Capacity grants for permitting and community engagement

(a) In general The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall make grants to States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes which shall be used for purposes of— (1) increasing the capacity of such organizations to conduct activities related to proposed major Federal actions, and State, local, and Tribal environmental reviews, permits, and consultations, including by— (A) compiling data and conducting analyses, planning, and environmental review; (B) determining potential economic, social, public health, and environmental impacts; or (C) identifying opportunities to mitigate such impacts; (2) coordinating with relevant Federal agencies in order to establish shared permitting information portals in association with the linked interagency environmental data collection systems established under section 702 through which project developers can— (A) acquire all relevant information regarding pertinent Federal, State and local permitting requirements; (B) submit all required permit applications; and (C) request and receive assistance in completing relevant permit applications; (3) identifying and minimizing redundancy between relevant Federal, State and local permitting requirements; (4) enhancing community engagement opportunities related to environmental reviews; (5) identifying zones for renewable energy development; (6) facilitating the siting of renewable energy-related facilities and infrastructure; (7) establishing local zoning ordinances that promote the development of renewable energy; and (8) training and hiring personnel, and other activities to increase the capacity of States, units of local government, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit associations, as applicable, to carry out activities described in paragraphs (1) through (7). (b) Funding There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants under subsection (a) $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.