Congressmen Yakym, Panetta reintroduce legislation to help streamline the federal permitting process

Last night, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) reintroduced the Studying NEPA’s Impact on Projects Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing excessive red tape and helping streamline the federal permitting process. This legislation would require the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to publish and present to Congress an annual report outlining National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) project litigation, as well as its impact on the paperwork burden and wait times for infrastructure projects.

“Frivolous lawsuits and burdensome red tape frequently bog down critical energy and infrastructure investments, causing massive delays and cost overruns,” said Rep. Yakym. “By identifying and tracking the bottlenecks in NEPA, we can reform and streamline the permitting process, ensuring projects don’t wither on the vine. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation with Congressman Panetta to get America building again. This will reduce our dependence on foreign energy, improve the supply chains that move goods across the country, and deliver lower costs for our constituents.”

"The federal permitting process can get bogged down by unnecessary delays, making it harder to improve infrastructure and advance clean energy projects critical to addressing climate change," said Rep. Panetta. "This bipartisan legislation takes a practical approach by requiring the Council on Environmental Quality to provide annual reports on the permitting process's efficiency and effectiveness.  Armed with that data, Congress can work together to ensure our laws are properly implemented, infrastructure projects move forward, and clean energy solutions are deployed more quickly to reduce carbon emissions."

“Time and time again, we’ve watched as crucial energy, housing, and infrastructure projects get bogged down in the regulatory quagmire that is NEPA," said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman. "I have long supported permitting reforms and increased transparency around this overly complicated process, and Congressman Yakym’s legislation is an important step in shedding light on this broken process. I thank him for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him as we advance this legislation.”

Other groups supporting this legislation include the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Associated General Contractors of America, the National Electrical Contractors Association, the American Petroleum Institute, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Indiana Manufacturers Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“This legislation represents a significant step toward advancing U.S. energy leadership by ensuring a transparent, efficient and consistent permitting process," said Robin Rorick, Vice President of Midstream Policy for the American Petroleum Institute. "With the incoming administration and new Congress, it’s critical that Washington builds on efforts to modernize NEPA, reduce costly delays and drive the timely development of all energy infrastructure—whether natural gas and oil, wind and solar, or the next great breakthrough. Accountability and progress on permitting reform will help unlock the full potential of American energy.”

"The NAM appreciates Congressman Yakym and Congressman Panetta for their bipartisan legislation demonstrating how America’s outdated permitting regime is restricting our country’s ability to compete globally," said Chris Phalen, Vice President of Domestic Policy for the National Association of Manufacturers. "Protracted legal battles threaten our supply chains and make it more difficult for manufacturers to invest, grow and hire. As Congress begins its work on common sense permitting reforms, this bill will help identify necessary areas of focus to ensure that manufacturers can continue to drive our nation forward."

Full text of the legislation can be found HERE, and a one-pager of background information can be accessed HERE.