House Passes Plan to Fast-Track Energy Projects, Sends to Senate
Summarize this article with:
Republicans’ plan to fast-track federal approvals of power plants, pipelines and other energy and infrastructure projects passed the House on Thursday, sending the measure to the Senate where it faces an uphill climb.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Republicans’ plan to fast-track federal approvals of power plants, pipelines and other energy and infrastructure projects passed the House on Thursday, sending the measure to the Senate where it faces an uphill climb. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.The SPEED Act, which passed by a vote of 221-196, would expedite reviews and litigation under the 55-year-old National Environmental Policy Act, a bedrock environmental law that critics say has delayed energy projects for years. The legislation, along with other recently-passed House bills, marks Congress’ latest attempt at permitting reform that has repeatedly stalled despite bipartisan interest.The bill has drawn opposition from key Senate Democrats, who say it does too little to advance clean energy development. At least seven Democrats would be needed in the Senate to overcome a filibuster. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.“We are committed to streamlining the permitting process — but only if it ensures we can build out transmission and cheap, clean energy,” Democratic Senators Martin Heinrich, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Brian Schatz said in a joint statement earlier this month. “While the SPEED Act does not meet that standard, we will continue working to pass comprehensive permitting reform that takes real steps to bring down electricity costs.”The legislation is backed by industry groups including the American Petroleum Institute and the US Chamber of Commerce.Late-stage changes to the bill prompted the American Clean Power Association to withdraw its support. The revisions were aimed at protecting the Trump administration’s ability to halt already permitted offshore wind projects and securing votes from a small group of hard-line House conservatives.The change allows the administration “to continue to discriminate against clean energy technologies,” Jason Grumet, the trade group’s chief executive officer, wrote in a letter to House leadership. He added the new language “injects permit uncertainty, and creates a pathway for fully permitted projects to be canceled even after the Act’s passage.”Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4© 2025 Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can manage saved articles in your account.and save up to 100 articles!You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.