Senate committee unanimously advances resolution urging federal permitting reform

SALT LAKE CITY — The Senate Natural resources, agriculture and environment committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to favorably recommend House Concurrent Resolution 5 (permitting reform), sending the nonbinding resolution to the full Senate.

Representative Mikaela Ballard presented the resolution, telling the committee that lengthy federal reviews are a major barrier to energy and mining development in Utah. “The average environmental impact statement takes over 4 and a half years for critical energy projects,” Ballard said, and she cited the 15-year permitting timeline for the TransWest Express transmission project as an example.

The resolution — a joint statement from the Utah House and Senate — urges Congress to streamline federal permitting. Ballard said the language is “without prejudice” to particular projects and includes a request that Congress limit “excessive use of the judicial process that inappropriately delays projects.” Senator Stratton moved a favorable recommendation; with no discussion the committee passed the motion by voice vote.

Proponents framed the resolution as an advocacy tool rather than a change to state law. Senator Stratton said the resolution would be a helpful “nudge” to federal authorities and that the state is also compiling a list of outstanding permits to present to Congress alongside the resolution.

The committee did not debate specific federal statutory language or create new state permitting authorities. The resolution is a formal request to Congress to consider reforms that would shorten federal review and approval timelines for energy and mining infrastructure.

The committee returned the measure to the Senate with a favorable recommendation, voice-voted as unanimous.