Sec. 5. Program to improve renewable energy project permit coordination

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The Secretary shall establish and implement, through the offices established under paragraph (2), a program to improve Federal permit coordination with respect to renewable energy projects on covered land. To establish and implement the program described in paragraph (1), and to carry out other necessary activities, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary shall establish— an office to serve as the National Renewable Energy Coordination Office; and State, district, or field Renewable Energy Coordination Offices, for such time as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding for purposes of this section, including to specifically expedite the environmental analysis of applications for projects proposed in a variance area or a priority area, with— the Secretary of Defense; and the Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary may request the Governor of any interested State to be a signatory to the memorandum of understanding under paragraph (1).

Not later than 30 days after the date on which the memorandum of understanding under subsection

(b)is executed, all Federal signatories, as appropriate, shall identify for the National Renewable Energy Coordination Office established under subsection (a)(2)(A) and each Renewable Energy Coordination Office established under subsection (a)(2)(B) 1 or more employees who have expertise in the regulatory issues relating to the office in which the employee is employed, including, as applicable, particular expertise in— consultation regarding, and preparation of, biological opinions under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1536 ); permits under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1344 ); regulatory matters under the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); the Migratory Bird Treaty Act ( 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.); the preparation of analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); implementation of the requirements of section 306108 of title 54, United States Code (formerly known as section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act); planning under section 14 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 ( 16 U.S.C. 472a ); and the Act of June 8, 1940 (54 Stat. 250, chapter 278; 16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.) (commonly known as the Bald Eagle Protection Act ). Each employee assigned under paragraph

(1)shall— be responsible for addressing all issues relating to the jurisdiction of the home office or agency of the employee; and participate as part of the team of personnel working on proposed energy projects, planning, monitoring, inspection, enforcement, and environmental analyses. Section 307 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1737 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: The Secretary, in accordance with subsection (c), may accept donations from renewable energy companies working on public lands, including donations to help cover the costs of environmental reviews. . Not later than February 1 of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, and each February 1 thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the progress made under the program established under subsection (a)(1) during the preceding year. Each report under paragraph

(1)shall include— projections for renewable energy production and capacity installations; and a description of any problems relating to leasing, permitting, siting, or production.

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