John Cornyn Backs Bill to Speed Up Federal Energy Permitting

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) is backing legislation aimed at streamlining federal permitting for energy and mineral infrastructure projects, arguing that lengthy reviews and litigation are delaying projects needed to meet rising energy demand.

Cornyn joins push to cut permitting delays.

Sen. Cornyn has cosponsored the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, legislation introduced by Sen. Alan Armstrong (R-OK) that seeks to speed up the federal permitting process for energy and mineral infrastructure.

Sen. John Cornyn: "As energy use rises, we must remove unnecessary barriers holding us back from building reliable infrastructure that can keep up with demand."

The legislation targets delays associated with environmental reviews, permitting, and litigation that can hold up major infrastructure projects for years.

Why permitting reform is needed.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal agencies must review the potential environmental effects of certain energy infrastructure projects before issuing permits. Supporters of the legislation argue that the process has increasingly become bogged down by litigation challenging agencies' environmental reviews.

Sen. John Cornyn: "I am proud to join Senator Armstrong as a cosponsor of the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, which would help streamline the process for federal permitting and construction and allow Texas to continue fueling the nation."

According to the legislation's supporters, appeals can add at least four years to project timelines, potentially forcing developers to abandon projects after significant investments. More than 4,000 miles of pipeline projects intended to expand capacity and meet energy demand are currently on hold, according to the background provided with the legislation.

What would the bill change

The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act would make several changes to the federal permitting system, including strengthening the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's role as the lead agency for interstate natural gas pipelines and LNG facilities.

The bill would also establish reforms to Clean Water Act Section 401 reviews, reduce duplicative reviews for certain EPA permits, extend permit terms, and establish judicial reforms intended to limit what supporters describe as baseless lawsuits.

It would further clarify federal mining activities and modify NEPA requirements by defining the scope of environmental reviews and establishing judicial review standards.

The legislation has received support from a broad group of energy, infrastructure, mining, and utility organizations, including the American Petroleum Institute, American Exploration & Production Council, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, National Mining Association, and Next Era Energy.