To promote the development of renewable energy on public land, and for other purposes.

This legislation aims to speed up building wind and solar projects on public lands while protecting wildlife and public recreation. It requires updated national clean‑energy goals for federal lands within 18 months and creates “priority areas” where projects can be reviewed faster. Agencies must update big environmental studies for solar, wind, and geothermal, keep permits moving during those updates, coordinate with states, Tribes, and local communities, and check that needed power lines exist or are planned.

Permitting gets clearer and quicker. A state renewable energy office can handle many permits. After a complete application, the agency must offer a cost agreement within 30 days and, if a full environmental review is needed, issue a notice to start that review within 180 days. Early site testing (like soil checks or wind measurements) may move ahead with less paperwork. Projects in priority areas go to the front of the line, and head‑to‑head competitions for the same site are limited.

Costs are kept in check. Rent and fees for using public land can’t be higher than typical private land rates nearby, increases are tied to inflation, and cleanup bonds must match real site costs after a project ends. Money from projects is shared: a portion goes to the state and counties where the project sits, some helps speed permit reviews, and the rest goes to a new fund that restores habitat, protects streams and wetlands, and improves public access for recreation near affected areas. These county payments are on top of existing federal payments that replace local property taxes. Revenue sharing starts in 2026 and shifts in 2046 to send more to the conservation fund. Public lands must still be managed for many uses, not just energy.

• Who is affected: communities near public lands and outdoor users (through habitat and access improvements), states and counties where projects are built (they receive a share of project revenue), and wind and solar developers (faster, clearer permitting and fairer fees).
• What changes: national goals updated within 18 months; creation of priority areas with faster review and at least 10‑year plan updates, with quicker action if goals may fall short; clear permitting deadlines and less paperwork for early testing; caps on rent and fees and site‑based cleanup bonds; revenue sharing and a conservation fund, plus rules for projects that cross state lines.
• When: goals updated within 18 months; wind planning review begins within a year and wraps up within three years; cost agreement within 30 days of a complete application; notice to start a full review within 180 days if needed; land‑use reviews at least every 10 years; revenue sharing begins in 2026 and changes in 2046.