Senate Energy Hearing Signals Bipartisan Backing For Eased Permitting

A Senate energy committee hearing on Chairman Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) draft infrastructure legislation is highlighting calls from both parties to streamline environmental permitting, including arguments from some Democrats that such changes are needed to achieve the Biden administration’s climate goals. Republicans at the June 24 proceeding also reiterated long-standing frustrations that current permitting processes pose hurdles for major projects, charging that Manchin’s draft bill does not do enough on the issue. “I’m concerned that this bill includes almost no permitting...