Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 15, Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) hosted a Special Order with Congressional Western Caucus Members to highlight permitting challenges and opportunities throughout the United States.
 
Members representing diverse communities across the country spoke about the impacts of broken permitting processes across the federal government and outlined their vision for streamlined, modernized regulations that empower rural communities to improve critical infrastructure, strengthen domestic energy production, and ensure healthy forests and landscapes, and secure the delivery of clean water.
 
“Over and over again, I hear from my constituents in Central Washington – and from community leaders across the United States – that we need to get the federal government out of the way. That’s why, throughout the month of March, Western Caucus Members are taking the opportunity to highlight why reforming our duplicative and burdensome permitting processes is the key to unlocking rural America’s potential,” said Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04). “…Our rural communities deserve the investment and development that is disincentivized by our broken permitting processes.” Click here to watch his full remarks.
 
“There’s no doubt that we should be good stewards of our environment and our communities, but too often, the free market – unburdened by government – is seen as the enemy of both,” said Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “This is simply false. Streamlining a permitting process shouldn’t be partisan, political, or picking sides. It can be a win for the environment, the economy, and our communities simultaneously. We do not have to choose just one. In fact, a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand-in-hand.” Click here to watch his full remarks.
 
“We need expedited permits for LNG exporting facilities, we need to get through the permitting process for drilling, we need to make sure we can drill on federal lands, we need to make sure we complete pipelines,” said Rep. Fred Keller (PA-12).
“Those are the things that are halting American energy production, fueling inflation, and adding to the skyrocketing cost of energy for all Americans.” Click here to watch his full remarks.
 
"The Administration must stop delaying the permits and put Americans to work on energy infrastructure in America,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05). “…We need to embrace innovation for abundant, affordable, and clean energy for us and the rest of the world. It means reducing the permitting and regulatory burdens around nuclear; we should be leading in advanced nuclear technology… but right now, the permitting is so costly and time consuming, it is delaying our progress. With an all-of-the-above strategy, we can say yes to America’s global leadership and lower energy prices.” Click here to watch her full remarks.
 
“With our economy on the mend, the Biden Administration should not be considering unnecessary and overly burdensome govenrment regulations. Reverting back to these policies [like the 2015 WOTUS rule] represents a blatant, unconstitutional power grab aimed at taking federal control over states in a way that threatens the rights of farmers, ranchers, and all other landowners in Iowa and across our great nation,” said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02). “We need to let people do their jobs and cut back on the incredible number of federal regulations in the permitting process. We can protect our nation's waterways and make improvements to infrastructure without burdensome regulations.” Click here to watch her full remarks.
 
“Outdated and complicated permitting processes, excess paperwork, environmental impact statements, and years-long litigation processes have delayed or prevented projects all across Oregon – especially in my district, which covers more than two-thirds of the state,” said Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02).“…Nowhere is this problem more pronounced than in forest management. For decades, Congress has stacked process upon process, creating more and more red tape for agencies to deal with. Of course we want to know what the impact of a project will be. However, when the processes for determining that impact stall action for up to 20 years, the system is obviously broken.” Click here to watch his full remarks.
 
“President Biden wants to ‘build back better,’ but what he doesn’t realize is that first, we must be able to build. Many otherwise shovel-ready infrastructure projects get trapped in bureaucratic gridlock for years,” said Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01). “…New wind and solar projects take 2.3 years on average to receive federal permits, 3.3 years for electricity transmission projects, and 4.7 years for major new road projects. This contrasts with the ambitious and radical climate goals Democrats have set calling for a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030. In that case, the 7-10 year development timeline is entirely too long and unrealistic.” Click here to watch his full remarks.
 
“In communities like the Central Valley, federal permitting requirements coupled with the state’s strict environmental regulations make it harder for our communities to get the water they so desperately need,” said Rep. David Valadao (CA-21). “Increasing water storage capacity is critical to ensuring a reliable water supply for our Valley farmers that feed the country. Unfortunately, our broken permitting process prevents many of these critical water infrastructure projects from ever getting off the ground. We need to fix complex and contradictory laws, court decisions, and regulations at the state and federal levels that hinder our water storage infrastructure.” Click here to watch his full remarks.