Agencies Can Expedite Permitting Without Overhaul, Lawyers Say

Renewable energy infrastructure and other projects could be more easily permitted under existing federal laws and regulations if federal agencies would more boldly use the authority they already have, natural resources lawyers say as Congress grapples with permitting changes.

Federal agencies, especially the Interior Department, control 27% of all land nationwide and roughly half of the land in the West and Alaska, giving them the discretion to push through major infrastructure projects if they choose to use it, said Kyle Parker, a partner at Holland & Hart LLP in Anchorage representing oil, gas and mining industry clients.

“It could be ...