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Senate Energy Committee Clears Permitting Reform Bill

By Joshua St.Pierre posted 08-01-2024 12:36 PM

  
This week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) favorably passed the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 out of committee on a bipartisan vote of 15-4. More pipeline capacity and a less burdensome interstate permitting process for new natural gas infrastructure will enable public gas utilities, 95% of whom are captive to one pipeline, to continue to deliver energy to Americans at the most affordable rates possible. While the bill includes sweeping electric and natural gas infrastructure permitting reforms, APGA members should pay close attention to provisions in the legislation that would fix burdensome court processes and provisions that would accelerate U.S. energy production. 
 
Chairman Joe Manchin (I-WV) said at the hearing,  
 
“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… the time to act is now. Let me be clear, there’s no such thing as a perfect bill. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We’ve tried everything we could to find that balance. Members on both sides expressed interest in doing things in other committees' jurisdiction as well, we understand that and encourage that we can only tackle what’s in our jurisdiction, and this bill is exactly that and it significantly moves the ball forward for all types of energy and mineral projects.”
 
The bill faces an uphill climb as there are few legislative days left on the calendar, but leaders have signaled there may be an opportunity for movement after the November election. Leaders have also noted that the strong bipartisan support within the Committee and amongst industry stakeholders is a good sign. 
 
Check out the letter that APGA sent leadership on the Committee in support of the important energy permitting reform provisions here. APGA staff will update the Legislative Committee as the bill moves through the Senate and ultimately through the House.
 
For questions on this article, please contact Joshua St.Pierre of APGA staff by phone at 202-407-0015 or by email at jstpierre@apga.org.

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