Trump signs order to shorten project permitting process

President Donald Trump yesterday signed an executive order aimed at speeding up the federal permitting process for construction of transportation, water and other infrastructure projects while still protecting the environment.

The order also requires agencies to work together "more efficiently" by requiring one lead agency for each major infrastructure project, Trump said, according to a transcript of his comments. Agencies will be held accountable if they fail to streamline the permitting process.

"No longer will we accept a broken [permitting] system that benefits consultants and lobbyists at the expense of hard-working Americans," Trump said.

The order sets the goal of completing all federal environmental reviews and authorization decisions for major infrastructure projects within two years.