Sponsors (2)
This bill seeks to speed coal permitting and give Congress a fast report to enable oversight, but does so at the risk of increased local pollution, higher national greenhouse gas emissions, and potential disadvantage to renewable energy development.
Energy companies and coal producers will get clearer regulatory pathways that can speed permitting and export operations.
Congressional committees will receive a rapid (30-day) focused report, enabling quicker oversight and potential legislative action.
Nearby rural communities will face increased air and water pollution risks if broader NEPA categorical exclusions are applied to coal projects.
The nation could see higher greenhouse gas emissions and setbacks to clean-air goals if permitting for coal projects is made easier.
Renewable energy development and workers could be disadvantaged if regulatory attention and resources are shifted to favor coal projects.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Interior Secretary to identify within 30 days any existing or potential NEPA categorical exclusions that could be used to increase coal production and export.
Introduced June 23, 2025 by Mike Collins · Last progress June 23, 2025
Directs the Interior Secretary to identify, within 30 days of enactment, any existing and potential NEPA categorical exclusions that federal agencies could adopt to promote increased coal production and export. The requirement is limited to identifying those categorical exclusions and reporting them to two congressional committees.