Congressman Pat Harrigan of North Carolina’s 10th District voted in favor of H.R. 4776, known as the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act). The bill aims to reform the federal environmental review process, which supporters say has caused delays for important projects while maintaining environmental protections.
“We can protect our environment and still get things built, those two ideas are not in conflict,” said Congressman Harrigan. “Right now, families, small businesses, and local communities are paying the price for a permitting process that drags on forever, changes the rules midstream, and drives up costs. This bill brings common sense back into the process so projects can move forward responsibly, predictably, and on a real timeline.”
The SPEED Act seeks to clarify that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is intended as a procedural law rather than a means to delay projects indefinitely. The legislation would set limits on what impacts agencies must consider during reviews and prevent agencies from reopening completed reviews without cause. It also encourages federal agencies to coordinate their reviews concurrently instead of sequentially. Additionally, it allows reliance on previous state, tribal, or federal environmental reviews when suitable.
Following its passage in the House of Representatives, the SPEED Act will move to the Senate for consideration. Congressman Harrigan urged prompt action on the bill to support infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing initiatives that could enhance domestic supply chains and reduce costs while maintaining environmental standards.
In 2024, Pat Harrigan won re-election against Ralph R. Scott, Jr., securing 57.5% of the vote compared to Scott’s 38.2%.
