House Advances Permitting Reform with SPEED Act

The U.S. House of Representatives voted this week to advance H.R. 4776, the Standard Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act), a bipartisan proposal aimed at modernizing the federal permitting process. The legislation is co-sponsored by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME). 

The SPEED Act focuses on updates to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which governs environmental reviews for infrastructure projects.  The bill reflects a growing consensus that current permitting timelines and processes too often delay critical energy and infrastructure projects. Supporters argue that prolonged reviews and inconsistent requirements have become a barrier to deploying affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems, as well as modernizing transportation, manufacturing, and water infrastructure. 

Under the bill, federal agencies would be directed to improve coordination, clarify review requirements, and streamline environmental analyses while maintaining NEPA’s core environmental protections. The legislation emphasizes predictable timelines, greater transparency, and reduced duplication across agencies involved in project reviews. 

Proponents of the SPEED Act contend that permitting reform is essential to advancing domestic energy production, strengthening supply chains, and enabling large-scale infrastructure investments needed to support economic growth and competitiveness.  

"The SPEED Act will help launch America into a future where we can effectively innovate and implement to revitalize our infrastructure, meet skyrocketing energy demands, lead the world in the AI race and work in harmony with our natural environment. America must lead by setting an example for the rest of the world on how to steward the environment, strengthen the economy and create the best place to live and work," said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) 

The bill now awaits further consideration in the Senate, where lawmakers are also evaluating proposals to modernize federal permitting policies, including reforms affecting clean and renewable energy projects.