Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would make the federal permitting and environmental review processes more efficient for major infrastructure projects.
The One Federal Decision Act would require federal agencies to develop a single permitting timetable for environmental review and authorization decisions, require all federal authorizations and project reviews to rely on a single environmental document, and require agencies to make all decisions on authorizations for major projects within 90 days of the issuance of a record of decision.
It also creates a process for federal agencies to adopt applicable categorical exclusions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to accelerate project delivery.
Additionally, the act creates the goal of limiting the time required for environmental reviews and authorizations for major infrastructure projects to two years. This period would begin with the publication of a notice of intent.
“America’s infrastructure needs are immediate and substantial. My legislation will ensure that we treat major infrastructure projects like the top priority they are, not a can that we kick down the road for years on end,” U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), who introduced the bill, said. “With the One Federal Decision Act, we can move projects along quicker, save taxpayer dollars, create good paying jobs, and protect the environment all at the same time. We should all want a more streamlined, efficient government.”