The Senate’s recently released permitting reform bill is facing resistance from House Democrats and environmental groups.
House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Huffman (D-CA) said Democrats should wait until next year, when they will “have a far better negotiating position,” rather than support the bill as written. Environmental groups also appear inclined to continue negotiating after the elections. The Natural Resources Defense Council and Evergreen Action praised provisions aimed at accelerating transmission development and increasing project certainty but warned that proposed changes to environmental laws require further review and revisions.
Key House Republicans are also not committing to pass the bill in its current form. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Guthrie (R-KY) stopped short of endorsing it, while House Natural Resources Committee Chair Westerman (R-AR) called it an encouraging step.