§3008 Renewable Energy Revenue Sharing

Summary

Starting January 1, 2026, money from wind and solar projects on public land — like bids, rents, fees, or other payments tied to permits or leases — must go into the U.S. Treasury's general fund. From that fund, 25% is paid to the State where the money was earned and 25% is paid to the counties in that State, with each county’s share based on how much of the county’s land produced the money. Those payments are made automatically from the Treasury without another appropriation or year limit. States and counties must use the money under section 191 of title 30. County payments are in addition to any payments in lieu of taxes under chapter 69 of title 31. Money collected in one fiscal year is made available in the next fiscal year. Definitions (one line each): County — a local government unit such as a parish, township, or borough. Covered land — public land managed by the Secretary that is not barred from solar or wind by a land-use plan or other federal law. National Forest System — National Forest land run by the Agriculture Secretary, excluding forest reserves not created from the public domain. Public land — lands defined in section 1702 plus National Forest System land. Renewable energy project — a wind or solar system on covered land as described in 43 C.F.R. 2801.9(a)(4) as of July 4, 2025. Secretary — the Interior Secretary for Interior land and the Agriculture Secretary for National Forest System land.