H.R. 7329: Fighting for Reliable Energy and Ending Doubt for Open Markets Act
The "Fighting for Reliable Energy and Ending Doubt for Open Markets Act" focuses on improving the efficiency of federal processes related to energy and mineral projects. The main goals of the bill are to:
Streamline Federal Approvals
The bill aims to simplify the approval process for energy and mineral projects by:
- Clarifying authorization requirements
- Establishing specific timelines for project approvals
- Limiting federal intervention in projects that are fully permitted
Compensation for Project Sponsors
A key feature of the legislation is the creation of a compensation program that would provide financial support to project sponsors who incur unrecoverable losses due to regulatory actions. This aims to protect investors and promote the development of energy projects by reducing financial risks associated with delays or denials from regulatory agencies.
Qualifications and Standards for Contractors
The bill sets forth qualifications and standards for contractors that will be approved through court reviews. These include:
- Maintaining independence from outside influences
- Adhering to strict legal standards
- Properly managing documentation of their processes
Additionally, a Permitting Performance Fund will be established to facilitate payments to contractors, and civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance.
Expedited Judicial Review
To expedite the processing of permits, the bill includes provisions for accelerated judicial review. This aims to resolve disputes and legal challenges more swiftly, thus preventing prolonged delays in project development. The legislation also restricts agency actions against projects that have received full permits, ensuring that approved projects can proceed without unnecessary federal interference.
Geothermal Projects
Another significant aspect of the bill is its focus on geothermal energy. It mandates the Secretary of the Interior to develop a streamlined federal permitting process specifically for geothermal projects within one year. This includes:
- The establishment of a Geothermal Ombudsman whose role will be to facilitate the permit processing and resolve any disputes that may arise during the permitting phase.
- Exempting certain geothermal activities that take place on non-federal land from the requirement to obtain federal drilling permits, thereby simplifying the process for developers in those situations.
Overall Impact
In summary, this legislation seeks to enhance the development of energy and mineral projects in the United States by making the federal approval process more predictable and less burdensome, while also providing protections and compensations for project sponsors, particularly in the geothermal sector.
Relevant Companies
- NEE (NextEra Energy, Inc.) - Likely to be directly impacted due to their involvement in renewable energy projects, including geothermal energy, which could benefit from streamlined permitting processes.
- CNQ (Canadian Natural Resources Limited) - As a company engaged in energy production, the bill may influence their project timelines and regulatory interactions.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
6 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Feb. 03, 2026 | Introduced in House |
| Feb. 03, 2026 | Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
Corporate Lobbying
0 companies lobbying
None found.
* Note that there can be significant delays in lobbying disclosures, and our data may be incomplete.
