Federal permitting reform would be instituted for energy projects under bipartisan legislation cosponsored on April 15 by U.S. Reps. Gabe Evans (R-CO), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA)
“This legislation cuts through red tape to deliver American infrastructure projects of all types sooner, so we can build a stronger America for generations to come,” said Rep. Evans. “It depoliticizes the permitting process and secures jobs, lowers costs for American families, and prioritizes American energy dominance.”
Rep. Evans is the lead original cosponsor of the Create Expedited Reviews to Transform American Infrastructure Now (CERTAIN) Act, H.R. 8308, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) to streamline the federal permitting process, provide enforceable accountability measures, strengthen coordination between agencies, and ensure agencies are fully staffed.
Additionally, H.R. 8308 would protect lawfully issued permits from arbitrary revocation or political interference, giving developers, investors, and workers the certainty they need to build, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“In order to combat rising energy costs, we must ensure that our permitting process is efficient, transparent, and accountable for future energy infrastructure development,” said Rep. Kiggans. “The CERTAIN Act eliminates unnecessary red tape and improves coordination across agencies to ensure critical energy projects aren’t delayed by political gridlock.”
Rep. Garbarino said that too often, critical infrastructure and energy projects get stuck in a broken permitting process that lacks transparency and accountability, driving up costs for families.
“I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan CERTAIN Act to bring more certainty to the process and ensure projects that meet the requirements can move forward,” the congressman said. “We must get this bill across the finish line as soon as possible so we can start delivering real results for our communities.”
Among several provisions, H.R. 8308 would firm timelines and milestones for all federal permitting decisions; clear legal remedies when agencies miss deadlines; set stronger interagency coordination to eliminate redundant reviews; protect lawfully issued permits against arbitrary revocation; and set accountability measures to address capacity constraints at permitting agencies, the summary says.
“The CERTAIN Act brings clarity, coordination, and common sense to the federal permitting process so we can responsibly build the energy infrastructure our communities need,” Rep. Ciscomani said. “We can and should increase energy production while protecting our environment, and this bipartisan effort sets clear timelines and accountability to create jobs, strengthen our grid, and power America’s future responsibly.”