Westerman Proposes Bill to Expedite Energy Project Approvals

Draft legislation aims to streamline environmental reviews and limit legal challenges under NEPA as bipartisan talks progress.

Overview

The bill seeks to limit the use of new science in environmental reviews to avoid project delays.
It imposes deadlines for legal challenges and restricts court actions against projects.
Environmental impact reviews would focus on direct, proximate effects, excluding broader climate impacts.
The proposal is part of ongoing negotiations between House and Senate lawmakers on permitting reform.
A House Natural Resources Committee hearing on the bill is scheduled for next week.