Sponsors (2)
The bill speeds and clarifies permitting pathways for coal—potentially helping energy companies and jobs—while increasing risks of local pollution, higher greenhouse gas emissions, and setbacks for renewable energy development.
Energy companies and coal producers can obtain clearer, faster regulatory pathways that speed permitting and export operations, which may preserve energy-sector jobs and revenues.
Congressional committees will receive a focused report within 30 days, enabling quicker oversight and potential follow-on legislative or oversight action.
Rural communities near proposed coal projects could face increased air and water pollution if broader NEPA categorical exclusions reduce or eliminate environmental reviews.
Easier permitting for coal projects could increase greenhouse gas emissions and undermine national clean-air and climate goals.
Prioritizing regulatory exclusions that favor coal may disadvantage renewable energy development by diverting regulatory attention and resources, potentially slowing clean-energy job growth and investment.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Interior Secretary to identify NEPA categorical exclusions that could be adopted to advance coal production and exports and report them to two congressional committees within 30 days.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of the Interior to identify existing and potential categorical exclusions related to the production and export of coal.
Introduced June 23, 2025 by Mike Collins · Last progress June 23, 2025
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to identify existing and potential NEPA categorical exclusions that, if adopted more broadly across federal agencies, could help expand coal production and exports. The identification must be delivered to the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee within 30 days after the law takes effect.