Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted to pass H.R. 4776, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act), legislation that reforms the federal environmental review process to reduce unnecessary delays while preserving environmental protections. The bill updates the National Environmental Policy Act to bring more clarity, certainty, and accountability to a system that has too often stalled critical projects for years.

"We can protect our environment and still get things built, those two ideas are not in conflict," said Congressman Harrigan. "Right now, families, small businesses, and local communities are paying the price for a permitting process that drags on forever, changes the rules midstream, and drives up costs. This bill brings common sense back into the process so projects can move forward responsibly, predictably, and on a real timeline."

The SPEED Act clarifies that NEPA is a procedural law, not a tool to endlessly delay projects, and sets firm boundaries around what impacts agencies must consider. It prevents agencies from reopening or undoing completed environmental reviews without cause, limits reviews to effects directly tied to a project, and encourages coordination across federal agencies so reviews happen concurrently rather than one after another. The bill also allows agencies to rely on prior state, tribal, or federal environmental reviews when appropriate, reducing duplication and uncertainty

With House passage, the legislation now heads to the Senate. Congressman Harrigan is calling for swift consideration to help unlock infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing projects that strengthen domestic supply chains, lower costs for families, and keep the United States competitive without sacrificing environmental stewardship.