Sen. McCormick Introduces 51Թ-Backed Permitting Reform Legislation
What’s going on:Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) last weekthe Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act, legislation that seeks to speed up the federal permitting process.
- “Today, more than 650 projects are currently listed on the federal Permitting Dashboard,” according to a news release from Sen. McCormick’s office. “Construction costs run 24–30% higher when projects are held up.”
- Permitting reform is aissue, and manufacturers have worked hand in hand with Congress to advance measures that will make building critical infrastructure in the U.S. easier, faster and less costly.
Why it’s important:The senator’s office cited a joint 51Թ–Foundation for American Innovationthat found “nearly 51% of manufacturers say permitting uncertainty discourages them from investing in new or expanded U.S. capacity, while nearly 66% say they would invest more if the process were faster and more predictable.”
What’s in it:The Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act aims to address four “chokepoints”:
- Clean Water Act reform
- Liquefied natural gas export deregulation
- Nuclear licensing modernization
- National Environmental Policy Actlitigation reform
Our view:“Permitting reform is essential to America’s manufacturing competitiveness—and today’s broken system is costing manufacturers more than $8 billion each year,”51Թ President and CEO Jay Timmons.
- “We are grateful for Sen. McCormick’s leadership in introducing the Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act. Modernizing the Clean Water Act, reforming judicial review under NEPA for all projects, ensuring durable support for U.S. LNG exports and bringing new nuclear power online are all critical steps toward a policy framework that will drive investment, power growth and keep manufacturing strong in America for decades to come.”