) determine that such application for a Federal authorization is ready for processing for purposes of clause (iv) if such application is sufficiently complete for the purposes of commencing consideration, regardless of whether supplemental information is necessary to enable the agency to complete the consideration required by law with respect to such application; and (vi) not less often than once every 90 days, transmit to the Commission a report describing the progress made in considering such application for a Federal authorization. (3) Failure to meet deadline If a Federal or State agency, including the Commission, fails to meet a deadline for a Federal authorization set forth in the schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of the Natural Gas Act, not later than 5 days after such deadline, the head of the relevant Federal agency (including, in the case of a failure by a State agency, the Federal agency overseeing the delegated authority) shall notify Congress and the Commission of such failure and set forth a recommended implementation plan to ensure completion of the action to which such deadline applied. (g) Consideration of applications for Federal authorization (1) Issue identification and resolution (A) Identification Federal and State agencies that may consider an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization shall identify, as early as possible, any issues of concern that may delay or prevent an agency from working with the Commission to resolve such issues and granting such authorization. (B) Issue resolution The Commission may forward any issue of concern identified under subparagraph (A) to the heads of the relevant agencies (including, in the case of an issue of concern that is a failure by a State agency, the Federal agency overseeing the delegated authority, if applicable) for resolution. (2) Remote surveys If a Federal or State agency considering an aspect of an application for a Federal authorization requires the person applying for such authorization to submit data, the agency shall consider any such data gathered by aerial or other remote means that the person submits. The agency may grant a conditional approval for the Federal authorization based on data gathered by aerial or remote means, conditioned on the verification of such data by subsequent onsite inspection. (3) Application processing The Commission, and Federal and State agencies, may allow a person applying for a Federal authorization to fund a third-party contractor to assist in reviewing the application for such authorization. (h) Accountability, transparency, efficiency For an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act that requires multiple Federal authorizations, the Commission, with input from any Federal or State agency considering an aspect of the application, shall track and make available to the public on the Commission’s website information related to the actions required to complete the Federal authorizations. Such information shall include the following: (1) The schedule established by the Commission under section 15(c)(1) of the Natural Gas Act. (2) A list of all the actions required by each applicable agency to complete permitting, reviews, and other actions necessary to obtain a final decision on the application. (3) The expected completion date for each such action. (4) A point of contact at the agency responsible for each such action. (5) In the event that an action is still pending as of the expected date of completion, a brief explanation of the reasons for the delay. (i) Pipeline security In considering an application for an authorization under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act or a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of such Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall consult with the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration regarding the applicant’s compliance with security guidance and best practice recommendations of the Administration regarding pipeline infrastructure security, pipeline cybersecurity, pipeline personnel security, and other pipeline security measures. 10009. Interim hazardous waste permits for critical energy resource facilities Section 3005(e) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6925(e) (1) in paragraph (1)(A)— (A) in clause (i), by striking or (B) in clause (ii), by inserting or this section, (C) by adding at the end the following: (iii) is a critical energy resource facility, ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (4) Definitions For the purposes of this subsection: (A) Critical energy resource The term critical energy resource (i) that is essential to the energy sector and energy systems of the United States; and (ii) the supply chain of which is vulnerable to disruption. (B) Critical energy resource facility The term critical energy resource facility . 10010. Flexible air permits for critical energy resource facilities (a) In general The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall, as necessary, revise regulations under parts 70 and 71 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to— (1) authorize the owner or operator of a critical energy resource facility to utilize flexible air permitting (as described in the final rule titled Operating Permit Programs; Flexible Air Permitting Rule (2) facilitate flexible, market-responsive operations (as described in the final rule identified in paragraph (1)) with respect to critical energy resource facilities. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Critical energy resource The term critical energy resource (A) that is essential to the energy sector and energy systems of the United States; and (B) the supply chain of which is vulnerable to disruption. (2) Critical energy resource facility The term critical energy resource facility 10011. National security or energy security waivers to produce critical energy resources (a) Clean Air Act requirements (1) In general If the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, determines that, by reason of a sudden increase in demand for, or a shortage of, a critical energy resource, or another cause, the processing or refining of a critical energy resource at a critical energy resource facility is necessary to meet the national security or energy security needs of the United States, then the Administrator may, with or without notice, hearing, or other report, issue a temporary waiver of any requirement under the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. (2) Conflict with other environmental laws The Administrator shall ensure that any waiver of a requirement under the Clean Air Act under this subsection, to the maximum extent practicable, does not result in a conflict with a requirement of any other applicable Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation and minimizes any adverse environmental impacts. (3) Violations of other environmental laws To the extent any omission or action taken by a party under a waiver issued under this subsection is in conflict with any requirement of a Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation, such omission or action shall not be considered a violation of such environmental law or regulation, or subject such party to any requirement, civil or criminal liability, or a citizen suit under such environmental law or regulation. (4) Expiration and renewal of waivers A waiver issued under this subsection shall expire not later than 90 days after it is issued. The Administrator may renew or reissue such waiver pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) for subsequent periods, not to exceed 90 days for each period, as the Administrator determines necessary to meet the national security or energy security needs described in paragraph (1) and serve the public interest. In renewing or reissuing a waiver under this paragraph, the Administrator shall include in any such renewed or reissued waiver such conditions as are necessary to minimize any adverse environmental impacts to the extent practicable. (5) Subsequent action by court If a waiver issued under this subsection is subsequently stayed, modified, or set aside by a court pursuant a provision of law, any omission or action previously taken by a party under the waiver while the waiver was in effect shall remain subject to paragraph (3). (6) Critical energy resource; critical energy resource facility defined The terms critical energy resource critical energy resource facility (b) Solid Waste Disposal Act requirements (1) Hazardous Waste Management The Solid Waste Disposal Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. 3025. Waivers for critical energy resource facilities (a) In general If the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, determines that, by reason of a sudden increase in demand for, or a shortage of, a critical energy resource, or another cause, the processing or refining of a critical energy resource at a critical energy resource facility is necessary to meet the national security or energy security needs of the United States, then the Administrator may, with or without notice, hearing, or other report, issue a temporary waiver of any covered requirement with respect to such critical energy resource facility that, in the judgment of the Administrator, will allow for such processing or refining at such critical energy resource facility as necessary to best meet such needs and serve the public interest. (b) Conflict with other environmental laws The Administrator shall ensure that any waiver of a covered requirement under this section, to the maximum extent practicable, does not result in a conflict with a requirement of any other applicable Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation and minimizes any adverse environmental impacts. (c) Violations of other environmental laws To the extent any omission or action taken by a party under a waiver issued under this section is in conflict with any requirement of a Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation, such omission or action shall not be considered a violation of such environmental law or regulation, or subject such party to any requirement, civil or criminal liability, or a citizen suit under such environmental law or regulation. (d) Expiration and renewal of waivers A waiver issued under this section shall expire not later than 90 days after it is issued. The Administrator may renew or reissue such waiver pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) for subsequent periods, not to exceed 90 days for each period, as the Administrator determines necessary to meet the national security or energy security needs described in subsection (a) and serve the public interest. In renewing or reissuing a waiver under this subsection, the Administrator shall include in any such renewed or reissued waiver such conditions as are necessary to minimize any adverse environmental impacts to the extent practicable. (e) Subsequent action by court If a waiver issued under this section is subsequently stayed, modified, or set aside by a court pursuant a provision of law, any omission or action previously taken by a party under the waiver while the waiver was in effect shall remain subject to subsection (c). (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered requirement The term covered requirement (A) any standard established under section 3002, 3003, or 3004; (B) the permit requirement under section 3005; or (C) any other requirement of this Act, as the Administrator determines appropriate. (2) Critical energy resource The term critical energy resource (A) that is essential to the energy sector and energy systems of the United States; and (B) the supply chain of which is vulnerable to disruption. (3) Critical energy resource facility The term critical energy resource facility . (2) Table of contents The table of contents of the Solid Waste Disposal Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3024 the following: Sec. 3025. Waivers for critical energy resource facilities. . 10012. Ending future delays in chemical substance review for critical energy resources Section 5(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act ( 15 U.S.C. 2604(a) (6) Critical energy resources (A) Standard For purposes of a determination under paragraph (3) with respect to a chemical substance that is a critical energy resource, the Administrator shall take into consideration economic, societal, and environmental costs and benefits, notwithstanding any requirement of this section to not take such factors into consideration. (B) Failure to render determination (i) Actions authorized If, with respect to a chemical substance that is a critical energy resource, the Administrator fails to make a determination on a notice under paragraph (3) by the end of the applicable review period and the notice has not been withdrawn by the submitter, the submitter may take the actions described in paragraph (1)(A) with respect to the chemical substance, and the Administrator shall be relieved of any requirement to make such determination. (ii) Non-duplication A refund of applicable fees under paragraph (4)(A) shall not be made if a submitter takes an action described in paragraph (1)(A) under this subparagraph. (C) Prerequisite for suggestion of withdrawal or suspension The Administrator may not suggest to, or request of, a submitter of a notice under this subsection for a chemical substance that is a critical energy resource that such submitter withdraw such notice, or request a suspension of the running of the applicable review period with respect to such notice, unless the Administrator has— (i) conducted a preliminary review of such notice; and (ii) provided to the submitter a draft of a determination under paragraph (3), including any supporting information. (D) Definition For purposes of this paragraph, the term critical energy resource (i) that is essential to the energy sector and energy systems of the United States; and (ii) the supply chain of which is vulnerable to disruption. . 10013. Natural gas tax repeal (a) Repeal Section 136 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7436 (b) Rescission The unobligated balance of any amounts made available under section 136 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7436 10014. Repeal of greenhouse gas reduction fund (a) Repeal Section 134 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7434 (b) Rescission The unobligated balance of any amounts made available under section 134 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7434 (c) Conforming amendment Section 60103 of Public Law 117–169 10015. Keeping America’s refineries operating (a) In general The owner or operator of a stationary source described in subsection (b) of this section shall not be required by the regulations promulgated under section 112(r)(7)(B) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7412(r)(7)(B) (b) Stationary source described A stationary source described in this subsection is a stationary source (as defined in section 112(r)(2)(C) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7412(r)(2)(C) (1) for which a construction permit or operating permit has been issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. (2) for which the owner or operator demonstrates to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency that such stationary source conforms or will conform to the most recent version of American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 751. 10016. Homeowner energy freedom (a) In general The following are repealed: (1) Section 50122 of Public Law 117–169 42 U.S.C. 18795a (2) Section 50123 of Public Law 117–169 42 U.S.C. 18795b (3) Section 50131 of Public Law 117–169 (b) Rescissions The unobligated balances of any amounts made available under each of sections 50122, 50123, and 50131 of Public Law 117–169 42 U.S.C. 18795a (c) Conforming amendment Section 50121(c)(7) of Public Law 117–169 42 U.S.C. 18795(c)(7) , including a rebate provided under a high-efficiency electric home rebate program (as defined in section 50122(d)), B Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources 20001. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This division may be cited as the Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act TAPP American Resources Act (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this division is as follows: Division B—TAPP American Resources Sec. 20001. Short title; table of contents. Title I—Onshore and offshore leasing and oversight Sec. 20101. Onshore oil and gas leasing. Sec. 20102. Lease reinstatement. Sec. 20103. Protested lease sales. Sec. 20104. Suspension of operations. Sec. 20105. Administrative protest process reform. Sec. 20106. Leasing and permitting transparency. Sec. 20107. Offshore oil and gas leasing. Sec. 20108. Five-year plan for offshore oil and gas leasing. Sec. 20109. Geothermal leasing. Sec. 20110. Leasing for certain qualified coal applications. Sec. 20111. Future coal leasing. Sec. 20112. Staff planning report. Sec. 20113. Prohibition on Chinese communist party ownership interest. Sec. 20114. Effect on other law. Title II—Permitting streamlining Sec. 20201. Definitions. Sec. 20202. BUILDER Act. Sec. 20203. Codification of National Environmental Policy Act regulations. Sec. 20204. Non-major Federal actions. Sec. 20205. No net loss determination for existing rights-of-way. Sec. 20206. Determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy. Sec. 20207. Determination regarding rights-of-way. Sec. 20208. Terms of rights-of-way. Sec. 20209. Funding to process permits and develop information technology. Sec. 20210. Offshore geological and geophysical survey licensing. Sec. 20211. Deferral of applications for permits to drill. Sec. 20212. Processing and terms of applications for permits to drill. Sec. 20213. Amendments to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Sec. 20214. Access to Federal energy resources from non-Federal surface estate. Sec. 20215. Scope of environmental reviews for oil and gas leases. Sec. 20216. Expediting approval of gathering lines. Sec. 20217. Lease sale litigation. Sec. 20218. Limitation on claims. Sec. 20219. Government Accountability Office report on permits to drill. Sec. 20220. E–NEPA. Title III—Permitting for mining needs Sec. 20301. Definitions. Sec. 20302. Minerals supply chain and reliability. Sec. 20303. Federal register process improvement. Sec. 20304. Designation of mining as a covered sector for Federal permitting improvement purposes. Sec. 20305. Treatment of actions under presidential determination 2022–11 for Federal permitting improvement purposes. Sec. 20306. Notice for mineral exploration activities with limited surface disturbance. Sec. 20307. Use of mining claims for ancillary activities. Sec. 20308. Ensuring consideration of uranium as a critical mineral. Sec. 20309. Barring foreign bad actors from operating on Federal lands. Title IV—Federal land use planning Sec. 20401. Federal land use planning and withdrawals. Sec. 20402. Prohibitions on delay of mineral development of certain Federal land. Sec. 20403. Definitions. Title V—Ensuring competitiveness on Federal lands Sec. 20501. Incentivizing domestic production. Title VI—Energy revenue sharing Sec. 20601. Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf revenue. Sec. 20602. Parity in offshore wind revenue sharing. Sec. 20603. Elimination of administrative fee under the Mineral Leasing Act. I Onshore and offshore leasing and oversight 20101. Onshore oil and gas leasing (a) Requirement To immediately resume onshore oil and gas lease sales (1) In general The Secretary of the Interior shall immediately resume quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales in compliance with the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. (2) Requirement The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure— (A) that any oil and gas lease sale pursuant to paragraph (1) is conducted immediately on completion of all applicable scoping, public comment, and environmental analysis requirements under the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (B) that the processes described in subparagraph (A) are conducted in a timely manner to ensure compliance with subsection (b)(1). (3) Lease of oil and gas lands Section 17(b)(1)(A) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(b)(1)(A) Eligible lands comprise all lands subject to leasing under this Act and not excluded from leasing by a statutory or regulatory prohibition. Available lands are those lands that have been designated as open for leasing under a land use plan developed under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and that have been nominated for leasing through the submission of an expression of interest, are subject to drainage in the absence of leasing, or are otherwise designated as available pursuant to regulations adopted by the Secretary. sales are necessary. (b) Quarterly lease sales (1) In general In accordance with the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. (A) Wyoming. (B) New Mexico. (C) Colorado. (D) Utah. (E) Montana. (F) North Dakota. (G) Oklahoma. (H) Nevada. (I) Alaska. (J) Any other State in which there is land available for oil and gas leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. (2) Requirement In conducting a lease sale under paragraph (1) in a State described in that paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior shall offer all parcels nominated and eligible pursuant to the requirements of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. (3) Replacement sales The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a replacement sale during the same fiscal year if— (A) a lease sale under paragraph (1) is canceled, delayed, or deferred, including for a lack of eligible parcels; or (B) during a lease sale under paragraph (1) the percentage of acreage that does not receive a bid is equal to or greater than 25 percent of the acreage offered. (4) Notice Regarding missed Sales Not later than 30 days after a sale required under this subsection is canceled, delayed, deferred, or otherwise missed the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that states what sale was missed and why it was missed. 20102. Lease reinstatement The reinstatement of a lease entered into under the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. 30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) 20103. Protested lease sales Section 17(b)(1)(A) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(b)(1)(A) The Secretary shall resolve any protest to a lease sale not later than 60 days after such payment. annual rental for the first lease year. 20104. Suspension of operations Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (r) Suspension of Operations Permits In the event that an oil and gas lease owner has submitted an expression of interest for adjacent acreage that is part of the nature of the geological play and has yet to be offered in a lease sale by the Secretary, they may request a suspension of operations from the Secretary of the Interior and upon request, the Secretary shall grant the suspension of operations within 15 days. Any payment of acreage rental or of minimum royalty prescribed by such lease likewise shall be suspended during such period of suspension of operations and production; and the term of such lease shall be extended by adding any such suspension period thereto. . 20105. Administrative protest process reform Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (s) Protest filing fee (1) In general Before processing any protest filed under this section, the Secretary shall collect a filing fee in the amount described in paragraph (2) from the protestor to recover the cost for processing documents filed for each administrative protest. (2) Amount The amount described in this paragraph is calculated as follows: (A) For each protest filed in a submission not exceeding 10 pages in length, the base filing fee shall be $150. (B) For each submission exceeding 10 pages in length, in addition to the base filing fee, an assessment of $5 per page in excess of 10 pages shall apply. (C) For protests that include more than one oil and gas lease parcel, right-of-way, or application for permit to drill in a submission, an additional assessment of $10 per additional lease parcel, right-of-way, or application for permit to drill shall apply. (3) Adjustment (A) In general Beginning on January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall adjust the filing fees established in this subsection to whole dollar amounts to reflect changes in the Producer Price Index, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the previous 12 months. (B) Publication of adjusted filing fees At least 30 days before the filing fees as adjusted under this paragraph take effect, the Secretary shall publish notification of the adjustment of such fees in the Federal Register. . 20106. Leasing and permitting transparency (a) Report Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes— (1) the status of nominated parcels for future onshore oil and gas and geothermal lease sales, including— (A) the number of expressions of interest received each month during the period of 365 days that ends on the date on which the report is submitted with respect to which the Bureau of Land Management— (i) has not taken any action to review; (ii) has not completed review; or (iii) has completed review and determined that the relevant area meets all applicable requirements for leasing, but has not offered the relevant area in a lease sale; (B) how long expressions of interest described in subparagraph (A) have been pending; and (C) a plan, including timelines, for how the Secretary of the Interior plans to— (i) work through future expressions of interest to prevent delays; (ii) put expressions of interest described in subparagraph (A) into a lease sale; and (iii) complete review for expressions of interest described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A); (2) the status of each pending application for permit to drill received during the period of 365 days that ends on the date on which the report is submitted, including the number of applications received each month, by each Bureau of Land Management office, including— (A) a description of the cause of delay for pending applications, including as a result of staffing shortages, technical limitations, incomplete applications, and incomplete review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (B) the number of days an application has been pending in violation of section 17(p)(2) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(p)(2) (C) a plan for how the office intends to come into compliance with the requirements of section 17(p)(2) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(p)(2) (3) the number of permits to drill issued each month by each Bureau of Land Management office during the 5-year period ending on the date on which the report is submitted; (4) the status of each pending application for a license for offshore geological and geophysical surveys received during the period of 365 days that ends on the date on which the report is submitted, including the number of applications received each month, by each Bureau of Ocean Energy management regional office, including— (A) a description of any cause of delay for pending applications, including as a result of staffing shortages, technical limitations, incomplete applications, and incomplete review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (B) the number of days an application has been pending; and (C) a plan for how the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management intends to complete review of each application; (5) the number of licenses for offshore geological and geophysical surveys issued each month by each Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regional office during the 5-year period ending on the date on which the report is submitted; (6) the status of each pending application for a permit to drill received during the period of 365 days that ends on the date on which the report is submitted, including the number of applications received each month, by each Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement regional office, including— (A) a description of any cause of delay for pending applications, including as a result of staffing shortages, technical limitations, incomplete applications, and incomplete review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (B) the number of days an application has been pending; and (C) steps the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is taking to complete review of each application; (7) the number of permits to drill issued each month by each Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement regional office during the period of 365 days that ends on the date on which the report is submitted; (8) how, as applicable, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement determines whether to— (A) issue a license for geological and geophysical surveys; (B) issue a permit to drill; and (C) issue, extend, or suspend an oil and gas lease; (9) when determinations described in paragraph (8) are sent to the national office of the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement for final approval; (10) the degree to which Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement field, State, and regional offices exercise discretion on such final approval; (11) during the period of 365 days that ends on the date on which the report is submitted, the number of auctioned leases receiving accepted bids that have not been issued to winning bidders and the number of days such leases have not been issued; and (12) a description of the uses of application for permit to drill fees paid by permit holders during the 5-year period ending on the date on which the report is submitted. (b) Pending applications for permits To drill Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall— (1) complete all requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (2) issue a permit for all completed applications to drill that are pending on the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Public availability of data (1) Mineral Leasing Act Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (t) Public availability of data (1) Expressions of interest Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and each month thereafter, the Secretary shall publish on the website of the Department of the Interior the number of pending, approved, and not approved expressions of interest in nominated parcels for future onshore oil and gas lease sales in the preceding month. (2) Applications for permits to drill Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and each month thereafter, the Secretary shall publish on the website of the Department of the Interior the number of pending and approved applications for permits to drill in the preceding month in each State office. (3) Past data Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall publish on the website of the Department of the Interior, with respect to each month during the 5-year period ending on the date of the enactment of this subsection— (A) the number of approved and not approved expressions of interest for onshore oil and gas lease sales during such 5-year period; and (B) the number of approved and not approved applications for permits to drill during such 5-year period. . (2) Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1337 (q) Public availability of data (1) Offshore geological and geophysical survey licenses Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and each month thereafter, the Secretary shall publish on the website of the Department of the Interior the number of pending and approved applications for licenses for offshore geological and geophysical surveys in the preceding month. (2) Applications for permits to drill Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and each month thereafter, the Secretary shall publish on the website of the Department of the Interior the number of pending and approved applications for permits to drill on the outer Continental Shelf in the preceding month in each regional office. (3) Past data Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall publish on the website of the Department of the Interior, with respect each month during the 5-year period ending on the date of the enactment of this subsection— (A) the number of approved applications for licenses for offshore geological and geophysical surveys; and (B) the number of approved applications for permits to drill on the outer Continental Shelf. . (d) Requirement To submit documents and communications (1) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives all documents and communications relating to the comprehensive review of Federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices required under section 208 of Executive Order 14008 (86 Fed. Reg. 7624; relating to tackling the climate crisis at home and abroad). (2) Inclusions The submission under paragraph (1) shall include all documents and communications submitted to the Secretary of the Interior by members of the public in response to any public meeting or forum relating to the comprehensive review described in that paragraph. 20107. Offshore oil and gas leasing (a) In general The Secretary shall conduct all lease sales described in the 2017–2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (November 2016) that have not been conducted as of the date of the enactment of this Act by not later than September 30, 2023. (b) Gulf of Mexico Region Annual Lease Sales Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except within areas subject to existing oil and gas leasing moratoria beginning in fiscal year 2023, the Secretary of the Interior shall annually conduct a minimum of 2 region-wide oil and gas lease sales in the following planning areas of the Gulf of Mexico region, as described in the 2017–2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (November 2016): (1) The Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area. (2) The Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area. (c) Alaska Region Annual Lease Sales Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning in fiscal year 2023, the Secretary of the Interior shall annually conduct a minimum of 2 region-wide oil and gas lease sales in the Alaska region of the Outer Continental Shelf, as described in the 2017–2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (November 2016). (d) Requirements In conducting lease sales under subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary of the Interior shall— (1) issue such leases in accordance with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1332 et seq. (2) include in each such lease sale all unleased areas that are not subject to a moratorium as of the date of the lease sale. 20108. Five-year plan for offshore oil and gas leasing Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1344 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking subsections (c) and (d) of this section, shall prepare and periodically revise, this section, shall issue every five years (B) by adding at the end the following: (5) Each five-year program shall include at least two Gulf of Mexico region-wide lease sales per year. ; and (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting domestic energy security, between (2) by redesignating subsections (f) through (i) as subsections (h) through (k), respectively; and (3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: (f) Five-Year program for 2023–2028 The Secretary shall issue the five-year oil and gas leasing program for 2023 through 2028 and issue the Record of Decision on the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement by not later than July 1, 2023. (g) Subsequent leasing programs (1) In general Not later than 36 months after conducting the first lease sale under an oil and gas leasing program prepared pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall begin preparing the subsequent oil and gas leasing program under this section. (2) Requirement Each subsequent oil and gas leasing program under this section shall be approved by not later than 180 days before the expiration of the previous oil and gas leasing program. . 20109. Geothermal leasing (a) Annual leasing Section 4(b) of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ( 30 U.S.C. 1003(b) (1) in paragraph (2), by striking 2 years year (2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and (3) after paragraph (2), by inserting the following: (3) Replacement Sales If a lease sale under paragraph (1) for a year is canceled or delayed, the Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a replacement sale during the same year. (4) Requirement In conducting a lease sale under paragraph (2) in a State described in that paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior shall offer all nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development and utilization under the resource management plan in effect for the State. . (b) Deadlines for consideration of geothermal drilling permits Section 4 of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ( 30 U.S.C. 1003 (h) Deadlines for consideration of geothermal drilling permits (1) Notice Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives an application for any geothermal drilling permit, the Secretary shall— (A) provide written notice to the applicant that the application is complete; or (B) notify the applicant that information is missing and specify any information that is required to be submitted for the application to be complete. (2) Issuance of decision If the Secretary determines that an application for a geothermal drilling permit is complete under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall issue a final decision on the application not later than 30 days after the Secretary notifies the applicant that the application is complete. . 20110. Leasing for certain qualified coal applications (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Coal lease The term coal lease (2) Qualified application The term qualified application 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (b) Mandatory leasing and other required approvals As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promptly— (1) with respect to each qualified application— (A) if not previously published for public comment, publish a draft environmental assessment, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (B) finalize the fair market value of the coal tract for which a lease by application is pending; (C) take all intermediate actions necessary to grant the qualified application; and (D) grant the qualified application; and (2) with respect to previously awarded coal leases, grant any additional approvals of the Department of the Interior or any bureau, agency, or division of the Department of the Interior required for mining activities to commence. 20111. Future coal leasing Notwithstanding any judicial decision to the contrary or a departmental review of the Federal coal leasing program, Secretarial Order 3338, issued by the Secretary of the Interior on January 15, 2016, shall have no force or effect. 20112. Staff planning report The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each annually submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the staffing capacity of each respective agency with respect to issuing oil, gas, hardrock mining, coal, and renewable energy leases, rights-of-way, claims, easements, and permits. Each such report shall include— (1) the number of staff assigned to process and issue oil, gas, hardrock mining, coal, and renewable energy leases, rights-of-way, claims, easements, and permits; (2) a description of how many staff are needed to meet statutory requirements for such oil, gas, hardrock mining, coal, and renewable energy leases, rights-of-way, claims, easements, and permits; and (3) how, as applicable, the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture plans to address staffing shortfalls and turnover to ensure adequate staffing to process and issue such oil, gas, hardrock mining, coal, and renewable energy leases, rights-of-way, claims, easements, and permits. 20113. Prohibition on Chinese communist party ownership interest Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Communist Party of China (or a person acting on behalf of the Community Party of China) may not acquire any interest with respect to lands leased for oil or gas under the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. 20114. Effect on other law Nothing in this division, or any amendments made by this division, shall affect— (1) the Presidential memorandum titled Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf From Leasing Disposition (2) the Presidential memorandum titled Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf From Leasing Disposition (3) the Presidential memorandum titled Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas off the Atlantic Coast on the Outer Continental Shelf From Leasing Disposition (4) the ban on oil and gas development in the Great Lakes described in section 386 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15941 II Permitting streamlining 20201. Definitions In this title: (1) Energy facility The term energy facility (2) Energy storage device The term energy storage device (A) means any equipment that stores energy, including electricity, compressed air, pumped water, heat, and hydrogen, which may be converted into, or used to produce, electricity; and (B) includes a battery, regenerative fuel cell, flywheel, capacitor, superconducting magnet, and any other equipment the Secretary concerned determines may be used to store energy which may be converted into, or used to produce, electricity. (3) Public lands The term public lands (A) lands located on the Outer Continental Shelf; and (B) lands held in trust by the United States for the benefit of Indians, Indian Tribes, Aleuts, and Eskimos. (4) Right-of-way The term right-of-way (A) a right-of-way issued, granted, or renewed under section 501 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1761 (B) a right-of-way granted under section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 185 (5) Secretary concerned The term Secretary concerned (A) with respect to public lands, the Secretary of the Interior; and (B) with respect to National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture. (6) Land use plan The term land use plan (A) a land and resource management plan prepared by the Forest Service for a unit of the National Forest System pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1604 (B) a Land Management Plan developed by the Bureau of Land Management under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (C) a comprehensive conservation plan developed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under section 4(e)(1)(A) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 ( 16 U.S.C. 668dd(e)(1)(A) 20202. BUILDER Act (a) Paragraph (2) of section 102 Section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking insure ensure (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking insure ensure (3) in subparagraph (C)— (A) by inserting consistent with the provisions of this Act and except as provided by other provisions of law, include in every (B) by striking clauses (i) through (v) and inserting the following: (i) reasonably foreseeable environmental effects with a reasonably close causal relationship to the proposed agency action; (ii) any reasonably foreseeable adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented; (iii) a reasonable number of alternatives to the proposed agency action, including an analysis of any negative environmental impacts of not implementing the proposed agency action in the case of a no action alternative, that are technically and economically feasible, are within the jurisdiction of the agency, meet the purpose and need of the proposal, and, where applicable, meet the goals of the applicant; (iv) the relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity; and (v) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of Federal resources which would be involved in the proposed agency action should it be implemented. ; and (C) by striking the responsible Federal official the head of the lead agency (4) in subparagraph (D), by striking Any any (5) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (I) as subparagraphs (F) through (K), respectively; (6) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: (D) ensure the professional integrity, including scientific integrity, of the discussion and analysis in an environmental document; (E) make use of reliable existing data and resources in carrying out this Act; ; (7) by amending subparagraph (G), as redesignated, to read as follows: (G) consistent with the provisions of this Act, study, develop, and describe technically and economically feasible alternatives within the jurisdiction and authority of the agency; ; and (8) in subparagraph (H), as amended, by inserting consistent with the provisions of this Act, recognize (b) New sections Title I of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. 106. Procedure for determination of level of review (a) Threshold determinations An agency is not required to prepare an environmental document with respect to a proposed agency action if— (1) the proposed agency action is not a final agency action within the meaning of such term in chapter 5 (2) the proposed agency action is covered by a categorical exclusion established by the agency, another Federal agency, or another provision of law; (3) the preparation of such document would clearly and fundamentally conflict with the requirements of another provision of law; (4) the proposed agency action is, in whole or in part, a nondiscretionary action with respect to which such agency does not have authority to take environmental factors into consideration in determining whether to take the proposed action; (5) the proposed agency action is a rulemaking that is subject to section 553 of title 5, United States Code; or (6) the proposed agency action is an action for which such agency’s compliance with another statute’s requirements serve the same or similar function as the requirements of this Act with respect to such action. (b) Levels of review (1) Environmental impact statement An agency shall issue an environmental impact statement with respect to a proposed agency action that has a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. (2) Environmental assessment An agency shall prepare an environmental assessment with respect to a proposed agency action that is not likely to have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment, or if the significance of such effect is unknown, unless the agency finds that a categorical exclusion established by the agency, another Federal agency, or another provision of law applies. Such environmental assessment shall be a concise public document prepared by a Federal agency to set forth the basis of such agency’s finding of no significant impact. (3) Sources of information In making a determination under this subsection, an agency— (A) may make use of any reliable data source; and (B) is not required to undertake new scientific or technical research. 107. Timely and unified Federal reviews (a) Lead agency (1) Designation (A) In general If there are two or more involved Federal agencies, such agencies shall determine, by letter or memorandum, which agency shall be the lead agency based on consideration of the following factors: (i) Magnitude of agency’s involvement. (ii) Project approval or disapproval authority. (iii) Expertise concerning the action’s environmental effects. (iv) Duration of agency’s involvement. (v) Sequence of agency’s involvement. (B) Joint lead agencies In making a determination under subparagraph (A), the involved Federal agencies may, in addition to a Federal agency, appoint such Federal, State, Tribal, or local agencies as joint lead agencies as the involved Federal agencies shall determine appropriate. Joint lead agencies shall jointly fulfill the role described in paragraph (2). (C) Mineral projects This paragraph shall not apply with respect to a mineral exploration or mine permit. (2) Role A lead agency shall, with respect to a proposed agency action— (A) supervise the preparation of an environmental document if, with respect to such proposed agency action, there is more than one involved Federal agency; (B) request the participation of each cooperating agency at the earliest practicable time; (C) in preparing an environmental document, give consideration to any analysis or proposal created by a cooperating agency with jurisdiction by law or a cooperating agency with special expertise; (D) develop a schedule, in consultation with each involved cooperating agency, the applicant, and such other entities as the lead agency determines appropriate, for completion of any environmental review, permit, or authorization required to carry out the proposed agency action; (E) if the lead agency determines that a review, permit, or authorization will not be completed in accordance with the schedule developed under subparagraph (D), notify the agency responsible for issuing such review, permit, or authorization of the discrepancy and request that such agency take such measures as such agency determines appropriate to comply with such schedule; and (F) meet with a cooperating agency that requests such a meeting. (3) Cooperating agency The lead agency may, with respect to a proposed agency action, designate any involved Federal agency or a State, Tribal, or local agency as a cooperating agency. A cooperating agency may, not later than a date specified by the lead agency, submit comments to the lead agency. Such comments shall be limited to matters relating to the proposed agency action with respect to which such agency has special expertise or jurisdiction by law with respect to an environmental issue. (4) Request for designation Any Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency or person that is substantially affected by the lack of a designation of a lead agency with respect to a proposed agency action under paragraph (1) may submit a written request for such a designation to an involved Federal agency. An agency that receives a request under this paragraph shall transmit such request to each involved Federal agency and to the Council. (5) Council designation (A) Request Not earlier than 45 days after the date on which a request is submitted under paragraph (4), if no designation has been made under paragraph (1), a Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency or person that is substantially affected by the lack of a designation of a lead agency may request that the Council designate a lead agency. Such request shall consist of— (i) a precise description of the nature and extent of the proposed agency action; and (ii) a detailed statement with respect to each involved Federal agency and each factor listed in paragraph (1) regarding which agency should serve as lead agency. (B) Transmission The Council shall transmit a request received under subparagraph (A) to each involved Federal agency. (C) Response An involved Federal agency may, not later than 20 days after the date of the submission of a request under subparagraph (A), submit to the Council a response to such request. (D) Designation Not later than 40 days after the date of the submission of a request under subparagraph (A), the Council shall designate the lead agency with respect to the relevant proposed agency action. (b) One document (1) Document To the extent practicable, if there are 2 or more involved Federal agencies with respect to a proposed agency action and the lead agency has determined that an environmental document is required, such requirement shall be deemed satisfied with respect to all involved Federal agencies if the lead agency issues such an environmental document. (2) Consideration timing In developing an environmental document for a proposed agency action, no involved Federal agency shall be required to consider any information that becomes available after the sooner of, as applicable— (A) receipt of a complete application with respect to such proposed agency action; or (B) publication of a notice of intent or decision to prepare an environmental impact statement for such proposed agency action. (3) Scope of review In developing an environmental document for a proposed agency action, the lead agency and any other involved Federal agencies shall only consider the effects of the proposed agency action that— (A) occur on Federal land; or (B) are subject to Federal control and responsibility. (c) Request for public comment Each notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement under section 102 shall include a request for public comment on alternatives or impacts and on relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect to the proposed agency action. (d) Statement of purpose and need Each environmental impact statement shall include a statement of purpose and need that briefly summarizes the underlying purpose and need for the proposed agency action. (e) Estimated total cost The cover sheet for each environmental impact statement shall include a statement of the estimated total cost of preparing such environmental impact statement, including the costs of agency full-time equivalent personnel hours, contractor costs, and other direct costs. (f) Page limits (1) Environmental impact statements (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an environmental impact statement shall not exceed 150 pages, not including any citations or appendices. (B) Extraordinary complexity An environmental impact statement for a proposed agency action of extraordinary complexity shall not exceed 300 pages, not including any citations or appendices. (2) Environmental assessments An environmental assessment shall not exceed 75 pages, not including any citations or appendices. (g) Sponsor preparation A lead agency shall allow a project sponsor to prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement upon request of the project sponsor. Such agency may provide such sponsor with appropriate guidance and assist in the preparation. The lead agency shall independently evaluate the environmental document and shall take responsibility for the contents upon adoption. (h) Deadlines (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), with respect to a proposed agency action, a lead agency shall complete, as applicable— (A) the environmental impact statement not later than the date that is 2 years after the sooner of, as applicable— (i) the date on which such agency determines that section 102(2)(C) requires the issuance of an environmental impact statement with respect to such action; (ii) the date on which such agency notifies the applicant that the application to establish a right-of-way for such action is complete; and (iii) the date on which such agency issues a notice of intent to prepare the environmental impact statement for such action; and (B) the environmental assessment not later than the date that is 1 year after the sooner of, as applicable— (i) the date on which such agency determines that section 106(b)(2) requires the preparation of an environmental assessment with respect to such action; (ii) the date on which such agency notifies the applicant that the application to establish a right-of-way for such action is complete; and (iii) the date on which such agency issues a notice of intent to prepare the environmental assessment for such action. (2) Delay A lead agency that determines it is not able to meet the deadline described in paragraph (1) may extend such deadline with the approval of the applicant. If the applicant approves such an extension, the lead agency shall establish a new deadline that provides only so much additional time as is necessary to complete such environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. (3) Expenditures for delay If a lead agency is unable to meet the deadline described in paragraph (1) or extended under paragraph (2), the lead agency must pay $100 per day, to the extent funding is provided in advance in an appropriations Act, out of the office of the head of the department of the lead agency to the applicant starting on the first day immediately following the deadline described in paragraph (1) or extended under paragraph (2) up until the date that an applicant approves a new deadline. This paragraph does not apply when the lead agency misses a deadline solely due to delays caused by litigation. (i) Report (1) In general The head of each lead agency shall annually submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report that— (A) identifies any environmental assessment and environmental impact statement that such lead agency did not complete by the deadline described in subsection (h); and (B) provides an explanation for any failure to meet such deadline. (2) Inclusions Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall identify, as applicable— (A) the office, bureau, division, unit, or other entity within the Federal agency responsible for each such environmental assessment and environmental impact statement; (B) the date on which— (i) such lead agency notified the applicant that the application to establish a right-of-way for the major Federal action is complete; (ii) such lead agency began the scoping for the major Federal action; or (iii) such lead agency issued a notice of intent to prepare the environmental assessment or environmental impact statement for the major Federal action; and (C) when such environmental assessment and environmental impact statement is expected to be complete. 108. Judicial review (a) Limitations on claims Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of compliance with this Act, of a determination made under this Act, or of Federal action resulting from a determination made under this Act, shall be barred unless— (1) in the case of a claim pertaining to a proposed agency action for which— (A) an environmental document was prepared and an opportunity for comment was provided; (B) the claim is filed by a party that participated in the administrative proceedings regarding such environmental document; and (C) the claim— (i) is filed by a party that submitted a comment during the public comment period for such administrative proceedings and such comment was sufficiently detailed to put the lead agency on notice of the issue upon which the party seeks judicial review; and (ii) is related to such comment; (2) except as provided in subsection (b), such claim is filed not later than 120 days after the date of publication of a notice in the Federal Register of agency intent to carry out the proposed agency action; (3) such claim is filed after the issuance of a record of decision or other final agency action with respect to the relevant proposed agency action; (4) such claim does not challenge the establishment or use of a categorical exclusion under section 102; and (5) such claim concerns— (A) an alternative included in the environmental document; or (B) an environmental effect considered in the environmental document. (b) Supplemental environmental impact statement (1) Separate final agency action The issuance of a Federal action resulting from a final supplemental environmental impact statement shall be considered a final agency action for the purposes of chapter 5 (2) Deadline for filing a claim A claim seeking judicial review of a Federal action resulting from a final supplemental environmental review issued under section 102(2)(C) shall be barred unless— (A) such claim is filed within 120 days of the date on which a notice of the Federal agency action resulting from a final supplemental environmental impact statement is issued; and (B) such claim is based on information contained in such supplemental environmental impact statement that was not contained in a previous environmental document pertaining to the same proposed agency action. (c) Prohibition on injunctive relief Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a violation of this Act shall not constitute the basis for injunctive relief. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a right of judicial review or place any limit on filing a claim with respect to the violation of the terms of a permit, license, or approval. (e) Remand Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no proposed agency action for which an environmental document is required shall be vacated or otherwise limited, delayed, or enjoined unless a court concludes allowing such proposed action will pose a risk of an imminent and substantial environmental harm and there is no other equitable remedy available as a matter of law. 109. Definitions In this title: (1) Categorical exclusion The term categorical exclusion (2) Cooperating agency The term cooperating agency (3) Council The term Council (4) Environmental assessment The term environmental assessment (5) Environmental document The term environmental document (6) Environmental impact statement The term environmental impact statement (7) Finding of no significant impact The term finding of no significant impact (8) Involved Federal agency The term involved Federal agency (A) proposed such action; or (B) is involved in such action because such action is directly related, through functional interdependence or geographic proximity, to an action such agency has taken or has proposed to take. (9) Lead agency (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term lead agency (i) the agency that proposed such action; or (ii) if there are 2 or more involved Federal agencies with respect to such action, the agency designated under section 107(a)(1). (B) Specification for mineral exploration or mine permits With respect to a proposed mineral exploration or mine permit, the term lead agency (10) Major Federal action (A) In general The term major Federal action (B) Exclusion The term major Federal action (i) a non-Federal action— (I) with no or minimal Federal funding; (II) with no or minimal Federal involvement where a Federal agency cannot control the outcome of the project; or (III) that does not include Federal land; (ii) funding assistance solely in the form of general revenue sharing funds which do not provide Federal agency compliance or enforcement responsibility over the subsequent use of such funds; (iii) loans, loan guarantees, or other forms of financial assistance where a Federal agency does not exercise sufficient control and responsibility over the effect of the action; (iv) farm ownership and operating loan guarantees by the Farm Service Agency pursuant to sections 305 and 311 through 319 of the Consolidated Farmers Home Administration Act of 1961 (7 U.S.C. 1925 and 1941 through 1949); (v) business loan guarantees provided by the Small Business Administration pursuant to section 7(a) or (b) and of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(a) 15 U.S.C. 695 et seq. (vi) bringing judicial or administrative civil or criminal enforcement actions; or (vii) extraterritorial activities or decisions, which means agency activities or decisions with effects located entirely outside of the jurisdiction of the United States. (C) Additional exclusions An agency action may not be determined to be a major Federal action on the basis of— (i) an interstate effect of the action or related project; or (ii) the provision of Federal funds for the action or related project. (11) Mineral exploration or mine permit The term mineral exploration or mine permit (12) Proposal The term proposal (13) Reasonably foreseeable The term reasonably foreseeable (A) not later than 10 years after the lead agency begins preparing the environmental document; and (B) in an area directly affected by the proposed agency action such that an individual of ordinary prudence would take such occurrence into account in reaching a decision. (14) Special expertise The term special expertise . 20203. Codification of National Environmental Policy Act regulations The revisions to the Code of Federal Regulations made pursuant to the final rule of the Council on Environmental Quality titled Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 20204. Non-major Federal actions (a) Exemption An action by the Secretary concerned with respect to a covered activity shall be not considered a major Federal action under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (b) Covered activity In this section, the term covered activity (1) geotechnical investigations; (2) off-road travel in an existing right-of-way; (3) construction of meteorological towers where the total surface disturbance at the location is less than 5 acres; (4) adding a battery or other energy storage device to an existing or planned energy facility, if that storage resource is located within the physical footprint of the existing or planned energy facility; (5) drilling temperature gradient wells and other geothermal exploratory wells, including construction or making improvements for such activities, where— (A) the last cemented casing string is less than 12 inches in diameter; and (B) the total unreclaimed surface disturbance at any one time within the project area is less than 5 acres; (6) any repair, maintenance, upgrade, optimization, or minor addition to existing transmission and distribution infrastructure, including— (A) operation, maintenance, or repair of power equipment and structures within existing substations, switching stations, transmission, and distribution lines; (B) the addition, modification, retirement, or replacement of breakers, transmission towers, transformers, bushings, or relays; (C) the voltage uprating, modification, reconductoring with conventional or advanced conductors, and clearance resolution of transmission lines; (D) activities to minimize fire risk, including vegetation management, routine fire mitigation, inspection, and maintenance activities, and removal of hazard trees and other hazard vegetation within or adjacent to an existing right-of-way; (E) improvements to or construction of structure pads for such infrastructure; and (F) access and access route maintenance and repairs associated with any activity described in subparagraph (A) through (E); (7) approval of and activities conducted in accordance with operating plans or agreements for transmission and distribution facilities or under a special use authorization for an electric transmission and distribution facility right-of-way; and (8) construction, maintenance, realignment, or repair of an existing permanent or temporary access road— (A) within an existing right-of-way or within a transmission or utility corridor established by Congress or in a land use plan; (B) that serves an existing transmission line, distribution line, or energy facility; or (C) activities conducted in accordance with existing onshore oil and gas leases. 20205. No net loss determination for existing rights-of-way (a) In general Upon a determination by the Secretary concerned that there will be no overall long-term net loss of vegetation, soil, or habitat, as defined by acreage and function, resulting from a proposed action, decision, or activity within an existing right-of-way, within a right-of-way corridor established in a land use plan, or in an otherwise designated right-of-way, that action, decision, or activity shall not be considered a major Federal action under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (b) Inclusion of remediation In making a determination under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall consider the effect of any remediation work to be conducted during the lifetime of the action, decision, or activity when determining whether there will be any overall long-term net loss of vegetation, soil, or habitat. 20206. Determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy The Secretary concerned shall use previously completed environmental assessments and environmental impact statements to satisfy the requirements of section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332 (1) the new proposed action is substantially the same as a previously analyzed proposed action or alternative analyzed in a previous environmental assessment or environmental impact statement; and (2) the effects of the proposed action are substantially the same as the effects analyzed in such existing environmental assessments or environmental impact statements. 20207. Determination regarding rights-of-way Not later than 60 days after the Secretary concerned receives an application to grant a right-of-way, the Secretary concerned shall notify the applicant as to whether the application is complete or deficient. If the Secretary concerned determines the application is complete, the Secretary concerned may not consider any other application to grant a right-of-way on the same or any overlapping parcels of land while such application is pending. 20208. Terms of rights-of-Way (a) Fifty year terms for rights-of-Way (1) In general Any right-of-way for pipelines for the transportation or distribution of oil or gas granted, issued, amended, or renewed under Federal law may be limited to a term of not more than 50 years before such right-of-way is subject to renewal or amendment. (2) Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 Section 501 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1761 (e) Any right-of-way granted, issued, amended, or renewed under subsection (a)(4) may be limited to a term of not more than 50 years before such right-of-way is subject to renewal or amendment. . (b) Mineral Leasing Act Section 28(n) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 185(n) thirty 50 20209. Funding to process permits and develop information technology (a) In general In fiscal years 2023 through 2025, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Forest Service) and the Secretary of the Interior, after public notice, may accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal entities for dedicated staff, information resource management, and information technology system development to expedite the evaluation of permits, biological opinions, concurrence letters, environmental surveys and studies, processing of applications, consultations, and other activities for the leasing, development, or expansion of an energy facility under the jurisdiction of the respective Secretaries. (b) Effect on permitting In carrying out this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that the use of funds accepted under subsection (a) will not impact impartial decision making with respect to permits, either substantively or procedurally. (c) Statement for failure To accept or expend funds Not later than 60 days after the end of the applicable fiscal year, if the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Forest Service) or the Secretary of the Interior does not accept funds contributed under subsection (a) or accepts but does not expend such funds, that Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a statement explaining why such funds were not accepted, were not expended, or both, as the case may be. 20210. Offshore geological and geophysical survey licensing The Secretary of the Interior shall authorize geological and geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, except within areas subject to existing oil and gas leasing moratoria. Such authorizations shall be issued within 30 days of receipt of a completed application and shall, as applicable to survey type, comply with the mitigation and monitoring measures in subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), and (g) of section 217.184 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2022), and section 217.185 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2022). Geological and geophysical surveys authorized pursuant to this section are deemed to be in full compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 ( 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. 20211. Deferral of applications for permits to drill Section 17(p)(3) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(p)(3) (D) Deferral based on formatting issues A decision on an application for a permit to drill may not be deferred under paragraph (2)(B) as a result of a formatting issue with the permit, unless such formatting issue results in missing information. . 20212. Processing and terms of applications for permits to drill (a) Effect of pending civil actions Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(p) (4) Effect of pending civil action on processing applications for permits to drill Pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (2), notwithstanding the existence of any pending civil actions affecting the application or related lease, the Secretary shall process an application for a permit to drill or other authorizations or approvals under a valid existing lease, unless a United States Federal court vacated such lease. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as providing authority to a Federal court to vacate a lease. . (b) Term of permit To drill Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (u) Term of permit To drill A permit to drill issued under this section after the date of the enactment of this subsection shall be valid for one four-year term from the date that the permit is approved, or until the lease regarding which the permit is issued expires, whichever occurs first. . 20213. Amendments to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15942 390. National environmental policy act review (a) National environmental policy act review Action by the Secretary of the Interior, in managing the public lands, or the Secretary of Agriculture, in managing National Forest System lands, with respect to any of the activities described in subsection (c), shall not be considered a major Federal action for the purposes of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, if the activity is conducted pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. (b) Application This section shall not apply to an action of the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for the benefit of Indian Tribes. (c) Activities described The activities referred to in subsection (a) are as follows: (1) Reinstating a lease pursuant to section 31 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 188 (2) The following activities, provided that any new surface disturbance is contiguous with the footprint of the original authorization and does not exceed 20 acres or the acreage has previously been evaluated in a document previously prepared under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (A) Drilling an oil or gas well at a well pad site at which drilling has occurred previously. (B) Expansion of an existing oil or gas well pad site to accommodate an additional well. (C) Expansion or modification of an existing oil or gas well pad site, road, pipeline, facility, or utility submitted in a sundry notice. (3) Drilling of an oil or gas well at a new well pad site, provided that the new surface disturbance does not exceed 20 acres and the acreage evaluated in a document previously prepared under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (4) Construction or realignment of a road, pipeline, or utility within an existing right-of-way or within a right-of-way corridor established in a land use plan. (5) The following activities when conducted from non-Federal surface into federally owned minerals, provided that the operator submits to the Secretary concerned certification of a surface use agreement with the non-Federal landowner: (A) Drilling an oil or gas well at a well pad site at which drilling has occurred previously. (B) Expansion of an existing oil or gas well pad site to accommodate an additional well. (C) Expansion or modification of an existing oil or gas well pad site, road, pipeline, facility, or utility submitted in a sundry notice. (6) Drilling of an oil or gas well from non-Federal surface and non-Federal subsurface into Federal mineral estate. (7) Construction of up to 1 mile of new road on Federal or non-Federal surface, not to exceed 2 miles in total. (8) Construction of up to 3 miles of individual pipelines or utilities, regardless of surface ownership. . 20214. Access to Federal energy resources from non-Federal surface estate (a) Oil and Gas Permits Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (v) No Federal permit required for oil and gas activities on certain land (1) In general The Secretary shall not require an operator to obtain a Federal drilling permit for oil and gas exploration and production activities conducted on non-Federal surface estate, provided that— (A) the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50 percent of the subsurface mineral estate to be accessed by the proposed action; and (B) the operator submits to the Secretary a State permit to conduct oil and gas exploration and production activities on the non-Federal surface estate. (2) No Federal action An oil and gas exploration and production activity carried out under paragraph (1)— (A) shall not be considered a major Federal action for the purposes of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (B) shall require no additional Federal action; (C) may commence 30 days after submission of the State permit to the Secretary; and (D) shall not be subject to— (i) section 306108 of title 54, United States Code (commonly known as the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966); and (ii) section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1536 (3) Royalties and production accountability (A) Nothing in this subsection shall affect the amount of royalties due to the United States under this Act from the production of oil and gas, or alter the Secretary’s authority to conduct audits and collect civil penalties pursuant to the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 ( 30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (B) The Secretary may conduct onsite reviews and inspections to ensure proper accountability, measurement, and reporting of production of Federal oil and gas, and payment of royalties. (4) Exceptions This subsection shall not apply to actions on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for the benefit of Indian Tribes. (5) Indian land In this subsection, the term Indian land (A) any land located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria; and (B) any land not located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria, the title to which is held— (i) in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian tribe or an individual Indian; (ii) by an Indian tribe or an individual Indian, subject to restriction against alienation under laws of the United States; or (iii) by a dependent Indian community. . (b) Geothermal permits The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ( 30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. 30. No Federal permit required for geothermal activities on certain land (a) In general The Secretary shall not require an operator to obtain a Federal drilling permit for geothermal exploration and production activities conducted on a non-Federal surface estate, provided that— (1) the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50 percent of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action; and (2) the operator submits to the Secretary a State permit to conduct geothermal exploration and production activities on the non-Federal surface estate. (b) No Federal action A geothermal exploration and production activity carried out under paragraph (1)— (1) shall not be considered a major Federal action for the purposes of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (2) shall require no additional Federal action; (3) may commence 30 days after submission of the State permit to the Secretary; and (4) shall not be subject to— (A) section 306108 of title 54, United States Code (commonly known as the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966); and (B) section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1536 (c) Royalties and production accountability (1) Nothing in this section shall affect the amount of royalties due to the United States under this Act from the production of electricity using geothermal resources (other than direct use of geothermal resources) or the production of any byproducts. (2) The Secretary may conduct onsite reviews and inspections to ensure proper accountability, measurement, and reporting of the production described in paragraph (1), and payment of royalties. (d) Exceptions This section shall not apply to actions on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for the benefit of Indian Tribes. (e) Indian land In this section, the term Indian land (1) any land located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria; and (2) any land not located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria, the title to which is held— (A) in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian tribe or an individual Indian; (B) by an Indian tribe or an individual Indian, subject to restriction against alienation under laws of the United States; or (C) by a dependent Indian community. . 20215. Scope of environmental reviews for oil and gas leases An environmental review for an oil and gas lease or permit prepared pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1) shall apply only to areas that are within or immediately adjacent to the lease plot or plots and that are directly affected by the proposed action; and (2) shall not require consideration of downstream, indirect effects of oil and gas consumption. 20216. Expediting approval of gathering lines Section 11318(b)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ( 42 U.S.C. 15943(b)(1) to be an action that is categorically excluded (as defined in section 1508.1 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act)) to not be a major Federal action 20217. Lease sale litigation Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any oil and gas lease sale held under section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 26 U.S.C. 226 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. 26 U.S.C. 226 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. 20218. Limitation on claims (a) In General Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a Federal agency for a mineral project, energy facility, or energy storage device shall be barred unless— (1) the claim is filed within 120 days after publication of a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the permit, license, or approval is final pursuant to the law under which the agency action is taken, unless a shorter time is specified in the Federal law pursuant to which judicial review is allowed; and (2) the claim is filed by a party that submitted a comment during the public comment period for such permit, license, or approval and such comment was sufficiently detailed to put the agency on notice of the issue upon which the party seeks judicial review. (b) Savings clause Nothing in this section shall create a right to judicial review or place any limit on filing a claim that a person has violated the terms of a permit, license, or approval. (c) Transportation projects Subsection (a) shall not apply to or supersede a claim subject to section 139(l)(1) of title 23, United States Code. (d) Mineral project In this section, the term mineral project (1) located on— (A) a mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim for any mineral; (B) lands open to mineral entry; or (C) a Federal mineral lease; and (2) for the purposes of exploring for or producing minerals. 20219. Government Accountability Office report on permits to drill (a) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a report detailing— (1) the approval timelines for applications for permits to drill issued by the Bureau of Land Management from 2018 through 2022; (2) the number of applications for permits to drill that were not issued within 30 days of receipt of a completed application; and (3) the causes of delays resulting in applications for permits to drill pending beyond the 30 day deadline required under section 17(p)(2) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(p)(2) (b) Recommendations The report issued under subsection (a) shall include recommendations with respect to— (1) actions the Bureau of Land Management can take to streamline the approval process for applications for permits to drill to approve applications for permits to drill within 30 days of receipt of a completed application; (2) aspects of the Federal permitting process carried out by the Bureau of Land Management to issue applications for permits to drill that can be turned over to States to expedite approval of applications for permits to drill; and (3) legislative actions that Congress must take to allow States to administer certain aspects of the Federal permitting process described in paragraph (2). 20220. E–NEPA (a) Permitting Portal Study The Council on Environmental Quality shall conduct a study and submit a report to Congress within 1 year of the enactment of this Act on the potential to create an online permitting portal for permits that require review under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (1) allow applicants to— (A) submit required documents or materials for their application in one unified portal; (B) upload additional documents as required by the applicable agency; and (C) track the progress of individual applications; (2) enhance interagency coordination in consultation by— (A) allowing for comments in one unified portal; (B) centralizing data necessary for reviews; and (C) streamlining communications between other agencies and the applicant; and (3) boost transparency in agency decisionmaking. (b) Authorization of Appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for the Council of Environmental Quality to carry out the study directed by this section. III Permitting for mining needs 20301. Definitions In this title: (1) Byproduct The term byproduct 30 U.S.C. 1606(a) (2) Indian tribe The term Indian Tribe 25 U.S.C. 5304 (3) Mineral The term mineral lands acquired by the United States (4) Secretary Except as otherwise provided, the term Secretary (5) State The term State (A) a State; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (D) Guam; (E) American Samoa; (F) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and (G) the United States Virgin Islands. 20302. Minerals supply chain and reliability Section 40206 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ( 30 U.S.C. 1607 (1) in the section heading, by striking Critical minerals Minerals (2) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Lead agency The term lead agency (2) Mineral The term mineral TAPP American Resources Act (3) Mineral exploration or mine permit The term mineral exploration or mine permit (A) an authorization of the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service, as applicable, for exploration for minerals that requires analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (B) a plan of operations for a mineral project approved by the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service; or (C) any other Federal permit or authorization for a mineral project. (4) Mineral project The term mineral project (A) located on— (i) a mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim for any mineral; (ii) lands open to mineral entry; or (iii) a Federal mineral lease; and (B) for the purposes of exploring for or producing minerals. ; (3) in subsection (b), by striking critical (4) in subsection (c)— (A) by striking critical mineral production on Federal land mineral projects (B) by inserting , and in accordance with subsection (h) to the maximum extent practicable (C) by striking shall complete the shall complete such (D) in paragraph (1), by striking critical mineral-related activities on Federal land mineral projects (E) in paragraph (8), by striking the and (F) in paragraph (9), by striking procedures. procedures; and (G) by adding at the end the following: (10) deferring to and relying on baseline data, analyses, and reviews performed by State agencies with jurisdiction over the environmental or reclamation permits for the proposed mineral project. ; (5) in subsection (d)— (A) by striking critical (B) in paragraph (3), by striking mineral-related activities on Federal land mineral projects (6) in subsection (e), by striking critical (7) in subsection (f), by striking critical (8) in subsection (g), by striking critical (9) by adding at the end the following: (h) Other requirements (1) Memorandum of agreement For purposes of maximizing efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal permitting and review processes described under subsection (c), the lead agency in the Federal permitting and review processes of a mineral project shall (in consultation with any other Federal agency involved in such Federal permitting and review processes, and upon request of the project applicant, an affected State government, local government, or an Indian Tribe, or other entity such lead agency determines appropriate) enter into a memorandum of agreement with a project applicant where requested by the applicant to carry out the activities described in subsection (c). (2) Timelines and schedules for NEPA reviews (A) Extension A project applicant may enter into 1 or more agreements with a lead agency to extend the deadlines described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (h)(1) of section 107 of title I of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 by, with respect to each such agreement, not more than 6 months. (B) Adjustment of timelines At the request of a project applicant, the lead agency and any other entity which is a signatory to a memorandum of agreement under paragraph (1) may, by unanimous agreement, adjust— (i) any deadlines described in subparagraph (A); and (ii) any deadlines extended under subparagraph (B). (3) Effect on pending applications Upon a written request by a project applicant, the requirements of this subsection shall apply to any application for a mineral exploration or mine permit or mineral lease that was submitted before the date of the enactment of the TAPP American Resources Act . 20303. Federal register process improvement Section 7002(f) of the Energy Act of 2020 ( 30 U.S.C. 1606(f) (1) in paragraph (2), by striking critical (2) by striking paragraph (4). 20304. Designation of mining as a covered sector for Federal permitting improvement purposes Section 41001(6)(A) of the FAST Act ( 42 U.S.C. 4370m(6)(A) mineral production, or any other sector 20305. Treatment of actions under presidential determination 2022–11 for Federal permitting improvement purposes (a) In general Except as provided by subsection (c), an action described in subsection (b) shall be— (1) treated as a covered project, as defined in section 41001(6) of the FAST Act ( 42 U.S.C. 4370m(6) (2) included in the Permitting Dashboard maintained pursuant to section 41003(b) of that Act (42 13 U.S.C. 4370m–2(b) (b) Actions described An action described in this subsection is an action taken by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to Presidential Determination 2022–11 (87 Fed. Reg. 19775; relating to certain actions under section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950) or the Presidential Memorandum of February 27, 2023, titled Presidential Waiver of Statutory Requirements Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, on Department of Defense Supply Chains Resilience (1) supporting feasibility studies for mature mining, beneficiation, and value-added processing projects; (2) byproduct and co-product production at existing mining, mine waste reclamation, and other industrial facilities; (3) modernization of mining, beneficiation, and value-added processing to increase productivity, environmental sustainability, and workforce safety; or (4) any other activity authorized under section 303(a)(1) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 15 ( 50 U.S.C. 4533(a)(1) (c) Exception An action described in subsection (b) may not be treated as a covered project or be included in the Permitting Dashboard under subsection (a) if the project sponsor (as defined in section 41001(18) of the FAST Act (42 U.S.C. 21 4370m(18))) requests that the action not be treated as a covered project. 20306. Notice for mineral exploration activities with limited surface disturbance (a) In general Not later than 15 days before commencing an exploration activity with a surface disturbance of not more than 5 acres of public lands, the operator of such exploration activity shall submit to the Secretary concerned a complete notice of such exploration activity. (b) Inclusions Notice submitted under subsection (a) shall include such information the Secretary concerned may require, including the information described in section 3809.301 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (c) Review Not later than 15 days after the Secretary concerned receives notice submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall— (1) review and determine completeness of the notice; and (2) allow exploration activities to proceed if— (A) the surface disturbance of such exploration activities on such public lands will not exceed 5 acres; (B) the Secretary concerned determines that the notice is complete; and (C) the operator provides financial assurance that the Secretary concerned determines is adequate. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Exploration activity The term exploration activity (A) means creating surface disturbance greater than casual use that includes sampling, drilling, or developing surface or underground workings to evaluate the type, extent, quantity, or quality of mineral values present; (B) includes constructing drill roads and drill pads, drilling, trenching, excavating test pits, and conducting geotechnical tests and geophysical surveys; and (C) does not include activities where material is extracted for commercial use or sale. (2) Secretary concerned The term Secretary concerned (A) with respect to lands administered by the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the Interior; and (B) with respect to National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture. 20307. Use of mining claims for ancillary activities Section 10101 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 ( 30 U.S.C. 28f (e) Security of tenure (1) In general (A) In general A claimant shall have the right to use, occupy, and conduct operations on public land, with or without the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit, if— (i) such claimant makes a timely payment of the location fee required by section 10102 and the claim maintenance fee required by subsection (a); or (ii) in the case of a claimant who qualifies for a waiver under subsection (d), such claimant makes a timely payment of the location fee and complies with the required assessment work under the general mining laws. (B) Operations defined For the purposes of this paragraph, the term operations (i) any activity or work carried out in connection with prospecting, exploration, processing, discovery and assessment, development, or extraction with respect to a locatable mineral; (ii) the reclamation of any disturbed areas; and (iii) any other reasonably incident uses, whether on a mining claim or not, including the construction and maintenance of facilities, roads, transmission lines, pipelines, and any other necessary infrastructure or means of access on public land for support facilities. (2) Fulfillment of Federal Land Policy and Management Act A claimant that fulfills the requirements of this section and section 10102 shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of any provision of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act that requires the payment of fair market value to the United States for use of public lands and resources relating to use of such lands and resources authorized by the general mining laws. (3) Savings clause Nothing in this subsection may be construed to diminish the rights of entry, use, and occupancy, or any other right, of a claimant under the general mining laws. . 20308. Ensuring consideration of uranium as a critical mineral (a) In general Section 7002(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Energy Act of 2020 ( 30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3)(B)(i) (i) oil, oil shale, coal, or natural gas; . (b) Update Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, shall publish in the Federal Register an update to the final list established in section 7002(c)(3) of the Energy Act of 2020 ( 30 U.S.C. 1606(c)(3) 20309. Barring foreign bad actors from operating on Federal lands A mining claimant shall be barred from the right to use, occupy, and conduct operations on Federal land if the Secretary of the Interior finds the claimant has a foreign parent company that has (including through a subsidiary)— (1) a known record of human rights violations; or (2) knowingly operated an illegal mine in another country. IV Federal land use planning 20401. Federal land use planning and withdrawals (a) Resource assessments required Federal lands and waters may not be withdrawn from entry under the mining laws or operation of the mineral leasing and mineral materials laws unless— (1) a quantitative and qualitative geophysical and geological mineral resource assessment of the impacted area has been completed during the 10-year period ending on the date of such withdrawal; (2) the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Defense, conducts an assessment of the economic, energy, strategic, and national security value of mineral deposits identified in such mineral resource assessment; (3) the Secretary conducts an assessment of the reduction in future Federal revenues to the Treasury, States, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, and the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund resulting from the proposed mineral withdrawal; (4) the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, conducts an assessment of military readiness and training activities in the proposed withdrawal area; and (5) the Secretary submits a report to the Committees on Natural Resources, Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Foreign Affairs of the Senate, that includes the results of the assessments completed pursuant to this subsection. (b) Land use plans Before a resource management plan under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (1) review any quantitative and qualitative mineral resource assessment that was completed or updated during the 10-year period ending on the date that the applicable land management agency publishes a notice to prepare, revise, or amend a land use plan by the Director of the United States Geological Survey for the geographic area affected by the applicable management plan; (2) the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Defense, conducts an assessment of the economic, energy, strategic, and national security value of mineral deposits identified in such mineral resource assessment; and (3) submit a report to the Committees on Natural Resources, Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Foreign Affairs of the Senate, that includes the results of the assessment completed pursuant to this subsection. (c) New information The Secretary shall provide recommendations to the President on appropriate measures to reduce unnecessary impacts that a withdrawal of Federal lands or waters from entry under the mining laws or operation of the mineral leasing and mineral materials laws may have on mineral exploration, development, and other mineral activities (including authorizing exploration and development of such mineral deposits) not later than 180 days after the Secretary has notice that a resource assessment completed by the Director of the United States Geological Survey, in coordination with the State geological surveys, determines that a previously undiscovered mineral deposit may be present in an area that has been withdrawn from entry under the mining laws or operation of the mineral leasing and mineral materials laws pursuant to— (1) section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1714 (2) chapter 3203 20402. Prohibitions on delay of mineral development of certain Federal land (a) Prohibitions Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President shall not carry out any action that would pause, restrict, or delay the process for or issuance of any of the following on Federal land, unless such lands are withdrawn from disposition under the mineral leasing laws, including by administrative withdrawal: (1) New oil and gas lease sales, oil and gas leases, drill permits, or associated approvals or authorizations of any kind associated with oil and gas leases. (2) New coal leases (including leases by application in process, renewals, modifications, or expansions of existing leases), permits, approvals, or authorizations. (3) New leases, claims, permits, approvals, or authorizations for development or exploration of minerals. (b) Prohibition on rescission of leases, permits, or claims The President, the Secretary, or Secretary of Agriculture as applicable, may not rescind any existing lease, permit, or claim for the extraction and production of any mineral under the mining laws or mineral leasing and mineral materials laws on National Forest System land or land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, unless specifically authorized by Federal statute, or upon the lessee, permittee, or claimant’s failure to comply with any of the provisions of the applicable lease, permit, or claim. (c) Mineral defined In subsection (a)(3), the term mineral lands acquired by the United States 20403. Definitions In this title: (1) Federal land The term Federal land (A) National Forest System land; (B) public lands (as defined in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1702 (C) the outer Continental Shelf (as defined in section 2 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1331 (D) land managed by the Secretary of Energy. (2) President The term President (A) the President; and (B) any designee of the President, including— (i) the Secretary of Agriculture; (ii) the Secretary of Commerce; (iii) the Secretary of Energy; and (iv) the Secretary of the Interior. (3) Previously undiscovered deposit The term previously undiscovered mineral deposit (A) a mineral deposit that has been previously evaluated by the United States Geological Survey and found to be of low mineral potential, but upon subsequent evaluation is determined by the United States Geological Survey to have significant mineral potential; or (B) a mineral deposit that has not previously been evaluated by the United States Geological Survey. (4) Secretary The term Secretary V Ensuring competitiveness on Federal lands 20501. Incentivizing domestic production (a) Offshore oil and gas royalty rate Section 8(a)(1) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1337(a)(1) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking not less than 16 2/3 3/4 An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14 2/3 not less than 12.5 percent (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking not less than 16 2/3 3/4 An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14 2/3 not less than 12.5 percent (3) in subparagraph (F), by striking not less than 16 2/3 3/4 An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14 2/3 not less than 12.5 percent (4) in subparagraph (H), by striking not less than 16 2/3 3/4 An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14 2/3 not less than 12.5 percent (b) Mineral leasing act (1) Onshore oil and gas royalty rates (A) Lease of oil and gas land Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (i) in subsection (b)(1)(A)— (I) by striking not less than 16 2/3 not less than 12.5 (II) by striking or, in the case of a lease issued during the 10-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Act titled An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14 2/3 (ii) by striking 16 2/3 12.5 percent (B) Conditions for reinstatement Section 31(e)(3) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 188(e)(3) 20 16 2/3 (2) Oil and gas minimum bid Section 17(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(b) (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking $10 per acre during the 10-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Act titled An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14 $2 per acre for a period of 2 years from the date of the enactment of the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987. (B) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking $10 per acre $2 per acre (3) Fossil fuel rental rates Section 17(d) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(d) (d) All leases issued under this section, as amended by the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987, shall be conditioned upon payment by the lessee of a rental of not less than $1.50 per acre per year for the first through fifth years of the lease and not less than $2 per acre per year for each year thereafter. A minimum royalty in lieu of rental of not less than the rental which otherwise would be required for that lease year shall be payable at the expiration of each lease year beginning on or after a discovery of oil or gas in paying quantities on the lands leased. . (4) Expression of interest fee Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (5) Elimination of noncompetitive leasing Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (A) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1)(A)— (I) in the first sentence, by striking paragraph (2) paragraphs (2) and (3) (II) by adding at the end Lands for which no bids are received or for which the highest bid is less than the national minimum acceptable bid shall be offered promptly within 30 days for leasing under subsection (c) of this section and shall remain available for leasing for a period of 2 years after the competitive lease sale. (ii) by adding at the end the following: (3) (A) If the United States held a vested future interest in a mineral estate that, immediately prior to becoming a vested present interest, was subject to a lease under which oil or gas was being produced, or had a well capable of producing, in paying quantities at an annual average production volume per well per day of either not more than 15 barrels per day of oil or condensate, or not more than 60,000 cubic feet of gas, the holder of the lease may elect to continue the lease as a noncompetitive lease under subsection (c)(1). (B) An election under this paragraph is effective— (i) in the case of an interest which vested after January 1, 1990, and on or before October 24, 1992, if the election is made before the date that is 1 year after October 24, 1992; (ii) in the case of an interest which vests within 1 year after October 24, 1992, if the election is made before the date that is 2 years after October 24, 1992; and (iii) in any case other than those described in clause (i) or (ii), if the election is made prior to the interest becoming a vested present interest. ; (B) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: (c) Lands subject to leasing under subsection (b); first qualified applicant (1) If the lands to be leased are not leased under subsection (b)(1) of this section or are not subject to competitive leasing under subsection (b)(2) of this section, the person first making application for the lease who is qualified to hold a lease under this chapter shall be entitled to a lease of such lands without competitive bidding, upon payment of a non-refundable application fee of at least $75. A lease under this subsection shall be conditioned upon the payment of a royalty at a rate of 12.5 percent in amount or value of the production removed or sold from the lease. Leases shall be issued within 60 days of the date on which the Secretary identifies the first responsible qualified applicant. (2) (A) Lands (i) which were posted for sale under subsection (b)(1) of this section but for which no bids were received or for which the highest bid was less than the national minimum acceptable bid and (ii) for which, at the end of the period referred to in subsection (b)(1) of this section no lease has been issued and no lease application is pending under paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall again be available for leasing only in accordance with subsection (b)(1) of this section. (B) The land in any lease which is issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection or under subsection (b)(1) of this section which lease terminates, expires, is cancelled or is relinquished shall again be available for leasing only in accordance with subsection (b)(1) of this section. ; and (C) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: (e) Primary term Competitive and noncompetitive leases issued under this section shall be for a primary term of 10 years: Provided, however, That competitive leases issued in special tar sand areas shall also be for a primary term of 10 years. Each such lease shall continue so long after its primary term as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities. Any lease issued under this section for land on which, or for which under an approved cooperative or unit plan of development or operation, actual drilling operations were commenced prior to the end of its primary term and are being diligently prosecuted at that time shall be extended for two years and so long thereafter as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities. . (6) Conforming amendments Section 31 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 188 (A) in subsection (d)(1), by striking section 17(b) subsection (b) or (c) of section 17 of this Act (B) in subsection (e)— (i) in paragraph (2)— (I) insert either rentals and (II) insert or the inclusion in a reinstated lease issued pursuant to the provisions of section 17(c) of this Act of a requirement that future rentals shall be at a rate not less than $5 per acre per year, all as determined by the Secretary (ii) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: (3) (A) payment of back royalties and the inclusion in a reinstated lease issued pursuant to the provisions of section 17(b) of this Act of a requirement for future royalties at a rate of not less than 16 2/3 (B) payment of back royalties and inclusion in a reinstated lease issued pursuant to the provisions of section 17(c) of this Act of a requirement for future royalties at a rate not less than 16 2/3 ; (C) in subsection (f)— (i) in paragraph (1), strike in the same manner as the original lease issued pursuant to section 17 as a competitive or a noncompetitive oil and gas lease in the same manner as the original lease issued pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of section 17 of this Act (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraph (3) and (4), respectively; and (iii) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the issuance of a lease in lieu of an abandoned patented oil placer mining claim shall be treated as a noncompetitive oil and gas lease issued pursuant to section 17(c) of this Act. ; (D) in subsection (g), by striking subsection (d) subsections (d) and (f) (E) by amending subsection (h) to read as follows: (h) Royalty reductions (1) In acting on a petition to issue a noncompetitive oil and gas lease, under subsection (f) of this section or in response to a request filed after issuance of such a lease, or both, the Secretary is authorized to reduce the royalty on such lease if in his judgment it is equitable to do so or the circumstances warrant such relief due to uneconomic or other circumstances which could cause undue hardship or premature termination of production. (2) In acting on a petition for reinstatement pursuant to subsection (d) of this section or in response to a request filed after reinstatement, or both, the Secretary is authorized to reduce the royalty in that reinstated lease on the entire leasehold or any tract or portion thereof segregated for royalty purposes if, in his judgment, there are uneconomic or other circumstances which could cause undue hardship or premature termination of production; or because of any written action of the United States, its agents or employees, which preceded, and was a major consideration in, the lessee's expenditure of funds to develop the property under the lease after the rent had become due and had not been paid; or if in the judgment of the Secretary it is equitable to do so for any reason. ; (F) by redesignating subsections (f) through (i) as subsections (g) through (j), respectively; and (G) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: (f) Issuance of noncompetitive oil and gas lease; conditions Where an unpatented oil placer mining claim validly located prior to February 24, 1920, which has been or is currently producing or is capable of producing oil or gas, has been or is hereafter deemed conclusively abandoned for failure to file timely the required instruments or copies of instruments required by section 1744 of title 43, and it is shown to the satisfaction of the Secretary that such failure was inadvertent, justifiable, or not due to lack of reasonable diligence on the part of the owner, the Secretary may issue, for the lands covered by the abandoned unpatented oil placer mining claim, a noncompetitive oil and gas lease, consistent with the provisions of section 17(e) of this Act, to be effective from the statutory date the claim was deemed conclusively abandoned. Issuance of such a lease shall be conditioned upon: (1) a petition for issuance of a noncompetitive oil and gas lease, together with the required rental and royalty, including back rental and royalty accruing from the statutory date of abandonment of the oil placer mining claim, being filed with the Secretary- (A) with respect to any claim deemed conclusively abandoned on or before January 12, 1983, on or before the one hundred and twentieth day after January 12, 1983, or (B) with respect to any claim deemed conclusively abandoned after January 12, 1983, on or before the one hundred and twentieth day after final notification by the Secretary or a court of competent jurisdiction of the determination of the abandonment of the oil placer mining claim; (2) a valid lease not having been issued affecting any of the lands covered by the abandoned oil placer mining claim prior to the filing of such petition: Provided, however, That after the filing of a petition for issuance of a lease under this subsection, the Secretary shall not issue any new lease affecting any of the lands covered by such abandoned oil placer mining claim for a reasonable period, as determined in accordance with regulations issued by him; (3) a requirement in the lease for payment of rental, including back rentals accruing from the statutory date of abandonment of the oil placer mining claim, of not less than $5 per acre per year; (4) a requirement in the lease for payment of royalty on production removed or sold from the oil placer mining claim, including all royalty on production made subsequent to the statutory date the claim was deemed conclusively abandoned, of not less than 12 1/2 (5) compliance with the notice and reimbursement of costs provisions of paragraph (4) of subsection (e) but addressed to the petition covering the conversion of an abandoned unpatented oil placer mining claim to a noncompetitive oil and gas lease. . VI Energy revenue sharing 20601. Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf revenue (a) Distribution of outer continental shelf revenue to gulf producing States Section 105 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 ( 43 U.S.C. 1331 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking 50 37.5 (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking 50 62.5 (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 75 80 (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 25 20 (2) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following: (f) Treatment of amounts Amounts disbursed to a Gulf producing State under this section shall be treated as revenue sharing and not as a Federal award or grant for the purposes of part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations. . (b) Exemption of certain payments from sequestration (1) In general Section 255(g)(1)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 905(g)(1)(A) Payments to Social Security Trust Funds (28–0404–0–1–651). Payments to States pursuant to section 105(a)(2)(A) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 ( Public Law 109–432 43 U.S.C. 1331 . (2) Applicability The amendment made by this subsection shall apply to any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 900 et seq. 20602. Parity in offshore wind revenue sharing (a) Payments and revenues Section 8(p)(2) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(2) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking (A) The Secretary (A) In general Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary ; (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking (B) The Secretary (B) Disposition of revenues for projects located within 3 nautical miles seaward of state submerged land The Secretary ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) Disposition of revenues for offshore wind projects in certain areas (i) Definitions In this subparagraph: (I) Covered offshore wind project The term covered offshore wind project (II) Eligible State The term eligible State (III) Qualified outer Continental Shelf revenues The term qualified outer Continental Shelf revenues (ii) Requirement (I) In general The Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit— (aa) 12.5 percent of qualified outer Continental Shelf revenues in the general fund of the Treasury; (bb) 37.5 percent of qualified outer Continental Shelf revenues in the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund; and (cc) 50 percent of qualified outer Continental Shelf revenues in a special account in the Treasury from which the Secretary shall disburse to each eligible State an amount determined pursuant to subclause (II). (II) Allocation (aa) In general Subject to item (bb), for each fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the amount made available under subclause (I)(cc) shall be allocated to each eligible State in amounts (based on a formula established by the Secretary by regulation) that are inversely proportional to the respective distances between the point on the coastline of each eligible State that is closest to the geographic center of the applicable leased tract and the geographic center of the leased tract. (bb) Minimum Allocation The amount allocated to an eligible State each fiscal year under item (aa) shall be at least 10 percent of the amounts made available under subclause (I)(cc). (cc) Payments to Coastal Political Subdivisions (AA) In general The Secretary shall pay 20 percent of the allocable share of each eligible State, as determined pursuant to item (aa), to the coastal political subdivisions of the eligible State. (BB) Allocation The amount paid by the Secretary to coastal political subdivisions under subitem (AA) shall be allocated to each coastal political subdivision in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 31(b)(4) of this Act. (iii) Timing The amounts required to be deposited under subclause (I) of clause (ii) for the applicable fiscal year shall be made available in accordance with such subclause during the fiscal year immediately following the applicable fiscal year. (iv) Authorized uses (I) In general Subject to subclause (II), each eligible State shall use all amounts received under clause (ii)(II) in accordance with all applicable Federal and State laws, only for 1 or more of the following purposes: (aa) Projects and activities for the purposes of coastal protection and resiliency, including conservation, coastal restoration, estuary management, beach nourishment, hurricane and flood protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetland losses. (bb) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources, including through fisheries science and research. (cc) Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan. (dd) Mitigation of the impact of outer Continental Shelf activities through the funding of onshore infrastructure projects. (ee) Planning assistance and the administrative costs of complying with this section. (ff) Infrastructure improvements at ports, including modifications to Federal navigation channels, to support installation of offshore wind energy projects. (II) Limitation Of the amounts received by an eligible State under clause (ii)(II), not more than 3 percent shall be used for the purposes described in subclause (I)(ee). (v) Administration Subject to clause (vi)(III), amounts made available under items (aa) and (cc) of clause (ii)(I) shall— (I) be made available, without further appropriation, in accordance with this subparagraph; (II) remain available until expended; and (III) be in addition to any amount appropriated under any other Act. (vi) Reporting requirement (I) In general Not later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Governor of each eligible State that receives amounts under clause (ii)(II) for the applicable fiscal year shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes the use of the amounts by the eligible State during the period covered by the report. (II) Public availability On receipt of a report submitted under subclause (I), the Secretary shall make the report available to the public on the website of the Department of the Interior. (III) Limitation If the Governor of an eligible State that receives amounts under clause (ii)(II) fails to submit the report required under subclause (I) by the deadline specified in that subclause, any amounts that would otherwise be provided to the eligible State under clause (ii)(II) for the succeeding fiscal year shall be deposited in the Treasury. (vii) Treatment of amounts Amounts disbursed to an eligible State under this subsection shall be treated as revenue sharing and not as a Federal award or grant for the purposes of part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations. . (b) Wind lease sales for areas of the outer Continental Shelf offshore of territories of the United States Section 33 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1356c (b) Wind lease sale procedure Any wind lease granted pursuant to this section shall be considered a wind lease granted under section 8(p), including for purposes of the disposition of revenues pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 8(p)(2). . (c) Exemption of certain payments from sequestration (1) In general Section 255(g)(1)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 905(g)(1)(A) Payments to Social Security Trust Funds (28–0404–0–1–651). Payments to States pursuant to subparagraph (C)(ii)(I)(cc) of section 8(p)(2) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(2) . (2) Applicability The amendment made by this subsection shall apply to any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 900 et seq. 20603. Elimination of administrative fee under the Mineral Leasing Act (a) In general Section 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 191 (1) in subsection (a), in the first sentence, by striking and, subject to the provisions of subsection (b), (2) by striking subsection (b); (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively; (4) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of subsection (b) (as so redesignated), by striking subsection (d) subsection (c) (5) in paragraph (3)(A)(ii) of subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by striking subsection (c)(2)(B) subsection (b)(2)(B) (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 6(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands ( 30 U.S.C. 355(a) (A) in the first sentence, by striking Subject to the provisions of section 35(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 191(b) All (B) in the second sentence, by striking of the Act of February 25, 1920 (41 Stat. 450; 30 U.S.C. 191 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 191 (2) Section 20(a) of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ( 30 U.S.C. 1019(a) the provisions of subsection (b) of section 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 191(b) section 5(a)(2) (3) Section 205(f) of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 ( 30 U.S.C. 1735(f) (A) in the first sentence, by striking this Section this section (B) by striking the fourth, fifth, and sixth sentences. C Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement 30001. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This division may be cited as the Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act of 2023 (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this division is as follows: Division C—Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Sec. 30001. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 30002. Certification. 30002. Certification Section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1341 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the first sentence, by striking may result may directly result (ii) in the second sentence, by striking activity discharge (iii) in the third sentence, by striking applications requests (iv) in the fifth sentence, by striking act on grant or deny (v) by inserting after the fourth sentence the following: Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of the Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act of 2023 (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the second sentence, by striking notice of application for such Federal license or permit receipt of a notice under the preceding sentence (ii) in the third sentence, by striking any water quality requirement any applicable provision of section 301, 302, 303, 306, or 307 (iii) in the fifth sentence, by striking insure compliance with applicable water quality requirements. ensure compliance with the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307. (iv) in the final sentence, by striking insure ensure (v) by striking the first sentence and inserting On receipt of a request for certification, the certifying State or interstate agency, as applicable, shall immediately notify the Administrator of the request. (C) in paragraph (3), in the second sentence, by striking section any applicable provision of section (D) in paragraph (4)— (i) in the first sentence, by striking applicable effluent limitations or other limitations or other applicable water quality requirements will not be violated no applicable provision of section 301, 302, 303, 306, or 307 will be violated (ii) in the second sentence, by striking will violate applicable effluent limitations or other limitations or other water quality requirements will directly result in a discharge that violates an applicable provision of section 301, 302, 303, 306, or 307, (iii) in the third sentence, by striking such facility or activity will not violate the applicable provisions operation of such facility or activity will not directly result in a discharge that violates any applicable provision (E) in paragraph (5), by striking the applicable provisions any applicable provision (2) in subsection (d), by striking any applicable effluent limitations and other limitations, under section 301 or 302 of this Act, standard of performance under section 306 of this Act, or prohibition, effluent standard, or pretreatment standard under section 307 of this Act, and with any other appropriate requirement of State law set forth in such certification, and the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307, and any such limitations or requirements (3) by adding at the end the following: (e) For purposes of this section, the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307 are any applicable effluent limitations and other limitations, under section 301 or 302, standard of performance under section 306, prohibition, effluent standard, or pretreatment standard under section 307, and requirement of State law implementing water quality criteria under section 303 necessary to support the designated use or uses of the receiving navigable waters. .

Summary: Lower Energy Costs Act DIVISION A--INCREASING AMERICAN ENERGY PRODUCTION, EXPORTS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CRITICAL MINERALS PROCESSING (Sec. 10001) In carrying out the Department of Energy Organization Act, the Department of Energy (DOE) must assess the supply of critical energy resources that are essential to the energy security of the United States, facilitate the development of strategies to strengthen the supply chains for those resources, develop substitutes and alternatives to those resources, and improve technology that reuses and recycles critical energy resources. (Sec. 10002) This section prohibits the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing unless Congress authorizes the moratorium. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the formation. This section also expresses the sense of Congress that states should maintain primacy for the regulation of hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas production on state and private lands. (Sec. 10003) DOE must direct the National Petroleum Council to publish a report on petrochemical refineries located in the United States. The report must include information concerning (1) the contributions of such refineries to U.S. energy security, (2) a projection for expanding the capacities of the refineries, (3) any federal or state executive actions that have contributed to a decline in their capacities, and (4) any recommendations to increase such capacities. (Sec. 10004) This section establishes a new process for permitting the construction and operation of energy infrastructure across an international border of the United States. Thus, it replaces the existing process established under specified executive orders. This section requires a person to obtain a certificate of crossing before constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining a border-crossing facility for the import or export of oil, natural gas, or electricity across a U.S. border between Canada or Mexico. A certificate must be obtained from (1) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a facility consisting of oil or natural gas pipelines, or (2) from DOE for an electric transmission facility. As a condition of obtaining a DOE certificate, an electric transmission facility must be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained in accordance with specified policies and standards. FERC and DOE must meet a deadline for issuing a certificate as set forth by this section. In addition, this section also requires the President to obtain the approval of Congress before revoking a permit issued under executive orders for constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining an oil or natural gas pipeline, an electric transmission facility, or a border-crossing facility. (Sec. 10005) This section expresses congressional disapproval of the revocation of the presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. The permit authorized the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline facilities in Phillips County, Montana, for the import of oil from Canada to the United States. (Sec. 10006) This section expresses the sense of Congress that the federal government should not impose (1) overly restrictive regulations on the exploration, production, or marketing of energy resources; or (2) any restrictions on the export of crude oil or other petroleum products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, except with respect to petroleum exports to foreign persons or foreign governments subject to sanctions under U.S. law. (Sec. 10007) This section expresses congressional disapproval of Oregon's denial of permits and certifications necessary for (1) a new liquefied natural gas export terminal in Coos County, Oregon; and (2) the Pacific Connector Pipeline in the counties of Klamath, Jackson, Douglas, and Coos of Oregon. (Sec. 10008) This section repeals certain restrictions on the import and export of natural gas under the Natural Gas Act, including (1) a requirement that FERC authorize an order to export or import natural gas only if it is in the public interest, and (2) restrictions related to free trade agreements. This section grants FERC the exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of facilities to export natural gas to foreign countries or import natural gas from foreign countries. (Sec. 10009) This section expands FERC's role in conducting environmental reviews of applications for natural gas pipelines under the Natural Gas Act. Specifically, this section makes FERC the sole lead agency for the purpose of coordinating the environmental review of such pipelines under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Thus, federal, state, and local agencies involved in the environmental review process must defer to FERC's approved scope for a NEPA review. FERC must designate the other participating agencies involved in the authorization process. This section limits the environmental review that may be conducted by agencies that are not designated as participants. This section also expedites environmental review of such projects. Specifically, agencies must complete NEPA reviews of pipeline projects by the deadlines established in this section. If a federal or state agency requires the person applying for a pipeline authorization to submit data, then the agency must consider any such data gathered by aerial or other remote means that the person submits. In addition, this section withdraws the following policy statements: (1) Certification of New Interstate Natural Gas Facilities published on March 1, 2022; and (2) Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Natural Gas Infrastructure Project Reviews published on March 11, 2022. Finally, this section replaces the water quality certification process under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act with the NEPA process led by FERC for an interstate natural gas pipeline or liquefied natural gas project. (Sec. 10010) This section gives a facility that processes or refines a critical energy resource an interim status permit under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act until (1) the final administrative disposition of its permit application, or (2) it is proven that the facility failed to provide information needed to process the permit application. (Sec. 10011) This section requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow critical energy resource facilities to utilize flexible air permitting. Specifically, the section requires the EPA to revise regulations issued under the Clean Air Act to authorize owners or operators of critical energy resource facilities to utilize flexible air permitting, as described in the final rule titled Operating Permit Programs; Flexible Air Permitting Rule published on October 6, 2009. Flexible air permits contain approaches that allow the source to make operational plans and obtain approval for anticipated types of changes to those plans without subsequent review of the changes when they occur. This section also requires the regulations to facilitate flexible, market-responsive operations (as described in the final rule) with respect to critical energy resource facilities. (Sec. 10012) If the EPA determines that the processing or refining of a critical energy resource at a critical energy resource facility is necessary to meet U.S. security or energy security needs, then the EPA may issue a temporary waiver of any requirement under the Clean Air Act or the Solid Waste Disposal Act with respect to the facility to meet such needs. Further, the EPA may issue such waiver with or without notice, hearing, or other report. (Sec. 10013) This section revises the EPA's review under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) of the risks presented by chemical substances to human health or the environment. Specifically, the section establishes requirements to expedite the review of chemical substances that are considered to be critical energy resources. Currently, TSCA requires manufacturers and processors of chemical substances to notify the EPA before manufacturing a new chemical substance or before manufacturing or processing a substance for a significant new use. The EPA must review such notices and provide a determination on whether the substance or significant new use present an unreasonable risk. This section requires the EPA, when making a determination for a chemical substance that is a critical energy resource, to also consider economic, societal, and environmental costs and benefits. If the EPA fails to make a determination by the end of the applicable review period and the submitter has not withdrawn the notice, the submitter may then proceed in manufacturing or processing the substance. The EPA may only suggest the withdrawal of a notice for a chemical substance that is a critical energy resource, or request a suspension of the review period, if the EPA has conducted a preliminary review of the notice and provided a draft of determination to the submitter. (Sec. 10014) This section eliminates a program administered by the EPA that provides incentives for petroleum and natural gas systems to reduce their emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases. It also repeals a charge on methane emissions from specific types of facilities that are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program. (Sec. 10015) The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is also repealed. This fund provides financial and technical assistance to states and other eligible recipients to help enable low-income and disadvantaged communities carry out activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Sec. 10016) This section revises the EPA's Risk Management program to exempt a petroleum (e.g., gasoline) refinery that uses a hydrofluoric acid alkylation unit from certain hazard assessment requirements. Petroleum refineries use the acid during the gasoline production process. Hydrofluoric acid is hazardous and corrosive. If it is accidently released, it can form a toxic vapor cloud. Currently, petroleum refineries are required to include in a hazard assessment an evaluation of safer technology and alternative risk management measures for a hydrofluoric acid alkylation unit. This section eliminates that requirement if the petroleum refinery (1) has obtained a construction permit or operating permit under the program, or (2) demonstrates that it will conform to the most recent version of American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 751. This practice provides guidance on the safe operation of such a unit. (Sec. 10017) This section repeals provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2022 relating to (1) the high-efficiency electric home rebate program, (2) state-based home energy efficiency contractor training grants, and (3) assistance for latest and zero building energy code adoption. It also rescinds any unobligated balances available for such programs. (Sec. 10018) DOE must conduct a study on how to streamline regulatory timelines relating to developing new power plants. In the study, DOE must examine practices relating to various power generating sources, including fossil and nuclear generating sources. (Sec. 10019) This section sets forth requirements to expedite the application review for a state to assume the responsibility (i.e., obtain primacy) from the EPA to implement underground injection control programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The existing review process includes requiring the applicant to prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water from the placement of fluids underground through injection wells. The program consists of six classes of wells that are injected with (1) hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, (2) fluids associated with oil and natural gas production, (3) fluids to dissolve and extract minerals, (4) hazardous or radioactive wastes, (5) non-hazardous fluids, and (6) carbon dioxide. This section deems a state application for primacy approved if the EPA has not made a decision within 300 days. It also requires the EPA to work as expeditiously as possible with states to complete any pre-application activities. In addition, it revises the notice and comment process to expedite the process. The EPA must designate one coordinator from each regional office to be responsible for coordinating applications from states to obtain primacy for underground injection control programs for wells injected with carbon dioxide. The coordinator must evaluate the availability of resources to carry out such activities and make recommendations regarding additional resources needed to do so. For FY2023-FY2026, certain funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act may be made available, subject to appropriations, to carry out activities concerning such wells. (Sec. 10020) On October 25, 2022, DOE issued a final rule about procedures for the acquisition of petroleum (e.g., crude oil) for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), which is an emergency stockpile of petroleum. Among other requirements, the rule revised procedures to allow DOE to use either fixed-price or index-priced (i.e., price based on market rates) contracts when purchasing petroleum for the SPR. This section requires DOE to use index-priced contracts when acquiring petroleum for the SPR. (Sec. 10021) DOE must prohibit the export or sale of petroleum products from the SPR to (1) China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran; (2) any other country the government of which is subject to U.S. sanctions; and (3) any entity owned, controlled, or influenced by such countries or the Chinese Communist Party. However, DOE may issue a waiver of the prohibition if the export or sale of petroleum products is in the national security interests of the United States. (Sec. 10022) This section expresses congressional disapproval of the proposed tax increase on the oil and natural gas industry in the President's FY2024 budget request. (Sec. 10023) The EPA must report on domestic energy independence. The report must identify and assess any regulations promulgated by the EPA in the last 15 years that have reduced energy independence, increased the regulatory burden for U.S. energy producers, decreased the producer's energy output, reduced energy security, or increased energy costs for U.S. consumers. (Sec. 10024) The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study on how banning natural gas appliances will affect the rates and charges for electricity. (Sec. 10025) This section prohibits DOE from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing (1) the proposed rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Conventional Cooking Products; Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking and announcement of public meeting with respect to energy conservation standards for gas kitchen ranges and ovens, or (2) any rule that would limit consumer access to gas kitchen ranges and ovens. DIVISION B--TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, PERMITTING, AND PRODUCTION OF AMERICAN RESOURCES Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act or the TAPP American Resources Act TITLE I--ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE LEASING AND OVERSIGHT (Sec. 20101) The Department of the Interior must immediately resume quarterly sales of leases of onshore federal land for oil and gas development as specified by the section. Interior must conduct a minimum of four oil and gas lease sales in each state with land available for oil and gas leasing under mineral leasing law. If a lease sale is canceled, delayed, or deferred, then Interior must conduct a replacement sale. Interior must also conduct a replacement sale if during the original lease sale the percentage of acreage that does not receive a bid is equal to or greater than 25% of the acreage offered. (Sec. 20102) This section specifies that if the Interior reinstates a lease entered into under the Mineral Leasing Act or the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, then the lease is not considered a major federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Thus, such an action does not trigger environmental review requirements under such act. (Sec. 20103) Interior must resolve any protest to a lease sale under the Mineral Leasing Act within 60 days after the lease holder makes the annual rental payment for the first lease year. (Sec. 20104) Upon the request of an owner of an oil and gas lease, Interior must grant a permit for the suspension of operations if the lease owner has expressed interest for certain adjacent acreage that has not yet been offered in a lease sale by Interior. (Sec. 20105) Interior must collect a filing fee from a protestor of a lease sale before processing any protest filed under the Mineral Leasing Act. (Sec. 20106) This section establishes requirements concerning completed applications to drill for oil and gas that are pending on the date of this section's enactment. Within 30 days of the enactment, Interior must (1) complete all requirements under NEPA and other applicable law that must be met before it may issue the permits, and (2) issue a permit for all completed applications to drill that are still pending. This section also creates a variety of requirements for Interior to report on and publish data concerning leases and permits to develop oil, gas, and geothermal energy. (Sec. 20107) By September 30, 2023, Interior must conduct all the lease sales described in the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program that have not yet been conducted. This section also requires Interior to annually conduct a minimum of two region-wide oil and gas lease sales in the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area and the Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area. In addition, Interior must annually conduct a minimum of two region-wide oil and gas lease sales in the Alaska region of the Outer Continental Shelf, as described in the program. (Sec. 20108) By July 1, 2023, Interior must (1) issue a five-year oil and gas leasing program under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act for 2023-2028, and (2) issue the record of decision on the final programmatic environmental impact statement. Interior must approve each subsequent five-year oil and gas leasing program no later than 180 days before the expiration of the previous program. (Sec. 20109) Interior must increase the frequency of lease sales under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 in any state that has pending nominations of land to be leased from qualified companies or individuals. Currently, Interior must hold lease sales at least once every two years. This section requires Interior to hold a sale at least once a year. If a lease sale is canceled or delayed, then Interior must conduct a replacement sale during the same year. In addition, this section requires Interior to notify an applicant whether or not its application for a geothermal drilling permit is complete within 30 days of receiving the application. If Interior determines that the application is complete, then it must issue a final decision on the applications within 30 days of the date Interior sent the notification. (Sec. 20110) This section revises the environmental review of certain pending applications to lease land under a program administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to mine coal. As soon as practicable, Interior must publish a draft environmental assessment for each qualified application if a draft hasn't already been published, finalize the fair market value of the coal tract for which a lease application is pending, grant a qualified application that is pending, and grant any additional approvals needed for previously awarded coal leases in order for mining activities to commence. (Sec. 20111) This section nullifies Secretarial Order 3338 issued by Interior on January 15, 2016, and titled Discretionary Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement to Modernize the Federal Coal Program. The order directed the BLM to conduct a broad, programmatic review of its federal coal program through preparation of a programmatic environmental impact statement under NEPA and to pause issuance of certain coal leases during the review. (Sec. 20112) Interior and the National Forest Service must annually report on their staffing capacity and plans to ensure adequate resources to process and issue oil, gas, hardrock mining, coal, and renewable energy leases, rights-of-way, claims, easements, and permits. (Sec. 20113) This section bans the Communist Party of China, any person acting on behalf of the party, or any entity owned by or subject to the jurisdiction of China from acquiring any interest with respect to (1) lands leased for oil or gas under the Mineral Leasing Act or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, (2) farmland, (3) lands used for renewable energy production, or (4) claims subject to the General Mining Law of 1872. (Sec. 20114) This section specifies that this division does not affect the following presidential memoranda: the September 8, 2020, Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf From Leasing Disposition, the September 25, 2020, Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas of theUnited States Outer Continental Shelf From Leasing Disposition, and the 2016 Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas off the Atlantic Coast on the Outer Continental Shelf from Leasing Disposition. It also specifies that thi division does not affect the ban on oil and gas development in the Great Lakes as described in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. (Sec. 20115) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must publish a report on all potential adverse effects of wind energy development in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area, the South Atlantic Planning Area, and the Straits of Florida Planning Area before Interior may (1) publish a notice for a sale for a lease on public land to develop wind energy offshore, or (2) hold a lease sale for such development. (Sec. 20116) This section expresses the sense of Congress that infrastructure for U.S. development of wind energy should be constructed with materials produced and manufactured in the United States. (Sec. 20117) This section expresses the sense of Congress that the royalty rate for onshore Federal oil and gas leases should be not more than 12.5% in amount or value of the production removed or sold from the lease. (Sec. 20118) The GAO must assess the sufficiency of the environmental review processes of relevant federal agencies for offshore wind projects. (Sec. 20119) The GAO must report on all potential adverse effects of wind energy development in the North Atlantic Planning Area. TITLE II--PERMITTING STREAMLINING (Sec. 20201) This section defines the terms used in this title. It defines public land to mean any land and interest in land owned by the United States and administered by Interior or the Forest Service without regard to how the United States acquired ownership, except (1) lands located on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); and (2) lands held in trust by the United States for the benefit of Indians, Indian tribes, Aleuts, and Eskimos. (Sec. 20202) This section limits the scope of the administrative and judicial review of major federal actions under NEPA and generally expedites the review process. Under NEPA, agencies must conduct an environmental assessment (EA) to determine if a proposed federal action will have significant environmental impacts. If the EA determines that such impacts will be significant, then the agency must submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS must include a range of alternatives to the proposed action. Among other requirements, this section limits the scope of NEPA review to reasonably foreseeable environmental effects with a reasonably close causal relationship to the proposed agency action. In addition, agencies must only consider the effects of the action that occur on federal land, or are subject to federal control and responsibilities. This section also limits alternatives in an EIS to a reasonable number. Further, the alternatives included in the EIS must be technically and economically feasible and within the jurisdiction and authority of the agency. In addition, this section enumerates when an agency is not required to prepare an EIS. An EIS must include the estimated total cost of preparing such EIS, including the costs of agency full-time equivalent personnel hours, contractor costs, and other direct costs. An EA or EIS must also be under the page limits established by the section. This section also requires a lead agency to be designated when more than one agency is involved in a proposed action. The lead agency must supervise the preparation of one environmental document (e.g., EIS) and prepare a schedule to complete the review of the action. To the extent practicable, the document prepared by the lead agency must be deemed to satisfy the environmental documentation requirements for all agencies involved in the action. The lead agency must complete the EA or EIS within deadlines established by the section. If the lead agency is unable to meet the deadlines, it must pay $100 per day to the applicant until the applicant approves a new deadline. If the lead agency misses a deadline solely due to delays caused by litigation, then it does not have to pay the fine. Upon a project sponsor's request (e.g., an entity seeking a permit or other authorization of a project), a lead agency must allow the sponsor to prepare the EA or EIS. Finally, this section limits judicial review of NEPA claims, including by requiring the claim to be filed within 120 days of an agency publishing a notice that it intends to carry out an action. It also prohibits any proposed action for which an environmental document is required from being vacated or otherwise limited, delayed, or enjoined unless a court concludes that (1) the proposed action will pose a risk of an imminent and substantial environmental harm, and (2) there is no other equitable remedy available as a matter of law. (Sec. 20203) This section provides statutory authority for the revisions to the Code of Federal Regulations made pursuant to a final rule of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) titled Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and published on July 16, 2020. Among other requirements, the rule issued regulations to facilitate more efficient, effective, and timely NEPA reviews by federal agencies in connection with proposals for agency action. (Sec. 20204) This section exempts covered activities from being considered a major federal action under NEPA. Thus, these actions do not trigger environmental review requirements under NEPA. Covered activities include geotechnical investigations; off-road travel in an existing right-of-way; construction of meteorological towers where the total surface disturbance at the location is less than five acres; adding certain energy storage devices to an existing or planned energy facility; drilling geothermal exploratory wells under certain circumstances; repairs, maintenance, upgrades, optimizations, or minor additions to existing transmission and distribution infrastructure, or operation of such facilities; and construction, maintenance, realignment, or repair of an existing permanent or temporary access road under certain circumstances. (Sec. 20205) If a federal agency makes a determination that an action or activity within an existing energy right-of-way will not result in an overall long-term net loss of vegetation, soil, or habitat, then that action or activity is not considered to be a major federal action under NEPA. (Sec. 20206) The relevant federal agency must use previously completed environmental assessments and environmental impact statements to satisfy NEPA requirements if the agency determines that the new proposed action and its effects are substantially the same as a previously analyzed proposed action and its effects. (Sec. 20207) Within 60 days of receiving an application to grant a right-of-way, the relevant federal agency must notify the applicant as to whether the application is complete or deficient. If the agency determines the application is complete, then the agency may not consider any other application to grant a right-of-way on the same or any overlapping parcels of land while such application is pending. (Sec. 20208) This section revises requirements for terms of rights-of-way for pipelines and electrical energy infrastructure under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Mineral Leasing Act. Specifically, it allows rights-of-way to be granted, issue, amended, or renewed for up to 50 years before they are subject to renewal or amendment. (Sec. 20209) In FY2023-FY2025, the Forest Service and Interior may accept and expend funds contributed by nonfederal entities to pay for dedicated staff and technology development to expedite activities for leasing, development, or expansion of an energy facility. (Sec. 20210) Interior must authorize geological and geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, except within areas subject to existing oil and gas leasing moratoria. Surveys authorized under this section are deemed to be in full compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (Sec. 20211) This section prohibits the deferral of a decision on an application for an oil or gas drilling permit under the Mineral Leasing Act as a result of a formatting issue with the permit, unless such formatting issue results in missing information. (Sec. 20212) This section requires Interior to process an application for an oil or gas drilling permit or other authorizations under a valid existing lease regardless of any pending civil actions affecting the application or related lease. It also makes a permit issued under Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act valid for a four-year term, or until the related lease expires, whichever occurs first. (Sec. 20213) This section revises the environmental review of energy program activities under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Specifically, enumerated actions taken by Interior and the Forest Service for the purpose of exploration or development of oil or gas are not to be considered major federal actions under NEPA. (Sec. 20214) This section revises requirements for oil and gas or geothermal drilling permits under the Mineral Leasing Act as well as the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Specifically, the section prohibits Interior from requiring an operator to obtain a federal drilling permit for oil, gas, or geothermal exploration and production activities conducted on a nonfederal surface estate if (1) the federal ownership interest is less than 50% of the subsurface mineral estate to be accessed by the proposed action; and (2) the operator submits to Interior a state permit to conduct such activities on the nonfederal surface estate. Such activities are not considered to be a major federal action under NEPA. Further, such activities are not subject to requirements for federal actions under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (Sec. 20215) This section revises requirements for the environmental review for an oil and gas lease or permit prepared under NEPA. Specifically, the section provides that the review only applies to areas that are within or immediately adjacent to the lease plots and that are directly affected by the proposed action. The review may not require consideration of downstream, indirect effects of oil and gas consumption. (Sec. 20216) This section expedites the environmental review of certain gathering lines and associated field compression or pumping units on federal and applicable tribal lands. Gathering lines are used to transport oil, natural gas, and related liquid from wells to pipelines and facilities (e.g., processing facilities or refineries). Currently, certain actions related to gathering lines are categorically excluded from NEPA. Categorical exclusions are categories of actions that have been determined to not have a significant effect on the human environment either individually or cumulatively. Thus, those categories of actions are excluded from NEPA requirements. This section considers certain actions related to gathering lines to not be major federal actions under NEPA. (Sec. 20217) This section addresses litigation concerning the environmental review of certain oil and gas lease sales held under the Mineral Leasing Act or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. A court may not vacate a lease sale nor otherwise limit, delay, or enjoin related lease activities unless the court concludes that (1) the lease will pose a risk of an imminent and substantial environmental harm, and (2) there is no other equitable remedy available. In addition, no court may enjoin or issue any order preventing the award of leases to a bidder in a lease sale if Interior has previously opened bids for such leases or disclosed the high bidder for any tract that was included in such lease sale. (Sec. 20218) This section bars a claim that arises under federal law seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a federal agency for a mineral project, energy facility, or energy storage device unless (1) the claim is filed by a certain deadline; and (2) the claim is filed by a party that submitted a detailed comment during the public comment period for such permit, license, or approval. (Sec. 20219) The GAO must report on the BLM's timeliness when reviewing applications for permits to drill. The GAO must also recommend (1) actions the BLM can take to expedite the approval of such permits, and (2) aspects of the review process that could be turned over to states. (Sec. 20220) The CEQ must study and report on the potential to create an online permitting portal for permits that require review under NEPA. (Sec. 20221) This section reduces the time limit from 150 days to 90 days to file a petition for judicial review of a permit, license, or approval for a highway or public transportation capital project. (Sec. 20222) To the greatest extent feasible, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must conduct efficient environmental reviews for pipeline projects that require DOT's approval under NEPA. In addition, DOT must maintain and publish a database concerning pipeline projects that are categorically excluded from NEPA requirements. (Sec. 20223) This section exempts certain wildfire mitigation activities from requirements under NEPA and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (Sec. 20224) Among other requirements, this section establishes deadlines for Interior and the Forest Service to review a vegetation management, facility inspection, and operation and maintenance plan submitted by an electric transmission or distribution facility located on public lands. In addition, this section authorizes the removal of hazard trees if they are located within 50 feet of electric power lines. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 currently authorizes the removal of hazard trees if they are located within 10 feet of electric power lines. (Sec. 20225) This section allows Interior to categorically exclude from NEPA requirements (1) the development and approval of vegetation management, facility inspection, and operation and maintenance plan, and (2) the implementation of routine activities conducted under the plan. Such activities do not include establishing a permanent road. However, the categorical exclusion does not apply to any forest management activity conducted in a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System or on National Forest System lands where the removal of vegetation is restricted or prohibited by Congress. The activities that are categorically excluded from NEPA requirements under this section are also exempt from certain consultation requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the National Historic Preservation Act, or any other applicable law. (Sec. 20226) This section requires the Park Service, the BLM, and the Forest Service to conduct an outreach plan for disseminating and advertising open civil service positions with functions relating to permitting or natural resources in their offices. TITLE III--PERMITTING FOR MINING NEEDS (Sec. 20301) This section defines terms used in this title. It defines mineral to mean any mineral of a kind that is locatable (including, but not limited to, such minerals located on lands acquired by the United States, as such term is defined in section 2 of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands) under the Act of May 10, 1872. This definition includes non-fuel minerals such as gold, copper, and other hardrock minerals. A state means a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Sec. 20302) This section expands the federal permitting and review processes under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for critical minerals. Under such act, the BLM and the Forest Service, to the maximum extent practicable, must complete the federal permitting and review processes related to critical mineral mines on federal lands with maximum efficiency and effectiveness. This section expands this process to include all minerals as defined by this title, not only critical minerals. It also requires the BLM and the Forest Service to defer to data and reviews from state agencies when completing such review process. (Sec. 20303) This section requires Federal Register notices associated with the issuance of a mineral exploration or mine permit under the Energy Act of 2020 to be delegated to the organizational level of the issuing agency. Currently, this requirement only applies to such permits for critical minerals. (Sec. 20304) This section designates mineral production projects as covered projects under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Such projects qualify for expedited environmental review. (Sec. 20305) This section expands the meaning of covered project under the FAST Act. Specifically, it includes actions taken by the Department of Defense pursuant to Presidential Determination 2022-11 or the Presidential Waiver of Statutory Requirements Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, on Department of Defense Supply Chains Resilience to create, maintain, protect, expand, or restore sustainable and responsible domestic production capabilities. However, project sponsors may choose to not have their actions treated as a covered project. (Sec. 20306) This section establishes several requirements to expedite the review and authorization of mineral exploration activities with a surface disturbance of no more than five acres of public lands. (Sec. 20307) This section revises provisions concerning ancillary mining activities, including to allow mine operations to conduct mine support activities regardless of whether a mineral deposit has been discovered. (Sec. 20308) This section amends existing critical mineral criteria to allow the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to consider adding uranium to its list of critical minerals. Thus, the section allows the USGS to expedite the review of uranium projects. The USGS must update its list with the revised criteria within 60 days. (Sec. 20309) This section bars a mining claimant from the right to use, occupy, and conduct operations on federal land if Interior finds that the claimant has a foreign parent company that has (including through a subsidiary) (1) a known record of human rights violations, or (2) knowingly operated an illegal mine in another country. (Sec. 20310) This section expands the meaning of a covered project under the FAST Act to include certain activities related to the extraction, recovery, or processing of certain critical minerals, rare earth elements, or microfine carbon or carbon from coal. (Sec. 20311) The USGS must identify mineral commodities that (1) serve a critical purpose to U.S. national security, and (2) are at highest risk of supply chain disruption due to the domestic or global actions of China. The USGS must also develop a national strategy for bolstering supply chains in the United States for mineral commodities to increase capacity and efficiency of domestic mining, refining, processing, and manufacturing of such mineral commodities. TITLE IV--FEDERAL LAND USE PLANNING (Sec. 20401) This section prohibits federal land and waters from being withdrawn from areas where mining activity is allowed unless four types of assessments are conducted. First, a mineral assessment of the impacted area must be completed. It must be completed within the 10-year period before the date of such withdrawal. Second, Interior must assess the economic, energy, strategic, and national security value of mineral deposits identified in such mineral resource assessment. Third, Interior must assess the reduction in future revenues resulting from the proposed mineral withdrawal. The reduction of revenues must be calculated for revenues to the Treasury, states, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, and the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. Fourth, Interior must assess military readiness and training activities in the proposed withdrawal area. Before Interior or the Forest Service may update or complete a resource management plan or forest management plan respectively, they must review any mineral resource assessment conducted for the area affected by the plan. If Interior finds that a previously undiscovered mineral deposit may be present in an area that has been withdrawn from mining activity, then Interior must make recommendations to the President on measures to reduce unnecessary impacts that a withdrawal may have on mining activities. (Sec. 20402) The President and executive agencies may not carry out any action that would pause, restrict, or delay leasing or permitting activities on federal lands that are open to energy and mineral development as defined by the section. The President, BLM, or Forest Service may not rescind any existing lease, permit, or claim for the extraction and production of minerals on National Forest System land or BLM land unless (1) specifically authorized by federal statute; or (2) the lessee, permittee, or claimant fails to comply with the provisions of the applicable lease, permit, or claim. (Sec. 20403) This section defines terms used in this title. It defines federal land to mean (1) National Forest System land, (2) public lands as defined in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, (3) the outer Continental Shelf as defined in section 2 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and (4) land managed by the Department of Energy. TITLE V--ENSURING COMPETITIVENESS ON FEDERAL LANDS (Sec. 20501) This section decreases the fees and royalties on the development of oil and gas on federal lands and waters. Specifically, this section repeals the increases made by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. TITLE VI--ENERGY REVENUE SHARING (Sec. 20601) This section revises the formula used to distribute revenue generated from certain federal oil and leases in the Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, it increases the share of revenue given to certain Gulf producing states (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas). It also decreases the share of revenue given to the Treasury and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. In addition, this section eliminates the cap on revenue sharing. This section also exempts the revenue shared with Gulf states from sequestration payments. (Sec. 20602) This section establishes a formula to distribute revenue generated from offshore wind. A specified percentage of the revenue must be given to coastal states as well as the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund. This section also exempts the revenue shared with coastal states from sequestration payments. (Sec. 20603) This section eliminates the 2% fee under the Mineral Leasing Act that the federal government currently deducts from a state's share to cover administrative or other costs. (Sec. 20604) This title ceases to have effect on September 30, 2032. DIVISION C--WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION AND ENERGY PROJECT IMPROVEMENT Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act of 2023 (Sec. 30002) This section revises the water quality certification process under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for any activity that requires a federal license or permit and may result in a discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States. Activities that require such federal licenses or permits include hydropower, natural gas pipeline, or mining projects. Under the existing Section 401, an applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct such activities must provide the federal licensing or permitting agency with a certification. The certification must attest that the discharge will comply with enumerated sections of the CWA (i.e., Sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307) and with any other appropriate requirement of state law set forth in the certification. The certifying authority--usually the state in which the discharge originates, but sometimes an Indian tribe or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--may grant, grant with conditions, deny, or waive certification of a proposed federal license or permit. This section limits the scope of the certification process by eliminating the requirement that the discharge comply with appropriate state law set forth in the certification. It also requires decisions to grant or deny a request for certification to be based only on the enumerated sections of the CWA and provisions of state law that implement water quality criteria under Section 303. In addition, it also limits the certification process to activities that may directly result in a discharge into waters of the United States. This section requires certifying authorities to identify all materials or information that are necessary to grant or deny the request within 90 days of receiving a request for certification. They must also publish requirements for their water quality certifications. (Sec. 30003) This section provides statutory authority for the EPA to issue general permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. Under the regulations governing the NPDES program, the EPA issues permits to discharge pollutants from point sources, such as pipes, into waters of the United States. The EPA issues an individual permit under the NPDES program for a specific discharger or a general permit for a category of discharges within a geographical area from multiple dischargers. This section allows the EPA to issue general permits under the NPDES program for discharges of similar types from similar sources and sets forth requirements related to general permits.