Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO-08) voted in favor of the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, H.R. 4776, which passed the House with bipartisan support and will move to the Senate for consideration.
The SPEED Act aims to reform the federal permitting process by streamlining and modernizing reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The legislation seeks to simplify complex analyses, clarify when NEPA is applicable by refining what constitutes a “major federal action,” and shorten permitting timelines to reduce delays in infrastructure projects. Additionally, it establishes a 150-day deadline for legal challenges related to permits and limits litigation that can stall development efforts. The act maintains existing environmental protections while focusing on restoring NEPA’s original procedural intent.
“For far too long, outdated permitting rules have strangled economic growth, driven up costs for families, and delayed the infrastructure projects our communities desperately need. The SPEED Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that restores balance and protects the environment while allowing America to build, innovate, and compete.”– Rep. Gabe Evans
The bill is designed to help advance critical infrastructure projects across the country while maintaining environmental safeguards.
