On Wednesday, January 31, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced several pieces of AGC-supported legislation aimed at providing greater certainty for construction companies engaged in water projects held up by the Clean Water Act permitting process.

On Wednesday, January 31, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced several pieces of AGC-supported legislation aimed at providing greater certainty for construction companies engaged in water projects held up by the Clean Water Act permitting process. The specific proposals include:

• Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act which is comprised of five standalone bills that had been previously introduced in the House of Representatives. These proposals are intended to put guardrails on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authorities in the permitting process. In addition, they aim to reduce lawsuits by protecting permit holders and setting parameters around who can sue and when. Click here to read the bill text.
• Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act eliminates a duplicative regulatory process at the EPA for the use of pesticides, saving taxpayer money and reducing regulatory burdens on pesticide users, while maintaining the same level of environmental protection. Click here to read the bill text.

Overall, these legislative proposals would accelerate an all-too-slow review process and mitigate against frivolous lawsuits that often follow permitting decisions. They will also ensure more timely delivery of infrastructure projects that benefit the nation’s communities yet still protect the environment. We will keep you updated if these bills advance to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

For more information, contact Alex Etchen at [email protected].