Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)
Washington, DC – On December 19, 2025, Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50), Gabe Evans (CO-08), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Adam Gray (CA-13) released a discussion draft for the Create Expedited Reviews to Transform American Infrastructure Now (CERTAIN) Act to transform the federal permitting process and meet America’s energy and electricity needs.
The CERTAIN Act would address permit certainty—ensuring federal agencies handle project authorizations and environmental reviews fairly and efficiently, with clear timelines, notice requirements, and accountability. This would facilitate the build out of the energy we need to lower costs, create jobs, and protect our environment. It also emphasizes coordinating between different agencies involved in these processes to avoid unnecessary delays.
Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA)
“On behalf of the 530,000 members of LIUNA, I proudly support the CERTAIN Act. This is common sense policy for all of our nation’s critical infrastructure projects and for the thousands of union members who build them. Revoking permits for both current and future projects only perpetuates chaos within the construction industry, upends good union jobs, and leaves our members without a paycheck. For over a decade, LIUNA has supported permitting reform as our members, for too long, have suffered from the weaponization of its process. The CERTAIN Act rectifies this and provides certainty to project applications. We commend Congressmen Peters and Evans for this bill and urge it to be a part of any and all permitting reform legislation.” — LIUNA General President Brent Booker
Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Action
“BPC Action applauds the release of the bipartisan permitting discussion draft, the CERTAIN Act, which would increase certainty in the federal permitting process and insulate projects from political interference. This is a cross-party issue that has affected a variety of infrastructure projects across multiple administrations, and measures to ensure permitting certainty will be critical to any comprehensive package. We look forward to working with Congress on a broader permitting reform deal that includes project certainty provisions along with other key reforms to NEPA, judicial review, Clean Water Act, and transmission. A more efficient and predictable permitting system will lead to greater energy affordability and reliability, and better outcomes for businesses, households, and the environment,” — Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action).
American Petroleum Institute
“Permitting reform must deliver real decision durability, and we commend Reps. Scott Peters and Gabe Evans for their bipartisan leadership on this issue. Projects that have completed lawful reviews shouldn’t be vulnerable to arbitrary reversals. Durable, predictable decisions are essential to restoring certainty, unlocking investment and building the energy infrastructure America needs.” — SVP of Federal Relations Kristin Whitman, American Petroleum Institute
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
“The IBEW’s workforce provides certainty on jobs big and small, helping to ensure projects are done on time, on budget, and to the highest standards. Projects that are cut short by politics or delayed because of government red tape hurt skilled workers like those in the IBEW. It is only right for projects directed or supported by the government to be able to count on clear guidelines for review and approval. I applaud Reps. Peters and Evans for their efforts with the CERTAIN Act.” — Kenneth Cooper, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International President
Geothermal Rising
“The CERTAIN Act addresses longstanding permitting breakdowns—unclear timelines, interagency delays, and political uncertainty. This is complementary to the SPEED Act and other sector-specific reforms already moving through Congress. We’re pleased to support this bipartisan effort, which reflects exactly the kind of durable, bipartisan solution the geothermal industry needs. We commend Representatives Evans, Peters, Vasquez, and Garbarino for advancing bipartisan permitting reform and look forward to continued engagement as the bill moves toward introduction.” — Vanessa Robertson, Director of Policy and Education, Geothermal Rising
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
“The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America appreciates the leadership of Representatives Peters and Evans for working in a bipartisan manner to advance permitting predictability as part of a comprehensive permitting reform proposal. Permit certainty is essential to the natural gas pipeline sector, where projects undergo extensive environmental review and rigorous safety oversight prior to construction. Ensuring that once a project has satisfied all applicable federal and state requirements it can proceed without undue delay is essential to maintaining a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system.”
North America’s Building Trades Unions
“Certainty is what our members need. It’s what our three million working members deserve. They’ve fulfilled their end of the bargain by training and being ready to build projects across the country. In return, they expect the federal government to uphold its promises by allowing fully permitted projects to move forward. The CERTAIN Act is a strong step towards stabilizing the construction industry by inhibiting the ability for the permitting process to be further distorted to stall, block, or otherwise kill a fully permitted project.” — North America’s Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey
Third Way
“It’s no secret that federal infrastructure permitting is broken. Whether it’s renewables, a gas pipeline, or transmission, energy project developers must have a clear and workable process to follow–and the confidence that federal agencies will administer that process efficiently and fairly. We commend Representatives Peters and Evans for advancing effective, commonsense solutions in permitting reform discussions, like instilling firmer timelines for agency action, encouraging stronger coordination between agencies, and clarifying the process to quickly resolve disputes. These changes will provide much-needed predictability and help ensure American families and businesses have access to affordable, reliable energy.” — Ryan Fitzpatrick, Vice President of Climate and Energy
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
“Abundant, affordable clean energy is the lifeblood of American prosperity. Growing energy demand represents a critical economic opportunity for the U.S., powering advanced manufacturing and breakthroughs in artificial intelligence. To seize that opportunity, we need to make it easier to build and invest in America — including by not allowing political favoritism to get in the way of timely reviews of permitting applications. C2ES applauds Representatives Peters and Evans for their leadership in developing a durable solution to this national imperative with the CERTAIN Act. We look forward to working with Congress to help unlock investments that can meet the moment and support a thriving and resilient American economy for the 21st century.” — Nat Keohane, President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
The Nature Conservancy
“The Nature Conservancy greatly appreciates the addition of the CERTAIN Act to the bipartisan permitting reform conversation. Smarter permitting and planning processes will help modernize our energy infrastructure, restore forests and waters and advance projects that benefit people and nature. When the permitting process is done right, there are fewer conflicts, reduced timelines and improved outcomes for communities and conservation. The ideas in the CERTAIN Act would make important progress toward these goals, and we look forward to building on this discussion.” — Laura Brannen, Federal Climate Policy Lead, The Nature Conservancy
Solar Energy Industries Association
“For America’s solar industry, permitting reform starts with permit certainty. Without action to address the ongoing moratorium on permitting of solar energy, the industry will continue to face significant barriers to deployment and investment at a time of skyrocketing energy demand. We thank Congressmen Peters and Evans for their work to keep fairness and certainty at the center of permitting negotiations.” — Abigail Ross Hopper, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association
Advanced Energy United
“Advanced Energy United welcomes the bipartisan CERTAIN Act as a valuable addition to the debate around permitting reform in Congress. Representatives Peters and Evans have crafted a bill that comprehensively addresses the sources of uncertainty and instability in the federal permitting process. In particular we are encouraged that the bill seeks to establish specific deadlines and milestones for all federal permitting processes, rather than just some, creates clear legal remedies when these deadlines are missed, and gives welcome attention to capacity constraints at permitting agencies. As this debate moves forward, we hope lawmakers incorporate these important components into a comprehensive package – America won’t achieve energy dominance without a holistic, technology-neutral solution to permitting instability.”
Chamber of Progress
“We won’t bring energy costs down unless we build a lot more of every kind of energy. The CERTAIN Act offers serious, bipartisan ideas to give developers the certainty they need to invest, regardless of who is in the White House. It’s an important contribution to the broader push for permitting reform.”
Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC)
“EPIC is excited to see Representatives Evans and Peter take steps to make federal permitting processes more predictable. When government decision-making is predictable, it makes it straightforward and fairer for applicants. Those tenets are central to business operations, environmental protection, economic growth, and a healthy democracy.” — Dr. Timothy Male, Executive Director, EPIC (Environmental Policy Innovation Center)
The National Audubon Society
“The National Audubon Society commends Reps. Peters and Evans for their introduction of the CERTAIN Act. In our efforts to conserve critical habitats and protect birds, we work closely with project sponsors to ensure infrastructure is designed with conservation in mind throughout the permitting process. Project sponsors and the public deserve certainty that permits will be finalized in a timely manner and not reversed without sufficient cause, while also ensuring appropriate consideration of environmental impacts and requirements. Introduction of the CERTAIN Act is a positive first step towards legislation to address these issues, and we are encouraged that further bipartisan action will strengthen the bill and ensure permits recently revoked without cause are fully restored.” — Sam Wojcicki, Senior Director of Climate Policy
Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA)
“CEBA applauds Reps. Scott Peters and Gabe Evans for releasing their bipartisan CERTAIN Act discussion draft. If this country is going to meet this moment of growing energy demand, we must not let politics inhibit the private sector investments that will drive job creation and innovation. Bills like the CERTAIN Act would go a long way toward a fast and predictable permitting environment in the U.S. We call on House and Senate leadership to swiftly act on a comprehensive permitting and transmission legislative package to reform and depoliticize energy and infrastructure development in the U.S.”
The Breakthrough Institute
“The Breakthrough Institute applauds Representative Scott Peters (D-CA) for introducing the Creating Expeditious Reviews to Transform American Infrastructure Now (CERTAIN) Act. To ensure energy reliability and affordability and modernize our economy, America must be able to build at scale. This legislation provides the essential ‘permitting certainty’ that project developers and investors need to move forward without the threat of shifting political winds. Codifying technology-neutral standards to protect permits from administrative reversals is essential to end the tit-for-tat executive actions that stall critical infrastructure. We look forward to seeing Congress shape this legislation as a cornerstone of meaningful, bipartisan permitting reform so we can finally get America building again.”
American Rivers Action Fund
“American Rivers Action Fund welcomes the bipartisan commitment to improving our nation’s permitting system. We know communities, businesses, and ecosystems all benefit when reviews are timely, transparent, and fair. The CERTAIN Act discussion draft is an encouraging step toward building an endurable permitting framework that ensures efficiency does not come at the expense of environmental integrity or public trust. We look forward to continuing discussions with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to deliver a permitting process that balances much-needed development with the clean water we all depend on.” — Tom Kiernan, President, American Rivers Action Fund
American Clean Power Association
“Thank you for advancing the permitting reform discussion. As the U.S. experiences major and rapid rising electricity demand , we need to start building again – new energy generation, transmission and infrastructure. This is key to ensuring lower costs for American families and businesses.” — Frank J. Macchiarola, Chief Advocacy Officer
Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (Ceres)
“Rising energy demand, an aging grid, and new barriers to infrastructure deployment are threatening affordability and American economic competitiveness. Ceres commends the leadership of Reps. Peters and Evans, along with Reps. Garbarino and Vasquez, in advancing bipartisan solutions to reduce costs for American businesses and consumers by unleashing affordable, reliable, homegrown clean energy. By eliminating unnecessary hurdles and ensuring fair, efficient reviews, the CERTAIN Act would provide the private sector with the confidence needed to unlock capital and ensure projects move forward at the pace America needs to win the AI race and accelerate advanced manufacturing and electrification. Congress must seize the momentum and pass legislation that includes critical reforms for permit certainty and grid modernization in 2026.” — Zach Friedman, senior director, federal policy, Ceres.
American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
“The bipartisan CERTAIN Act introduced by Reps. Peters and Evans is a thoughtful and important proposal for modernizing our federal permitting laws to meet America’s need for affordable, reliable, secure electricity resources. America’s electricity system, which has been built over the past century, has served as the backbone of our national security, technological capacity, and economic prosperity and is in need of substantial upgrades to meet current needs. Recent forecasts indicate that to keep our economy strong, secure, and innovative, we will need the equivalent of 15 New York Cities’ worth of new electricity on the grid in the next four years. The clean energy sector is meeting this challenge with over 90% of new electricity generation installed through October 2025 represented by affordable, reliable electricity produced in communities across the United States. An even playing field for all technologies will allow the most cost-effective and reliable resources to continue to compete and win, driving down costs for consumers and strengthening our overall resource base.” — Ray Long, President and CEO, ACORE
Chamber of Commerce
“By establishing permit certainty, the CERTAIN Act provides the assurance investors need to move forward with confidence, knowing that once a project has earned its approvals, it won’t be derailed by shifting priorities or new legal challenges. We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Peters, Evans, Garbarino, and Vasquez with these commonsense reforms so we can unlock private capital, lower energy costs, and deliver the modern, reliable infrastructure that drives economic growth, strengthens communities, and ensures America’s competitiveness.” — Marty Durbin, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA)
“NOIA strongly supports comprehensive permitting reform that delivers durable certainty for all forms of offshore energy, including oil and gas, offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, ocean mineral exploration, and emerging technologies. We commend Representatives Scott Peters, Gabe Evans, Andrew Garbarino, and Gabe Vasquez for their bipartisan leadership on the CERTAIN Act, which protects lawfully issued permits. Clear, durable, and predictable permitting decisions are essential to restoring investor confidence, unlocking capital across the full spectrum of energy resources, accelerating development, and building the reliable, offshore energy infrastructure America needs for energy security, economic growth, and affordability.” — National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito
Background: Permitting reform is increasingly an area of bipartisan consensus, especially as energy demand rises and costs continue to increase. However, our existing permitting regime has failed to ensure project permitting is on-time, efficient, and fair for all project types. Oftentimes, delays in the permitting process are unrelated to environmental protection or informed decision-making, and are instead driven by overregulation and administrative failures, including inefficient coordination of interagency reviews. Additionally, one of the biggest issues stifling long-term development in America over the last decade has been the constant regulatory pendulum swing that occurs when administrations prioritize certain projects, while placing a thumb on the scale against others.
American communities need to be able to build, and we should not allow partisan politics to limit that investment. It is critical that Congress provides a bipartisan model for environmental reviews that is durable and ensures accountability, transparency, and efficiency throughout the permitting process, from application submission to final decision. Once permits are lawfully issued – and the project sponsor is fulfilling the terms of the permit – it should be safe from arbitrary revocation, alteration, or termination, regardless of project type.
This discussion draft would streamline the federal permitting process, making the environmental review and decision-making process faster and more certain. For more information, a section-by-section on the draft is available HERE, a one pager is available HERE, and legislative text for the discussion draft is available HERE.
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