The vote was 221-196.
The SPEED Act aims to bolster infrastructure projects by decreasing the amount of scrutiny their environmental impacts face.
It would create new exclusions for which projects are subject to environmental reviews, restrict which environmental factors can be considered in a review of a project, and limit lawsuits against federally approved projects.
While bipartisan lawmakers have for years sought a deal to speed up energy and infrastructure projects — and the bill that passed the House on Wednesday represents a milestone in that effort — it could face setbacks in the Senate where at least seven Democratic votes are needed to pass the legislation.
This week, Republican hard-liners threatened to tank a procedural vote to advance the SPEED Act unless an anti-wind provision was added.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), one of the offshore wind opponents, said that the new anti-wind amendment “protects actions to terminate offshore wind permits and leases.”
Prior to that maneuver, the legislation was already facing an uncertain future in the upper chamber.
The anti-wind provision added to get hardliners on board makes getting Senate Democratic support all the more difficult.
Read more at TheHill.com.
