Less than four months remain in this legislative session. The clock is ticking to pass comprehensive permitting reform. If lawmakers want to address affordability, which remains the No. 1 issue voters care about, they will prioritize creating a clearer path for building major projects. The federal permitting process is fraught with a complex regulatory framework and red tape that stymies much-needed infrastructure. We need meaningful improvements.
A handful of worthwhile bills currently sit in various legislative stages. The House passed the SPEED Act and PERMIT Act late last year. The Senate’s American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act is gaining momentum. But this legislation does no good if left stranded. What can’t happen is for negotiations to stall and/or completely fail. Time is of the essence.
