On March 2, ABC joined dozens of members of the Unlock American Investment Coalition in calling on Congress to improve and modernize the federal permitting process under the National Environmental Policy Act.

In its letter, the coalition addressed the economic issues brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and how investment in various infrastructure projects will encourage recovery and growth as long as the federal environmental review and permitting process is improved.

The letter states, “Due to such unnecessary delays, presidents from both parties have long identified the need for faster, more efficient permitting, issuing executive orders to expedite federal decision-making and accelerate project delivery. Adopting permit streamlining policies in conjunction with any infrastructure bill would reduce delays and improve the predictability of the federal permitting process, allowing businesses to plan and invest with confidence while enhancing economic productivity and environmental stewardship. This is a priority with bipartisan support and we are committed to work with you to ensure its inclusion in forthcoming infrastructure legislation.”

ABC has supported both legislative and regulatory efforts in modernizing and creating a more efficient NEPA review process, including support for H.R. 8333, the Building U.S. Infrastructure Through Limited Delays & Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act, during the 116^th Congress and for the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality’s final rule revising its regulations implementing the procedural provisions under NEPA in July 2020.

Additionally, ABC and several other organizations submitted comments in support of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s proposed revisions to its regulations implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA.

ABC will continue to provide legislative and regulatory updates on the federal permitting process in Newsline.