Commonsense Review Act
Sponsored By: Representative Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Introduced
Summary
Interagency alignment of NEPA categorical exclusions would create a group of energy and land agencies to adopt or jointly establish categorical exclusions for certain energy projects. The group would act on a 360-day timeline and dissolve after filing a report to Congress.
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- Developers of interstate electric transmission and battery energy storage projects could gain new categorical exclusions if the agencies determine those actions normally do not significantly affect the human environment.
- The group would include the Secretary of Energy as chair, the Secretary of the Interior, each Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member, and the Secretary of Agriculture. Each member would be required to adopt categorical exclusions identified by another member or jointly establish new ones under NEPA section 109 and consult to ensure appropriateness.
- The interagency group must report to Congress within 360 days listing any exclusions adopted or created, explaining any non-adoptions, and recommending future areas for collaboration or any need for a statutory categorical exclusion. The group would dissolve after submitting that report.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster approvals for electric transmission and storage
This bill would create an interagency group led by the Energy Secretary to align NEPA categorical exclusions across agencies. Within 360 days of enactment, each member would be required to adopt any categorical exclusion listed in another member's NEPA procedures under section 109 when consultation shows adoption is appropriate. Two or more members would also jointly establish a new categorical exclusion for interstate electric transmission or battery energy storage projects when they determine those actions normally do not significantly affect the environment. The group would report to Congress within 360 days listing adopted or established exclusions, explaining any member's decision not to adopt, and would dissolve after submitting that report.
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