LaMalfa votes to strengthen American energy independence, permitting reform 

Congressman Doug LaMalfa voted in favor of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. H.R. 1 focuses on two main priorities: increasing the production and export of American energy and reducing the regulatory burdens that make it harder to build American infrastructure and grow our economy. Policies included increasing American energy production, increasing the production and processing of critical minerals, streamlining energy infrastructure and exports, permitting reform and decreasing permitting wait times.

Two of Congressman LaMalfa’s amendments related to forestry were included in the package. The first amendment allows wildfire mitigation activities within 300 feet of a road on federal lands to be carried out without regard to NEPA or ESA requirements, and the second expands the definition of “hazard trees” trees to within 50 feet of electrical lines, from 10 feet. Such plans will also be automatically approved after 60 days.

“America makes the cleanest and most efficient energy in the world, this bill ensures necessary reforms so projects across the nation are carried out in a timely manner while upholding commonsense environmental standards,” said LaMalfa. “H.R. 1 is a win for American energy independence, but also for forest management and wildfire mitigation. I am pleased that my two amendments were included. Both provide necessary permitting reforms to remove vegetation which helps lower risk of wildfire.”