Burgess Owens: “I, too, thank Chairman Graves for his leadership in advancing commonsense permitting reform that cuts red tape and…”

“I, too, thank Chairman Graves for his leadership in advancing commonsense permitting reform that cuts red tape and restores accountability to Federal decisionmaking. I am proud that one of our top priorities this Congress, the Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act, is included in this package. This legislation will finally bring clarity and consistency to the Clean Water Act permitting process by requiring the EPA to publish clear, accessible guidance on water quality certifications. For Utah and other Western States, where water is scarce and infrastructure projects are critical to our growth, this reform is a game changer. Too often, confusing, and inconsistent permitting rules delay or derail projects that communities depend on, whether it is water storage, energy development, or transportation. The PERMIT Act is about delivering certainty and efficiency without compromising environmental standards. I am proud to support it, and I look forward to getting this across the finish line for Utahns and for Americans across the country.”