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Committee Legislation

Streamlining Permitting of American Energy Act of 2012 (H.R. 4383)

Status: Passed in Committee on May 16, 2012 with a bipartisan vote of 25-15. Placed on the House Calendar.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 15, 2012
H.R. 4383

The Streamlining Permitting of American Energy Act would ensure A reliable permitting process to increase American energy production. It would remove government roadblocks and bureaucratic red tape that hinder and delay American energy production and American job creation.

  • It streamlines and reforms the process for energy permitting, once a lease is in hand, to encourage the timely development of our federal onshore oil, natural gas, and renewable resources.
  • Specifically, H.R. 4383:

    • Ensures the timely approval of permits by setting a firm 30-day timeline for the Interior Secretary to act on a permit to drill. The Secretary may request an extension if the applicant is given written notice of the reason for delay and specific date of final decision.

    • Directs a portion of permit processing fees and rights of way fees to the local office where they were collected in order ensure the permitting agencies have the personnel, expertise and resources to keep American oil, natural gas, wind and solar production on track by processing permits, leases and protests in a timely manner.

    • Ensures American energy projects are not indefinitely delayed by frivolous lawsuits by setting reasonable time limits for litigation.

      • Sets a 90 day time limit to file a legal challenge to an energy project, requires the venue for actions challenging the energy project to be the judicial district where the project is located.
      • Limits any preliminary injunctions to halt energy projects to 60 days unless the court finds clear reason to extend the injunction.

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Related Documents:

Click for information on the American Energy Initiative