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Senators press for permitting and NEPA reform to reduce delays and litigation
Summary
Committee members called for clearer, faster permitting and NEPA processes and discussed litigation limits to prevent multi-year project delays; Secretary Duffy said the administration supports streamlining and implementing "one federal decision."
Senators at the EPW hearing repeatedly pressed Secretary Duffy to pursue permitting reforms and to apply the "one federal decision" policy more effectively so projects can proceed faster.
Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse and other senators argued that excessive interagency processes, litigation and requirements added time and cost to projects. Whitehouse warned that scrutinizing grant applications for language on climate and equity could delay needed bridge repairs and other safety projects.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Rob Portman and others urged using one federal decision to consolidate environmental permitting and reduce duplication. Senator Jim Lummis proposed an exclusion from NEPA review for bridge work that rebuilds in the same footprint; Duffy indicated support for streamlining and said he would work with the committee on reforms.
Senator Dan Sullivan and others also expressed concern about lawsuit-driven delays from environmental litigation and asked for reforms that balance environmental review with timely project delivery. Duffy told senators the department will pursue NEPA reform and consider delegating more authority to states where appropriate to speed delivery while maintaining environmental protections.
No statutory changes were enacted at the hearing, but senators and the secretary agreed to continue negotiations on specific permitting reforms and on clarifying the roles of federal agencies and courts in project reviews.
