The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council), established in 2015 by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41), plays a vital role in streamlining the federal environmental review and authorization processes for critical infrastructure projects. The Council aims to enhance transparency and predictability, ultimately driving efficiencies within the permitting landscape. Comprising 16 members, including representatives from 13 federal agencies and key figures from the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget, the Council works collaboratively to set public timetables and coordinate inter-agency processes.

Its mission is to deliver timely permitting decisions through a commitment to transparency, predictability, and accountability. The Permitting Council has established various resources, including the Environmental Review Improvement Fund and dashboards that provide information on covered projects and their statuses. By focusing on reducing delays and costs for project sponsors, the Permitting Council significantly contributes to the successful execution of infrastructure initiatives across the nation