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March 29, 2015

MSCI-Supported Construction Permitting Bill Passed By U.S. House Judiciary Committee

Last Tuesday, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 348, the Responsibility and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 on a bipartisan 15-11 vote. MSCI signed onto a multi-industry letter with more than 110 other groups supporting H.R. 348, which would provide a streamlined process for developers, builders and designers to obtain environmental permits and approvals for their projects. 

Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) entered the coalition letter into the record during the committee hearing on the legislation. The letter noted that every year “major projects are stalled or cancelled because of a dysfunctional permitting process and a system that allows limitless challenges by opponents of development … For example, 351 stalled energy projects reviewed … had a total economic value of over $1 trillion and represented 1.9 million American jobs not created.” The letter argued the RAPID Act addresses these delays, which “result in lost opportunities to create jobs and grow the economy.” 

MSCI’s help was critical to impressing upon the Judiciary Committee how much support there is for permit streamlining. The multi-industry letter also will be valuable when H.R. 348 is considered by the full House of Representatives. Stay tuned to Connecting the Dots to see how H.R. 348 progresses. 

 

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