Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation led by Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) by a vote of 213-205.  H.R. 7023, the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act, increases permitting efficiency and reduces burdensome and duplicative government regulations under the Clean Water Act needed for energy and infrastructure project approvals.

Chairman Rouzer's legislation was included as a key component of Energy Week in the U.S. House, where House Republicans brought several bills to the floor to promote American energy independence.

"I’m proud my legislation to create a predictable and responsible permitting system for American energy and infrastructure development passed the House today," said Chairman Rouzer.  "This bill is much needed to keep projects on time and on budget — all while maintaining our nation's clean water infrastructure.  By improving the permitting process under the Clean Water Act, we can provide greater clarity for energy producers, farmers, builders, water utilities, and many others.  Just as significant, we can make America energy dominant on the world stage and lower costs for families."

Background:

H.R. 7023 was approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on January 31, 2024, and consists of five standalone bills initially introduced in the House by Subcommittee Chairman Rouzer, Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), and Rep. John Duarte (R-CA).

H.R. 7023 includes Chairman Rouzer's own Nationwide Permitting Improvement Actwhich streamlines the Nationwide Permit (NWP) process and maintains certainty for regulated entities involved in improving U.S. energy production, transportation infrastructure, and other commercial activities.

The Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act would:

• Codify longstanding, historical interpretation and practice around NWPs and provides clarity regarding several areas where challenges have risen against the well-established process.
• Extend the period of reissuance for general permit holders from five to ten years.
• Clarify that when issuing NWPs, only the categories within the confines of CWA  Section 404 authority (dredge and fill material discharges) are considered.
• Provide a clear, predictable process for good actors, including those providing fuels through linear pipelines.

The other bills cosponsored by Chairman Rouzer and included in H.R. 7023 to clarify permitting reviews under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are: 

• The Reducing Permitting Uncertainty Act – introduced by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN)
• The Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act – introduced by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT)
• The Judicial Review Timeline Clarity Act – introduced by Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO)
• The Confidence in Clean Water Permits Act – introduced by Rep. John Duarte (R-CA) 

Together, the measures include targeted, commonsense reforms to strengthen the permitting process for permit seekers and holders, as well as provide greater clarity for permitting agencies.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

Click here to watch Chairman Rouzer's remarks in support of H.R. 7023.