On the recordSeptember 25, 2015
This amendment would allow agencies to escape the bill's streamlined permitting deadlines simply because an elected State or local official or a local tribal official asks for an extension. The amendment contains no requirement that a Federal agency find the compelling basis for an extension or even a significant basis or even any substantive basis at all. On the contrary, all that a recalcitrant Federal agency, a project opponent, or anyone else would need to defeat an efficient permitting decision is to find an elected State or local official or a local tribal official willing to put in an extension request for them. The potential for abuse of this proposed provision by those who only seek delay for delay's sake or who seek to kill worthy projects outright is obvious. I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gallego). The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
