The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved legislation Wednesday to address record heat and accelerate project permitting.
S. 4679, the “Permitting Council Improvement Act,” from Chair Gary Peters (D-Mich.), is meant to bolster the federal government’s bureau in charge of speeding up approvals for certain projects.
The agency has long enjoyed bipartisan support, but Republicans have expressed concern that it’s focusing too much on Democratic renewable energy priorities. The bill passed 10-5.
During a hearing in July with Permitting Council Executive Director Eric Beightel, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) complained about a transmission project through his state. Similar GOP grumbling has been part of broader discussions about permitting and grid legislation.
