Bill > S349

This bill, known as the Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to grant special use permits or easements to electrical utilities on National Forest System land that allow them to remove trees and vegetation near electrical distribution and transmission lines without having to go through a separate timber sale process. The removal must align with existing land and resource management plans and comply with environmental regulations. If the utility sells any of the removed material, they are required to provide the proceeds from the sale to the Secretary of Agriculture (specifically the Chief of the Forest Service), minus any transportation costs. Importantly, the bill does not mandate that the removed materials must be sold; utilities can choose to dispose of the materials as they see fit. The primary goal appears to be improving electrical infrastructure safety and maintenance by simplifying the process of vegetation management around power lines in national forest areas, which can help reduce wildfire risks and improve electrical reliability.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/349/all-info