The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 4776, known as the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. The legislation was introduced by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Representative Jared Golden (D-Maine).
Chairman Westerman stated, “The passage of the SPEED Act is a win for America. For too long, America’s broken permitting process has stifled economic growth and innovation. To build the infrastructure needed to deliver affordable energy to American families and defend against 21st-century threats, we must fix this process. The SPEED Act will encourage investment, bring certainty to permitting, end abusive litigation, and allow America to build again. I thank my colleague, Representative Golden, for working with me on this bipartisan victory. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act quickly and send the SPEED Act to President Trump’s desk. We cannot wait any longer.”
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess environmental impacts before approving major projects such as highways, ports, energy facilities, broadband expansion, and water infrastructure projects. However, NEPA reviews have become lengthy and costly over time. Critics argue that special interest groups often use NEPA-related lawsuits to delay or block important investments.
Supporters of the SPEED Act say it would update NEPA procedures by reducing review timelines and limiting legal challenges that can hold up construction projects nationwide. The bill also seeks to clarify what constitutes a “Major Federal Action” under NEPA and sets a 150-day limit for filing claims challenging project approvals.
More than 375 organizations from across all states have endorsed the legislation.
