The CERTAIN Act would streamline the federal permitting process from when an application is submitted to when agencies reach a final decision. It would provide enforceable accountability measures, stronger coordination between agencies, and ensure agencies are fully staffed. Critically, the bill would protect lawfully issued permits from arbitrary revocation or political interference.
Streamline the federal permitting process for energy and infrastructure projects by setting firm timelines, stronger interagency coordination, enforceable accountability measures, and protections against arbitrary permit revocation.
Occurrences
Mr. Peters (for himself, Mr. Evans of Colorado, Mr. Vasquez, Mr. Garbarino, Mr. Gray, Mr. Ciscomani, Ms. Houlahan, and Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
Today, Reps. Scott Peters ... formally introduced the Create Expedited Reviews to Transform American Infrastructure Now (CERTAIN) Act, a bipartisan bill to fix our federal permitting system and ensure all energy projects are built efficiently, fairly, and on-time. The CERTAIN Act would streamline the federal permitting process from when an application is submitted to when agencies reach a final decision. It would provide enforceable accountability measures, stronger coordination between agencies, and ensure agencies are fully staffed. Critically, the bill would protect lawfully issued permits from arbitrary revocation or political interference.
Evidence
Last Action Date Listed: April 15, 2026. Action: Mr. Peters (for himself, Mr. Evans of Colorado, Mr. Vasquez, Mr. Garbarino, Mr. Gray, Mr. Ciscomani, Ms. Houlahan, and Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker.
Congressional Record Index (2026) entry for CREATE EXPEDITED REVIEWS TO TRANSFORM AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE NOW (CERTAIN) ACT; Congressional Bills: H.R. 8308.
Congressional Record Index entry for the CREATE EXPEDITED REVIEWS TO TRANSFORM AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE NOW (CERTAIN) ACT, congressional bill H.R. 8308.
Mr. Peters introduced H.R. 8308 and it was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce, for consideration of provisions within committee jurisdiction.
Assessments
Peters introduced H.R. 8308, the CERTAIN Act, in the 119th Congress, and its stated permitting reforms closely match the promise: firm review timelines, interagency coordination, accountability mechanisms, and limits on arbitrary permit revocation. However, the available official record shows only introduction and committee referral, with no committee passage, floor passage, enactment, or implemented federal permitting reform. Because Peters remains in federal office and the bill is pending rather than finally defeated, the promise is not delivered but remains unresolved; the introduction qualifies as a serious legislative effort.