§4370m–8. Funding for governance, oversight, and processing of environmental reviews… — 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4347 — National Environmental Policy Act

(a) In general

For the purpose of carrying out this subchapter, the Executive Director, in consultation with the heads of the agencies listed in section 4370m–1(b)(2)(B) of this title and with the guidance of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, may, after public notice and opportunity for comment, issue regulations establishing a fee structure for sponsors of covered projects to reimburse the United States for reasonable costs incurred in conducting environmental reviews and authorizations for covered projects.

(b) Reasonable costs

As used in this section, the term "reasonable costs" shall include costs to implement the requirements and authorities required under sections 4370m–1 through 4370m–7 of this title, including the costs to agencies and the costs of operating the Council.

(c) Fee structure

The fee structure established under subsection (a) shall—

(1) be developed in consultation with affected project proponents, industries, and other stakeholders;

(2) exclude parties for which the fee would impose an undue financial burden or is otherwise determined to be inappropriate; and

(3) be established in a manner that ensures that the aggregate amount of fees collected for a fiscal year is estimated not to exceed 20 percent of the total estimated costs for the fiscal year for the resources allocated for the conduct of the environmental reviews and authorizations covered by this subchapter, as determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

(d) Environmental Review Improvement Fund

(1) In general

All amounts collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into a separate fund in the Treasury of the United States to be known as the "Environmental Review Improvement Fund" (referred to in this section as the "Fund").

(2) Availability

Amounts in the Fund shall be available to the Executive Director, without fiscal year limitation, solely for the purposes of administering, implementing, and enforcing this subchapter, including the expenses of the Council, appointing and fixing the compensation of such employees as the Executive Director considers necessary to carry out the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Director, and support of the role of the Council as a Federal center for permitting excellence, which may include supporting interagency detailee and rotation opportunities, advanced training, enhanced support for agency project managers, and fora for sharing information and lessons learned.

(3) Transfer

For the purpose of carrying out this subchapter, the Executive Director, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, may transfer amounts in the Fund to other Federal agencies and State, Tribal, and local governments to facilitate timely and efficient environmental reviews and authorizations for covered projects and other projects under this subchapter, including direct reimbursement agreements with agency CERPOs, reimbursable agreements, and approval and consultation processes and staff for covered projects.

t, may transfer amounts in the Fund to other Federal agencies and State, Tribal, and local governments to facilitate timely and efficient environmental reviews and authorizations for covered projects and other projects under this subchapter, including direct reimbursement agreements with agency CERPOs, reimbursable agreements, and approval and consultation processes and staff for covered projects.

(e) Effect on permitting

The regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) shall ensure that the use of funds accepted under subsection (d) will not impact impartial decision-making with respect to environmental reviews or authorizations, either substantively or procedurally.

(f) Transfer of appropriated funds

(1) In general

The heads of agencies listed in section 4370m–1(b)(2)(B) of this title shall have the authority to transfer, in accordance with section 1535 of title 31, funds appropriated to those agencies and not otherwise obligated to other affected Federal agencies for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this subchapter.

(2) Limitation

Appropriations under title 23 and appropriations for the civil works program of the Army Corps of Engineers shall not be available for transfer under paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 114–94, div. D, title XLI, §41009, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1760; Pub. L. 117–58, div. G, title VIII, §70801(g), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1293; Pub. L. 117–328, div. E, title VI, §635(b), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4704.)