42 U.S.C. § 4370m. Definitions

In this subchapter:

1. (1)
   (1)

   Agency

   The term “agency” has the meaning given the term in section 551 of title 5.
2. (2)
   (2)

   Agency CERPO

   The term “agency CERPO” means the chief environmental review and permitting officer of an agency, as designated by the head of the agency under section 4370m–1(b)(2)(A)(iii)(I) of this title.
3. (3)
   (3)

   Authorization

   The term “authorization” means any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, or other administrative decision issued by an agency that is required or authorized under Federal law in order to site, construct, reconstruct, or commence operations of a covered project administered by a Federal agency or, in the case of a State that chooses to participate in the environmental review and authorization process in accordance with section 4370m–2(c)(3)(A) of this title, a State agency.
4. (4)
   (4)

   Cooperating agency

   The term “cooperating agency” means any agency with—

   1. (A)
      (4)(A)jurisdiction under Federal law; or
   2. (B)
      (4)(B)special expertise as described in section 1501.6 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on December 4, 2015).
5. (5)
   (5)

   Council

   The term “Council” means the Federal Infrastructure Permitting Improvement Steering Council ¹ established under section 4370m–1(a) of this title.
6. (6)
   (6)

   Covered project

   1. (A)
      (6)(A)

      In general

      The term “covered project” means any activity in the United States that requires authorization or environmental review by a Federal agency involving construction of infrastructure for renewable or conventional energy production, electricity transmission, surface transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, water resource projects, broadband, pipelines, manufacturing, or any other sector as determined by a majority vote of the Council that—

      1. (i)
         (6)(A)(i)

         1. (I)
            (6)(A)(i)(I)is subject to NEPA;
         2. (II)
            (6)(A)(i)(II)is likely to require a total investment of more than $200,000,000; and
         3. (III)
            (6)(A)(i)(III)does not qualify for abbreviated authorization or environmental review processes under any applicable law; or
      2. (ii)
         (6)(A)(ii)

         is subject to NEPA and the size and complexity of which, in the opinion of the Council, make the project likely to benefit from enhanced oversight and coordination, including a project likely to require—

         1. (I)
            (6)(A)(ii)(I)authorization from or environmental review involving more than 2 Federal agencies; or
         2. (II)
            (6)(A)(ii)(II)the preparation of an environmental impact statement under NEPA.
   2. (B)
      (6)(B)

      Exclusion

      The term “covered project” does not include—

      1. (i)
         (6)(B)(i)any project subject to section 139 of title 23; or
      2. (ii)
         (6)(B)(ii)any project subject to section 2348 of title 33.
7. (7)
   (7)

   Dashboard

   The term “Dashboard” means the Permitting Dashboard required under section 4370m–2(b) of this title.
8. (8)
   (8)

   Environmental assessment

   The term “environmental assessment” means a concise public document for which a Federal agency is responsible under section 1508.9 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
9. (9)
   (9)

   Environmental document

   1. (A)
      (9)(A)

      In general

      The term “environmental document” means an environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, notice of intent, environmental impact statement, or record of decision.
   2. (B)
      (9)(B)

      Inclusions

      The term “environmental document” includes—

      1. (i)
         (9)(B)(i)any document that is a supplement to a document described in subparagraph (A); and
      2. (ii)
         (9)(B)(ii)a document prepared pursuant to a court order.
10. (10)
    (10)

    Environmental impact statement

    The term “environmental impact statement” means the detailed written statement required under section 102(2)(C) of NEPA [42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)].
11. (11)
    (11)

    Environmental review

    The term “environmental review” means the agency procedures and processes for applying a categorical exclusion or for preparing an environmental assessment, an environmental impact statement, or other document required under NEPA.
12. (12)
    (12)

    Executive Director

    The term “Executive Director” means the Executive Director appointed by the President under section 4370m–1(b)(1)(A) of this title.
13. (13)
    (13)

    Facilitating agency

    The term “facilitating agency” means the agency that receives the initial notification from the project sponsor required under section 4370m–2(a) of this title.
14. (14)
    (14)

    Inventory

    The term “inventory” means the inventory of covered projects established by the Executive Director under section 4370m–1(c)(1)(A) of this title.
15. (15)
    (15)

    Lead agency

    The term “lead agency” means the agency with principal responsibility for an environmental review of a covered project under NEPA and parts 1500 through 1508 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
16. (16)
    (16)

    NEPA

    The term “NEPA” means the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
17. (17)
    (17)

    Participating agency

    The term “participating agency” means an agency participating in an environmental review or authorization for a covered project in accordance with section 4370m–2 of this title.
18. (18)
    (18)

    Project sponsor

    The term “project sponsor” means an entity, including any private, public, or public-private entity, seeking an authorization for a covered project.