Washington D.C. – A new bipartisan legislative effort, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, introduced by Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Representative Jared Golden (D-ME), has emerged as a key development in ongoing congressional negotiations over permitting reform. The bill, aimed at modernizing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), seeks to streamline the federal permitting process for infrastructure and energy projects. Its introduction signals a significant step forward in cross-party discussions to accelerate development while balancing environmental considerations.
The SPEED Act proposes several reforms to NEPA, a foundational environmental law, with the primary goal of shortening permitting timelines and reducing the frequency of litigation that can delay projects. According to Representative Westerman, the bill aims to address inefficiencies that have "hobbled" America's ability to build necessary infrastructure. Representative Golden emphasized the need for reforms that "protect our environment while delivering the investments Americans need today, not years from now."
A notable aspect of the Westerman-Golden bill is its focus on sophisticated judicial review provisions, which are seen as a positive sign for future negotiations, as highlighted by analyst Aidan Mackenzie. These provisions include shortening the statute of limitations for legal challenges to federal agency decisions, potentially from years to as little as 150 days, and imposing timelines for courts to resolve NEPA-related cases. This approach seeks to curb what proponents describe as "frivolous litigation" that can stall critical projects.
The introduction of the SPEED Act comes amid broader efforts in Congress to reform permitting, with various proposals emerging from both chambers and parties. While the Westerman-Golden bill focuses on NEPA, other legislative initiatives, such as those from Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY), also seek to accelerate approvals for energy projects. Environmental advocacy groups, however, have expressed concerns that some proposed reforms could weaken essential environmental protections and limit community input.
The bipartisan nature of the SPEED Act positions it as a potential starting point for a comprehensive permitting deal, even as debates continue over the extent of NEPA reforms. The bill reflects a shared interest among some lawmakers to balance environmental stewardship with the urgent need for infrastructure development. Its progress will be closely watched as Congress continues to seek common ground on this complex issue.