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119-hr-1994119th CongressWALLET

Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]

In Committee

Summary

Dividing revenue from wind and solar projects on federal land into four equal shares would set who receives payments and create a dedicated conservation fund for habitat and public access.

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  • Revenues would be split into four equal shares: one for the State where the project sits, one for the counties within the project's footprint, one to Treasury to run the program and support permitting, and one to a new Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund.
  • The Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund would pay for habitat restoration, waterway work, and improved recreational access. The Secretary could make grants and cooperative agreements with States, Tribes, and nonprofits and must report yearly on collections, payouts, and balances.
  • Solar and wind projects with right-of-way applications filed by December 19, 2016 would be grandfathered to the rents and fees that applied before the 2016 Bureau of Land Management competitive leasing rule.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Revenue split for public-land wind and solar

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, money from wind and solar projects on covered federal land would be split into four equal parts (25% each). States would get 25%, counties would get 25% (based on the share of land), Interior would get 25% to run the program and speed permits, and 25% would go to a new conservation fund. Some collections would be excluded, like amounts under 43 U.S.C. 1764(g) and deposits to the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. States and counties would use their shares under Mineral Leasing Act rules, and county payments would be on top of PILT. The new fund could restore habitat and improve public access near these projects. The bill would also define which land counts: covered land is federal land managed by Interior that is not barred by law or a land plan; National Forest lands are included.

Older projects pay pre-2016 rents and fees

If enacted, owners of some wind or solar projects on federal land would have to pay the rent and fee schedule used before Dec. 19, 2016. This would apply only to projects that filed a right-of-way application on or before Dec. 19, 2016 and meet the federal definition in place at enactment. Owners could agree to different terms, but otherwise the older rents and fees would apply. This mainly affects developers with older applications.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]

AZ • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]

    NV • R

    Sponsored 3/10/2025

  • Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 3/10/2025

  • Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 4/1/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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