On Tuesday, July 21, ESA Federal Strategy Director Eric Beightel testified before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources in support of H.R. 8003, the Expanding the Fast Track Act of 2026.
The proposed legislation would lower the project-cost threshold for participation in the FAST-41 federal permitting program from $200 million to $50 million. This could give more infrastructure projects access to coordinated federal permitting schedules, stronger interagency coordination, and improved schedule transparency.
Eric previously served as Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council and is a nationally recognized expert on federal environmental review and permitting. His testimony draws on his experience working with agencies and project sponsors to improve permitting predictability and project delivery.
View the Committee Repository for the hearing notice, memo and witness testimony.
Watch Eric’s testimony and the rest of the hearing below:
Eric Beightel is an experienced executive leader, policy professional, and project manager with nearly 25 years of experience supporting the environmental review and approval of major infrastructure projects. A recognized national expert on environmental policy and the federal permitting process, Eric has worked in both federal and state government and the private sector. Eric is a skilled communicator, public speaker, and policy advocate.
