July 23, 2020TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:The undersigned trade associations and labor unions oppose amendment #72 to Division C of H.R. 7608, the first package of appropriations legislation that would block implementation of recently completed reforms to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. These important reforms will ensure a federal permitting process that is predictable and transparent, where “go” or “no go” decisions are made in a reasonable timeframe, and facilitates getting Americans back to work rebuilding critical infrastructure that will move people, goods, energy and information.Our organizations strongly support a thorough environmental review process for projects under NEPA, but it should not take longer to get a decision on a permit than it would for construction of a project. Unfortunately, that is often the case today. NEPA’s permitting procedures have not been comprehensively updated since the 1970s and since then, the review times have increased to 4.5 years on average and to almost seven years for transportation projects. Reducing delays for sustainable transportation projects would reduce congestion related emissions and improve the quality of life for communities.Building the economy of the future means addressing the growing demand for critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railways, airways, waterways, transit, housing, telecommunications, and energy projects of all types. A modernized NEPA process would improve our ability to meet that demand. As the U.S. is undergoing important conversations about inequality of opportunity, the predictability and transparency provided by these reforms can accelerate investment in infrastructure such as better access to broadband and mass transit that will serve underprivileged communities and create economic opportunities.The NEPA updates are critically important to a broad group of stakeholders including agriculture, construction, manufacturing, building trades unions, renewable and conventional energy, surface transportation, and broadband. We remain committed to working with legislators, regulators, and all stakeholders to return NEPA to its original intent—a timely and focused review of environmental impacts—rather than a tool to delay projects for years and even decades. We urge you to oppose any amendment to FY2021 appropriations language such as amendment #72 that would block these important NEPA updates.Sincerely,Agricultural Retailers AssociationAmerican Chemistry CouncilAmerican Coke and Coal Chemicals InstituteAmerican Council for Capital FormationAmerican Council of Engineering CompaniesAmerican Exploration & Production CouncilAmerican Farm Bureau FederationAmerican Forest & Paper AssociationAmerican Fuel & Petrochemical ManufacturersAmerican Gas AssociationAmerican Highway Users AllianceAmerican Petroleum InstituteAmerican Public Gas AssociationAmerican Road & Transportation Builders AssociationAmerican Sheep Industry AssociationAmerican Trucking AssociationsAmerican Wood CouncilAssociated Builders and ContractorsAssociated General Contractors of AmericaAssociation of American RailroadsAssociation of Oil Pipe LinesConsumer Energy AllianceEnergy Equipment & Infrastructure AllianceFederal Forest Resource CoalitionThe Fertilizer InstituteHardwood FederationIndependent Petroleum Association of AmericaLNG Allies, The US LNG AssociationNational Association of Chemical DistributorsNational Association of Home BuildersNational Association of ManufacturersNational Cattlemen's Beef AssociationNational Lime AssociationNational Mining AssociationNational Ocean Industries AssociationNational Rural Electric Cooperative AssociationNational Stone, Sand & Gravel AssociationNorth America’s Building Trades UnionsPortland Cement AssociationPublic Lands CouncilU.S. Chamber of Commerce
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