Dec 10, 2024 - Energy & Climate

Trump promises expedited permits for $1 billion US investment

Ben Berkowitz

President Trump at a construction site with shovels in the ground. — President Trump at a construction site. Photo: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

President-elect Trump promised an expedited pathway to permits and project approvals for anyone investing $1 billion in the United States.

Why it matters: It's not clear who would be eligible, or for what kind of projects, nor how the federal government would do away with the usual labyrinth of regulatory hurdles.

Catch up quick: Trump, in a Truth Social post Tuesday, said anyone making a $1 billion investment "will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals."

Transition spokespeople did not immediately return requests for comment on who or what would be eligible.

By the numbers: The U.S. already receives more than $177 billion a year in new foreign direct investment, per Commerce Department data. That rate is declining, though.

The intrigue: Trump's specific mention of quick environmental approvals will put the spotlight on Lee Zeldin, the former New York congressman the president-elect picked to lead the EPA.

Zeldin is considered to have little environmental policymaking experience — but is a strong supporter of Trump's broad deregulatory push.

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Trump promises expedited permits for $1 billion US investment

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