Cramer: House Greenlights Rapid Act

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer today joined a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass H.R. 348, the Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2015 or RAPID Act. The legislation amends the Administrative Procedures Act to expedite review of federal funded construction projects or projects needing federal permits. It streamlines the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to require federal agencies to conduct reviews in a timely fashion, as well as limiting the potential scope of litigation after they are completed. Congressman Cramer is a co-sponsor of the legislation.

The Administrative Procedures Act governs the federal agency decision-making process, specifically how agencies propose and establish regulation. Prior to taking regulatory action, including permitting decisions, NEPA requires agencies to assess the environmental impacts of major construction activities that are reviewed, funded, or undertaken by federal agencies and to propose alternatives.

"Endless bureaucratic delays and frivolous lawsuits prevent many construction projections from moving forward," said Cramer. "The permitting process was never intended to stop development and the delays have negatively impacted the economy."

He cited a recent study which found the time to complete NEPA review has increased by an average of 37 days per year from 1998 through 2006, with an average completion time of 3.4 years. When NEPA was enacted the expectation was analysis could be done in approximately 90 days and in 1981 the Council on Environmental Quality believed reviews should be done within one year.

A March 2011 study found 351 projects delayed in the permitting process which would create 1.9 million jobs a year during construction. Once built, each year of these projects' operations would support 791,000 jobs.

"As our national economy continues to struggle, Congress should look for ways to reduce regulations and red tape to create good paying jobs. The RAPID Act streamlines the federal permitting process and limits frivolous lawsuits while still protecting our environment" said Cramer.

An identical bill, H.R. 2641 was introduced in the 113th Congress, and passed the House of Representatives on March 6, 2014 by a recorded vote of 229-179.

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