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The U.S. House has passed the SPEED Act to streamline permitting and environmental reviews for major energy, industrial, and data center projects. While the bill aligns with Trump-era goals of boosting domestic energy and industrial growth, last-minute amendments to maintain offshore wind veto powers caused clean energy advocates to oppose it. The legislation received 11 Democratic votes but faces hurdles in the Senate. Industry groups welcomed the reform as a necessary update to slow approval processes, while environmental and renewable energy organizations warned of risks to public health, clean air, and equal treatment of energy resources.
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation aimed at speeding up environmental reviews and permitting processes for major energy infrastructure, data centers, and manufacturing facilities. The bill, known as the SPEED Act and sponsored by Republican Bruce Westerman, aligns with former President Donald Trump's agenda to expand domestic energy, mining, and industrial operations. However, conservationists warn that easing environmental regulations could threaten air quality and public water safety. Advertisement
Efforts to reform permitting rules have been ongoing in Congress for several years, as many industries have cited the Nixon-era National Environmental Policy Act for causing delays in project approvals. Last-minute amendments by a small group of Republicans, intended to maintain Trump's authority to block offshore wind farm permits, led to a loss of support among clean energy advocates. Despite the changes, the bill passed in the House with 221 votes in favor, including 11 Democrats, against 196 opposing votes.
Industry representatives welcomed the passage, calling it the first significant overhaul of the permitting system in decades. Anne Bradbury, CEO of the oil and gas lobby group AXPC, stated that the vote represents a turning point to fix America's permitting challenges and reduce energy costs nationwide.
Environmental and clean energy groups have voiced strong opposition, urging the Senate to reject the bill. Camden Weber, climate and energy policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity, criticized it for prioritizing industry over science and public input, warning that communities already affected by pollution and climate risks could face additional threats to clean air and drinking water.
The solar sector has also raised concerns that the legislation does not address the unequal treatment of renewable energy projects. Abigail Ross Hopper, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, emphasized that fair and predictable permitting reforms are necessary to ensure affordable energy delivery and equal opportunities for renewable resources, which have faced permit delays under the previous administration.
Source Reuters
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