Memorandum of Understanding Between US Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency to Improve Public Land Renewable Energy Project Permit Coordination

Country / jurisdiction: United States · Year: 2022 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to establish a cooperative agreement among various Participating Agencies to prioritise and expedite Federal Agency Reviews and permitting decisions for eligible projects. The MOU is in line with the Energy Act of 2020 and aims to improve coordination and streamline the permitting process for renewable energy projects on specific lands administered by the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The goal is to authorise at least 25 gigawatts of renewable energy on these lands by December 31, 2025, with potential authorisation for more projects from 2025 to 2030 while ensuring the principles of multiple use and sustained yield are upheld. Additionally, the MOU emphasises the importance of considering the protection of cultural resources, sacred sites, the environment and job creation in support of local communities. It also extends to activities related to land use planning, electric transmission, energy storage, research and development of new technologies and other responsibilities promoting the achievement of onshore renewable energy goals on these lands.

Official source: https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/mou-esb46-04208-pub-land-renewable-energy-proj-permit-coord-doi-usda-dod-epa-doe-2022-01-06.pdf