Permits and agreements with electrical utilities

(a) In general In any special use permit or easement on National Forest System land provided to an electric utility company (as defined in section 1262 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16451)), the Secretary may provide permission to cut and remove trees or other vegetation from within the vicinity of distribution lines or transmission lines, including hazardous vegetation that increases fire risk, without requiring a separate timber sale if that cutting and removal is consistent with the applicable land management plan. (b) Use of proceeds A special use permit or easement that includes permission for the cutting and removal of trees or other vegetation described in subsection (a) shall include a requirement that, if the applicable electric utility company sells any portion of the material removed under the permit or easement, the electric utility company shall provide to the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, any proceeds received from the sale, less any transportation costs incurred in the sale. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the sale of any material removed under a special use permit or easement that includes permission for the cutting and removal of trees or other vegetation described in subsection (a).