Congress should adopt Texas' permitting playbook
An opinion piece advocates for Congress to adopt Texas's successful permitting reform model to accelerate housing construction and infrastructure projects, including data centers. Texas lawmakers have streamlined permitting processes and reduced regulatory burdens, leading to lower costs and more efficient development. Federal adoption of similar measures would benefit affordability and energy security nationwide.
Michael Gallops, President & CEO of the Metrocrest Area Chamber of Commerce, argues that federal permitting delays significantly increase costs for American families and businesses, impacting housing affordability, energy security, and infrastructure development, including data centers. He highlights Texas's recent legislative successes in streamlining permitting processes, modernizing regulations, and reducing restrictive zoning barriers as a model for the federal government.
Texas lawmakers passed bills like Senate Bill 15 and SB 840 to accelerate housing construction and SB 14 to create the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, which uses an AI-powered platform to help businesses navigate regulations. These reforms have positioned Texas as a leader in construction permitting efficiency, contrasting with other states like New York and California.
Gallops urges Congress to act quickly on bipartisan bills such as the SPEED Act, the PERMIT Act, and the FREEDOM Act. He asserts that these federal measures would replicate Texas's proven model of cutting delays, reducing costs, and moving projects forward, thereby addressing affordability concerns and strengthening the nation's energy infrastructure and economic growth before the current congressional window closes.