S 349119th CongressIn Committee

Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025

Introduced: Jan 30, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025 would let the U.S. Department of Agriculture, specifically the Forest Service, streamline vegetation clearance around electrical transmission and distribution lines on National Forest System land. Under this bill, when an electrical utility holds a special use permit or easement on National Forest land, the Secretary of Agriculture may authorize cutting and removing trees or other vegetation near power lines without requiring a separate timber sale. This authority must align with the applicable land management plan and all other environmental laws. If any portion of the removed material is later sold, the proceeds (net of transportation costs) would go to the Forest Service, captured through the Chief of the Forest Service; however, the bill does not require that any material be sold. The overarching goal is to create fire-safe corridors around power lines on federal lands, potentially reducing wildfire risk and improving electrical reliability, while maintaining existing environmental safeguards.

Key Points

1Permits and agreements with utilities: The Forest Service may allow vegetation removal within the vicinity of distribution and transmission lines on National Forest System land through special use permits or easements, without a separate timber sale, so long as the action is consistent with the land management plan and environmental laws.
2Proceeds from any sale: If the removed material is sold, the utility must provide the sale proceeds to the Secretary of Agriculture (via the Forest Service Chief) after deducting transportation costs.
3Not a mandate to sell: The bill does not require the material to be sold; removal can occur without conducting a timber sale.
4Scope and framework: Applies specifically to National Forest System land and aligns with existing land management plans and environmental regulations.
5Protections and compliance: The action must comply with all applicable environmental laws/regulations (e.g., NEPA, ESA) and the relevant land management plan; it does not waive environmental protections.
6Status and sponsorship: Introduced in the Senate (S. 349) on January 30, 2025, by Senators Padilla and Daines; referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- National Forest System lands and the Forest Service, and electrical utilities holding special use permits or easements on federal lands. The bill directly changes how vegetation near power lines can be managed and how timber-sale processes may be bypassed in this narrow context.Secondary group/area affected- Utilities and their customers: potentially faster access to fire-safe corridor maintenance and improved reliability, but with changes to revenue flows if material is sold.- Local communities and fire management: potential reduction in wildfire risk near power infrastructure within national forests.Additional impacts- Revenue and timber management: could reduce formal timber-sale activity in certain areas, affecting timber program planning and potential revenue, though any sale proceeds would still go to the Forest Service.- Environmental considerations: maintenance of environmental safeguards remains required; the bill does not exempt actions from NEPA, ESA, or other environmental laws, so reviews and consultations would still apply.- Administrative workload: adds a streamlined pathway for coordination between the Forest Service and utilities, potentially increasing workload related to monitoring compliance with permits/easements and ensuring consistency with land management plans.

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