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119-s-4772119th Congress

Renewable Energy Choice Act

Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

Preempts state and local limits on renewable energy access. This bill would define renewable energy as wind, solar, energy storage, and geothermal and bar state and local governments from adopting or enforcing rules that block or limit those energy services when sold in interstate commerce.

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  • State and local governments would be prohibited from adopting, implementing, or enforcing any law, regulation, ordinance, building code, standard, or policy that directly or indirectly prohibits or limits the connection, reconnection, modification, installation, transportation, distribution, expansion, or access to an energy service based on the type or source of renewable energy sold in interstate commerce.
  • The text lists specific impermissible restrictions. These include permanently banning projects, moratoria longer than 6 months, height limits below 525 feet, setback requirements over 1,000 feet, sound limits below 50 decibels, refusing road use agreements, and permitting fees that differ from the average fee for other energy projects of similar capacity.
  • The prohibition applies to actions by states, localities, and their instrumentalities or regulatory agencies. The provided text does not include enforcement mechanisms, penalties, federal override provisions, phase-in dates, sunsets, funding, or tax changes.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fewer local limits on renewable energy

This bill would limit state and local governments from blocking or restricting certain renewable energy services. It would define renewable energy to include wind, solar, energy storage, and geothermal. It would bar permanent bans, moratoria longer than 6 months, height limits under 525 feet, setbacks over 1,000 feet, sound limits below 50 decibels, refusing road-use agreements, and permitting fees that differ from the average for similar projects. These rules would apply to renewable energy sold in interstate commerce and delivered to end-users. This chunk does not include enforcement or penalty rules.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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