[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 140 (Monday, September 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          H.R. 348--RAPID ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 2015

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, September 25, 2015, I voted 
against H.R. 348, the RAPID Act, which, if enacted, would severely 
weaken the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Under current law, 
NEPA requires federal agencies to go through a public assessment of the 
environmental impacts of certain proposed federal actions and mandates 
the consideration of alternatives to those actions. This process often 
identifies alternatives that are less costly and have fewer impacts on 
the environment.
  While I support efforts to refine our regulatory process in a manner 
that rewards outcomes instead of dictating onerous processes, H.R. 348 
adds confusion and would lead to worse outcomes for our environment, 
communities and future generations. This bill would allow potential 
developers to prepare environmental review documents for their proposed 
projects, creating clear conflicts of interest. The bill prohibits 
agencies from using the social cost of carbon in the environmental 
review or decision-making process and it limits the ability of an 
aggrieved party to seek judicial review of a permit or license. The 
bill imposes arbitrary and rigid deadlines for review and approval, and 
it provides for default approvals of permits or licenses if deadlines 
are not met; a measure that wholly undermines the environmental review 
process.
  The stated goal of this bill is to help projects--including 
infrastructure projects--to move forward more quickly. The NEPA 
process, however, is not the reason for project delays; other factors 
such as project complexity and under-resourced agencies are to blame. 
At the Army Corps of Engineers, there is a $60 billion backlog of 
authorized water resources projects that were successfully approved 
under NEPA, but have not been built due to lack of funding. Our roads 
and bridges are in disrepair, not due to NEPA, but because the Congress 
has failed to act to raise the gas tax, leaving the federal government 
short of resources. The Highway Trust Fund is projected to need $90 
billion in additional revenue over the next six years just to stay 
solvent. Additionally, the NEPA process, which ensures the public has a 
voice in the planning of major projects that impact their communities, 
leads to better decision-making and better projects. In the end, NEPA 
saves time, money and reduces negative impacts.
  NEPA's positive impact is unquestionable--it is one of the nation's 
bedrock environmental laws, ensuring careful decision making and public 
participation. I am disappointed to see H.R. 348 pass the House, which 
will only limit the public's participation, increase confusion and 
undermine responsible agency reviews.

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