A bipartisan group of senators have introduced legislation that would digitize and modernize the federal government’s antiquated energy permitting system.
Led by Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), the “ePermit Act” is the companion to legislation that passed the House last year without opposition.
As lawmakers debate the contours of a broad permitting reform package, “ePermit Act” sponsors hope their legislation — much narrower in scope — becomes law in the coming months. Among the bill’s mandates, it would create a cloud-based permit portal.
“Outdated, paper-based permitting systems slow down projects, frustrate communities, and make it harder for agencies to do their jobs,” Curtis said. “Our bipartisan legislation brings federal environmental reviews into the twenty-first century by improving transparency, coordination, and public engagement without weakening critical environmental standards.”
