A coalition of investors committed to Nevada’s economic growth today called on Congress to act swiftly on bipartisan permitting reform. The group warned that outdated federal processes are putting the state’s strong job growth and future competitiveness at risk.
Nevada currently leads the nation in job growth, more than double the rate of the second-fastest growing state, driven by advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and expanding data centers. This rapid growth is placing increasing strain on the state’s electric grid, especially during long, hot summers, as energy demand rises from data centers, industrial projects, and the Las Vegas Strip.
Federal permitting delays that average more than four years are driving up costs for energy projects, transmission lines, housing, and other critical infrastructure. Nevada already faces a shortage of more than 78,000 affordable rental homes, and every delay pushes higher costs onto families and businesses.
One promising step forward is the bipartisan FREEDOM Act (Fighting for Reliable Energy and Ending Doubt for Open Markets Act), co-introduced on June 16, 2026, by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR). The bill aims to speed up energy project permitting by reducing bureaucratic delays and limiting certain post-permit litigation and agency actions that halt fully permitted projects. Senator Cortez Masto has publicly supported the legislation as a way to cut unnecessary red tape while maintaining environmental reviews, and has highlighted its relevance to Nevada’s energy and infrastructure needs.
Along with the FREEDOM Act, Congress is also considering the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act), which would reform the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act by setting clearer timelines, narrowing the scope of reviews, and limiting lengthy litigation delays. Lawmakers are also advancing the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act (PERMIT Act), which focuses on streamlining Clean Water Act permitting to reduce regulatory delays and improve certainty for energy, infrastructure, and development projects.
“Nevada has the talent, the resources, and the momentum to thrive, but outdated government red tape is holding us back,” said William Walker, speaking on behalf of the group. “We urge Nevada’s congressional delegation to push the SPEED Act, PERMIT Act, FREEDOM Act, and other meaningful reforms across the finish line before the August recess.”
The coalition emphasized that smart permitting reform, which preserves strong environmental protections while creating predictable, efficient timelines, is essential to unlocking private investment, delivering reliable and affordable energy, and keeping Nevada competitive in the race for AI and advanced industries.
*For Nevada leaders, groups, and stakeholders interested in joining the coalition to advocate for federal permitting reform, contact the group’s representative, Paul Klein.
