Reps. Meeks-Miller, Westerman introduce bill to amend scope of NEPA

U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Bruce Westerman (R-AZ) introduced legislation that would amend the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to limit the scope of environmental reviews related to transmission projects.

Specifically, their bill – the Stay Off My Line Act (H.R.9012) – would clarify how transmission projects are classified under NEPA. It would amend the act to say that projects that do not involve federal land and do not originate from a federal agency are not major federal actions under NEPA. It would also clarify that projects are not major federal actions under NEPA just because they receive federal funding. Finally, it states that if a project is subject to NEPA, the scope of review should only be for the portion of the project that is on Federal land or subject to Federal control.

“Hazy NEPA regulations have created uncertainty and hindered new energy projects for years. By clarifying which projects do and do not fall under agency jurisdiction, transmission projects can be approved without undergoing the arduous NEPA permitting process,” Miller-Meeks said. “My bill will expedite the approval process for projects that do not fall on federal land and incentivize new project construction. Policies like this have the potential to enhance and expand our energy grid by cutting red tape.”

This legislation is supported by ClearPath Action, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, and the American Clean Power Association.

“Far too many litigious groups have weaponized NEPA and turned it into a roadblock for sustainable energy production. It’s time to reverse these shameful practices and clarify what projects fall under this longstanding law so that agencies can prioritize permitting for projects that are under their purview,” Westerman, ranking member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said. “Congresswoman Miller-Meeks’s legislation is a critical first step toward that goal, defining the scope of NEPA and preventing vague terms from stonewalling projects that are not on federal land or controlled by a federal agency. I’m proud to support this effort and look forward to seeing it move through the legislative process.”