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H.R.2170 / 112th Congress

Cutting Federal Red Tape to Facilitate Renewable Energy Act

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 166.

Official summary

Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Oct 14, 2011

Cutting Federal Red Tape to Facilitate Renewable Energy Act - Requires federal agencies, in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) with respect to: (1) any action authorizing or facilitating a proposed renewable energy project, to consider and analyze at the election of the applicant only the proposed action alternative and the no action alternative and to identify and analyze potential mitigation measures only for such alternatives; and (2) a proposed renewable energy project, to only consider public comments that specifically address such alternatives and that are filed within 30 days after publication of a draft environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

Defines a "renewable energy project" as a project on federal lands or in federal waters, including a project on the Outer Continental Shelf, using wind, solar power, geothermal power, biomass, or marine and hydrokinetic energy to generate energy, that is constructed encouraging the use of equipment and materials manufactured in the United States.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Hastings, Doc [R-WA-4] · R–WA

Committees

  • Natural Resources Committee
11 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 166.

  2. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 112-250.

  3. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 112-250.

  4. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 16.

  5. Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.

  6. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  7. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  8. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

  9. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

  10. Introduced in House

  11. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2170 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2170 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2170 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2170 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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