(a)
Disposition of revenues— Of the amounts collected as bonus bids, royalties, rentals, fees, or other payments under a right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization for the development of wind or solar energy on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management—
(1)
25 percent shall be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury to the State within the boundaries of which the income is derived;
(2)
25 percent shall be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury to the one or more counties within the boundaries of which the income is derived, to be allocated among the counties based on the percentage of public land from which the royalties or bonuses are derived in each county;
(3)
15 percent shall—
(A)
for the 10-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to help facilitate the processing of renewable energy permits by the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, including the transfer of the funds to other Federal agencies and State agencies to facilitate the processing of renewable energy permits; and
(B)
beginning on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act, be deposited in the Fund; and
(4)
35 percent shall be deposited in the Fund.
(b)
Payments to States and counties—
(1)
In general— Except as provided in paragraph (2), amounts paid to States and counties under subsection (a) shall be used consistent with section 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act (
30 U.S.C. 191).
(2)
Impacts on Federal land— Not less than 33 percent of the amount paid to a State shall be used on an annual basis for the purposes described in subsection (c)(2)(A).
(3)
No impact on payments in lieu of taxes— Nothing in this section impacts or reduces any payment authorized under
section 6903 of title 31, United States Code.
(c)
Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund—
(1)
In general— There is established in the Treasury a fund, to be known as the “Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund”, to be administered by the Secretary for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy.
(2)
Use—
(A)
In general— Amounts in the Fund shall be available to the Secretary, who may make amounts available to the Secretary of Agriculture and to other Federal or State agencies, as appropriate, for the purposes of—
(i)
addressing the impacts of wind or solar development on Federal land, including restoring and protecting—
(I)
wildlife habitat for affected species;
(II)
wildlife corridors for affected species; and
(III)
water resources in areas impacted by wind or solar energy development;
(ii)
conducting research with regional institutions of higher education necessary to implement restoration and protection activities described in clause (i);
(iii)
securing recreational access to Federal land through an easement, right-of-way, or fee title acquisition from willing sellers for the purpose of providing enhanced public access to existing Federal land that is inaccessible or significantly restricted if the enhanced public access does not impact the natural and cultural resource values of the Federal land;
(iv)
carrying out activities authorized under chapter 2003 of title 54, United States Code, in the State; and
(v)
establishing, operating, and maintaining a trans-State desert tortoise conservation center on public land along the California-Nevada border—
(I)
to support desert tortoise research, disease monitoring, handling training, rehabilitation, and reintroduction;
(II)
to provide temporary quarters for animals collected from authorized salvage from renewable energy sites; and
(III)
to ensure the full recovery and ongoing survival of the species.
(B)
Desert tortoise conservation— In carrying out subparagraph (A)(v), the Secretary shall—
(i)
seek the participation of or contract with qualified nongovernmental organizations with expertise in desert tortoise disease research and experience with desert tortoise translocation techniques, and scientific training of professional biologists for handling tortoises, to staff and manage the desert tortoise conservation center;
(ii)
ensure that the center engages in public outreach and education on tortoise handling; and
(iii)
consult with the State of California and the State of Nevada to ensure the center is operated consistent with State law.
(C)
Advisory board—
(i)
In general— The Secretary shall establish an independent advisory board composed of key stakeholders and technical experts to provide recommendations and guidance on the disposition of any amounts expended from the Fund.
(ii)
Administrative costs— Amounts in the Fund shall not be used to fund any of the administrative costs of the advisory board established under clause (i).
(3)
Mitigation requirements— The expenditure of funds under this subsection shall be in addition to any mitigation requirements imposed pursuant to any law, regulation, or term or condition of any lease, right-of-way, or other authorization.
(4)
Investment of Fund—
(A)
In general— Any amounts deposited in the Fund shall earn interest in an amount determined by the Secretary of the Treasury on the basis of the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturities.
(B)
Use— Any interest earned under subparagraph (A) shall be expended in accordance with this subsection.