Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act; SPEED Act
Summary
The Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act) aims to amend the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. The goal is to streamline the environmental review process for federal projects. It seeks to clarify ambiguous provisions and promote efficiency in environmental assessments.
Expected Effects
The Act is expected to accelerate project approvals by setting deadlines for agency actions and limiting the scope of environmental reviews. It also restricts judicial review and encourages reliance on existing environmental reviews. This could lead to faster economic development but potentially less thorough environmental oversight.
Potential Benefits
- Faster project approvals due to mandated deadlines.
- Reduced regulatory burden on businesses seeking permits.
- Increased economic development activity.
- More efficient use of agency resources.
- Greater certainty for project sponsors regarding environmental reviews.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potentially less thorough environmental reviews.
- Reduced public input in environmental decision-making.
- Increased risk of environmental damage due to expedited processes.
- Limited judicial review for challenging agency actions.
- Possible negative impacts on tribal trust resources despite stated protections.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's focus on procedural efficiency aligns with the Constitution's aim to 'promote the general Welfare' (Preamble). However, the limitations on judicial review may raise concerns regarding due process (5th Amendment). The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific enumerated rights, but its impact on environmental protection could indirectly affect the health and well-being of citizens.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).