Trump’s Energy Agenda Has Taken Over Congress’ Permitting Reform Ambitions

The House passed a major permitting reform bill — but the inclusion of anti-wind-energy language risks it moving forward.

The House just passed one of its biggest permitting reform moves in years. A last-minute addition undermining wind projects cost the proposal much of its Democratic support.

Most Republicans and 11 Democrats voted Thursday to pass the SPEED Act, which would reduce the level of environmental review required to build infrastructure under the National Environmental Policy Act. Both parties have pointed to the environmental statute as one of the biggest barriers to development in the country.

But some Democrats ultimately backed out of backing the bill after conservative Republicans added an amendment that exempts offshore wind projects from the reforms.

“The majority had a great opportunity here. Democrats were ready to work with them on meaningful bipartisan permitting reform and they chose to reject our efforts to engage in good faith,” Rep. Jared Huffman, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said ahead of the vote on the bill.

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By:  Shifra Dayak
Source: NOTUS

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