Streamlining Permitting Process: Rep. Jared Golden Introduces SPEED Act

Strategic Insights -

Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) has introduced the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, a bill aimed at modernizing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to streamline the permitting process. Co-sponsored by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), the bill aims to return NEPA to its original purpose as a procedural statute for assessing environmental impacts. The legislation seeks to reduce the permitting process's duration, frequency of frivolous litigation, and complexity, ultimately promoting economic growth and environmental stewardship.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SPEED Act aims to modernize NEPA by streamlining the permitting process and reducing the frequency of frivolous litigation, allowing for faster project completion and economic growth.
  • The bill will clarify when NEPA is triggered, simplify the analysis required in NEPA documents, and establish judicial review limitations, including a 150-day deadline for filing claims.
  • The legislation will target a 70% reduction in the number of lawsuits filed under NEPA by special interest groups, focusing on clarifying the definition of "Major Federal Action."
  • According to the Breakthrough Institute, NGOs filed more than 70% of NEPA-related lawsuits in recent years, and litigants lose 80% of these challenges.
  • The SPEED Act will ease the burden on agencies by simplifying the analysis required in NEPA documents and eliminating frivolous litigation.

Statistics:

  • 70% of NEPA-related lawsuits in recent years were filed by NGOs (Breakthrough Institute)
  • 80% of NEPA-related lawsuits in recent years were litigated by NGOs and resulted in losses (Breakthrough Institute)
  • Average project timeline extension due to NEPA litigation: 4 years (Breakthrough Institute)
  • Proposed 150-day deadline for filing claims under NEPA (SPEED Act provision)
  • Goal of the SPEED Act: reduce project completion times, generate economic growth, and promote environmental stewardship

Sources:

  • https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-introduces-permitting-reform-bill-with-natural-resources-committee-chairman-westerman
  • (Breakthrough Institute)