Certainty in Litigation for Electric Asset Reliability (CLEAR) Act of 2026

The "Certainty in Litigation for Electric Asset Reliability (CLEAR) Act of 2026" aims to streamline and coordinate federal authorizations for electric transmission facilities by amending the Federal Power Act. It expands the scope of coordination to include both the siting and construction of these facilities, and designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for certain permitting processes. The bill mandates that all federal agencies publish final authorization actions in the Federal Register and requires the Secretary to consolidate all review and permit decisions into a single joint record of decision . This aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the permitting process. Significantly, the Act centralizes the process for rehearing and judicial review of all federal authorizations for transmission facilities. It stipulates that such reviews can only occur under Section 313 of the Federal Power Act, treating each approval as a FERC order and substituting the lead agency for the Commission in that process, thereby providing a singular pathway for legal challenges.