Environment, Climate, and Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters on SPEED Act Vote
Today, New Democrat Coalition Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) issued a statement after House Republicans advanced the SPEED Act, which falls short of a true bipartisan deal to address rising utility prices, growing energy demand, and barriers to energy development.
As laid out in the Coalition’s framework to achieve energy independence, security, and affordability, New Dems will continue to pursue a bipartisan deal that unleashes American energy, strengthens the grid, and improves the efficiency of environmental reviews.
Working Group Chair Scott Peters issued the following statement on the SPEED Act after the vote:
“While we have been encouraged by good-faith efforts on both sides to reach a bipartisan deal, this bill falls short of what New Dem Members have called for to achieve permitting certainty and parity for all forms of energy.
“We also must ensure that any final bill makes the permitting process more efficient, reduces costs for our constituents, and builds out the energy and transmission infrastructure necessary to grow the economy. The SPEED Act does not meet that bar. President Trump’s policies are actively undermining the American energy industry, destroying long-planned projects and eliminating good-paying jobs. Without certainty that a permitted project can move forward, and that the reforms we are making will reduce litigation and increase permitting efficiency, New Dems cannot support this bill.
“Though we were unable to come to a bipartisan agreement at this time, our Members will continue to engage with the Senate and our House Republican colleagues, to find common ground, address challenges for energy development, and reduce costs.”
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