About the Permitting Council

Established in 2015 by Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41), the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) is charged with improving the transparency and predictability of the federal environmental review and authorization process for certain infrastructure projects. The Permitting Council is uniquely positioned to bring federal agencies and stakeholders together to improve the efficiency of the permitting process for critical infrastructure projects, and is directed by Congress to: 

• Create public timetables and structure for federal permitting review;

• Convene agencies to improve collaboration, coordinate processes, and increase permitting efficiencies;

• Create predictability in the process to avoid permitting delays and increased costs for project sponsors.

The Permitting Council is comprised of the Executive Director (Chair), and 15 other members, including the Deputy Secretary (or equivalent) from 13 Federal agencies, the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Office of the Executive Director (OED) executes on the actions of the Council, and Permitting Council statutory authorities, programs, and initiatives. 

Our Mission 

To achieve timely permitting decisions for qualifying infrastructure projects by promoting permitting excellence through transparency, predictability and accountability.

Statutory Authority

Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Title 41