In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
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Question: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Mercury Pollution Reduction Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--
(1) mercury and mercury compounds are highly toxic to
humans, ecosystems, and wildlife;
(2) as many as 10 percent of women in the United States of
childbearing age have mercury in their bloodstreams at a level
that could pose risks to their unborn babies, and hundreds of
thousands of children born annually in the United States are at
risk of neurological problems relating to mercury exposure in
utero;
(3) the most significant source of mercury exposure to
people in the United States is ingestion of mercury-
contaminated fish;
(4) the long-term solution to mercury pollution is to
minimize global mercury use and releases of mercury to
eventually achieve reduced contamination levels in the
environment, rather than reducing fish consumption, since
uncontaminated fish represents a critical and healthy source of
nutrition for people worldwide;
(5) mercury pollution is a transboundary pollutant that--
(A) is deposited locally, regionally, and globally;
and
(B) affects bodies of water near industrial areas,
such as the Great Lakes, as well as bodies of water in
remote areas, such as the Arctic Circle;
(6) of the approximately 30 plants in the United States
that produce chlorine, only 7 use the obsolete ''mercury cell''
chlor-alkali process, and 4 have not yet committed to phasing
out mercury use;
(7)(A) less than 5 percent of the total quantity of
chlorine and caustic soda produced in the United States comes
from the chlor-alkali plants described in paragraph (6) that
use the mercury cell chlor-alkali process;
(B) cost-effective alternatives are available and in use in
the remaining 95 percent of chlorine and caustic soda
production; and
(C) other countries, including Japan, have already banned
the mercury cell chlor-alkali process;
(8) the chlor-alkali industry acknowledges that--
(A) mercury can contaminate products manufactured
at mercury cell facilities; and
(B) the use of some of those products results in
the direct and indirect release of mercury;
(9) despite those quantities of mercury known to have been
used or to be in use, neither the chlor-alkali industry nor the
Environmental Protection Agency is able--
(A) to adequately account for the disposition of
the mercury used at those facilities; or
(B) to accurately estimate current mercury
emissions; and
(10) it is critically important that the United States work
aggressively toward the minimization of supply, demand, and
releases of mercury, both domestically and internationally.

SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

Congress declares that the United States should develop policies
and programs that will--
(1) reduce mercury use and emissions within the United
States;
(2) reduce mercury releases from the reservoir of mercury
currently in use or circulation within the United States; and
(3) reduce exposures to mercury, particularly exposures of
women of childbearing age and young children.

SEC. 4. USE OF MERCURY IN CHLORINE AND CAUSTIC SODA MANUFACTURING.

(a) In General.--Title I of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15
U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 6 the
following:

''SEC. 6A. USE OF MERCURY IN CHLORINE AND CAUSTIC SODA MANUFACTURING.

''(a) Definition of Chlor-alkali Facility.--In this section, the
term 'chlor-alkali facility' means a facility used for the manufacture
of chlorine or caustic soda using a mercury cell process.
''(b) Prohibition.--
''(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, it shall be unlawful to manufacture chlorine or
caustic soda using mercury cells at any facility in the United
States.
''(2) Notice.--The owner or operator of any existing chlor-
alkali facility shall notify the Administrator no later than
June 30, 2012, whether it will--
''(A) replace its chlor-alkali facility with a new
manufacturing facility that does not use mercury; or
''(B) cease operations.
''(3) Closure.--A chlor-alkali facility for which a closure
notice is filed under paragraph (2)(B) shall cease
manufacturing chlorine or caustic soda using mercury cells no
later than June 30, 2013.
''(4) Replacement.--A chlor-alkali facility for which a
replacement notice is filed under paragraph (2)(A) may continue
to manufacture chlorine or caustic soda using mercury cells
until all of the permitting, financing, engineering, and
construction of a non-mercury replacement facility is complete,
or June 30, 2015, whichever is earlier.
''(c) Export Ban.--Effective on the date of the enactment of this
section, the export of any elemental mercury or the sale of elemental
mercury for purposes of export, including compounds and mixtures
containing elemental mercury, by the owner or operator of a chlor-
alkali facility is prohibited.
''(d) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section affects the
ability of the owner or operator of any chlor-alkali facility to store
elemental mercury in accordance with section 5(g)(2) of the Mercury
Export Ban Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 6939f).''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) The table of contents of the Toxic
Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 note) is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 6 the following:

''Sec. 6A. Use of mercury in chlorine and caustic soda
manufacturing.''.
(2) Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 15 of such Act are each
amended by striking ''or 6'' and inserting '', 6 or 6A''.

Answer: Mercury Pollution Reduction Act - Declares that the United States should develop policies and programs that will reduce: (1) mercury use and emissions; (2) mercury releases from the reservoir of mercury currently in use or circulation; and (3) exposures to mercury, particularly of women of childbearing age and young children.

Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit: (1) the manufacture of chlorine or caustic soda using mercury cells at any facility in the United States; and (2) the export of any elemental mercury or the sale of elemental mercury for purposes of export, including compounds and mixtures containing elemental mercury, by the owner or operator of a chlor-alkali facility.

Requires the owner or operator of any existing chlor-alkali facility to notify the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) no later than June 30, 2012, on whether the owner or operator will replace its chlor-alkali facility with a new manufacturing facility that does not use mercury or cease operations. Requires a chlor-alkali facility for which a closure notice is filed to cease manufacturing chlorine or caustic soda using mercury cells no later than June 30, 2013. Authorizes a chlor-alkali facility for which a replacement notice is filed to continue to manufacture chlorine or caustic soda using mercury cells until all of the permitting, financing, engineering, and construction of a non-mercury replacement facility is complete or June 30, 2015, whichever is earlier.

Provides that this Act does not affect the ability of the owner or operator of any chlor-alkali facility to store elemental mercury in accordance with the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008.

Question: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Construction Reform Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONSTRUCTION REFORMS.

(a) Application of Industry Standards; Assistance.--Section 8103 of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsections:
''(f) To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall use
industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in carrying
out the construction of medical facilities.
''(g)(1) The Secretary shall provide to a non-Department Federal
entity with which the Secretary has entered into an agreement under
subsection (e)--
''(A) design, planning, and construction assistance before
the entity issues a request for proposals for the design or
construction of the super construction project covered by the
agreement;
''(B) any documents or information needed for the entity to
carry out the responsibilities of the entity with respect to
the super construction project; and
''(C) upon the request of the entity, any other assistance
that the entity determines necessary to carry out such
responsibilities.
''(2) Any assistance provided under paragraph (1) shall be provided
to the non-Department Federal entity on a non-reimbursable basis.
''(h)(1) With respect to a proposed change to a contract entered
into by a non-Department Federal entity with which the Secretary has
entered into an agreement under subsection (e) that is estimated at a
value of less than $250,000, the non-Department Federal entity shall
issue a final decision regarding such change not later than 30 days
after the date on which the change is proposed.
''(2) With respect to a proposed change to such a contract that is
estimated at a value of $250,000 or more--
''(A) the Secretary may provide to the entity the
recommendations of the Secretary regarding such change;
''(B) during the 30-day period beginning on the date on
which the entity furnishes to the Secretary information
regarding such change, the Secretary may issue the final
decision regarding such change; and
''(C) if the Secretary does not issue a final decision
under subparagraph (B), during the 30-day period following the
period described in such paragraph, the entity shall issue a
final decision regarding such a change no later than 90 days
from when the entity furnished information regarding such a
change to the Secretary.
''(i) The Secretary shall ensure that each employee of the
Department with responsibilities relating to the construction or
alteration of medical facilities, including such construction or
alteration carried out pursuant to contracts or agreements, undergoes a
program of ongoing professional training and development. Such program
shall be designed to ensure that employees maintain adequate expertise
relating to industry standards and best practices for the acquisition
of design and construction services. The Secretary may provide the
program under this subsection through a contract or agreement with a
non-Federal entity or with a non-Department Federal entity.''.
(b) Limitation on Planning and Design for Super Construction
Projects.--
(1) In general.--Section 8104(a) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(4);
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following
new paragraph (3):
''(3) The Secretary may not obligate or expend funds for advance
planning or design for any super construction project, until the date
that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives notice of such
obligation or expenditure.''; and
(C) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph
(1) of this subsection, by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
''(C) The term 'super construction project' means a project
for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical
facility involving a total expenditure of more than
$100,000,000, but such term does not include an acquisition by
exchange.''.
(2) Applicability.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and
shall apply with respect to a construction project that is
initiated on or after that date.
(c) Congressional Approval of Certain Projects.--
(1) Projects that exceed specified amount.--Subsection (c)
of section 8104 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
''(c)(1) The Secretary may not obligate funds for a major medical
facility project or a super construction project approved by a law
described in subsection (a)(2) in an amount that would cause the total
amount obligated for that project to exceed the amount specified in the
law for that project (or would add to total obligations exceeding such
specified amount) by more than 10 percent unless the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations
of the House of Representatives each approve in writing the obligation
of those funds.
''(2) The Secretary shall--
''(A) enter into a contract with an appropriate non-
department Federal entity with the ability to conduct forensic
audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of an
external forensic audit of the expenditures relating to any
major medical facility or super construction project for which
the total expenditures exceed the amount specified in the law
for the project by more than 25 percent; and
''(B) enter into a contract with an appropriate non-
department Federal entity with the ability to conduct forensic
audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of an
external audit of the medical center construction project in
Aurora, Colorado.''.
(2) Use of extra amounts.--Subsection (d) of such section
is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2)(B), in the matter preceding
clause (i), by striking ''Whenever'' and inserting
''Before''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
''(3) The Secretary may not obligate any funds described in
paragraph (1) or amounts described in paragraph (2) before the date
that is 30 days after the notification submitted under paragraph (1) or
paragraph (2)(B), as the case may be, unless the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives each approve in writing the obligation of
those funds or amounts.''.
(3) Notification requirements.--
(A) Committees required.--Subsection (d)(1) of such
section is amended by striking ''each committee'' and
inserting ''the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives''.
(B) Use of amounts from bid savings.--Subsection
(d)(2)(B) of such section is amended by adding at the
end the following new clause:
''(iv) With respect to the major construction project that
is the source of the bid savings--
''(I) the amounts already obligated or available in
the project reserve for such project;
''(II) the percentage of such project that has been
completed; and
''(III) the amount of such bid savings that is
already obligated or otherwise being used for a purpose
other than such project.''.
(d) Quarterly Report on Super Construction Projects.--
(1) In general.--At the end of subchapter I of chapter 81
of title 38, United States Code, add the following new section:
''Sec. 8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects
''(a) Quarterly Reports Required.--Not later than 30 days after the
last day of each fiscal quarter the Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives on the super construction projects carried out by the
Secretary during such quarter. Each such report shall include, for each
such project--
''(1) the budgetary and scheduling status of the project,
as of the last day of the quarter covered by the report; and
''(2) the actual cost and schedule variances of the
project, as of such day, compared to the planned cost and
schedules for the project.
''(b) Super Construction Project Defined.--In this section, the
term 'super construction project' has the meaning given such term in
section 8104(a)(4)(C) of this title.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of the chapter is amended by adding at the end of the
items relating to such subchapter the following new item:

''8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects.''.
(e) Accelerated Master Planning for Each Medical Facility of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.--
(1) Existing facilities.--Not later than December 31, 2016,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall complete a master plan
described in paragraph (3) for each medical facility of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2) New facilities.--For each medical facility of the
Department for which construction is completed after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete a
master plan described in paragraph (3) for the facility by not
later than the earlier of the following dates:
(A) The date on which activation is completed.
(B) The date of the formal dedication of the
facility.
(3) Master plan described.--A master plan described in this
paragraph is, with respect to a medical facility of the
Department, a plan to inform investment decisions and funding
requests over a 10-year period for construction projects at
such medical facility--
(A) to meet the health care needs of a changing
veteran population through a combination of health care
from the Department and other community resources; and
(B) to maximize the best use of the land and
structures comprising such medical facility.

SEC. 3. ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR CONSTRUCTION.

(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 312 the following new section:
''Sec. 312A. Assistant Inspector General for Construction
''(a) In General.--There is in the Office of Inspector General an
Assistant Inspector General for Construction. The Assistant Inspector
General for Construction is responsible for conducting, supervising,
and coordinating audits, evaluations, and investigations of the
planning, design, contracting, execution, and construction of
facilities and infrastructure of the Department, including major and
minor construction projects and leases.
''(b) Qualifications.--Each individual appointed as Assistant
Inspector General for Construction shall be an individual who has
expertise in construction and facilities management.
''(c) Reports.--(1) Not later than 60 days after the appointment of
an individual as the Assistant Inspector General for Construction, and
every calendar quarter thereafter, the Assistant Inspector General for
Construction shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report summarizing the activities
of the Assistant Inspector General for Construction during the 120-day
period ending on the date of such report.
''(2) In addition to the report required in paragraph (1), and the
requirements contained in section 5 of the Inspector General Act of
1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), the Assistant Inspector General for Construction
shall promptly provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives the findings of any investigation
undertaken by the Assistant Inspector General for Construction, and
shall notify the Committees promptly if the Assistant Inspector General
for Construction identifies any serious or flagrant problem or
deficiency relating to the administration or operation of any
construction program of the Department, if, during the course of any
investigation, the Assistant Inspector General for Construction
determines that Congress should take immediate action.
''(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize
the public disclosure of information that is--
''(A) specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other
provision of law;
''(B) specifically required by Executive Order to be
protected from disclosure in the interest of national defense
or national security or in the conduct of foreign affairs; or
''(C) a part of an ongoing criminal investigation.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
312 the following new item:

''312A. Assistant Inspector General for Construction.''.

Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2016.

Attest:

KAREN L. HAAS,

Clerk.

Answer: Construction Reform Act of 2016 (Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in carrying out medical facility construction. A super construction project is one for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $100 million (but does not include an acquisition by exchange). The VA shall provide, on a non-reimbursable basis, a non-VA federal entity with: (1) design, planning, and construction assistance; (2) project documents; and (3) other assistance upon request. With respect to a proposed change to a contract entered into by a non-VA federal entity with which the VA has entered into an agreement that is estimated at a value of less than $250,000, the entity shall issue a final decision regarding such change within 30 days. With respect to a proposed contract change estimated at a value of $250,000 or more: the VA may make recommendations to the entity; the VA may issue the final decision regarding the change within 30 days after the entity proposes it; and if the VA does not issue a final decision within 60 days after the entity proposes the contract change, the entity shall issue a final decision regarding the change no later than 90 days after it proposes the change. The VA shall ensure that each VA employee with responsibilities relating to the construction or alteration of medical facilities undergoes ongoing professional training and development. The VA is prohibited from: obligating or expending funds for advance planning or design for any super construction project until 60 days after congressional notification, obligating funds for a major medical facility project or a super construction project by more than 10% of the amount approved by law unless certain congressional committees approve the obligation, or using bid savings amounts or funds for other than their original purpose before 30 days after notifying those committees unless each committee approves the obligation. The VA shall enter into a contract with an appropriate non-department federal entity to conduct an external forensic audit of: (1) the medical center construction project in Aurora, Colorado; and (2) the expenditures relating to any major medical facility or super construction project when such expenditures exceed the amount approved by law by more than 25%. The VA must complete a 10-year master plan for: (1) each existing VA medical facility by December 31, 2016, and (2) each new VA medical facility by not later than the earlier of the date on which activation is completed or the date of the facility's formal dedication. (Sec. 3) There is established in the Office of Inspector General an Assistant Inspector General for Construction who shall be responsible for conducting, supervising, and coordinating audits, evaluations, and investigations of the planning, design, contracting, and construction of VA facilities and infrastructure, including major and minor construction projects and leases.

Question: SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that:
(1) Protection of the environmental and ecological
qualities of Federal lands are important concerns for all
people.
(2) Reviewing the environmental impact of proposed
transmission facilities is a vital task which must be conducted
in a thorough and comprehensive manner.
(3) A thorough and comprehensive review of these effects
can be conducted in a timely manner without sacrificing the
quality of the review.
(4) There is currently no requirement that Federal agencies
complete environmental reviews for proposed transmission
facilities in a timely manner.
(5) The length of time for completion of these reviews
varies widely, with agencies taking as long as ten years to
complete these reviews.
(6) There are cases of Federal agencies conducting
environmental reviews in a subsequent, rather than concurrent,
manner and failing to coordinate their reviews with State
authorities and other Federal agencies.
(7) The electricity transmission grid must be expanded to
ensure reliable supplies of electricity.
(8) The Federal Government currently owns approximately 29
percent of the land area of the United States including 90
percent of Nevada, 70 percent of Arizona, and similarly large
percentages of other Western States.
(9) Because of the large Federal land holdings in the West,
transmission facilities must often be built on Federal lands.
(10) Appointment of a lead agency to coordinate the
environmental reviews of Federal agencies will lead to more
thorough, comprehensive and timely reviews.

SEC. 2. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.

The Constitutional authority on which this act rests are the powers
of Congress to make all needful rules and regulations respecting the
territory or other property belonging to the United States as
enumerated in article IV, section 3 and to make all laws which shall be
necessary and proper as enumerated in article I, section 8 of the
United States Constitution.

SEC. 3. FEDERAL AND STATE COORDINATION OF PERMITTING FOR TRANSMISSION
FACILITIES.

(a) Lead Agency.--If an applicant, or prospective applicant, for
Federal authorization related to an electricity transmission or
distribution facility so requests, the Department of Energy (DOE) shall
act as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all applicable
Federal authorization and related environmental review of the facility.
The term ''Federal authorization'' shall mean any authorization
required under Federal law in order to site a transmission or
distribution facility, including but not limited to such permits,
special use authorizations, certifications, opinions, or other
approvals as may be required, whether issued by a Federal or a State
agency. To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of Energy
shall coordinate this Federal authorization and review process with any
Indian tribes, multi-State entities, and State agencies that are
responsible for conducting any separate permitting and environmental
reviews of the facility, to ensure timely and efficient review and
permit decisions.
(b) Authority to Set Deadlines.--As lead agency, the Department of
Energy, in consultation with other Federal and, as appropriate, with
Indian tribes, multi-State entities, and State agencies that are
willing to coordinate their own separate permitting and environmental
reviews with the Federal authorization and environmental reviews, shall
establish prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate
deadlines for the review of and Federal authorization decisions
relating to the proposed facility. Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the Secretary of Energy shall ensure that once an application
has been submitted with such data as the Secretary deems necessary, all
permit decisions and related environmental reviews under all applicable
Federal laws shall be completed within 1 year. The Secretary of Energy
also shall provide a speedy pre-application mechanism for prospective
applicants to confer with the agencies involved to have each such
agency determine and communicate to the prospective applicant within 60
days of when the prospective applicant submits a request for such
information concerning--
(1) the likelihood of approval for a potential facility;
and
(2) key issues of concern to the agencies and public.
(c) Consolidated Environmental Review and Record of Decision.--The
Secretary of Energy shall prepare a single environmental review
document, which shall be used as the basis for all decisions on the
proposed project under Federal law. The document may be an
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under the
National Environmental Policy Act if warranted, or such other form of
analysis as may be warranted. DOE and other agencies shall streamline
the review and permitting of transmission and distribution facilities
within corridors designated under section 503 of the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act (43 U.S.C. section 1763) by fully taking into
account prior analyses and decisions as to the corridors.
(d) Appeals.--In the event that any agency has denied a Federal
authorization required for a transmission or distribution facility, or
has failed to act by the deadline established by the Secretary pursuant
to this section for deciding whether to issue the authorization, the
applicant or any State in which the facility would be located may file
an appeal with the Secretary of Energy, which shall review the denial
or take action on the pending application. Based on the overall record
and in consultation with the affected agency, the Secretary may then
either issue the necessary authorization with or without appropriate
conditions, or may deny the application. The Secretary shall issue its
decision within 90 days of the filing of the appeal.
(e) Conforming Regulations and Memoranda of Agreement.--Not later
than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the
Secretary of Energy shall issue any regulations necessary to implement
the foregoing provisions. Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary and the heads of all relevant
Federal departments and non-departmental agencies shall, and interested
Indian tribes, multi-State entities, and State agencies may, enter into
Memoranda of Agreement to ensure the timely and coordinated review and
permitting of electricity transmission and distribution facilities. The
head of each Federal department or non-departmental agency with
approval authority shall designate a senior responsible official and
dedicate sufficient other staff and resources to ensure that the DOE
regulations and any Memoranda are fully implemented.
(f) Miscellaneous.--Each Federal authorization for an electricity
transmission or distribution facility shall be issued for a duration,
as determined by the Secretary of Energy, commensurate with the
anticipated use of the facility and with appropriate authority to
manage the right-of-way for reliability and environmental protection.
Further, when such authorizations expire, they shall be reviewed for
renewal taking fully into account reliance on such electricity
infrastructure, recognizing its importance for public health, safety
and economic welfare and as a legitimate use of Federal lands.
(g) Maintaining and Enhancing the Transmission Infrastructure.--In
exercising the responsibilities under this section, the Secretary of
Energy shall consult regularly with the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) and FERC-approved Regional Transmission Organizations
and Independent System Operators on changes to the national grid that
will improve reliability, relieve congestion, and enhance the
capability of the grid to deliver electricity.

Answer:
Designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all applicable Federal authorization and related environmental review of a proposed electricity transmission or distribution facility upon request of a current or prospective applicant for Federal authorization related to such a facility.

Instructs DOE to establish prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate deadlines for the review of and Federal authorization decisions relating to the proposed facility.

Sets a one-year deadline for completion of all permit decisions and related environmental reviews regarding an application.

Requires the Secretary of Energy to consult regularly with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and FERC-approved Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators on changes to the national grid that will improve reliability, relieve congestion, and enhance the capability of the grid to deliver electricity.