sidered critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or any other provision 
of law. 
(d) PERMITS.—Any Federal permit or authorization 
issued before the date of enactment of this Act for the 
pipeline and cross-border facilities described in subsection 
(a), and the related facilities in the United States, shall 
remain in effect. 
(e) FEDERAL JUDICIAL REVIEW.—The pipeline and 
cross-border facilities described in subsection (a), and the 
related facilities in the United States, that are approved 
by this section, and any permit, right-of-way, or other ac-
tion taken to construct or complete the project pursuant 
to Federal law, shall only be subject to judicial review on 
direct appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for 
the District of Columbia Circuit. 
TITLE III—OUTER CONTINENTAL 
SHELF LEASING 
SEC. 3001. FINDING. 
Congress finds that the United States has enormous 
potential for offshore energy development and that the 
people of the United States should have access to the jobs 
and economic benefits from developing those resources. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 3002. EXTENSION OF LEASING PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (c), the 
Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas 
Leasing Program 2015–2020 issued by the Secretary of 
the Interior (referred to in this title as the ‘‘Secretary’’) 
under section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) shall be considered to be the final 
oil and gas leasing program under that section for the pe-
riod of fiscal years 2015 through 2020. 
(b) FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.— 
The Secretary is considered to have issued a final environ-
mental impact statement for the program applicable to the 
period described in subsection (a) in accordance with all 
requirements under section 102(2)(C) of the National En-
vironmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). 
(c) EXCEPTIONS.—Lease Sales 214, 232, and 239 
shall not be included in the final oil and gas leasing pro-
gram for the period of fiscal years 2015 through 2020. 
SEC. 3003. LEASE SALES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in 
this section, not later than 180 days after the date of en-
actment of this Act and every 270 days thereafter, the 
Secretary shall conduct a lease sale in each outer Conti-
nental Shelf planning area for which the Secretary deter-
mines that there is a commercial interest in purchasing 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
Federal oil and gas leases for production on the outer Con-
tinental Shelf. 
(b) SUBSEQUENT DETERMINATIONS AND SALES.—If 
the Secretary determines that there is not a commercial 
interest in purchasing Federal oil and gas leases for pro-
duction on the outer Continental Shelf in a planning area 
under this section, not later than 2 years after the date 
of the determination and every 2 years thereafter, the Sec-
retary shall— 
(1) make an additional determination on wheth-
er there is a commercial interest in purchasing Fed-
eral oil and gas leases for production on the outer 
Continental Shelf in the planning area; and 
(2) if the Secretary determines that there is a 
commercial interest under paragraph (1), conduct a 
lease sale in the planning area. 
(c) PROTECTION OF STATE INTEREST.—In devel-
oping future leasing programs, the Secretary shall give 
deference to affected coastal States (as the term is used 
in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 
et seq.)) in determining leasing areas to be included in 
the leasing program. 
(d) PETITIONS.—If a person petitions the Secretary 
to conduct a lease sale for an outer Continental Shelf plan-
ning area in which the person has a commercial interest, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
the Secretary shall conduct a lease sale for the area in 
accordance with subsection (a). 
SEC. 3004. APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS TO DRILL. 
Section 5 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1334) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(k) APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS TO DRILL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 
the Secretary shall approve or disapprove an applica-
tion for a permit to drill submitted under this Act 
not later than 20 days after the date on which the 
application is submitted to the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) DISAPPROVAL.—If the Secretary dis-
approves an application for a permit to drill under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) provide to the applicant a description 
of the reasons for the disapproval of the appli-
cation; 
‘‘(B) allow the applicant to resubmit an 
application during the 10-day period beginning 
on the date of the receipt of the description de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) by the applicant; 
and 
‘‘(C) approve or disapprove any resub-
mitted application not later than 10 days after 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
the date on which the application is submitted 
to the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 3005. LEASE SALES FOR CERTAIN AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable but not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall conduct Lease Sale 220 for areas off-
shore of the State of Virginia. 
(b) COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS.—For pur-
poses of the lease sale described in subsection (a), the en-
vironmental impact statement prepared under section 
3001 shall satisfy the requirements of the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(c) ENERGY PROJECTS IN GULF OF MEXICO.— 
(1) JURISDICTION.—The United States Court 
of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit shall have exclusive 
jurisdiction over challenges to offshore energy 
projects and permits to drill carried out in the Gulf 
of Mexico. 
(2) FILING
DEADLINE.—Any civil action to 
challenge a project or permit described in paragraph 
(1) shall be filed not later than 60 days after the 
date of approval of the project or the issuance of the 
permit. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
TITLE IV—UTILIZING AMERICA’S 
ONSHORE RESOURCES 
SEC. 4001. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
(1) current policy has failed to take full advan-
tage of the natural resources on Federal land; 
(2) the States should be given the option to 
lead energy development on all available Federal 
land in a State; and 
(3) the Federal Government should not inhibit 
energy development on Federal land. 
SEC. 4002. STATE OPTION FOR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a 
State may elect to control energy development and produc-
tion on available Federal land in accordance with the 
terms and conditions of subtitle A and the amendments 
made by subtitle A in lieu of being subject to the Federal 
system established under subtitle B and the amendments 
made by subtitle B. 
Subtitle A—Energy Development 
by States 
SEC. 4011. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) AVAILABLE
FEDERAL
LAND.—The term 
‘‘available Federal land’’ means any Federal land 
that, as of the date of enactment of this Act— 
(A) is located within the boundaries of a 
State; 
(B) is not held by the United States in 
trust for the benefit of a federally recognized 
Indian tribe; 
(C) is not a unit of the National Park Sys-
tem; 
(D) is not a unit of the National Wildlife 
Refuge System; and 
(E) is not a congressionally designated wil-
derness area. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means— 
(A) a State; and 
(B) the District of Columbia. 
SEC. 4012. STATE PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—A State— 
(1) may establish a program covering the leas-
ing and permitting processes, regulatory require-
ments, and any other provisions by which the State 
would exercise the rights of the State to develop all 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
forms of energy resources on available Federal land 
in the State; and 
(2) as a condition of certification under section 
4013(b) shall submit a declaration to the Depart-
ments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Energy that 
a program under paragraph (1) has been established 
or amended. 
(b) AMENDMENT
OF PROGRAMS.—A State may 
amend a program developed and certified under this sub-
title at any time. 
(c) CERTIFICATION OF AMENDED PROGRAMS.—Any 
program amended under subsection (b) shall be certified 
under section 4013(b). 
SEC. 4013. LEASING, PERMITTING, AND REGULATORY PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) SATISFACTION OF FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS.— 
Each program certified under this section shall be consid-
ered to satisfy all applicable requirements of Federal law 
(including regulations), including— 
(1) the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); 
(2) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and 
(3) the National Historic Preservation Act (16 
U.S.C. 470 et seq.). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(b) FEDERAL CERTIFICATION AND TRANSFER OF 
DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS.—Upon submission of a declara-
tion by a State under section 4012(a)(2)— 
(1) the program under section 4012(a)(1) shall 
be certified; and 
(2) the State shall receive all rights from the 
Federal Government to develop all forms of energy 
resources covered by the program. 
(c) ISSUANCE OF PERMITS AND LEASES.—If a State 
elects to issue a permit or lease for the development of 
any form of energy resource on any available Federal land 
within the borders of the State in accordance with a pro-
gram certified under subsection (b), the permit or lease 
shall be considered to meet all applicable requirements of 
Federal law (including regulations). 
SEC. 4014. JUDICIAL REVIEW. 
Activities carried out in accordance with this subtitle 
shall not be subject to Federal judicial review. 
SEC. 4015. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT. 
Activities carried out in accordance with this subtitle 
shall not be subject to subchapter II of chapter 5, and 
chapter 7, of title 5, United States Code (commonly known 
as the ‘‘Administrative Procedure Act’’). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
Subtitle B—Onshore Oil and Gas 
Permit Streamlining 
PART I—OIL AND GAS LEASING CERTAINTY 
SEC. 4021. MINIMUM ACREAGE REQUIREMENT FOR ON-
SHORE LEASE SALES. 
Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘SEC. 17. (a) All lands’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 17. LEASE OF OIL AND GAS LAND. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—All land’’; and 
(2) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(2) MINIMUM
ACREAGE
REQUIREMENT
FOR 
ONSHORE LEASE SALES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—In conducting lease 
sales under paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(i) there shall be a presumption that 
nominated land should be leased; and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary of the Interior 
shall offer for sale all of the nominated 
acreage not previously made available for 
lease, unless the Secretary demonstrates by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
clear and convincing evidence that an indi-
vidual lease should not be granted. 
‘‘(B) ADMINISTRATION.—Acreage offered 
for lease pursuant to this paragraph— 
‘‘(i) shall not be subject to protest; 
and 
‘‘(ii) shall be eligible for categorical 
exclusions under section 390 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942), ex-
cept that the categorical exclusions shall 
not be subject to the test of extraordinary 
circumstances or any other similar regula-
tion or policy guidance. 
‘‘(C) AVAILABILITY.—In administering this 
paragraph, the Secretary shall only consider 
leasing of Federal land that is available for 
leasing at the time the lease sale occurs.’’. 
SEC. 4022. LEASING CERTAINTY. 
Section 17(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(a)) (as amended by section 4061) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) LEASING CERTAINTY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the 
Interior shall not withdraw any covered energy 
project (as defined in section 4051 of the Amer-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
ican Energy Renaissance Act of 2015) issued 
under this Act without finding a violation of the 
terms of the lease by the lessee. 
‘‘(B) DELAY.—The Secretary shall not in-
fringe on lease rights under leases issued under 
this Act by indefinitely delaying issuance of 
project approvals, drilling and seismic permits, 
and rights-of-way for activities under the lease. 
‘‘(C) AVAILABILITY FOR LEASE.—Not later 
than 18 months after an area is designated as 
open under the applicable land use plan, the 
Secretary shall make available nominated areas 
for lease using the criteria established under 
section 2. 
‘‘(D) LAST PAYMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary 
shall issue all leases sold not later than 60 
days after the last payment is made. 
‘‘(ii) CANCELLATION.—The Secretary 
shall not cancel or withdraw any lease par-
cel after a competitive lease sale has oc-
curred and a winning bidder has submitted 
the last payment for the parcel. 
‘‘(E) PROTESTS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than the 
end of the 60-day period beginning on the 
date a lease sale is held under this Act, the 
Secretary shall adjudicate any lease pro-
tests filed following a lease sale. 
‘‘(ii) UNSETTLED PROTEST.—If, after 
the 60-day period described in clause (i) 
any protest is left unsettled— 
‘‘(I) the protest shall be consid-
ered automatically denied; and 
‘‘(II) the appeal rights of the 
protestor shall begin. 
‘‘(F) ADDITIONAL LEASE STIPULATIONS.— 
No additional lease stipulation may be added 
after the parcel is sold without consultation and 
agreement of the lessee, unless the Secretary 
considers the stipulation as an emergency ac-
tion to conserve the resources of the United 
States.’’. 
SEC. 4023. LEASING CONSISTENCY. 
A Federal land manager shall follow existing resource 
management plans and continue to actively lease in areas 
designated as open when resource management plans are 
being amended or revised, until such time as a new record 
of decision is signed. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 4024. REDUCE REDUNDANT POLICIES. 
Bureau of Land Management Instruction Memo-
randum 2010–117 shall have no force or effect. 
SEC. 4025. STREAMLINED CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION. 
Section 31(e) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
188(e)) is amended in the first sentence of the matter fol-
lowing paragraph (4) by striking ‘‘at least thirty days in 
advance of the reinstatement’’ and inserting ‘‘in an annual 
report’’. 
PART II—APPLICATION FOR PERMITS TO DRILL 
PROCESS REFORM 
SEC. 4031. PERMIT TO DRILL APPLICATION TIMELINE. 
Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(p)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(2) APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS TO DRILL RE-
FORM AND PROCESS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than the 
end of the 30-day period beginning on the date 
an application for a permit to drill is received 
by the Secretary, the Secretary shall decide 
whether to issue the permit. 
‘‘(B) EXTENSION.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary 
may extend the period described in sub-
paragraph (A) for up to 2 periods of 15 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
days each, if the Secretary has given writ-
ten notice of the delay to the applicant. 
‘‘(ii) NOTICE.—The notice shall— 
‘‘(I) be in the form of a letter 
from the Secretary or a designee of 
the Secretary; and 
‘‘(II) include— 
‘‘(aa) the names and titles 
of the persons processing the ap-
plication; 
‘‘(bb) the specific reasons 
for the delay; and 
‘‘(cc) a specific date a final 
decision on the application is ex-
pected. 
‘‘(C) NOTICE OF REASONS FOR DENIAL.— 
If the application is denied, the Secretary shall 
provide the applicant— 
‘‘(i) a written statement that provides 
clear and comprehensive reasons why the 
application was not accepted and detailed 
information concerning any deficiencies; 
and 
‘‘(ii) an opportunity to remedy any de-
ficiencies. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) APPLICATION DEEMED APPROVED.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as pro-
vided in clause (ii), if the Secretary has 
not made a decision on the application by 
the end of the 60-day period beginning on 
the date the application is received by the 
Secretary, the application shall be consid-
ered approved. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTIONS.—Clause (i) shall 
not apply in cases in which existing reviews 
under the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) are incomplete. 
‘‘(E) DENIAL
OF
PERMIT.—If the Sec-
retary decides not to issue a permit to drill 
under this paragraph, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) provide to the applicant a descrip-
tion of the reasons for the denial of the 
permit; 
‘‘(ii) allow the applicant to resubmit 
an application for a permit to drill during 
the 10-day period beginning on the date 
the applicant receives the description of 
the denial from the Secretary; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(iii) issue or deny any resubmitted 
application not later than 10 days after the 
date the application is submitted to the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(F) FEE.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary 
shall collect a single $6,500 permit proc-
essing fee per application from each appli-
cant at the time the final decision is made 
whether to issue a permit under subpara-
graph (A). 
‘‘(ii) RESUBMITTED
APPLICATION.— 
The fee required under clause (i) shall not 
apply to any resubmitted application. 
‘‘(iii) TREATMENT OF PERMIT PROC-
ESSING FEE.—Subject to appropriation, of 
all fees collected under this paragraph for 
each fiscal year, 50 percent shall be— 
‘‘(I) transferred to the field office 
at which the fees are collected; and 
‘‘(II) used to process protests, 
leases, and permits under this Act.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 4032. ADMINISTRATIVE PROTEST DOCUMENTATION 
REFORM. 
Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(p)) (as amended by section 4031) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) PROTEST FEE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
collect a $5,000 documentation fee to accom-
pany each administrative protest for a lease, 
right-of-way, or application for a permit to drill. 
‘‘(B) TREATMENT
OF
FEES.—Subject to 
appropriation, of all fees collected under this 
paragraph for each fiscal year, 50 percent 
shall— 
‘‘(i) remain in the field office at which 
the fees are collected; and 
‘‘(ii) be used to process protests.’’. 
SEC. 4033. IMPROVED FEDERAL ENERGY PERMIT COORDI-
NATION. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ENERGY
PROJECT.—The term ‘‘energy 
project’’ includes any oil, natural gas, coal, or other 
energy project, as defined by the Secretary. 
(2) PROJECT.—The term ‘‘Project’’ means the 
Federal Permit Streamlining Project established 
under subsection (b). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish 
a Federal Permit Streamlining Project in each Bureau of 
Land Management field office with responsibility for per-
mitting energy projects on Federal land. 
(c) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall enter into a memorandum of understanding for 
purposes of carrying out this section with— 
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture; 
(B) the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency; and 
(C) the Chief of Engineers. 
(2) STATE
PARTICIPATION.—The Secretary 
may request that the Governor of any State with en-
ergy projects on Federal land to be a signatory to 
the memorandum of understanding. 
(d) DESIGNATION OF QUALIFIED STAFF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the signing of the memorandum of un-
derstanding under subsection (c), each Federal sig-
natory party shall, if appropriate, assign to each Bu-
reau of Land Management field office an employee 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
who has expertise in the regulatory issues relating to 
the office in which the employee is employed, includ-
ing, as applicable, particular expertise in— 
(A) the consultations and the preparation 
of biological opinions under section 7 of the En-
dangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1536); 
(B) permits under section 404 of the Fed-
eral Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1344); 
(C) regulatory matters under the Clean Air 
Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); 
(D) planning under the National Forest 
Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et 
seq.); and 
(E) the preparation of analyses under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(2) DUTIES.—Each employee assigned under 
paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) not later than 90 days after the date 
of assignment, report to the Bureau of Land 
Management Field Managers in the office to 
which the employee is assigned; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) be responsible for all issues relating to 
the energy projects that arise under the au-
thorities of the home agency of the employee; 
and 
(C) participate as part of the team of per-
sonnel working on proposed energy projects, 
planning, and environmental analyses on Fed-
eral land. 
(e) ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL.—The Secretary shall 
assign to each Bureau of Land Management field office 
described in subsection (b) any additional personnel that 
are necessary to ensure the effective approval and imple-
mentation of energy projects administered by the Bureau 
of Land Management field office, including inspection and 
enforcement relating to energy development on Federal 
land, in accordance with the multiple use mandate of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 
(f) FUNDING.—Funding for the additional personnel 
shall come from the Department of the Interior reforms 
under paragraph (2) of section 17(p) of the Mineral Leas-
ing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(p)) (as amended by section 4031 
and section 4032). 
(g) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section af-
fects— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) the operation of any Federal or State law; 
or 
(2) any delegation of authority made by the 
head of a Federal agency any employee of which is 
participating in the Project. 
SEC. 4034. ADMINISTRATION. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Sec-
retary of the Interior shall not require a finding of extraor-
dinary circumstances in administering section 390 of the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15942). 
PART III—OIL SHALE 
SEC. 4041. EFFECTIVENESS OF OIL SHALE REGULATIONS, 
AMENDMENTS TO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 
PLANS, AND RECORD OF DECISION. 
(a) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law (including regulations), the final 
regulations regarding oil shale management pub-
lished by the Bureau of Land Management on No-
vember 18, 2008 (73 Fed. Reg. 69414), shall be 
considered to satisfy all legal and procedural re-
quirements under any law, including— 
(A) the Federal Land Policy and Manage-
ment Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:02 Mar 25, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and 
(C) the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of the 
Interior shall implement the regulations described in 
paragraph (1) (including the oil shale leasing pro-
gram authorized by the regulations) without any 
other administrative action necessary. 
(b) AMENDMENTS
TO
RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT 
PLANS AND RECORD OF DECISION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law (including regulations) to the con-
trary, the Approved Resource Management Plan 
Amendments/Record of Decision for Oil Shale and 
Tar Sands Resources to Address Land Use Alloca-
tions in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming and the Final 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement of 
the Bureau of Land Management, as in effect on 
November 17, 2008, shall be considered to satisfy all 
legal and procedural requirements under any law, in-
cluding— 
(A) the Federal Land Policy and Manage-
ment Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and 
(C) the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of the 
Interior shall implement the oil shale leasing pro-
gram authorized by the regulations described in 
paragraph (1) in those areas covered by the resource 
management plans covered by the amendments, and 
covered by the record of decision, described in para-
graph (1) without any other administrative action 
necessary. 
SEC. 4042. OIL SHALE LEASING. 
(a) ADDITIONAL RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT 
LEASE SALES.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
shall hold a lease sale offering an additional 10 parcels 
for lease for research, development, and demonstration of 
oil shale resources, under the terms offered in the solicita-
tion of bids for such leases published on January 15, 2009 
(74 Fed. Reg. 2611). 
(b) COMMERCIAL LEASE SALES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 
2017, the Secretary of the Interior shall hold not 
less than 5 separate commercial lease sales in areas 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
considered to have the most potential for oil shale 
development, as determined by the Secretary, in 
areas nominated through public comment. 
(2) ADMINISTRATION.—Each lease sale shall 
be— 
(A) for an area of not less than 25,000 
acres; and 
(B) in multiple lease blocs. 
PART IV—NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE IN 
ALASKA ACCESS 
SEC. 4051. SENSE OF CONGRESS AND REAFFIRMING NA-
TIONAL POLICY FOR THE NATIONAL PETRO-
LEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska 
remains explicitly designated, both in name and legal 
status, for purposes of providing oil and natural gas 
resources to the United States; and 
(2) accordingly, the national policy is to actively 
advance oil and gas development within the Reserve 
by facilitating the expeditious exploration, produc-
tion, and transportation of oil and natural gas from 
and through the Reserve. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 4052. NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA: 
LEASE SALES. 
Section 107 of the Naval Petroleum Reserves Produc-
tion Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6506a) is amended by strik-
ing subsection (a) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct an 
expeditious program of competitive leasing of oil and gas 
in the Reserve— 
‘‘(1) in accordance with this Act; and 
‘‘(2) that shall include at least 1 lease sale an-
nually in the areas of the Reserve most likely to 
produce commercial quantities of oil and natural gas 
for each of calendar years 2015 through 2024.’’. 
SEC. 4053. NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA: 
PLANNING AND PERMITTING PIPELINE AND 
ROAD CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation 
with other appropriate Federal agencies, shall facilitate 
and ensure permits, in a timely and environmentally re-
sponsible manner, for all surface development activities, 
including for the construction of pipelines and roads, nec-
essary— 
(1) to develop and bring into production any 
areas within the National Petroleum Reserve in 
Alaska that are subject to oil and gas leases; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) to transport oil and gas from and through 
the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska in the 
most direct manner possible to existing transpor-
tation or processing infrastructure on the North 
Slope of Alaska. 
(b) TIMELINE.—The Secretary shall ensure that any 
Federal permitting agency shall issue permits in accord-
ance with the following timeline: 
(1) Permits for the construction described in 
subsection (a) for transportation of oil and natural 
gas produced under existing Federal oil and gas 
leases with respect to which the Secretary has issued 
a permit to drill shall be approved not later than 60 
days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) Permits for the construction described in 
subsection (a) for transportation of oil and natural 
gas produced under Federal oil and gas leases shall 
be approved not later than 180 days after the date 
on which a request for a permit to drill is submitted 
to the Secretary. 
(c) PLAN.—To ensure timely future development of 
the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, not later than 
270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of the Interior shall submit to Congress a plan for 
approved rights-of-way for a plan for pipeline, road, and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
any other surface infrastructure that may be necessary in-
frastructure that will ensure that all leasable tracts in the 
Reserve are within 25 miles of an approved road and pipe-
line right-of-way that can serve future development of the 
Reserve. 
SEC. 4054. ISSUANCE OF A NEW INTEGRATED ACTIVITY 
PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATE-
MENT. 
(a) ISSUANCE
OF
NEW
INTEGRATED
ACTIVITY 
PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
issue— 
(1) a new proposed integrated activity plan 
from among the nonadopted alternatives in the Na-
tional Petroleum Reserve Alaska-Integrated Activity 
Plan Record of Decision issued by the Secretary of 
the Interior and dated February 21, 2013; and 
(2) an environmental impact statement under 
section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) for 
issuance of oil and gas leases in the National Petro-
leum Reserve-Alaska to promote efficient and max-
imum development of oil and natural gas resources 
of the Reserve. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:02 Mar 25, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(b) NULLIFICATION OF EXISTING RECORD OF DECI-
SION, IAP, AND EIS.—Except as provided in subsection 
(a), the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska Integrated 
Activity Plan Record of Decision issued by the Secretary 
of the Interior and dated February 21, 2013, including 
the integrated activity plan and environmental impact 
statement referred to in that record of decision, shall have 
no force or effect. 
SEC. 4055. DEPARTMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DEVEL-
OPMENT. 
The Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate regu-
lations not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act that establish clear requirements to ensure that 
the Department of the Interior is supporting development 
of oil and gas leases in the National Petroleum Reserve- 
Alaska. 
SEC. 4056. DEADLINES UNDER NEW PROPOSED INTE-
GRATED ACTIVITY PLAN. 
At a minimum, the new proposed integrated activity 
plan issued under section 4054(a)(1) shall— 
(1) require the Department of the Interior to 
respond within 5 business days to a person who sub-
mits an application for a permit for development of 
oil and natural gas leases in the National Petroleum 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
Reserve-Alaska acknowledging receipt of the applica-
tion; and 
(2) establish a timeline for the processing of 
each application that— 
(A) specifies deadlines for decisions and 
actions on permit applications; and 
(B) provides that the period for issuing a 
permit after the date on which the application 
is submitted shall not exceed 60 days without 
the concurrence of the applicant. 
SEC. 4057. UPDATED RESOURCE ASSESSMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior shall 
complete a comprehensive assessment of all technically re-
coverable fossil fuel resources within the National Petro-
leum Reserve in Alaska, including all conventional and un-
conventional oil and natural gas. 
(b) COOPERATION
AND CONSULTATION.—The as-
sessment required by subsection (a) shall be carried out 
by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation and 
consultation with the State of Alaska and the American 
Association of Petroleum Geologists. 
(c) TIMING.—The assessment required by subsection 
(a) shall be completed not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(d) FUNDING.—In carrying out this section, the 
United States Geological Survey may cooperatively use re-
sources and funds provided by the State of Alaska. 
PART V—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
SEC. 4061. SANCTIONS. 
Nothing in this title authorizes the issuance of a lease 
under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) 
to any person designated for the imposition of sanctions 
pursuant to— 
(1) the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sov-
ereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 2151 
note; Public Law 108–175); 
(2) the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Account-
ability, and Divestiture Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8501 
et seq.); 
(3) section 1245 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 
8513a); 
(4) the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria 
Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8701 et 
seq.); 
(5) the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation 
Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.); 
(6) the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 
1701 note; Public Law 104–172); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
(7) Executive Order 13224 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
note; relating to blocking property and prohibiting 
transactions with persons who commit, threaten to 
commit, or support terrorism); 
(8) Executive Order 13338 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
note; relating to blocking property of certain persons 
and prohibiting the export of certain goods to 
Syria); 
(9) Executive Order 13622 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
note; relating to authorizing additional sanctions 
with respect to Iran); 
(10) Executive Order 13628 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
note; relating to authorizing additional sanctions 
with respect to Iran); or 
(11) Executive Order 13645 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
note; relating to authorizing additional sanctions 
with respect to Iran). 
SEC. 4062. ENSURING CONSIDERATION OF ECONOMIC IM-
PACTS OF PROTECTIONS FOR ENDANGERED 
SPECIES AND THREATENED SPECIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 13 of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (87 Stat. 902; relating to conforming 
amendments to other laws, which have been executed) is 
amended to read as follows: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘SEC. 13. ENSURING THE CONSIDERATION OF THE ECO-
NOMIC IMPACTS OF PROTECTIONS. 
‘‘(a) CONSIDERATION
OF ECONOMIC COSTS
AND 
BENEFITS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
Act, any authorization, requirement, or prohibition of, or 
other restriction on, any action by a Federal agency or 
other person under this Act shall not apply with respect 
to a species determined by the Secretary to be an endan-
gered species or threatened species, unless— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary has published and submitted 
to Congress a report that— 
‘‘(A) describes the application; 
‘‘(B) sets forth the data considered by the 
Secretary regarding the economic costs and 
benefits of the application; and 
‘‘(C) determines that the economic benefits 
of the application exceed the economic costs of 
the application; and 
‘‘(2) the application is authorized expressly with 
respect to that species in a law enacted by Congress 
after the date of enactment of the American Energy 
Renaissance Act of 2015. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—Subsection (a)— 
‘‘(1) does not affect any authority of the Sec-
retary under this Act— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) to determine that a species is an en-
dangered species or threatened species and des-
ignate the critical habitat of that species; 
‘‘(B) to conduct research regarding a spe-
cies or the critical habitat of that species; or 
‘‘(C) to prepare, publish, or revise lists, or 
conduct reviews, under section 4(c); 
‘‘(2) does not apply with respect to a species 
if— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) determines that prompt applica-
tion of an authorization, requirement, or 
prohibition under this Act is necessary to 
prevent the extinction of the species; and 
‘‘(ii) convenes a meeting of the En-
dangered Species Committee to consider 
that determination, except that for pur-
poses of this paragraph each member of 
the Committee from an affected State 
under section 4(e)(3)(G) shall be appointed 
by the Governor of that State; and 
‘‘(B) the Committee— 
‘‘(i) concurs in that determination by 
not later than 30 days after the date the 
Secretary convenes the Committee; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) the vote to concur in that deter-
mination is unanimous, with all 7 votes in 
favor; and 
‘‘(3) does not affect the application of this Act 
with respect to a species that is included in the list 
in effect under section 4(c) on the date of enactment 
of the American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015, 
during the 15-year period beginning on that date of 
enactment. 
‘‘(c) CHANGE IN STATUS OF SPECIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—A species shall not be 
treated under this Act as an endangered species or 
threatened species after the end of the 15-year pe-
riod beginning on the date the Secretary determines 
under this Act that the species is an endangered 
species or a threatened species, unless the Secretary 
determines under section 4(c)(2), after the end of 
the 10-year period beginning on that date, that the 
species should not be changed in status. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION
WITH
RESPECT
TO
PRE-
VIOUSLY LISTED SPECIES.—In the case of a species 
included in a list under section 4(c) in effect on the 
date of enactment of the American Energy Renais-
sance Act of 2015, paragraph (1) shall be applied by 
substituting that date of enactment for the date ‘the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS
gas exploration, development, and production to all 
exploration, development, and production operations 
under this subtitle in a manner that ensures the re-
ceipt of fair market value by the public for the min-
eral resources to be leased. 
(b) REPEAL OF EXISTING RESTRICTION.— 
(1) REPEAL.—Section 1003 of the Alaska Na-
tional Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 
3143) is repealed. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of 
contents contained in section 1 of that Act (16 
U.S.C. 3101 note) is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 1003. 
(c) COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS UNDER CER-
TAIN OTHER LAWS.— 
(1) COMPATIBILITY.—For purposes of the Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 
1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), the oil and gas 
leasing program and activities authorized by this 
section on the Coastal Plain are deemed to be com-
patible with the purposes for which the Arctic Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge was established, and no fur-
ther findings or decisions are required to implement 
this determination. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:53 Mar 24, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1487.IH
H1487
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with BILLS