Permitting Council Names Georgette A. Furukawa Director of Public Engagement

December 17, 2024

Georgette A. Furukawa has been named the Director of Public Engagement for the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council), effective January 18. As a former strategic consultant, development director, and external affairs advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy, Furukawa brings more than 15 years of public, private, and civil society experience to the role. She will work at the local, state, and national levels to ensure community leaders, diverse perspectives, and new voices all have the opportunity to inform the work of the Permitting Council Executive Director.

Federal Government Maps Out Environmental Data for Infrastructure Projects

December 1, 2021

The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) released its geospatial (GIS) environmental data inventory, the initial step in developing a government-wide geospatial solution to improve the environmental review and authorization process for infrastructure projects. The GIS inventory, developed in partnership with the Office of Management and Budget, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, provides public access to environmental data that can affect infrastructure projects.

Executive Director Determination re Extending date for Sunrise Wind Farm

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.