Legislation to expedite permitting for a wide range of infrastructure projects has advanced in the Senate. The bill, which the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee cleared on May 6, is based in part on the 2012 MAP-21 highway-transit law's project-review provisions, says sponsor Rob Portman (R-Ohio).
The bill goes beyond roads and transit to cover energy, aviation, broadband and other projects, too. It would apply generally to projects exceeding $200 million, up from $25 million in an earlier version.