Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 119.djvu/746

 119 STAT. 728

PUBLIC LAW 109–58—AUG. 8, 2005

(2) expedite applications to construct or modify oil, gas, and hydrogen pipelines and electricity transmission and distribution facilities within such corridors, taking into account prior analyses and environmental reviews undertaken during the designation of such corridors. (d) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out this section, the Secretaries shall take into account the need for upgraded and new electricity transmission and distribution facilities to— (1) improve reliability; (2) relieve congestion; and (3) enhance the capability of the national grid to deliver electricity. (e) SPECIFICATIONS OF CORRIDOR.—A corridor designated under this section shall, at a minimum, specify the centerline, width, and compatible uses of the corridor. Oil Shale, Tar Sands, and Other Strategic Unconventional Fuels Act of 2005. Deadlines. 42 USC 15927.

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SEC. 369. OIL SHALE, TAR SANDS, AND OTHER STRATEGIC UNCONVENTIONAL FUELS.

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Oil Shale, Tar Sands, and Other Strategic Unconventional Fuels Act of 2005’’. (b) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States that— (1) United States oil shale, tar sands, and other unconventional fuels are strategically important domestic resources that should be developed to reduce the growing dependence of the United States on politically and economically unstable sources of foreign oil imports; (2) the development of oil shale, tar sands, and other strategic unconventional fuels, for research and commercial development, should be conducted in an environmentally sound manner, using practices that minimize impacts; and (3) development of those strategic unconventional fuels should occur, with an emphasis on sustainability, to benefit the United States while taking into account affected States and communities. (c) LEASING PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF OIL SHALE AND TAR SANDS.—In accordance with section 21 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 241) and any other applicable law, except as provided in this section, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, from land otherwise available for leasing, the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall make available for leasing such land as the Secretary considers to be necessary to conduct research and development activities with respect to technologies for the recovery of liquid fuels from oil shale and tar sands resources on public lands. Prospective public lands within each of the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming shall be made available for such research and development leasing. (d) PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AND COMMERCIAL LEASING PROGRAM FOR OIL SHALE AND TAR SANDS.— (1) PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)), the Secretary shall complete a programmatic environmental impact statement for a commercial leasing program for oil shale and tar sands resources on public lands, with an emphasis on

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