Westerman’s NEPA bill shakes up permitting talks

First the Manchin-Barrasso bill cleared committee. Now, House Republicans are pushing a bill to overhaul the National Environmental Policy Act. Where does it all go from here?

Sens. Joe Manchin and John Barrasso injected momentum into the protracted permitting and grid negotiations when they secured bipartisan support for their bill before the August recess.

Now House Republicans are adding another layer of complexity to the talks with a sweeping plan to overhaul the National Environmental Policy Act.

A House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing Wednesday on Chair Bruce Westerman's (R-Ark.) draft NEPA legislation showed how difficult getting a final deal will be during the remaining weeks of the 118th Congress.

Still, lawmakers from both chambers and both sides of the aisle are engaging in active negotiations on the issue. Many are hoping to beat election-year odds against major legislation, and NEPA changes may end up attracting House GOP buy-in.

“My friends across the aisle have approved a lot of money for renewable energy projects,” Westerman said during the hearing. “There are more of those held up by permitting than traditional energy projects.”

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By:  Kelsey Brugger
Source: E&E Daily

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