POWER Our Reservoirs Act Protect Our Waters and Expand Renewables on Our Reservoirs Act
Impact
Should the bill pass, it could lead to a significant shift in how renewable energy is harnessed from federal water resources. By initiating assessments, the bill aims to identify high-potential sites for solar installations, ensuring the selected projects align with the existing purposes of the associated reclamation efforts. The findings from these assessments could inform future policy and regulatory frameworks, potentially facilitating broader adoption of similar renewable technologies across federal energy programs.
Summary
House Bill 2731, known as the Protect Our Waters and Expand Renewables on Our Reservoirs Act (POWER Act), seeks to evaluate the feasibility of installing and maintaining floating photovoltaic solar panels at Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects. The bill reflects an increasing legislative focus on renewable energy solutions, particularly those that utilize existing infrastructure to enhance energy production while addressing environmental concerns. It mandates an assessment that covers economic, environmental, and technical considerations for potential floating solar installations.
Contention
Despite its potential benefits, the proposed bill could spark debate over environmental impacts and regulatory challenges. Some stakeholders may raise concerns regarding the ecological implications of installing solar panels on water bodies, especially regarding fish and wildlife habitats. Moreover, the economic viability of such projects, particularly their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional energy sources or land-based solar farms, will likely be scrutinized. Funding and investment requirements for such projects may also present challenges, especially in balancing federal and non-federal contributions.
Permitting for Mining Needs Act of 2023 This bill expedites the review of mining projects on federal lands and limits judicial review of mining projects. For example, the bill expands the federal permitting and review processes under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for critical minerals. Under the act, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service, to the maximum extent practicable, must complete the federal permitting and review processes related to critical mineral mines on federal lands with maximum efficiency and effectiveness. This bill expands this process to include all minerals as defined by the bill, not only critical minerals. The bill also establishes deadlines for completing the review of mining projects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In addition, the bill also expands the meaning of covered projects under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to include (1) certain mineral production projects, and (2) certain actions taken by the Department of Defense. Such projects qualify for expedited environmental review. It also establishes requirements to expedite the review or authorization of certain mineral projects, such as (1) mineral exploration activities with a surface disturbance of no more than five acres of public lands, (2) ancillary mining activities, and (3) uranium projects. Finally, the bill limits judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a lead agency for a mining project by requiring the filing of claims within a certain time period.