The letter was released on Monday morning and coincided with the launch of the “Permit America to Build” campaign, which is being spearheaded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There have long been complaints about how long it takes to get permitting approval, and the nearly 350 groups signed on are urging congressional action before the end of the summer.
The signatories said that the “single biggest obstacle” to building infrastructure down the road is the current “broken” permitting system.The group emphasized the importance of investments in highways, bridges, transit systems, building new energy infrastructure, expanding broadband access, and rebuilding failing water systems.
The group lists predictability, efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder input as what should be the guiding principles in the permitting reform process. The coalition launched the campaign as the House considers new energy legislation dubbed by Republican leadership as the Lower Energy Costs Act. The legislation would overhaul the permitting process to strengthen domestic energy production and protect U.S. energy exports.