Washington, D.C. - Recently, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) introduced the bipartisan Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. Organizations, officials and a wide variety of industry leaders from across the country have voiced their support for the legislation that will create certainty in the permitting process and spur domestic investment in critical infrastructure, energy and conservation projects. Here is what the most recent national supporters are saying:
“Modernizing our transportation infrastructure is key to ensuring that people and freight can get where they need to go safely and efficiently. Far too often, however, urgently needed upgrades to aging roads and bridges are bogged down for years by seemingly endless red tape. Meanwhile, taxpayers pay the price in the form of higher construction costs and more time wasted in traffic. It’s time to get America moving again. The trucking industry thanks Reps. Westerman and Golden for working to reform our broken permitting process so that we can reduce the duration and cost of highway projects, improve safety, and alleviate congestion.” – Henry Hanscom, senior vice president of legislative affairs, American Trucking Associations
"The Business Software Alliance applauds Chairman Bruce Westerman and Rep. Jared Golden for their work to advance the SPEED Act, which helps to streamline and modernize permitting for infrastructure projects critical for supporting widespread deployment and adoption of AI. This bill helps to realize the goals of BSA's AI Adoption Agenda by accelerating land leasing, permitting, and federal-state collaboration to modernize electrical grids and build data center infrastructure on which AI depends. BSA urges Congress to advance the SPEED Act and similar measures to support AI infrastructure and further widespread adoption of AI across the economy." – Craig Albright, senior vice president of government relations, Business Software Alliance
“On behalf of the more than 140,000 members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), I am writing to express our support for H.R. 4776, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. Addressing the challenging permitting regime for housing must be part of comprehensive permitting reform, and this bill is a positive step towards reducing regulatory barriers.” – Lake A. Coulson, senior vice president and chief lobbyist, National Association of Homebuilders
“The federal permitting process saddles businesses with a review process that delays projects, leads to unnecessary costs, and often results in frivolous litigation. The SPEED Act will bring much needed reforms to this system by modernizing and streamlining NEPA. We applaud Chairman Westerman and Rep. Golden for this bipartisan legislation and encourage Congress to swiftly pass this important bill into law.” – Brian Wild, chief government relations officer, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
“We thank Chairman Bruce Westerman and Representative Jared Golden for their bipartisan leadership on the SPEED Act. This long-overdue, common-sense reform brings needed clarity to a permitting system long burdened by red tape. By modernizing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the bill preserves strong environmental protections while enabling American manufacturers—including the plastics industry—to keep building, innovating, and competing. If we want to meet today’s challenges and remain competitive in the decades ahead, the SPEED Act is a critical step forward.” – Matt Seaholm, president and CEO, Plastics Industry Association
“For the farmers, biofuels producers, and rural communities we represent, modernizing federal permitting isn’t abstract policy; it’s essential. Whether it’s expanding carbon capture projects, upgrading pipelines, or building next-generation ethanol and SAF facilities, these investments can’t happen without a permitting system that works. The SPEED Act gives businesses the certainty they need to invest, create jobs, and strengthen America’s energy leadership.” – Tom Buis, CEO, American Carbon Alliance
“Thanks, Representatives Bruce Westerman and Jared Golden, for introducing the bipartisan Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. . A smart, pro-growth permitting process is needed to unleash American energy dominance and strengthen our nation's competitive edge.” – American Chemistry Council
“ACEC members know first-hand how challenging and inefficient the current environmental review process can be, preventing good projects from being built and causing many others to languish for years. Permitting reform is essential to modernizing our nation’s infrastructure and supporting economic development and American competitiveness. That is why ACEC continues to support bipartisan efforts to make commonsense reforms that will improve the permitting process while also maintaining environmental protections and opportunities for public input. ACEC and our members stand ready to continue to work with you and your committee as you advance the SPEED Act and other permitting reform legislation. Thank you for your continued focus on this important issue.” – Linda Bauer Darr, president and CEO, American Council of Engineering Companies
“We should all agree that building things in America, creating better-paying jobs, and leading the world in affordable, reliable energy production is an American issue, not a left or right one. If we intend to lead the world in economic growth and prosperity in the years to come, it is time to start building like it. The SPEED Act will help us achieve those goals, unleash critical energy resources and restore common sense to our permitting process, empowering local communities and bottom-up decision making by American innovators and entrepreneurs.” – Emily Seidel, president, Americans for Prosperity
“As the advocate, resource and united voice for the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry – the largest segment of American maritime and a vital component of our nation’s economy, supply chain, and security – AWO is pleased to support the SPEED Act. By sensibly streamlining the National Environmental Policy Act, this legislation will enable more efficient permitting and development of shipyards and other maritime infrastructure to keep vital commerce moving safely, while also preserving the environmental quality of the waterways on which we all depend. We applaud Chairman Westerman and Rep. Golden for their bipartisan leadership in advancing the SPEED Act and urge its swift enactment into law.” – The American Waterways Operators
“To ensure the U.S. is positioned for energy dominance in the AI arena, our nation’s energy strategy must be comprehensive and inclusive of all energy sources and must ensure a stronger, more robust power grid is available to safely and reliably deliver energy to all homes and businesses on demand. Berkshire Hathaway Energy encourages the Committee to continue to work with colleagues and other committees as needed to pass bipartisan permitting reform that accelerates the technology-neutral energy infrastructure build-out required to meet our nation’s growing energy demand.” – Pat Reiten, senior vice president, public policy, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
“Without action, the U.S. is putting its leadership in AI, manufacturing, and economic prosperity in jeopardy. A durable bipartisan legislative solution is needed. The BCSE wishes to express its support for the enactment of the SPEED Act, which addresses the National Environmental Policy Act and is under the jurisdiction of the House Natural Resources Committee.” – Lisa Jacobson, president, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
“The bipartisan SPEED Act brings long-overdue common sense back to our permitting system and ensures America can build the critical energy infrastructure we need. Removing needless bureaucratic red tape isn’t just good policy — it’s essential to strengthening our energy security, which is the backbone of our national security. When America controls its own energy future, America is safer and stronger. Congress should act quickly and pass the SPEED Act into law.” – John Vick, executive director, Concerned Veterans for America
“The SPEED Act represents a commonsense modernization of NEPA that will help launch America into a future where we can effectively innovate and implement solutions to meet our infrastructure and energy needs while maintaining environmental stewardship. America must lead by setting an example for the rest of the world on balancing environmental protection with economic strength and energy security. Continental appreciates your leadership on this critical issue and looks forward to the SPEED Act's enactment into law.” – Blu Hulsey, senior vice president, HSE and government & regulatory affairs, Continental Resources, Inc.
“CTA supports NEPA permitting reform to accelerate project timelines, set firm deadlines for decisions, and provide greater clarity to federal agencies. A streamlined process will reduce project timelines and development costs while unleashing America’s ability to lead in next-generation technologies. Modern innovation requires modern approval processes. The SPEED Act delivers just that.” – Gary Shapiro, CEO and vice chair, Consumer Technology Association
“Passing the SPEED Act will unlock billions of dollars in private investment, create hundreds of thousands of good-paying American jobs, lower energy costs, strengthen our national security through domestic critical mineral and energy production, and help us build the infrastructure required for continued prosperity in the 21st century. We urge you and your colleagues to move the SPEED Act forward as quickly as possible and enact it into law. Our country cannot afford more years of paralysis.” – Jerry R. Simmons, president and CEO, Domestic Energy Producers Alliance
“Streamlining outdated permitting processes will help electric companies across the nation lower costs for customers and strengthen America's energy dominance. We appreciate Chairman Westerman and Representative Golden’s leadership and are encouraged to see the SPEED Act's progress through committee. We urge Congress to enact this common-sense solution to meaningfully cut red tape and support the energy infrastructure that powers the American economy.” – Drew Maloney, president and CEO, Edison Electric Institute
“EnerGeo Alliance, the global trade association for the energy geoscience and exploration industry, strongly supports the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act). This bipartisan legislation addresses long-standing flaws in the NEPA process that have led to excessive delays and litigation, hindering critical infrastructure and energy projects. By clarifying when NEPA applies, streamlining environmental reviews, and setting clear timelines for judicial review, the SPEED Act will bring predictability and efficiency to permitting. These reforms will accelerate investment in energy projects while maintaining environmental safeguards. EnerGeo supports clear, consistent regulations that streamline permitting processes and reduce unnecessary delays; the SPEED Act and efforts to modernize the MMPA, along with other outdated environmental statutes, will ensure those efficiencies. We urge swift passage of this commonsense legislation to unlock economic growth and strengthen America’s energy future.” – Dustin Van Liew, SVP, EnerGeo Alliance
“Freeport LNG has firsthand experience with drawn-out permitting processes that can take several years to complete, at costs that can exceed one hundred million dollars, in order to obtain an authorization to site and construct vital manufacturing facilities within the United States that benefit the U.S. economy, jobs, balance of trade and tax base. Freeport LNG, and hundreds of U.S. companies like us, have long advocated for commonsense, bipartisan permitting reforms to improve how we build facilities and produce products here in America. We need a clear and efficient regulatory framework that supports manufacturers’ efforts to invest and grow in America, all while appropriately maintaining public input and safeguarding our environment.” – John B. Tobola, president, Freeport LNG
“The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has become unnecessarily cumbersome and needs to be reformed. This legislation will help do just that, accelerating the development of critical energy infrastructure. This bill will also help ensure special interest groups cannot use the courts to stop energy infrastructure construction, which has been done in the past. We commend Congress for recognizing the need for durable permitting reform that balances environmental stewardship with economic growth.” – Stuart Saulters, vice president, federal affairs, GPA Midstream Association
“With limited resources at every level of government, it is essential that bureaucratic red tape is not allowed to slow or stall critical safety and maintenance projects. As Congress prepares for the next surface transportation reauthorization in 2026, improving permitting efficiency will be central to the success of that legislation. The reauthorization will direct hundreds of billions of dollars in federal highway and transit investments, but the true value of those funds can only be realized if projects move through the development and approval process in a timely and predictable manner. Passing the SPEED Act now would strengthen the next reauthorization by ensuring that federal dollars can be deployed quickly, reducing project uncertainty for state and local transportation agencies, and preventing cost escalation from eroding the effectiveness of those investments.” – National Asphalt Pavement Association
“NEMA urges the Committee and Congress to advance the SPEED Act. Modernizing the permitting process is essential to building the grid capacity, manufacturing base, and energy security required for America’s economic future.” – Spencer Pederson, senior vice president, public affairs, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
“The National Utility Contractors Association strongly supports the SPEED Act. This long-overdue permitting reform legislation delivers the required clarifications and reforms the utility construction industry has sought for years. By restoring reasonable scope to environmental reviews, codifying recent Supreme Court precedent, establishing enforceable timelines, and placing reasonable guardrails and timelines on the litigation process, this bill will finally allow contractors to begin work when projects are ready, not when the last-ditch lawsuits are exhausted.” – The National Utility Contractors Association
“The Natural Gas Supply Association welcomes the commonsense reforms outlined in the SPEED Act, which will help fix a broken NEPA process that produces uncertainty for energy infrastructure and natural gas investment.” – Dena Wiggins, president and CEO, Natural Gas Supply Association
“Seaman Corporation applauds this bipartisan effort to advance critical permitting reforms so manufacturers and the diverse industries that rely on them—including construction, roofing, transportation, energy, and defense—can build in America and compete globally.” – Jeff Swartz, CEO, Seaman Corporation
“SMA urges Members of Congress to vote yes on the SPEED Act and support commonsense permitting reforms that allow our members to protect the environment and create jobs. Steel manufacturers are committed to responsible stewardship of our environment while furthering projects that promote economic growth and prosperity. SMA looks forward to working with the Committee and interested parties to advance the SPEED Act and commonsense permitting reforms.” – Brandon Farris, vice president, government affairs, Steel Manufacturers Association
"The U.S. Industrial Pellet Association (USIPA), representing America’s industrial wood pellet producers, is pleased to support the SPEED Act (H.R. 4776). A clear, timely, and predictable permitting process is essential to advancing sustainable forest products, renewable energy, and rural economic development. The SPEED Act provides balanced and bipartisan reforms that maintain strong environmental protections while improving transparency and efficiency, which supports continued investment and responsible growth across our sector.” – Darrell Smith, executive director, U.S. Industrial Pellet Association
“The SPEED Act is necessary to eliminate NEPA’s chokehold on our mineral and national security and our economic well-being, and to restore common sense to NEPA. WMC applauds you and Congressman Golden for your leadership and vision in introducing this bill and we also thank the nine bipartisan cosponsors who recognize the importance of fixing the broken NEPA permitting process.” – Debra W. Struhsacker, WMC co-founder and board member, and Lyndsey Wright, WMC executive director, Women’s Mining Coalition
