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To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to co-locate renewable energy projects on certain existing Federal leased areas, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to allow solar and wind energy projects to be developed on existing Federal leases currently used for oil, gas, coal, or geothermal energy, with the consent of the current leaseholder. The bill permits evaluation of these leased areas for renewable energy potential and allows issuance of permits for constructing and operating renewable energy systems on the same leases. The Secretary must determine within 180 days whether these renewable energy activities qualify for categorical exclusions under environmental review requirements and must issue regulations to implement the new authority.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3] (R-UT)
2 cosponsors
- Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3] (D-NV)
- Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] (D-CA)
Actions (4)
- Mar 25, 2026 Subcommittee Hearings Held · house
- Mar 18, 2026 Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. · house
- Sep 30, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. · house
- Sep 30, 2025 Introduced in House
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Text versions (1)
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Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 30, 2025
Mr. Kennedy of Utah (for himself and Mr. Levin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to co-locate renewable energy projects on certain existing Federal leased areas, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Co-Location Energy Act”.
SEC. 2. CO-LOCATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS.
(a) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) Existing federal energy lease.—The term “existing Federal energy lease” means a lease, easement, or right-of- way, as applicable—
(A) on land managed by the Secretary; and
(B) that was issued, granted, or renewed on or before the date of enactment of this Act under—
(i) the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.); or
(ii) the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
(2) Secretary.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.
(b) Authorization To Evaluate Leased Areas for Renewable Energy Development.—
(1) In general.—In addition to the authority of the Secretary under section 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)) and section 501(a)(4) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761(a)(4)), the Secretary may authorize a person to evaluate an area of an existing Federal energy lease for solar or wind energy development.
(2) Consent of leaseholder.—The Secretary may not authorize a person to evaluate an area under paragraph (1) unless the applicable leaseholder consents to that authorization.
(c) Permits for Renewable Energy Development on Existing Oil, Gas, Coal, and Geothermal Lease Areas.—
(1) In general.—In addition to the authority of the Secretary under section 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)) and section 501(a)(4) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761(a)(4)), the Secretary may issue a permit to authorize a person to construct or operate systems or facilities for the production, transportation, storage, or transmission of energy from solar or wind resources on an area of an existing Federal energy lease.
(2) Consent of leaseholder.—The Secretary may not issue a permit for an activity described in paragraph (1) unless the applicable leaseholder consents to the issuance of that permit.
(d) Categorical Exclusions.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall determine whether any of the actions for which a permit may be issued under subsection (c)(1), or any actions that may be carried out pursuant to constructing or operating systems or facilities for the production, transportation, storage, or transmission of energy from solar or wind resources on areas not subject to an existing Federal energy lease, are a category of actions that normally do not significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).
(e) Rulemaking.—The Secretary shall issue a rule to carry out this section. <all>
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