Permitting

US water infrastructure ‘unsustainable’ amid rapidly evolving crisis, report warns

The United States is facing an unsustainable demand for water and lacks the security posture to defend the nation’s water systems from emerging threats, according to a new report.

Feds announce funds for renewable energy facility planning

State and local governments can apply for funds to support the complex decision-making processes around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting and permitting.

Mayors Oppose a GOP Bill to Speed Up Broadband Permitting

The proposal would put a “shot clock” on permit approvals in an effort to streamline the process to build broadband around the country. But mayors say it preempts their ability to make crucial construction decisions.

County sees huge performance gains when permitting moves to the cloud

Cloud-based permitting speeds workflow for staff, eases pressure on IT and gives customers automatic permitting and virtual inspections options.

Why a Power Line Project Can Take 14 Years to Permit

Amid a push to greatly expand the nation’s clean energy infrastructure, key grid upgrades require approvals that can take years to complete. Can regulators strike the right balance between speed and environmental protection?

Clash Over Infrastructure Permitting Heats Up on Capitol Hill

Despite objections from fellow Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he will press ahead with a deal to attach an overhaul of energy project permitting to a must-pass spending bill. Meanwhile, Republicans have a plan of their own.

A State Provides an Online Option for Driver's License Tests

Prospective drivers in Minnesota can now take their learner's permit knowledge test online, one of several state initiatives deployed during the coronavirus pandemic.

How One City Went Virtual In 30 Days

The southern California city of El Cajon moved to paperless permitting in just under a month, a project that had originally been expected to take a year.

Streamlining Local Health Department Inspections and Permitting

No two agencies are alike, which made designing a software solution for preconfigured forms and procedures difficult in the past.

Mayors Eye Two-Pronged Attack on FCC’s Preemptive 5G Order

The latest effort is a new bill in Congress that would overturn the agency on its rule that strictly limits how much local governments can charge providers and how long officials can take to process applications.

Senators Seek to Rein in State Power Over Key Environmental Permit

A lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council said the GOP-backed legislation threatens to “neuter the rights of all 50 states to protect their rivers, streams and coastal waters.”

5G Faceoff on Capitol Hill

Localities want more of a say in broadband policymaking. The U.S. wireless industry wants to win its race with China.

For Cities, Creativity and Convergence Need to Be the Norm

According to the former mayors of Albuquerque and Philadelphia: “It’s our job to make SXSW live on all year long. Here’s why.”

Uncertainty Around Infrastructure Permitting Cited as a Difficulty for the Energy Sector

In an address, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard also praised the Trump administration’s recent decision to expand offshore drilling on the outer continental shelf.

Environmental Review Law Faces GOP Scrutiny in U.S. House

“Congress needs to act," said U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, as he discussed the National Environmental Policy Act on Wednesday.

More Tidbits Surface on Elon Musk’s Advancing Tunneling Operation

Making his vision for a system of near-frictionless transport tubes a reality still requires things like permitting.

Are Trump’s Efforts to Streamline Infrastructure Permitting Actually Redundant?

The president has promised to move ahead with “massive permit reform.” But some of his actions may be having the “exact opposite result of what seems to have been intended.”

Cloud-Hosted Software Is Helping to Clone Automated Government Processes

“We want to make it easier for governments to get people to comply with regulations that didn’t use to seem important enough to follow,” CityGrows’ CEO said.

Trans-Hudson Tunnel Project Sheds Light on Permitting Advances

Federal and state authorities are making progress in cutting through the regulatory thicket.

For Cities, Mapping Minority-Owned Small Businesses Requires Face-to-Face Engagement

At the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting, Kansas City Mayor Sly James discussed ways Missouri’s most populous municipality is closing its digital divide to spur entrepreneurship.