Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB1456

Introduced

5/4/23

Refer

5/4/23

Caption

SPUR Act Spur Permitting of Underdeveloped Resources Act

Impact

This legislation is poised to have a substantial impact on federal energy policies by modifying existing laws related to mineral leasing and permitting. The bill includes measures such as a rebuttable presumption against federal policies designed to impede mineral leasing and specific mandates for timely processing of applications for permits to drill. It also introduces stricter timelines for environmental reviews, which could potentially limit the ability of state and local agencies to enact thorough assessments of ecological impacts. The anticipated result is an increase in oil and gas production on federal lands, with proponents arguing that it will lead to enhanced energy security for the nation.

Summary

SB1456, known as the Spur Permitting of Underdeveloped Resources Act (SPUR Act), focuses on enhancing energy development and making significant reforms in permitting processes for oil and gas leases on federal lands. The primary goal of this bill is to streamline regulations and expedite applications for permits to drill, significantly altering the current federal landscape that governs energy resource extraction. Provisions aim to facilitate quicker lease sales and reduce the bureaucratic delays associated with environmental review processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Contention

Opponents of SB1456 express concern regarding potential environmental degradation, arguing that relaxed permitting standards may lead to harmful consequences for local ecosystems. Critics fear that the expedited process undermines the critical evaluations necessary to assess the environmental impacts of drilling operations. Additionally, there is apprehension about the bill's restrictions on the establishment of new categories of federal land designations, as it may limit the protection of sensitive areas and undermine conservation efforts. As this legislation moves forward, tensions between energy development interests and environmental advocacy groups are expected to intensify.

Latest SB1456 Activity

Companion Bills

US HB209

Related 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.

US HB356

Related Unleashing American Energy Act This bill requires a minimum amount of oil and gas lease sales a year on certain submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and limits delays on federal oil and gas leases on such lands. Specifically, this bill requires the Department of the Interior to annually conduct a minimum of two region-wide oil and gas lease sales in each of the following regions of the OCS: (1) the Gulf of Mexico region in the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area and the Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area, and (2) the Alaska region. In addition, the bill requires the President to obtain congressional approval before delaying federal oil and gas leases on the OCS.

US SB23

Related Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act This bill establishes a new process for approving the construction and operation of energy infrastructure across an international border of the United States and replaces the existing process established under specified executive orders. Specifically, this bill requires a person to obtain a certificate of crossing before constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining a border-crossing facility for the import or export of oil, natural gas, or electricity across a U.S. border between Canada or Mexico. A certificate must be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a facility consisting of oil or natural gas pipelines or the Department of Energy (DOE) for an electric transmission facility. As a condition of issuing a certificate, DOE must require that an electric transmission facility be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained consistent with specified policies and standards. FERC and DOE must meet a deadline for issuing a certificate as set forth by this bill. The bill also requires FERC to meet a deadline for approving applications to import or export natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico.

US HB674

Related Root and Stem Project Authorization Act of 2023

US SB199

Related Root and Stem Project Authorization Act of 2023

US HB829

Related Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act

US HB1058

Related Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act

US HB1115

Related Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act

US SB535

Related Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act

US SB989

Related North American Energy Act

US SB1281

Related Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2023

US HB2925

Related Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2024

US SB1435

Related A bill to require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to conservation and landscape health.

Similar Bills

US HB1

Lower Energy Costs Act This bill provides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energy resources (e.g., oil, gas, and minerals). For example, it sets forth provisions to (1) expedite energy projects, (2) eliminate or reduce certain fees related to the development of federal energy resources, and (3) eliminate certain funds that provide incentives to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases. The bill expedites the development, importation, and exportation of energy resources, including by waiving environmental review requirements and other specified requirements under certain environmental laws, eliminating certain restrictions on the import and export of oil and natural gas, prohibiting the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing (a type of process used to extract underground energy resources), directing the Department of the Interior to conduct sales for the leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands and waters as specified by the bill, and limiting the authority of the President and executive agencies to restrict or delay the development of energy on federal land. In addition, the bill reduces royalties for oil and gas development on federal land and eliminates charges on methane emissions. It also eliminates a variety of funds, such as funds for energy efficiency improvements in buildings as well as the greenhouse gas reduction fund.