The House of Representatives cleared the way for a massive overhaul of the federal environmental review process last Thursday, despite last-minute changes that led clean energy groups and moderate Democrats to pull their support. The Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, or SPEED Act, overcame opposition from environmentalists and many Democrats who oppose the bill's sweeping changes to a bedrock environmental law. The bill, introduced by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and backed by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), passed the House Thursday in a 221-196 vote, in which 11 Democrats joined Republican lawmakers to back the reform effort. It now heads to the Senate, where it has critics and proponents on both sides of the aisle, making its prospects uncertain.

According to Rep. Westerman, the bill aims to streamline the federal permitting process for major infrastructure projects, reducing the time and cost associated with obtaining necessary approvals. "The SPEED Act is a common-sense solution to a decades-old problem," Westerman said in a statement. "By standardizing the permitting process, we can create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and ensure that our nation's infrastructure is built efficiently and effectively." However, environmental groups argue that the bill's changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) will undermine the law's core principles and lead to the approval of projects that pose significant environmental risks.

The National Environmental Policy Act, signed into law by President Nixon in 1970, requires federal agencies to assess and mitigate the environmental impacts of major projects before issuing permits. The SPEED Act would amend NEPA to allow for a more streamlined review process, which critics argue would lead to a lack of transparency and public input. "This bill is a recipe for disaster," said Sierra Club spokesperson, Kathy Sullivan. "By gutting NEPA, we're essentially giving the green light to projects that will harm our communities and our environment."

The bill's passage in the House marks a significant victory for Republicans, who have long sought to reform the federal permitting process. However, its prospects in the Senate are uncertain, with many Democrats and environmental groups vowing to fight the bill's passage. The Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee is expected to hold hearings on the bill in the coming weeks, where opponents and proponents will have the opportunity to weigh in.

As the bill moves forward, clean energy groups and moderate Democrats are urging the Senate to reject the SPEED Act's changes to NEPA. "This bill is a threat to our clean energy future," said Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who initially backed the bill but later withdrew his support. "We need to ensure that our environmental laws are strong and effective, not gutted by special interests." The Senate's decision will have significant implications for the nation's environmental policies and the future of clean energy projects.