Permitting Bill Fast-Tracking Reviews to Get House Panel Vote

The House Natural Resources Committee will consider bipartisan legislation Nov. 20 that would expedite environmental reviews for all energy projects, including renewables.

The bill (H.R. 4776) would modify the National Environmental Policy Act, a key permitting law. The legislation, sponsored by Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), would streamline the judicial review process and limit the number of days for filing lawsuits against energy projects.

The SPEED Act is one of several permitting overhaul measures both parties have been negotiating in the House, while the Senate has yet to unveil draft legislation this ...