U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the ePermit Act, bipartisan legislation to modernize and streamline federal environmental reviews and permitting by leveraging interactive, digital, and cloud-based technologies. This action follows the passage of companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Outdated, paper-based permitting systems slow down projects, frustrate communities, and make it harder for agencies to do their jobs,” said Senator Curtis. “Our bipartisan legislation brings federal environmental reviews into the 21st century by improving transparency, coordination, and public engagement without weakening critical environmental standards.”
“In the 21st century, it should be a no-brainer to use modern digital technology instead of pencils and paper to streamline and centralize our permitting process,” said Senator Booker. “This is a commonsense solution that will cut unnecessary delays in bureaucracy and save money without compromising environmental standards, all while promoting accessibility and public engagement. Making the government run more effectively and efficiently to deliver for communities is something both parties can get behind, and I’m proud that Democrats and Republicans are coming together to make our government work better for all Americans.”
“Our permitting system is outdated and still shaped by paper files and unnecessary bureaucracy,” said Senator McCormick. “A digital permitting framework would help federal agencies review permits more efficiently and transparently, leading to faster approvals, stronger coordination, and more predictable timelines for all involved. I am pleased to support this legislation and help transform our permitting process into one that can work effectively for the 21st century.”
“From water infrastructure to transportation, Arizona has real needs, and we shouldn’t be waiting years for things to get built because the process gets stuck,” said Senator Kelly. “By modernizing permitting with the latest technology and tools, projects can move forward faster and more efficiently. That means less bureaucracy and fewer delays, without cutting corners on environmental protections or public input.”
“Far too often, critical infrastructure projects in Montana are held up because of burdensome permitting processes,” said Senator Daines. “The ePermit Act will help cut through red tape and increase efficiency, and I’ll work with my colleagues to get it across the finish line.”
“Our outdated permitting processes take too long and leave people in the dark the entire time,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Our bipartisan ePermit Act creates a one-stop-shop to streamline the process, reduce costs, and make it easier for everyone to track.”
“Digitizing the federal permitting process will help applicants and agencies make quicker, better decisions—allowing America to build the projects that will move our economy forward more efficiently. The ePermit Act will prevent construction from falling behind due to unwieldy paperwork, and I appreciate the strong bipartisan support for this important regulatory reform,” said Senator Budd.
“There is no reason critical permitting reviews should be delayed by outdated, bureaucratic systems,” said Senator Padilla. “Modernizing our systems through digital tools and standardizing permitting data collection across agencies will save money and time while preserving strong environmental standards and public input. E-permitting is a commonsense solution with bipartisan support, and I will keep working across the aisle to get it done.”
The bill has received widespread support from various groups. Read what they are saying here.
Find the bill text here.
The bill:
- Modernizes the environmental review process;
- Creates a cloud-based permit authorization portal; and
- Preserves existing environmental protection requirements.
Too often, the federal permitting process falls behind schedule due to outdated, paper-based systems. Lengthy documents, limited transparency, and poor interagency coordination create confusion, delay projects, and invite unnecessary litigation. The ePermit Act directs federal agencies to adopt standardized data systems and modern project management tools to tackle these problems head-on, helping agencies work more efficiently while improving public access and accountability.
