Bill · H.R. 2301· House(119-HR-2301)
To promote the development of renewable energy on public land, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- 3/24/2025
- Last activity
- 4/18/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Levin
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to promote the development of renewable energy, specifically wind, solar, and geothermal, on public lands. It updates national goals for renewable energy production and directs the Secretary to establish priority areas for these projects. The legislation includes provisions for land use planning, updating environmental impact statements, and improving the permitting process for wind and solar energy. It also addresses economic certainty by regulating rental rates, fees, and bonding requirements for decommissioning. Finally, it establishes a Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund to support environmental protection and public access.
Yes· 3 of 13
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+8
The bill streamlines the development of wind, solar, and geothermal energy on public lands.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+7
The bill significantly increases national goals for renewable energy production, which helps reduce carbon emissions.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill updates land use planning to better integrate renewable energy production.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Renewable Energy Production: The bill raises the national goal for renewable energy production on Federal land to 60% by December 31, 2030 (Section 2).
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Economic Certainty for Developers: Rental rates and fees for renewable energy projects will not exceed the average amount charged for similar activities on private land in the same state or county (Section 5(a)(1)).
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Streamlined Permitting: The Secretary may delegate authority to State Renewable Energy Coordination Offices to process applications for eligible projects (Section 4(a)(1)(A)).
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Financial Benefits for States and Counties: A portion of revenues collected from renewable energy projects, specifically 25% for the State and 25% for the local counties, will be paid back to them (Section 6(a)(1)).
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Environmental and Recreational Protection: The Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund can be used to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitats, as well as preserve and improve recreational access to Federal land and water (Section 6(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Impact on Public Land Values: The Secretary is directed to review land allocations to ensure they mitigate adverse impacts to wildlife habitat, water resources, cultural resources, recreational uses, and areas of Tribal importance (Section 3(b)(1)(A)(ii)).
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Potential for Reduced Environmental Review: The bill allows for the possibility of designating preliminary geotechnical work and meteorological monitoring as categorically excluded from environmental assessments or impact statements (Section 4(c)(2)).
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Land Use Changes: The Secretary has the authority to add, modify, or eliminate priority areas and exclusion areas based on reviews of land allocations (Section 3(b)(1)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+8Reduces Carbon Emissions+7Improves Public Land Management+5Improves Rural Development+4Improves Environmental Protections+3Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Native Americans+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+4Increases Job Creation+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Increase States Rights+3
- 4/18/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- 3/24/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House