Johnson’s Bipartisan Digital Permitting Bill Passes U.S. House

Washington, D.C. – Today, the ePermit Act, led by U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Scott Peters (D-CA) passed the House unanimously. The ePermit Act will codify President Trump’s Action Plan to modernize permitting technology across the federal government, reducing processing time for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.

Click here for Johnson’s floor remarks

“It has become harder and harder to get any big project done in America,” said Johnson. “The same road project that can get approved in Germany in six months takes six years in America. America is full of innovators, creators, and builders. It’s time we let them build again, fueling economic growth and unlocking domestic energy production. I’m grateful the ePermit Act passed the House, and I hope the Senate acts soon so this can be the law of the land.”

“Passing this bill out of the House represents a major breakthrough in our effort to finally modernize an outdated permitting system,” saidPeters. “Today’s progress is a clear sign that Congress can still come together to solve real problems; let’s build on this momentum, digitize the permitting process, cut needless delays, and get this bill across the finish line.” 

“The ePermit Act modernizes an outdated system and establishes a streamlined, electronic permitting framework that will reduce red tape and increase efficiency across federal agencies,” said Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR). By transitioning to digital permitting, we can cut down on delays, enhance coordination and provide applicants with clearer, more predictable timelines. I applaud Representative Johnson for leading this bipartisan effort to bring permitting into the 21st century.”

“Modernizing the environmental review and permitting process will enable the United States to meet critical infrastructure needs, secure affordable and reliable energy, and fuel economic growth,” saidKatherine Scarlett, Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality. “The administration welcomes congressional action to leverage technology to accelerate and simplify the permitting process across the Federal government, building on the accomplishments set in motion by President Trump’s Memorandum Updating Permitting Technology for the 21st Century – such as CEQ’s Permitting Technology Action Plan.”

“Technology and transparency are key pieces of meaningful permitting reform to let America build,” saidJeremy Harrell, CEO, ClearPath Action. “Today’s House vote reiterates bipartisan support for streamlining reviews in a way that balances speed and safety. We look forward to the Senate taking up the ePermit Act this Congress.”

“NAHB urges House passage of the ePermit Act, introduced by Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Scott Peters (D-CA),” said Buddy Hughes, Chairman,National Association of Home Builders. “This legislation would address housing affordability challenges by improving and expediting the environmental review and permitting processes. Permitting roadblocks delay housing projects and raise construction costs. The ePermit Act will bring clarity, efficiency, and certainty to the permitting process by requiring the use of electronic permitting platforms.”

“It’s no secret that the current permitting process remains a major barrier to deploying the projects needed to secure America’s energy and environmental future,” said Chris Barnard, President, American Conservation Coalition Action. “By embracing today’s technology, we can modernize the permitting system and accelerate project approvals through greater efficiency and transparency. The American Conservation Coalition Action and its members across the country commend this effort to bring environmental review into the 21st century." 

“The American Council of Engineering Companies, the business voice of the nation’s engineering industry, supports passage of H.R. 4503, the ePermit Act and applauds Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Scott Peters (D-CA) for their leadership on this important bipartisan legislation. The ePermit Act will modernize how federal agencies use technology to facilitate more efficient and timely federal permitting decisions. If passed, the bill will help to cut red tape by enhancing transparency, improving stakeholder engagement, and facilitating efficient interagency collaboration.”

Johnson introduced the ePermit Act in July. The House Natural Resources Committee passed the legislation in November. 

Background: 

The current permitting process has failed to ensure project permitting is on-time and on-task. Oftentimes, the root causes of delays in the environmental review process have little to do with questions about environmental protection and a lot to do with failure to embrace modern technology and move on from legacy bureaucratic approaches, like paper forms.

Congress must address the root causes for delays, which include compiling and reviewing lengthy paper documents, a lack of accessibility and transparency – leading to misunderstanding, conflicts, and all too often, protracted litigation – and continued reliance on outdated technologies and processes for interagency review and comment.

The ePermit Act would address these root causes by establishing a framework for agencies to implement a digital permitting system and unified portal.

Click here for bill text.