“To establish an interagency group on categorical exclusions, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes an interagency group, chaired by the Secretary of Energy and consisting of the Secretaries of Energy, Interior, and Agriculture and all Federal Energy Regulatory Commission members, to align categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Not later than 360 days after enactment, each group member must (1) adopt any other member's existing NEPA categorical exclusion (i.e., exemption from full environmental review for actions normally not significantly impacting the human environment) if appropriate after consultation under NEPA §109; and (2) jointly with at least one other member, establish a new categorical exclusion for categories of actions relating to interstate electric transmission or battery energy storage projects determined not to significantly affect the human environment. Not later than 360 days after enactment, the group must submit a report to Congress detailing any adoptions or establishments, reasons for inaction by any member, and recommendations for future interagency collaboration or statutory categorical exclusions, after which the group sunsets.