Trump Permitting Boss Seeks to Duplicate Federal Model in States

The man who tried to speed up federal permitting during the Trump administration is now trying to help states do the same thing.

The efforts underway in California, Florida, Louisiana, Alaska, and elsewhere could cut state permitting timelines in half, according to Alex Herrgott, former head of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. The council brings federal agencies together to smooth out permit reviews for large infrastructure projects.

The changes not only would get projects like wind farms, solar projects, and transmission lines built faster, he said, but also would keep investors from growing impatient and pulling their ...