Congress Passes Inflation Reduction Act

WASHINGTON (August 12, 2022)- Today, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark investment in our nation’s future that will transform efforts to combat climate change and infuse $350 million into the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) to advance permitting efficiency and predictability. The Act is expected to lower energy costs, increase cleaner production, and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 40% by 2030. 

“The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the associated funds allocated to the Permitting Council sends a resounding message to the country about the future of infrastructure development,” says Christine Harada, Permitting Council Executive Director. “It showcases how the Biden-Harris administration is doubling down on its efforts to deliver in the infrastructure decade, and is committed to using the coordination, collaboration, and transparency of the Permitting Council to realize this once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure. The Permitting Council is excited to implement this bipartisan acknowledgment of the importance of the permitting process in investing in our nation's infrastructure.”

In addition to tackling inflation and reducing healthcare costs, the Inflation Reduction Act makes the largest investment ever in combating climate change.  It invests approximately $369 billion in energy security and climate change programs over the next 10 years, creating jobs manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.  It will also lower household energy costs by hundreds of dollars each year. 

The act contains provisions to allocate $350 million to the Permitting Council through 2031, to bolster the Council’s work to make the Federal permitting process more accountable and ultimately more efficient as the Permitting Council works to meet the goals of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the subsequent Permitting Action Plan. The Permitting Council coordinates reviews for infrastructure projects covered under FAST-41, from renewable energy to broadband installation. There are currently 24 FAST-41 projects under the purview of the Permitting Council.