Bill Summary
The "Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025" is a legislative proposal that allows the Secretary of Agriculture to authorize electrical utilities to remove trees and vegetation near power lines on National Forest System land without the need for a formal timber sale. This aims to enhance fire safety by reducing the risk of wildfires caused by overgrown vegetation near electrical infrastructure.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Permits for Vegetation Removal**: The Secretary can include provisions in special use permits or easements that allow utilities to cut and remove trees without a separate timber sale, provided that the actions align with existing land management plans and environmental laws.
2. **Proceeds from Material Sales**: If the electrical utility chooses to sell any of the removed vegetation, they must share the proceeds with the Secretary of Agriculture (after deducting transportation costs). However, there is no requirement for the utility to sell the removed material.
Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the process for maintaining safe electrical corridors in national forests while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025" could affect people:
1. **Increased Safety for Communities**: By allowing electrical utilities to remove trees near power lines without conducting a timber sale, the legislation aims to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by downed power lines. This could lead to safer living conditions for residents in areas adjacent to national forests, potentially preventing disasters and protecting homes and lives from fire hazards.
2. **Economic Impact on Timber Industry**: The bill may negatively impact local timber businesses and workers since the requirement for a timber sale is removed. This could lead to a decrease in timber harvesting opportunities and revenue for businesses that rely on selling timber, potentially resulting in job losses and a downturn in the local economy in regions where timber is a significant source of income.
3. **Environmental Considerations**: While the act aims to enhance safety, there could be environmental concerns regarding the removal of trees and vegetation. If not managed carefully, this could lead to habitat destruction or changes in the ecosystem. Local communities, particularly those that depend on the forest for recreation or wildlife viewing, may feel the effects of reduced tree cover and altered landscapes, impacting their quality of life and connection to nature.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 349 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 349
To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to permit removal of trees
around electrical lines on National Forest System land without
conducting a timber sale, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 30, 2025
Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Daines) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to permit removal of trees
around electrical lines on National Forest System land without
conducting a timber sale, 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 ``Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act
of 2025''.
SEC. 2. PERMITS AND AGREEMENTS WITH ELECTRICAL UTILITIES.
(a) In General.--In any special use permit or easement on National
Forest System land provided to an electrical utility, the Secretary of
Agriculture may provide permission to cut and remove trees or other
vegetation from within the vicinity of distribution lines or
transmission lines without requiring a separate timber sale, if that
cutting and removal is consistent with--
(1) the applicable land and resource management plan; and
(2) other applicable environmental laws (including
regulations).
(b) Use of Proceeds.--A special use permit or easement that
includes permission for cutting and removal described in subsection (a)
shall include a requirement that, if the applicable electrical utility
sells any portion of the material removed under the permit or easement,
the electrical utility shall provide to the Secretary of Agriculture,
acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, any proceeds received
from the sale, less any transportation costs incurred in the sale.
(c) Effect.--Nothing in subsection (b) shall require the sale of
any material removed under a permit or easement that includes
permission for cutting and removal described in subsection (a).
<all>