Accelerating Infrastructure Projects: Shifting Federal Environmental Review to States
This act allows states to take over environmental review responsibilities from federal agencies for infrastructure projects. The goal is to speed up project delivery, such as road or bridge construction, by reducing federal bureaucracy. Citizens might see faster development of new infrastructure, but states will need to ensure they have adequate resources and adhere to the same environmental standards.
Key points
States can assume federal responsibilities for environmental reviews of major projects, potentially accelerating their completion.
States must demonstrate sufficient financial and personnel resources to properly carry out these duties.
Federal agencies will oversee states through audits and can revoke authority if states fail to comply with regulations.
The act aims to streamline project approval processes, potentially reducing wait times for new public investments.
Expired
Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_719
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Process start date: 2021-03-11