U.S. House passes bipartisan SPEED Act, advancing federal permitting reform

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776), marking one of the most significant steps toward federal permitting reform in decades.

The legislation, introduced by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, aims to modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, streamline federal reviews, and reduce duplicative permitting requirements that have delayed large-scale energy and infrastructure projects. Supporters say the bill is intended to improve regulatory certainty and accelerate development of pipelines, power infrastructure, and other energy systems needed to meet rising demand.

Industry groups welcomed the House vote and emphasized the urgency of Senate action. Energy Workforce & Technology Council President Tim Tarpley said permitting delays have become a national security concern, noting that multi-year approval timelines for major projects are no longer sustainable. He urged the Senate to move quickly so legislation can be signed into law in early 2026.

The American Petroleum Institute said passage of the SPEED Act would help restore predictability to federal permitting by reducing litigation risks and overlapping reviews. API President and CEO Mike Sommers said the bill represents a “commonsense step” toward unlocking infrastructure needed to deliver affordable and reliable energy amid growing demand.

The Independent Petroleum Association of America also praised the legislation, calling it a response to long-standing concerns from independent producers about project delays. IPAA President and CEO Edith Naegele said the bill’s NEPA reforms would provide greater certainty for oil and natural gas projects while accelerating approvals for energy infrastructure.

Industry groups noted that the SPEED Act builds on other permitting measures recently advanced in the House and said momentum is now shifting to the Senate, where additional legislation could be combined with the House bill before being sent to President Donald Trump for final approval.

If enacted, the SPEED Act would represent a major overhaul of federal permitting processes, with potential implications for upstream, midstream and power-sector development across the U.S.