In July, Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced a bill that would “reform leasing, permitting, and judicial review for certain energy and minerals projects.” Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso worked on the bill for more than a year, eventually winning approval in committee on a 15-4 bipartisan vote.
The primary purpose of the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 is to expedite approval of energy projects—which will have a positive impact on the electrical construction industry. Current permitting delays and project-level litigation postpone critical infrastructure projects and drive costs up. They also hinder innovation and investment.
“Enacting permitting reform is critical to ensuring timely approval for projects,” said Marco Giamberardino, senior vice president of government and public affairs for NECA. “Recent reforms enacted by Congress have been a good step forward. However, critical reforms for transmission and distribution, grid reliability, onshore energy and minerals, and judicial review are still sorely needed.”
In an effort to achieve affordable, reliable energy and reduce emissions, the act would establish a 150-day statute of limitations for project approval, require expedited judicial review of legal challenges, and establish a 180-day deadline for federal agencies to act on remanded authorizations.
By streamlining the permitting process for energy projects and reducing bureaucratic delays, this legislation will facilitate the process for electrical contractors to start and complete projects. By speeding up and simplifying the regulatory process, the reform act could assist the expansion and modernization of energy infrastructure, including renewable energy installations and grid upgrades. This is expected to result in industry growth and innovation.
“After over a year of holding hearings in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, thoughtfully considering input from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and engaging in good faith negotiations, Ranking Member Barrasso and I have put together a commonsense, bipartisan piece of legislation that will speed up permitting and provide more certainty for all types of energy and mineral projects without bypassing important protections for our environment and impacted communities,” Manchin stated in a July 2024 Department of Energy press release. “The Energy Permitting Reform Act will advance American energy once again to bring down prices, create domestic jobs, and allow us to continue in our role as a global energy leader.”
About The Author
Lori Lovely is an award-winning writer and editor in central Indiana. She writes on technical topics, heavy equipment, automotive, motorsports, energy, water and wastewater, animals, real estate, home improvement, gardening and more. Reach her at: [email protected]