H.R. 5424

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5424 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5424

To support communities that host transmission lines and to promote 
conservation and recreation, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 17, 2025

Mr. Casten introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To support communities that host transmission lines and to promote 
conservation and recreation, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Energizing Our Communities Act''.

SEC. 2. COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRANSMISSION FUND.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered loan.--The term ``covered loan'' means any of 
the following issued after the date of enactment of this Act:
(A) A loan issued under section 40106(e)(1)(B) of 
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (42 U.S.C. 
18713(e)(1)(B)).
(B) A loan made for an eligible project described 
in paragraph (2)(B) under the Transmission 
Infrastructure Program of the Western Area Power 
Administration.
(C) Any other loan made under a Department of 
Energy loan program identified in the report required 
under subsection (f)(1) with respect to electric power 
transmission lines that are capable of transmitting 999 
megawatts or more.
(2) Eligible project.--The term ``eligible project'' 
means--
(A) an eligible project (as defined in section 
40106(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
(42 U.S.C. 18713(a))) that is carried out using a 
covered loan described in paragraph (1)(A);
(B) a project for the purpose of constructing, 
financing, facilitating, planning, operating, or 
maintaining, or studying the construction of, new or 
upgraded electric power transmission lines and related 
facilities with at least 1 terminus within the service 
territory of the Western Area Power Administration that 
is carried out using a covered loan described in 
paragraph (1)(B); or
(C) a project with respect to electric power 
transmission lines capable of transmitting 999 
megawatts or more that is carried out using a covered 
loan described in paragraph (1)(C).
(3) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Community Economic 
Development Transmission Fund established under subsection (b).
(4) Host community.--The term ``host community'' means--
(A) a local government, such as a municipality, 
town, or county, with jurisdiction over any land on 
which an eligible project is or will be carried out; or
(B) an Indian Tribe with jurisdiction over any land 
on which an eligible project is or will be carried out.
(5) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Energy.
(b) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury a fund, to 
be known as the ``Community Economic Development Transmission Fund''--
(1) consisting of such amounts as may be deposited in the 
Fund pursuant to subsection (c); and
(2) that shall be managed and administered by the Secretary 
to make payments, in accordance with this section, to host 
communities.
(c) Deposits in the Fund.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, a portion, determined in accordance with paragraph (2), of 
the interest charged and collected with respect to a covered 
loan each fiscal year shall be deposited in the Fund to carry 
out the provisions of this Act.
(2) Determination of portion.--The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall 
determine the portion of interest charged and collected each 
fiscal year that shall be deposited in the Fund under this 
subsection.
(d) Expenditures From the Fund.--
(1) Availability of amounts.--Amounts in the Fund shall be 
available, as provided in appropriation Acts, for making 
payments as described in subsection (b)(2).
(2) Payments.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall make a payment 
to a host community under this section not later than 
18 months after construction of the applicable eligible 
project commences.
(B) Single sum.--For any 1 eligible project, the 
Secretary may make not more than 1 payment under this 
section to each host community eligible to receive a 
payment relating to that eligible project.
(3) Eligibility.--A host community shall be eligible to 
receive a payment under this section if the host community--
(A) submits a request to the Secretary not later 
than 1 year after the host community receives notice 
under paragraph (4); and
(B) certifies to the Secretary that the funds will 
be used for an eligible purpose described in subsection 
(e).
(4) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide host communities 
notice of the availability of payments under this section as 
part of the Federal siting and permitting processes for the 
applicable eligible project.
(5) Payment amount.--In determining the amount of a payment 
to a host community under this section, the Secretary shall--
(A) develop and use a formula for disbursement of 
funds that, to the extent practicable, ensures the 
long-term solvency of the Fund; and
(B) in developing that formula--
(i) take into account input from host 
communities and stakeholder groups regarding 
the impacts of eligible projects on host 
communities; and
(ii) include a small-population community 
minimum as part of the formula.
(6) Payments in lieu of taxes.--Any amount received by a 
host community from a payment made under this section shall be 
in addition to any payment in lieu of taxes received by the 
host community under chapter 69 of title 31, United States 
Code.
(e) Eligible Use of Funds.--
(1) Community support.--A host community may use up to 80 
percent of the amounts received by that host community from a 
payment under this section to develop, deliver, or support--
(A) services, projects, or programs that--
(i) improve existing infrastructure or 
implement essential public services, including 
services, projects, or programs relating to--
(I) public schools;
(II) public libraries;
(III) public hospitals;
(IV) roads, bridges, or public 
transportation;
(V) community centers or parks;
(VI) firefighting or search and 
rescue services; or
(VII) law enforcement;
(ii) provide or expand access to--
(I) broadband telecommunications 
services at local community anchor 
institutions (as defined in section 
60302 of the Digital Equity Act of 2021 
(47 U.S.C. 1721));
(II) technology or connectivity 
needed for students to use a digital 
learning tool at or outside of a local 
school campus; or
(III) farmers markets or other 
agricultural support;
(iii) support local agricultural processing 
or distribution infrastructure;
(iv) support workforce training programs 
for technical training, skill mastery, or 
business opportunities across the spectrum of 
careers in renewable energy, with emphasis on 
historically underrepresented communities in 
the renewable energy workforce; or
(v) address public health by increasing 
outdoor recreation opportunities, including 
construction of new parks, for people of all 
backgrounds and abilities; or
(B) other, similar services, projects, or programs.
(2) Conservation, stewardship, and recreation.--A host 
community shall use at least 20 percent of the amounts received 
by that host community from a payment under this section for 
conservation, stewardship, or recreation purposes, including--
(A) restoring or protecting--
(i) fish or wildlife habitat;
(ii) fish or wildlife corridors; or
(iii) wetlands, streams, rivers, or other 
natural water bodies in areas affected by 
transmission development;
(B) preserving or improving recreational access to 
public land or water through an easement, right-of-way, 
or other instrument from willing landowners for the 
purpose of enhancing public access to existing Federal 
land or water that is inaccessible or restricted;
(C) developing new or renovating existing outdoor 
recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation 
opportunities to the public;
(D) creating or significantly enhancing access to 
park or recreational opportunities in a neighborhood or 
community;
(E) engaging or empowering underserved communities 
or youth;
(F) facilitating public-private partnerships to 
enhance public outdoor recreational access, 
infrastructure improvements, or conservation efforts;
(G) for natural climate solutions, including 
programs that--
(i) accommodate biochar or other nature-
based opportunities for carbon sequestration;
(ii) support wildfire resilience to ensure 
healthy and resilient forests or grasslands;
(iii) promote the planting, growing, or 
restoring of trees or forests;
(iv) support resilience against natural 
disasters to ensure healthy and resilient 
communities;
(v) empower farmers in the United States to 
incorporate conservation or climate co-benefits 
in their agricultural practices; or
(vi) support or implement traditional 
ecological knowledge; or
(H) other, similar services, projects, or programs.
(f) Reports.--
(1) Coverage.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives a report detailing the loan programs within the 
Department of Energy that fund electric power transmission 
lines and related infrastructure that are capable of 
transmitting 999 megawatts or more.
(2) Annual report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the 
end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives a report on the operation of 
the Fund during that fiscal year.
(B) Report requirements.--Each report submitted 
under subparagraph (A) shall include--
(i) a statement of--
(I) the amounts deposited in the 
Fund during the applicable fiscal year; 
and
(II) the balance remaining in the 
Fund at the end of that fiscal year; 
and
(ii) a list of--
(I) host communities that received 
amounts made available from the Fund 
during that fiscal year;
(II) the associated eligible 
projects carried out in those host 
communities; and
(III) the amount that each of those 
host communities received.
(g) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section, including the 
receipt of amounts made available from the Fund--
(1) precludes a host community from entering into a 
community benefit agreement with an owner of transmission 
infrastructure; or
(2) otherwise affects the authority of a host community or 
an owner of transmission infrastructure with respect to any 
community benefit agreement.
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