By Nichola Groom
Dec 18 (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on Thursday that would streamline environmental reviews and speed permitting for large energy infrastructure projects, data centers and factories, in line with President Donald Trump’s agenda to boost the energy industry, but at odds with conservationists who say it risks clean air and public water supplies.
The SPEED Act, sponsored by Republican Bruce Westerman, faces opposition in the Senate from Democrats who want the legislation to benefit clean energy and related transmission projects.
The bill passed with 11 Democratic votes despite concerns that amendments added in last-minute negotiations would not do anything to help permitting of renewable energy projects that Republican President Trump wants to block and that it would undermine environmental scrutiny of projects.
Energy industry groups welcomed the 221-196 bill passage on Thursday, saying it is the first “meaningful” reform of the National Environmental Policy Act that can help speed up infrastructure projects that can take years to build.
“Today’s vote marks a turning point to fix America’s broken permitting system and lower energy costs for every American,” said Anne Bradbury, CEO of energy lobby group AXPC.
Environmental groups urged the Senate to reject it, saying it would lead to environmental harm.
“The bill gives industry a free pass while casting aside science and public input. This will jeopardize access to clean air and safe drinking water for communities already burdened by pollution and climate risks,” said Camden Weber, climate and energy policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity.
(Reporting by Richard Cowan and Valerie Volcovici in Washington and Nichola Groom in Los Angeles; Editing by Nia Williams and Aurora Ellis)
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