Carter. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
A Republican sweep of Congress and the White House in November would likely push permitting discussions into next year, Rep. Buddy Carter says.
Why it matters: The Georgia Republican and vice chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus has advocated improving the permitting process and recently appeared with Democrats to tout bipartisan goals.
State of play: All eyes are on whether the Senate will pass and the House will take up a bipartisan permitting bill advanced by a 15-4 Senate ENR vote in July.
- A House NEPA overhaul proposal so far only has Republican support.
Driving the news: Carter said he thinks the Senate bill has some good provisions but needs improvement, Carter told Axios at the CTA Electric Vehicles Tech Summit near the Capitol.
- "If anything's going to get passed during lame duck, I think that's got the best opportunity," Carter said.
- "It depends on how the election goes," he said. "It depends on if we are going to have control. If the Republicans are going to have control and in the White House, then we'll probably wait. But all kind of dynamics play into it."
Between the lines: Speaking to a few dozen electric vehicle advocates, Carter touted the Hyundai EV plant in his district.
- "I do believe in EVs," Carter said. "There are people who want EVs. I'm just opposed to the federal government mandating that we have to go that way."
