Top Summary
This bill allows electrical utilities to cut and remove trees or vegetation near power lines on covered Federal lands, such as National Forest System lands and Bureau of Land Management lands, without needing a separate timber sale, provided it aligns with land management plans and environmental laws. If the utility sells any removed materials, they must give the proceeds, minus transportation costs, to the relevant federal agency. However, the bill does not require the utility to sell any removed materials.
Original Bill Text:
SEC. 2.Permits and agreements with electrical utilities.
(a) In general.—In any special use permit or easement on covered Federal lands provided to an electrical utility, the Secretary concerned may provide permission to cut and remove trees or other vegetation from within the vicinity of distribution lines or transmission lines without requiring a separate timber sale, if that cutting and removal is consistent with—
(1) any applicable land and resource management plan; and
(2) other applicable environmental laws (including regulations).
(b) Use of proceeds.—A special use permit or easement that includes permission for cutting and removal described in subsection (a) shall include a requirement that, if the applicable electrical utility sells any portion of the material removed under the permit or easement, the electrical utility shall provide to the Secretary concerned any proceeds received from the sale, less any transportation costs incurred in the sale.
(c) Effect.—Nothing in subsection (b) shall require the sale of any material removed under a permit or easement that includes permission for cutting and removal described in subsection (a).
(d) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) COVERED FEDERAL LANDS.—The term “covered Federal lands” means—
(A) National Forest System lands; and
(B) lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
(2) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term “Secretary concerned” means—
(A) with respect to National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service; and
(B) with respect to lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.
Passed the House of Representatives May 13, 2025.
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