SPEED Act Advances With Bipartisan Backing, Promising Certainty and Acceleration for U.S. Renewable and Conventional Energy Projects

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) welcomed progress on federal permitting reform after the House Natural Resources Committee approved the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act in a 25–18 vote. The legislation aims to streamline the permitting process for energy infrastructure projects across the United States.

ACP CEO Jason Grumet said the committee’s bipartisan action represents an important step toward modernizing the nation’s energy infrastructure at a time of rising demand. He noted that the SPEED Act introduces reforms needed to advance a broad mix of energy projects, warning that delays in permitting and inadequate support for pipeline and transmission development could lead to higher energy prices and risks to system reliability.

According to Grumet, the SPEED Act establishes key milestones throughout the permitting process to provide greater certainty for project developers and ensure accountability across agencies. He emphasized the bill’s technology-neutral approach, describing it as vital to maintaining balanced energy policy and building the coalition required for passage.

Grumet also commended Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman for advancing the legislation, stating that a clearer and more predictable permitting framework would accelerate the development of diverse energy resources, including solar, wind, storage, natural gas, petroleum, geothermal, hydropower, and advanced nuclear technologies.

He added that investment in U.S. energy projects is being constrained by prolonged delays and uncertainty, ultimately affecting consumers and economic growth. With families facing higher energy costs, Grumet said the bipartisan permitting reform could help unlock more projects, support rising demand, and stabilize prices for American households.