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Biden-Harris Administration Invests Nearly $155 Million to Increase Federal Agency Permitting Review Efficiency and Effectiveness as Part of Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON (October 11, 2023) – The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) today announced the allocation of nearly $155 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to aid federal agencies in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure permitting review and authorizations. Today’s announcement is part of $350 million for the Permitting Council and $1 billion total for federal agency permitting activities over ten years that was included in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in history and a core pillar of Bidenomics.
Permitting Council Executive Director Releases Quarterly Member Agency Performance Report
WASHINGTON (September 29, 2023) – Today, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) Executive Director released the fiscal year 2023 third quarter report assessing Federal agencies’ compliance with FAST-41. The report showcases a period of growth and stability for agencies implementing FAST-41, with increased conformance to FAST-41 requirements, along with indicators of areas for continued improvement.
Permitting Council Moves to Designate the Critical Minerals Supply Chain as a FAST-41 Sector
WASHINGTON (September 21, 2023) – Today, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) proposed to revise the FAST-41 mining sector regulations to focus on critical minerals and the full critical minerals supply chain, including critical minerals refining, recycling, and beneficiation, in addition to mining. As the nation works to address the increasing demand for minerals such as lithium and nickel to build a clean energy economy, the Permitting Council is working to make sure that the critical mineral projects covered by FAST-41 are leading the way.
President Biden Appoints Rebecca Higgins as Chief of Staff for the Permitting Council
WASHINGTON (September 11, 2023) — The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rebecca Higgins as its first Chief of Staff. Higgins comes to the Permitting Council from the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) where she served as a senior policy advisor.
Billion Dollar Transmission Line Project Breaks Ground After Receiving Permitting Approval
WASHINGTON (September 1, 2023) – Today, federal and state leaders gathered near Corona, NM for a groundbreaking ceremony to officially kick off construction of the FAST-41 covered SunZia Southwest Transmission project. Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) Executive Director Eric Beightel joined with Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury and White House Senior Advisor John Podesta to celebrate the $1 billion project that will play a significant role in President Biden’s clean energy agenda.