Commonsense Review Act

The Commonsense Review Act creates a temporary interagency group led by the Secretary of Energy to align how federal agencies handle categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act. This group includes representatives from the Departments of Energy, Interior, and Agriculture, as well as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Within 360 days of enactment, the group must either adopt existing categorical exclusions used by other members or jointly create new ones for interstate electric energy transmission and battery storage projects that do not significantly impact the environment. The group must also submit a report to Congress detailing its actions or reasons for inaction, along with recommendations for future collaboration, before dissolving.