The American Waterways Operators recently issued the following statement in support of H.R. 4776, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), which reforms the infrastructure permitting process by streamlining the National Environmental Policy Act:

 

“As the advocate, resource and united voice for the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry – the largest segment of American maritime and a vital component of our nation’s economy, supply chain, and security – AWO is pleased to support the SPEED Act. By sensibly streamlining the National Environmental Policy Act, this legislation will enable more efficient permitting and development of shipyards and other maritime infrastructure to keep vital commerce moving safely, while also preserving the environmental quality of the waterways on which we all depend. We applaud Chairman Westerman and Rep. Golden for their bipartisan leadership in advancing the SPEED Act and urge its swift enactment into law.”

 

More information on the SPEED Act is available here.