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.

Permitting Process Flowchart Pipelines

Permitting Process Flowchart Off Shore Wind

Permitting Process Flowchart Solar

Biden Appointee Christine Harada Joins the Permitting Council as Executive Director

July 6, 2021

Christine Harada will lead the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council as executive director beginning today. Harada brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in public and private sectors to the role. She will lead 13 federal agencies, state agencies, and project sponsors to develop and implement project-specific timetables for all required reviews and authorizations, in line with the administration's Build Back Better agenda to rebuild the economy and the country's infrastructure.

Permitting Council Submits Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request to Congress

June 1, 2021

The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council is charged with improving the timeliness, predictability, and transparency of the federal environmental review and authorization processes for major infrastructure projects, primarily across twelve sectors. Through its fiscal year 2022 budget request to Congress, the Permitting Council supports the president’s efforts for making much-needed infrastructure investments in the most efficient way possible, while also protecting public safety and the environment.

View the FY 2022 BUDGET REQUEST TO CONGRESS

East Side Coastal Resiliency EIS Wins NAEP Environmental Excellence Award

May 25, 2021

The New York City Department of Design and Construction’s East Side Coastal Resiliency EIS received the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) Environmental Excellence Award in the NEPA Planning Integration category. The department worked with the Permitting Council to lead a coordinated effort with federal (HUD, USDOC, NOAA, USACE) and state partners for the FAST-41 project to deliver a timely and coordinated permitting process. This unprecedented coastal resiliency project for New York City will play a vital role in reducing coastal flooding—while improving access to—and enhancing waterfront open spaces.

FAST-41 Quick Guide for Practitioners