H.R. 6530 – Reading Mode

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6530

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 30, 2023

Mr. Lamborn (for himself and Mr. Newhouse) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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

A BILL

To amend the Energy Act of 2020 to provide for energy parity, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Energy Parity Act.

Parity in reductions in royalty rates and capacity fees

(a)

Definitions

Section 3101 of the Energy Act of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 3001) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting , or the production of oil or natural gas, after wind energy; and

(2)

in paragraph (4)—

(A)

strike that and insert that—; and

(B)

strike uses wind, solar, or geothermal energy to generate energy. and insert the following:

(A)

uses wind, solar, or geothermal energy to generate energy; or

(B)

produces oil or natural gas.

(b)

Increasing economic certainty

Section 3103 of the Energy Act of 2020 (43 U.S.C. 3003) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

by inserting royalty rates, after capacity fees, ; and

(B)

by striking wind and solar and inserting oil, natural gas, wind, and solar;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

by striking and capacity fees, or both, and inserting , capacity fees, and royalty rates;

(B)

by striking wind and solar and inserting oil, natural gas, wind, and solar; and

(C)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

by striking or capacity fee and inserting , capacity fee, or royalty rate; and

(ii)

by striking wind and solar and inserting oil, natural gas, wind, and solar; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(c)

Parity in reductions in royalty rates and capacity fees

If the Secretary reduces capacity fees for wind and solar authorizations pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall reduce royalty rates for oil and natural gas authorizations by the percentage that is equal to the percentage of the reduction in capacity fees.

Proposed rule on rights-of-way, leasing, and operations for renewable energy

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Bureau of Land Management shall reissue the proposed rule titled Rights-of-Way, Leasing, and Operations for Renewable Energy and published June 16, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 39726), to carry out the amendments made by section 2.

Rates under the Mineral Leasing Act

(a)

Onshore oil and gas royalty rates

(1)

Lease of oil and gas land

Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) is amended—

(A)

in subsection (b)(1)(A)—

(i)

by striking not less than 162/3 and inserting not less than 12.5; and

(ii)

by striking or, in the case of a lease issued during the 10-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Act titled An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14, 162/3 percent in amount or value of the production removed or sold from the lease; and

(B)

by striking 162/3 percent each place it appears and inserting 12.5 percent.

(2)

Conditions for reinstatement

Section 31(e)(3) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 188(e)(3)) is amended by striking 20 inserting 162/3.

(b)

Oil and gas minimum bid

Section 17(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)(B), by striking $10 per acre during the 10-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Act titled An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14. and inserting $2 per acre for a period of 2 years from the date of the enactment of the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987.; and

(2)

in paragraph (2)(C), by striking $10 per acre and inserting $2 per acre.

(c)

Fossil fuel rental rates

Section 17(d) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(d)) is amended to read as follows:

(d)

All leases issued under this section, as amended by the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987, shall be conditioned upon payment by the lessee of a rental of not less than $1.50 per acre per year for the first through fifth years of the lease and not less than $2 per acre per year for each year thereafter. A minimum royalty in lieu of rental of not less than the rental which otherwise would be required for that lease year shall be payable at the expiration of each lease year beginning on or after a discovery of oil or gas in paying quantities on the lands leased.