Republicans should incorporate these reforms into their subsequent Reconciliation Bill:
Republicans should incorporate these reforms into their subsequent Reconciliation Bill:
Republicans are preparing to introduce at least one, possibly two, significant budget reconciliation bills during the upcoming Congress. This procedure enables legislators to bypass the Senate's 60-vote filibuster threshold by focusing on provisions directly connected to budget expenditures and incomes. While the process has its constraints, Republicans would benefit from utilizing this chance to implement targeted changes enhancing environmental permitting efficiency and overall government functionality. Below are four potential reforms that they should consider:
1. Introduce User Fees for Expedited Permitting Reviews
Delays in infrastructure and energy development are often caused by an overly complex environmental permitting process. To tackle this issue, project sponsors should have the option to pay additional fees to expedite permitting reviews, including those necessitated by the National Environmental Policy Act.
Some states present beneficial examples of expedited permitting. For instance, Louisiana enables applicants to pay extra for overtime for agency staff or to hire external contractors to speed up reviews. North Carolina offers a similar approach by implementing tiered fees. By implementing new accelerated review charges at the federal level, Republicans will not only generate revenue but also decrease permitting delays.
Additional budget-related accountability mechanisms for permitting have been implemented in certain states. For example, Pennsylvania and Michigan refund permit fees if reviews are not completed on time, motivating agencies to meet deadlines.
Developing along these lines, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 proposed that project sponsors could draft their own environmental impact statements. A certification program for private-sector authors of these reports could be introduced, akin to a system found in Virginia. This strategy would conserve agency resources while maintaining the quality and rigor of the analysis.
2. Implement Minimum Sale Requirements for Federal Land Leasing
The federal government's oil, gas, and mineral leasing programs are critical for energy production and revenue generation. Raising the minimum sale requirement for onshore and offshore federal land leasing would give companies predictability while enhancing government income.
Similar to provisions in the failed permitting legislation, federal agencies should be obligated to provide a minimum number of lease opportunities for oil, gas, and mineral development in the near future. By increasing lease sales, the federal government can stimulate additional domestic energy production while boosting bonus payments and royalty income for taxpayers.
3. Carry Out a Study on ALARA's Impact on the Nuclear Industry
The nuclear industry's regulatory framework requires modernization, particularly in the area of the "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) standard, which governs radiation safety measures. The ALARA standard demands that businesses minimize radiation exposure, imposing excess costs on nuclear construction and operations while hindering the industry's competitiveness with other energy sources.
The reconciliation bill should mandate the Nuclear Regulatory Commission—or an independent organization such as the Government Accountability Office—to conduct a study on the economic consequences of ALARA. In addition to assessing cost implications, the investigation should explore the extent to which government risk assessment practices that support ALARA align with the best available science and accurate real-world data.
A comprehensive assessment of ALARA will uncover if current standards strike an appropriate balance between safety and affordability. This report could pave the way for more intelligent regulation and an increase in domestic nuclear production in the future.
4. Establish a Department of Government Efficiency Fund
Regulatory excess is not only costly for businesses but also for taxpayers who shoulder the expense of inefficient and wasteful agencies. An innovative solution is establishing a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Fund to encourage civil servants to identify cost savings and reduce unnecessary regulatory and budget burdens.
Inspired by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's new DOGE commission, as well as successful "Golden Scissors" awards programs in states like Idaho, the DOGE Fund could finance bonuses and awards for government employees who propose reforms resulting in substantial cost savings. Departments could utilize the fund to finance Deregulation Officers responsible for monitoring cost-cutting initiatives within each federal agency (similar to roles created through an executive order during the first Trump administration).
Beyond bonuses and awards, the DOGE Fund could promote interagency competition by disclosing the outcomes of the most successful cost-saving undertakings. Such reporting would help align government employees' incentives with taxpayers' interests and foster a culture of innovation within the civil service.
Conclusion
The four reforms mentioned above form a solid foundation for enhancing environmental permitting and federal operations. While there may be other promising ideas, as Republicans prepare to use the reconciliation process to enact significant reforms in the 119th Congress, these proposals at the very least should be considered.
In the context of these budget reconciliation bills, Republicans could consider 'permitting reform' that includes implementing user fees for expedited permitting reviews in energy projects to decrease delays and generate revenue. Additionally, the Republicans might find 'environmental' benefits in establishing a Department of Government Efficiency Fund, incentivizing government employees to identify cost savings and reduce regulatory burdens, ultimately benefiting 'doge' (taxpayers).