Federal

To require the Comptroller General to conduct a study to assess certain environmental review processes with regard to offshore wind projects, and for other purposes.

Source: Congress.gov · 361 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill orders the Comptroller General (a federal official who reviews government spending and programs) to study environmental review processes for offshore wind projects (wind farms built in ocean waters). The study must assess whether current review processes are sufficient and must be completed within 60 days of the bill becoming law.

Who It Affects

The Comptroller General conducts the study. The National Marine Fisheries Service, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and other relevant federal agencies provide information for the study. Local representatives and interested parties may be affected as the study examines their involvement in the review process.

Key Provisions

- The Comptroller General must conduct a study within 60 days of the bill becoming law to assess environmental review processes for offshore wind projects (Sec. 1(a)) - The study must examine impacts of offshore wind projects on whales, finfish, marine mammals, benthic resources (ocean floor resources), commercial and recreational fishing, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, cultural and historical resources, invertebrates, essential fish habitat, military use, navigation and vessel traffic, recreation and tourism, and shoreline sustainability (Sec. 1(b)(1)) - The study must examine how agencies decide which stakeholders to consult and whether timely, comprehensive comment periods are provided for local representatives and interested parties (Sec. 1(b)(2)) - The study must examine estimated costs and who pays for offshore wind projects (Sec. 1(b)(3))

What Changes

If this bill becomes law, a formal study of offshore wind environmental reviews will be conducted where one may not currently exist.

Important Definitions

None defined in bill text

Effective Date

The study must be completed no later than 60 days after the bill becomes law (Sec. 1(a))

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 1056 To require the Comptroller General to conduct a study to assess certain environmental review processes with regard to offshore wind projects, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 17, 2023 Mr. SMITH of New Jersey introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To require the Comptroller General to conduct a study to assess certain environmental review processes with regard to offshore wind projects, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. OFFSHORE WIND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 3 PROCESS STUDY. 4 (a) IN GENERAL.—No later than 60 days after the 5 enactment of this bill, the Comptroller General shall con- 6 duct a study to assess the sufficiency of the environmental 7 review processes for offshore wind projects in place as of 8 the date of the enactment of this section of the national 9 VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Apr 18, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1056.IH H1056 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 1056 IH Marine Fisheries Service, the Bureau of Ocean Energy 1 Management, and any other relevant Federal agency. 2 (b) CONTENTS.—The study required under sub- 3 section (a) shall include consideration of— 4 (1) the impacts of offshore wind projects on 5 whales, finfish, marine mammals, benthic resources, 6 commercial and recreational fishing, air quality and 7 greenhouse gas emissions, cultural, historical, and 8 archaeological resources, invertebrates, and essential 9 fish habitat, military use and navigation/vessel traf- 10 fic; recreation and tourism, and sustainability of 11 shoreline beaches and inlets; 12 (2) how the agencies determines which stake- 13 holders are consulted and if a timely, comprehensive 14 comment period is provided for local representatives 15 and interested parties; and 16 (3) the estimated cost and who pays for the off- 17 shore wind projects. 18 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Apr 18, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H1056.IH H1056 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.