Infrastructure Project Acceleration Act

Bill Number: H.R. 2783
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Environmental Protection
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2025-05-19T14:05:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Infrastructure Project Acceleration Act (H.R. 2783) aims to speed up the environmental review and approval process for large-scale manufacturing projects in the United States. It seeks to boost the economy, enhance industrial capacity, improve technological competitiveness, reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing, and create jobs in critical sectors like defense, healthcare, and communications.

Key Provisions

Definition of Priority Manufacturing Project: Refers to the construction or expansion of a U.S.-based manufacturing facility costing at least $1 billion that requires one or more federal approvals.
Exemptions from Certain Permits: These projects are not required to obtain permits under:
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (which regulates discharges of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters, such as wetlands).
Sections 7, 9, or 10 of the Endangered Species Act (which require federal agencies to consult on impacts to endangered species, prohibit "taking" of such species, and allow limited exceptions).
Amendments to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Updates NEPA's Section 106(a) to allow state or tribal environmental reviews to substitute for federal NEPA requirements if the lead agency (typically a federal agency overseeing the project) determines they are "functionally equivalent." This means the state or tribal process must consider relevant environmental information and inform the public about the decision-making.
Limits on Judicial Review:
Courts cannot review federal or state agency actions (or inactions) that approve these projects.
Challenges to the validity of this section or claims that an approval exceeds its authority must go exclusively to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Environmental Exemptions: Introduces blanket waivers from key provisions of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act for qualifying projects, bypassing traditional permitting processes that protect wetlands and endangered species.
NEPA Streamlining: Expands options for substituting state or tribal reviews for federal ones, potentially shortening federal environmental assessments (e.g., environmental impact statements) that normally evaluate a project's effects on the human environment.
Judicial Restrictions: Eliminates most court oversight of project approvals, centralizing challenges in one federal appeals court, which contrasts with broader access to judicial review under current environmental laws.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Federal agencies (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) face reduced workload from permit reviews and NEPA processes but must evaluate state/tribal equivalency, potentially shifting responsibilities to states or tribes.
On Citizens: Could accelerate job creation and economic growth in manufacturing areas but may increase risks to local environments, such as water quality and wildlife habitats, without full federal safeguards. Public input might be limited if state/tribal processes are deemed sufficient.
On International Relations: By promoting domestic manufacturing, it could strengthen U.S. supply chains in critical sectors, reducing dependence on foreign production (e.g., from adversaries), though it might strain relations with trading partners if projects affect shared resources like transboundary waters.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Manufacturing Companies: Primary beneficiaries, as they gain faster approvals for billion-dollar facilities, lowering costs and timelines.
Federal and State/Tribal Agencies: Involved in reviews; federal agencies see streamlined duties, while states/tribes may handle more environmental assessments.
Environmental and Conservation Groups: Potentially harmed by exemptions from species and water protections, limiting their ability to challenge projects in court.
Local Communities and Workers: Gain from job opportunities and economic boosts but face possible environmental degradation in project areas.
Endangered Species and Ecosystems: Indirectly affected through waived protections.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal Implications: The exemptions and judicial limits could conflict with established environmental statutes, potentially leading to lawsuits testing the scope of congressional authority to override them. The "functional equivalence" standard for NEPA may invite disputes over what constitutes adequate state/tribal reviews.
Constitutional Implications: Restricting court access might raise due process concerns (e.g., limiting citizens' rights to challenge government actions) or separation of powers issues (e.g., Congress curtailing judicial review). Exclusive jurisdiction in the D.C. Circuit could be seen as forum-shopping, concentrating power in one venue.
Political Implications: Favors industrial development over environmental regulation, aligning with pro-business policies but drawing criticism for weakening protections; it reflects priorities in supply chain resilience amid global tensions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Mannion, John [D-NY-22], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

Recent Actions

2025-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-09: Introduced in House
2025-04-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Infrastructure Project Acceleration Act — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (4 pages)