Energy and Natural Resources Act

Last updated on 07 May 2025

https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119s1485is

The Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2023

Congressional Findings

Congress finds that the United States is a global leader in energy production, transmission, and distribution, and that the nation's energy resources are critical to its economy and national security.

Section 101. Short title

(a) Short title; severe drought response to oil and gas operations

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the term "severe drought" has the meaning given that term in section 102(2) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.
(2) The Secretary of Energy shall—
(A) develop a plan to implement procedures for responding to severe drought, as described in paragraph (1); and
(B) notify Congress of the development of such plan not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Subtitle A - General provisions

§101. Short title; severe drought response to oil and gas operations

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the term "severe drought" has the meaning given that term in section 102(2) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.

Sec. 101

(a) Short title; severe drought response to oil and gas operations (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the term "severe drought" has the meaning given that term in section 102(2) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.

Sec. 101

(b) Development of plan to implement procedures for responding to severe drought (1) The Secretary of Energy shall develop a plan to implement procedures for responding to severe drought, as described in paragraph (1); and

(2) notify Congress of the development of such plan not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Subtitle B - Border Crossings

§102. Border crossings and tunnels

(a) Definition of border crossing or tunnel facility. The term "border crossing" has the meaning given that term in section 102(1) of the Federal Highway Administration Act of 1966.

Sec. 102

(b) Definitions (1) Border crossing. The term "border crossing" has the meaning given that term in section 102(1) of the Federal Highway Administration Act of 1966;

(2) Border tunnel facility. The term "border tunnel facility" means any tunnel or other underground structure used to transport oil, natural gas, or electricity across an international border.

Sec. 102

(c) Elimination of permits required for certain activities (1) No permit required for construction or maintenance. No certificate of crossing under subsection (b), or permit described in section 104, shall be required for a modification to or maintenance of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility that is operating for the import or export of oil or natural gas or the transmission of electricity as of the date of enactment of this Act;

(2) No permit required for border tunnel facilities. No certificate of crossing under subsection (b), or permit described in section 104, shall be required for a modification to or maintenance of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility that is operating for the import or export of oil or natural gas or the transmission of electricity as of the date of enactment of this Act;

Subtitle C - Oil and Gas Operations

§103. Permits and authorizations

(a) Permits and authorizations. The Secretary of the Interior shall, in accordance with section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, issue permits and authorizations for any activity regulated by this subpart.

Sec. 103

(b) Review of permits (1) Permits review process. The Secretary shall, in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, conduct a thorough environmental review of each permit application.

Subtitle D - General Provisions

§106. Severability

(a) If any provision of this title is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such provision shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this title, which shall remain in effect;

Sec. 106

(b) Severability clause (1) This title may be cited as the "Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2023";