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HR8247119th Congress

Commonsense Review Act

Sponsored By: Representative Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Introduced

Summary

Aligns and expands NEPA categorical exclusions for electric transmission and battery energy storage. It creates a short-lived interagency group led by the Secretary of Energy to harmonize how major energy agencies treat certain actions under the National Environmental Policy Act and to jointly establish exclusions where appropriate.

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  • Federal agencies named — the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — must adopt each other's NEPA categorical exclusions and, working together, establish new exclusions for interstate electric transmission and battery energy storage within 360 days.
  • Energy project developers may see faster, more consistent administrative reviews because the bill aims to accelerate and consolidate when categorical exclusions apply to transmission and battery projects.
  • Congress and the public get a required report within 360 days showing which exclusions were adopted, why any were not, and recommendations for future collaboration. The interagency group dissolves after that report.
  • The text creates no new funding, enforcement, or penalty mechanisms for these changes.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Faster NEPA rules for energy projects

If enacted, the bill would create an interagency group chaired by the Energy Secretary and including the Interior Secretary, each FERC member, and the Agriculture Secretary. Within 360 days, each member would have to adopt any NEPA categorical exclusion listed in another member's procedures, after consultation to confirm it fits. Also within 360 days, any two members would jointly have to establish a new categorical exclusion for categories of interstate electric transmission or battery energy storage actions they determine normally do not significantly affect the environment. The group would report to Congress within 360 days listing adopted exclusions, reasons for any inaction, and recommendations, and would dissolve after sending the report. The bill does not provide new funding or penalties.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 4/13/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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