Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy Act of 2025
Summary
The "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy Act of 2025" aims to impose sunset dates on regulations issued by specific agencies related to energy and natural resources. It requires covered agencies, such as the Department of Energy and the Bureau of Land Management, to amend existing regulations to expire within one year and new regulations within five years, unless waived under certain conditions.
The bill allows for the extension of these sunset dates, but only after public comment and a determination that the extension is warranted. Amendments with a net deregulatory effect may also extend expiration dates. The Act also includes severability and savings provisions, clarifying that it does not create new rights or benefits.
Overall, the bill seeks to reduce regulatory burden and promote energy production by forcing agencies to justify the continuation of existing regulations.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be the periodic review and potential elimination of existing energy-related regulations. This could lead to reduced compliance costs for energy companies and potentially increased energy production.
However, it could also result in the removal of regulations designed to protect the environment or public safety, depending on the outcome of the review process. The bill's impact will largely depend on how agencies implement the sunset provisions and the criteria they use to determine whether to extend regulations.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces regulatory burdens on energy companies, leading to lower costs.
- Could streamline energy production and development.
- May encourage agencies to regularly review and update regulations to ensure their effectiveness.
- Increased transparency through required public comment periods before extending regulations.
- Could spur innovation by forcing companies to adapt to a changing regulatory landscape.
Potential Disadvantages
- May lead to the removal of important environmental and safety regulations.
- Could create uncertainty for businesses if regulations are frequently changing.
- The review process could be time-consuming and resource-intensive for agencies.
- Potential for increased environmental damage if regulations are not adequately extended or replaced.
- The definition of "net deregulatory effect" is subjective and could be open to interpretation.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on regulatory reform and energy policy falls under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, including energy production and distribution. The requirement for public comment aligns with principles of transparency and due process, although the Constitution does not explicitly mandate such procedures for regulatory actions.
The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations. However, the delegation of authority to agencies to determine whether to extend regulations raises questions about the non-delegation doctrine, which requires Congress to provide clear standards for agency action.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).