Historic Infrastructure Investments to Benefit Native Americans in Three Critical Ways

November 16, 2021

The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council), charged with improving the Federal infrastructure environmental review and permitting process, announced it will expand its efforts to consider the important voices and culture of America’s first inhabitants as the historic infrastructure investment package becomes law during Native American Heritage Month. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Permitting Council will lead the implementation of important new policies to expand Tribal involvement in Federal infrastructure review and permitting in three critical ways.
 

DOE Status Report August 2021

Alaska LNG Court status Report

Infrastructure Project Advisor

Congress Expands Power of Agency That Reformed Infrastructure Permitting

November 8, 2021

Congress approved the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) on November 5, a historic $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill in American infrastructure and global competitiveness. Among other things, the IIJA makes important Federal infrastructure review and permitting process reforms permanent by re-authorizing the Federal agency responsible for implementing them, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council).  

Kulning Wind Energy Project Receives FAST-41 Coverage

September 30, 2021

The Permitting Council has determined that the Kulning Wind Energy Project is a FAST-41 covered project, effective September 29. The Kulning Wind Energy Project is a proposed 308-MW wind energy generation plant in Clark County, Nevada. The plant would consist of up to 68 wind turbine generators, a project substation including switchgear and battery energy storage equipment, accompanying ancillary infrastructure, and a 29-mile transmission line to Sloan Canyon Switching Station. The project’s sponsor Crescent Peak Renewables, seeks to contribute to Nevada’s renewable energy goals with the project.

Executive Director to Host Nation-to-Nation Consultations with Tribal Leaders

September 14, 2021

Christine Harada, Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council will host a series of consultations with Tribal Nations in September. The events will bring together Federal officials and Tribal leaders from across the country to listen and learn from one another, identify ways to collaborate, and discuss infrastructure projects that affect Tribal Nations. Tribes are invited to attend one of four consultation sessions to learn more about environmental review and authorization of infrastructure projects pursuant to Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41) and to share feedback on how the Permitting Council can improve coordination with Tribal governments on FAST-41 covered projects. 

Bonanza Solar Project Receives FAST-41 Coverage

August 13, 2021

The Permitting Council has determined that the Bonanza Solar Project is a FAST-41 covered project, effective August 13. The Bonanza project is a solar energy generating facility proposed to deliver up to 600MW of clean, renewable energy a year — enough to power approximately 90,000 homes. Renewable energy production is a key solution outlined in President Biden’s executive order to combat the climate crisis with a government-wide approach that delivers equity, well-paying union jobs, and economic growth through innovation, commercialization, and clean energy technologies, and infrastructure deployment.

SunZia Southwest Transmission Project Receives FAST-41 Coverage

July 29, 2021

The Permitting Council has added the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project to the Permitting Dashboard, effective July 29. The SunZia project is an electricity transmission project that will deliver 3,000 to 4,500 MW of clean energy to the Western United States. It is in line with the Administration’s plan to accelerate the needed expansion and modernization of America’s power infrastructure to build a more reliable electric grid, create good-paying, union jobs, and deliver clean American energy to American businesses and homeowners.

U.S. Senators Introduce the Federal Permitting Reform and Jobs Act

July 14, 2021

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced the Federal Permitting Reform and Jobs Act to improve the federal permitting process for major infrastructure projects. This bill will build on the Permitting Council's efforts to implement the statutory requirements of FAST-41 by leading a coordinated interagency permitting process, eliminating needless duplication, and engaging federal agencies and project sponsors to foster improved communication and clarify expectations.