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119-s-349119th CongressWALLET

Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would let the Forest Service authorize expedited tree and vegetation removal near electrical lines on National Forest System land. It would allow that permission to be included in special use permits or easements so utilities could remove vegetation without a separate timber sale when removal follows the applicable land and resource management plan and other environmental laws, and if a utility sells removed material the utility would have to give the Forest Service any proceeds minus transportation costs while the law would not require a sale.

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  • Electrical utilities: Utilities could cut and remove trees or other vegetation near distribution and transmission lines on National Forest System land under a special use permit or easement without a separate timber sale when the removal is consistent with applicable plans and environmental laws.
  • Forest Service: The agency could include cutting authority in permits and easements and would receive any proceeds from sales of removed material, minus transportation costs.
  • Rules and limits: Removals must follow the applicable land and resource management plan and other environmental laws, and the bill clarifies that selling removed material is optional, not mandatory.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Easier tree clearing near power lines

If enacted, this bill would let the Agriculture Secretary allow electrical utilities to cut and remove trees and plants near distribution or transmission lines on National Forest land. This would apply only when the utility holds a special use permit or easement. The cutting would not require a separate timber sale if it follows the land and resource management plan and other environmental laws. If the utility sells removed material, it would have to send the sale proceeds to the Forest Service, through the Chief, after subtracting transportation costs. The bill would not force utilities to sell the removed material.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2025

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 7/9/2025

  • Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 7/15/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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