Congress should do the right thing and vote NO on the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024.
This dirty deal directly benefits fossil fuel companies at the expense of a real opportunity for Congress to put people first and transform the energy sector.
Against the interest of the greater good, this deal is a reincarnation of previous attempts by Big Oil to skirt the permitting process with the help of national legislators in their pockets. And we need to hold onto any and all hardfought environmental protections (really, environmental protections are people protections, public health protections, economic protections) that we can, while also building community-led energy solutions that do not exacerbate climate change, cumulative impacts on overburdened communities, or global exploitation.
Communities have fought loosening permitting restrictions in its multiple iterations and, rightfully, won – there are already too many ways fossil fuel companies dodge full accountability for the harms they cause. Harmful policy that has been overwhelmingly opposed year after year, should not be shoved down our throats at the whims of companies that do not mind destroying our neighborhoods, our water, our air, and our planet, for a few dollars in their bank accounts today.
A key nuance: We’re not against all permitting “reform” (see our positive permitting vision) — we’re against Big Oil co-opting our government to serve their purposes. And if you are, too, let your legislators know.
Learn more about EPRA’s harms in this factsheet and educate your legislators.
