Energy permitting reform legislation passes out of Senate committee

Legislation aimed at speeding up the lengthy permitting process energy projects passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday and now heads to the full Senate for consideration. 

If the bipartisan bill becomes law, the Energy Permitting Reform Act will, among other things, expedite the permitting of transmission lines, mining operations, oil and gas leasing and liquefied natural gas projects. 

“Our bill is a true all-of-the-above energy policy – targeted, timely, and good for all Americans. I will continue to fight to get this bill signed into law and to unleash more affordable, available, and reliable American energy,” said Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the committee's top Republican, said in a statement. 

Committee Chairman Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.V., said the measure strikes a good balance of various interests, all of which have an interest in better permitting policies. 

“The need for permitting reform has come up in almost every hearing we’ve had this Congress. No matter what side of the fence you might be on, everyone knows it can’t happen unless you reform our permitting,” he said.