The American Clean Power Association has withdrawn its support for the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act) following amendments adopted by the House Rules Committee.
In a statement, chief executive Jason Grumet said the changes altered legislation that had previously reflected bipartisan agreement on permitting reform. According to the association, the amendment removed the technology-neutral framework that underpinned its support for the bill and had helped build cross-party backing.
The association said the original legislation, developed under House Natural Resources Committee chair Bruce Westerman, aimed to reform permitting processes across all energy technologies. It argued that the amendment adopted in the Rules Committee shifted the bill away from that approach and introduced provisions that could disadvantage clean energy technologies.
The changes were introduced through an amendment from Representative Andy Harris, added at committee level without a vote on the House floor. The association stated that the amendment increases permitting uncertainty and could allow projects that have already received permits to be cancelled after the legislation comes into force.
The American Clean Power Association said it remains concerned about delays in permitting reform, warning that continued inaction could affect energy prices and grid reliability as demand increases. It indicated it will focus further engagement on the Senate, with the aim of restoring a technology-neutral approach that could command broader legislative support.
