House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman on Friday released sweeping legislation to change the National Environmental Policy Act review process.
The “Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act,” co-sponsored by moderate Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, is a starting point in broader talks between the parties and the chambers toward a bipartisan permitting deal.
“America’s model of successful environmental stewardship alongside strong economic growth is being hobbled by a more than half-century old permitting process that is overdue for a tuneup,” Westerman said in a statement.
“Although well-intentioned, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has not kept up with the times which is bad for both our environment and our economy,” he said.
