Trump Touts Regulatory Reforms in Infrastructure Plan
The environmental review process for construction projects would be streamlined under a long-term infrastructure proposal President Trump touted at the U.S. Department of Transportation on June 9.
The private sector has endured hurdles due to a permitting process that should be reformed, Trump in “builder-in-chief” mode told industry executives and stakeholders at the conclusion of what the White House dubbed “infrastructure week.”
“Why should we continue to accept what is so clearly unacceptable, often times for consultants that are making a fortune because you can’t do anything without hiring them, paying them a tremendous amount of money, having them write up this nonsense. You can’t get approvals,” Trump said, noting binders on the stage next to him meant to symbolize the regulatory process.
“No longer can we allow these rules and regulations to tie down our economy, chain up our prosperity, and sap our great American spirit. That is why we will lift these restrictions and unleash the full potential of the United States of America.”
The administration is proposing to reduce the average permitting time for construction projects by eight years, according to a charticle posted on the White House’s website June 8.
The “principles” of the White House’s $1 trillion, 10-year infrastructure plan released in May proposed “putting infrastructure permitting into the hands of responsible state and local officials where appropriate.”
This week, DOT called on stakeholders to share views on how to expedite permits for infrastructure projects.
“The Department of Transportation recognizes that there are regulatory and administrative burdens that impede transportation infrastructure projects. The department also recognizes that the stakeholders who deliver projects have direct experience with those burdens,” according to a notice in the Federal Register. “Public and private project sponsors, engineering and construction professionals, related organizations and other stakeholders encounter and overcome these obstacles to project delivery on a daily basis.”
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao told Congress legislation that would reflect the administration’s infrastructure proposal would be released in a few months.
