Energy Freedom Act

The Energy Freedom Act (S 879) streamlines energy project approvals and expands domestic energy development by requiring federal agencies to approve natural gas transmission projects, pipelines, and oil/gas leases within one year. It mandates minimum annual lease sales for oil and gas in specified states (including Wyoming, New Mexico, and Texas), prohibits the President from imposing new energy lease moratoria without Congressional approval, and reinstates certain environmental regulations (like the Methane rule and NEPA rule) for 15 years. These provisions primarily affect energy companies, federal agencies, and landowners on public lands. The bill aims to accelerate energy development while protecting certain environmental standards through concrete policy changes.