Permitting provisions dropped from CR
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Congressional negotiators failed to reach a deal on legislation to speed up the permitting process for energy projects, Democrats said today.
Why it matters: A wide range of energy industry sectors were holding out hope for a bipartisan bill to expedite environmental reviews and get projects moving faster.
Driving the news: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin said that GOP leadership blocked efforts to attach a permitting deal to the year-end continuing resolution.
- "By taking permitting off the table for this Congress, Speaker [Mike] Johnson and House Republican leadership have done a disservice to the incoming Trump administration," he said in a statement.
- The CR was likely the last must-pass legislative vehicle on which permitting legislation could've caught a ride.
- That leaves permitting talks in a rough spot next year, since Republicans have a narrow majority and Democrats will be less willing to strike a deal that makes changes to bedrock environmental laws.
Zoom in: Manchin's bipartisan Senate proposal with Republican John Barrasso aimed to build out long-range power lines, mandate lease sales and expedite NEPA reviews for energy projects.
- Rep. Bruce Westerman's GOP House counteroffer made deeper changes to NEPA that would ease the path for projects funded under the IRA, IIJA and CHIPS Act.
- Talks began to break down late last week with lawmakers at loggerheads over proposed changes to how environmental impact statements can be challenged in court.
What they're saying: Senate Environment and Public Works Chair Tom Carper, who had objected to the Republican NEPA proposals, again pinned the blame on the GOP.
- "Unfortunately, instead of taking real policy wins, House Republicans let their perfect be the enemy of the good," he said in a statement today.
- Manchin told Axios he felt like committee leaders could have reached a deal but were still haggling on NEPA judicial review provisions: "We could not get the House leadership to move anything at all."=
The other side: Johnson issued a statement saying Democrats had several chances in this Congress and the previous session to overhaul permitting but failed.
- "If they were truly committed to reaching an agreement, negotiations would have started months ago — not after they lost the election," he said. "With a Republican White House, Senate and House, we are confident we will secure stronger and more comprehensive permitting reforms in the next Congress."
What's next: We're still waiting on final text of the CR.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from Sen. Joe Manchin and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
