Permitting Council Advances Key Pipeline, Energy Projects Despite 43-Day Shutdown
The Federal Permitting Council says it advanced major pipeline and energy projects during the 43-day government shutdown, completing two approvals and adding nine new FAST-41 projects, including several large natural gas pipeline proposals in the Southeast and Texas.
WASHINGTON (P&GJ) — The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council said it made substantial permitting progress during the federal government’s 43-day shutdown, using multi-year funding authority to keep reviews moving on major energy and infrastructure projects.
“The Permitting Council worked hard to advance President Trump’s energy and infrastructure goals even in the midst of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history,” Executive Director Emily Domenech said. She noted that the Environmental Review and Improvement Fund allowed essential staff to continue work on FAST-41 projects. “I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the agencies that continued work on these crucial projects, even when faced with a shutdown.”
During the lapse in appropriations, two projects completed federal permitting: the Caldwell Canyon Mine Project in Idaho and the Lisbon Valley Copper Project in Utah. Another nine were added to the FAST-41 portfolio, including several significant midstream-related proposals.
New additions include the Black Bear Natural Gas Project in Texas, the Kosciusko Junction Pipeline Project in Mississippi, and the Mississippi Crossing Project, designed to move up to 2.1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to the Southeast. The South System Expansion 4 Project—another major natural gas capacity project spanning Mississippi to South Carolina and Georgia—was also added.
Other FAST-41 entrants include major mining and critical mineral projects in Nevada, Arizona, Alaska, and New York.
Created under FAST-41, the Permitting Council oversees coordinated federal permitting schedules for large infrastructure projects and works with 13 federal agencies, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Management and Budget to improve review predictability.