Energy Permits Would Speed Up Under Senate Republicans’ Bills

Senate Republicans are proposing two energy permitting bills that would truncate deadlines for environmental reviews and litigation and authorize a long-delayed natural gas pipeline in West Virginia.

The legislation from Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), announced Thursday, also would accelerate permitting for infrastructure and transportation projects, going further than the bill Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) reintroduced earlier this week.

Capito’s measure would codify a narrower definition of federal waters, reigniting a debate that resulted in a presidential veto in April; Barrasso’s legislation aims to increase domestic mineral and energy development.

Congress now has four bills—including H.R. ...