House Passes SPEED Act to Reform NEPA Permitting

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday to accelerate federal permitting processes for energy and infrastructure projects, marking the most substantial overhaul in decades to the National Environmental Policy Act. The measure, known as the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act or SPEED Act, cleared the chamber by a vote of 221 to 196, with support from Republicans and 11 Democrats, and now advances to the Senate.

Enacted in 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act requires federal agencies to assess the potential environmental impacts of major projects before granting approvals. These reviews, which include detailed analyses and opportunities for public comment, often span hundreds of pages and take nearly five years to complete, according to a recent study. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the process for creating excessive delays that hinder investments in energy, transportation, and housing.

The SPEED Act addresses these concerns by imposing statutory limits on environmental reviews, expanding exemptions for certain actions, and establishing firm deadlines for agency decisions. It also restricts the types of legal...