Multi-industry Letter in Support of the Barrasso Amendment Streamlining NEPA Review for Stimulus Projects
February 4, 2009
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE:
The undersigned trade associations strongly urge you to support the amendment offered by Sen. John Barrasso to H.R. 1, the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," that streamlines the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process for projects funded by the economic stimulus bill. Sen. Barrasso's amendment places a deadline of 270 days from the date of enactment of the Act for completion of all NEPA reviews for covered projects.
An August 2007 report by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) estimated that the current average time to complete a NEPA review for a major transportation project is 60 months, or 5 years. With so many jobs hanging in the balance, even two years is far too long to wait before ground can be broken on the roads, rails, power plants, sewer and drinking water projects, transmission lines, bridges, and other projects that will lead to our nation's economic recovery. NEPA must be expedited in order to protect the projects and the jobs in the stimulus bill.
Sincerely,
American Coke & Coal Chemicals Institute
American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Energy Alliance
American Iron and Steel Institute
American Moving & Storage Association
American Petroleum Institute
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated Equipment Distributors
Associated General Contractors of America
Association of American Railroads
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
CropLife America
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
National Mining Association
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
National Utility Contractors Association
Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
The Aluminum Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce