A Senate panel explored strategies on Tuesday to make Department of Interior and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permitting processes for energy and resources infrastructure more responsive, transparent, and predictable.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, highlighted bipartisan efforts to reform the permitting process and the impact of delays on U.S. mineral security, manufacturing, health care, energy, and defense during the committee hearing.
“We all recognize that we need to make investments to upgrade and modernize our aging infrastructure,” Murkowski said. “However, the current regulatory regime for these projects, from electric transmission lines to hydropower to mining projects, impacts the cost-effectiveness of our federal investments. The length and uncertainty associated with the permitting process is driving private investment dollars overseas, rather than keeping those jobs here and creating growth and prosperity for our nation.”
The Energy and Natural Resources Act would “take important steps’ to streamline project reviews, Murkowski added. Murkowski and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) reintroduced the bill earlier this year.
“Whether it is energy production, pipelines, pumped storage, water supply, mining or LNG, the permitting system needs to be improved across the board, and our bill will help us make needed progress,” Murkowski said.
Luke Russell, the vice president of external affairs at Hecla Mining, testified that permitting delays lead to reductions in infrastructure investments and make the nation more dependent on foreign minerals.
“Metals and minerals are the building blocks of our nation’s infrastructure — simply put, it is impossible to create infrastructure without them,” Russell said. “The United States is blessed with world class mineral endowment, but sadly has become increasingly dependent on foreign sources of minerals.”
Russell added that it takes an average of seven to 10 years to secure permits for energy and resources infrastructure projects.
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