Natural State News

Bill seeks to streamline process for infrastructure and transportation projects, lower prices and make it easier to build in America

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to introduce the Revitalizing the Economy by Simplifying Timelines and Assuring Regulatory Transparency (RESTART) Act, legislation to substantively reform the nation’s broken permitting and environmental review processes, which are currently delaying key infrastructure and transportation projects across America.

The measure covers key reforms in EPW’s jurisdiction including provisions to streamline the agency review process with enforceable timelines, implement time limits to prevent endless legal challenges and modernize current laws while maintaining environmental protections.

“Our country can design and build world-class projects that improve our quality of life and enhance economic opportunity, but for too long Americans have been forced into a burdensome regulatory process that has slowed, halted or prevented them from bringing these plans to fruition,” Boozman said. “I’m proud to work with Ranking Member Capito and our colleagues to cut this red tape and restore a reasonable permitting system that enables growth, innovation and efficiency all while safeguarding our natural resources and environment.”

“The current permitting and project review process slows the construction of roads and bridges, discourages domestic energy production and minimizes investments made in our nation’s infrastructure, all of which has resulted in fewer jobs and higher prices for Americans,” Capito said. “I’m confident we can find bipartisan consensus and accomplish real permitting reform, which will create jobs, boost energy production, lower prices for consumers and make it easier to build in America.”

The RESTART Act is cosponsored by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY) and other Republican members of the EPW Committee including Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). 

For bill text, click here.

For a section-by-section of the RESTART Act, click here.

For a one-pager on the legislation, click here.

Original source can be found here.