On November 20, the House Natural Resources Committee held a multi-bill markup session that included more than five hours of debate on provisions in the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776). The bipartisan bill is led by Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Representative Jared Golden (D-ME). The permitting reform legislation primarily focuses on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and includes a number of provisions, including limiting the scope of NEPA review, reducing timelines, and addressing the volume of litigation.

Despite general consensus on the need for permitting reform, the bill’s provisions generated significant disagreement. Democrats offered numerous amendments to strike language in the bill or make additions, including expanding the scope of NEPA reviews to include long-term impacts, reinstating previously active clean energy projects, and ensuring parity between various types of energy projects. All but one of the amendments failed to be included, and the final vote on passage was 25-18, with two Democrats joining their Republican colleagues in support.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) has indicated the SPEED Act is a “major priority,” and while the House floor calendar is backed up after the government shutdown, Republicans will schedule the bill for a House floor vote as soon as possible after the bill is finalized. The SPEED Act does not have a matching companion bill in the Senate; however, Senate leaders have similarly indicated strong interest in advancing a permitting reform proposal. Any dissimilar House and Senate proposals will require a negotiation of a singular legislative package, and the National Trust will continue our engagement with Congress as the legislative process moves forward.

A recording of the session is available on the committee website.