Young, Colleagues Introduce Comprehensive Regulatory and Permitting Reform Legislation

Press Release

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and 37 senators recently introduced the Simplify Timelines and Assure Regulatory Transparency (START) Act. The bill would allow for comprehensive federal regulatory permitting and project review reform.

"Permitting delays, regulatory inefficiencies, and red tape are all reasons why our nation's energy infrastructure -- from renewable energy to fossil fuel projects -- are stuck in limbo," said Senator Young. "At a time when advancing our domestic energy security is vitally important, the START Act is a much-needed step to reduce self-imposed barriers and provide certainty for our supply chains."

"Since our calls for action and offers to see legislative text from the permitting "deal' remain unheeded, Republicans are introducing this legislation today to deliver solutions to the roadblocks, delays, and postponements of key infrastructure projects across the country," said Ranking Member Capito. "The START Act would provide regulatory certainty to states, expedite permitting and review processes, codify substantive environmental regulatory reforms, and expedite permitting of the critically important Mountain Valley Pipeline. Republicans are unified in working to deliver needed permitting reform, and this legislation is a blueprint for how we can help communities benefit from being able to finally get critical projects across the finish line."

Cosponsors of the legislation include U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

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