US Permitting Agency Eyes Permanent Roots, Broader Portfolio

A little-known federal agency is quickly becoming a permanent fixture in the permitting world, doubling its staff, bringing in-house much of the work it used to have to contract out, and spreading the word about what it can do for developers and local governments across the US.

The turnaround comes after the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council went through a near-death experience only a few years ago, when it faced the possibility of not being reauthorized. But the 2021 infrastructure law struck down a sunset clause in the Permitting Council’s authorizing statute that required Congress to periodically renew its funding. ...