The Co-Location Energy Act would give the Secretary of the Interior authority to enable renewable energy projects (solar or wind) to be developed on existing federal energy leases on land managed by the department. It allows the Secretary to authorize evaluations of areas within those leases for renewable development and to issue permits to construct or operate renewable energy facilities, but only with the consent of the leaseholders (the holders of those leases, easements, or rights-of-way). The bill also directs the creation of a rule to implement these provisions and requires a preliminary review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA to determine if certain actions can be categorically excluded from environmental review). Overall, it aims to facilitate co-location of renewables on lands already leased for fossil or geothermal energy, subject to leaseholder consent and regulatory procedures.
Key Points
- 1Existing federal energy leases defined: The Act targets onshore leases issued or renewed before enactment under the Mineral Leasing Act or the Geothermal Steam Act, and on land managed by the Secretary of the Interior.
- 2Evaluation authorization with leaseholder consent: The Secretary may authorize a person to evaluate areas within an existing lease for solar or wind development, but only if the leaseholder consents.
- 3Permits for development with leaseholder consent: The Secretary may issue permits to construct or operate solar or wind energy systems on an existing lease area, again requiring leaseholder consent.
- 4NEPA categorical exclusions: Within 180 days after enactment, the Secretary must determine whether certain actions (like permitting or construction related to co-located renewables on existing leases, or activities on areas not subject to an existing lease) can be categorically excluded from environmental review under NEPA.
- 5Rulemaking: The Secretary must issue a rule to carry out the section, providing regulatory structure for implementation.