FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
David Anderson
651-297-7202
david.anderson@house.mn.gov
News Release
House Republicans Build for the Future by Streamlining Permitting Process
St. Paul, MN—House File 8, authored by House Environment Committee Chairman, Rep. Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa), received its first committee hearing in the House Environment Committee on Thursday afternoon as House Republicans take decisive action to streamline and improve the state's permitting process. Reform is needed to address long-standing concerns that permit delays and denials have led job creators to leave or refuse to expand operations in Minnesota.
“Streamlining the permitting process does not need to be an either/or proposition, Minnesota can and should maintain our environmental and safety standards, while also giving job creators the certainty they need to invest in our state and its people,” said Rep. Heintzeman. “For too long, Minnesota has lost out on hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment that would have provided good-paying jobs and helped revitalize communities across our state.”
A recent report found that review times for air permits are 1.5 to 6 times longer than those in other states, costing the state up to $910 million in annual economic output and as many as 3,400 full-time jobs. This further underscores the importance of these reforms in helping keep Minnesota competitive with neighboring states and fostering sustainable economic development.
Last year, Democrats approved limited permitting reforms that were directed at the green energy industry to make it easier for utility providers to comply with burdensome and costly energy mandates.
“It was encouraging to see my Democrat colleagues recognize Minnesota’s burdensome permitting process is a roadblock for industries, small businesses and communities across our state. That said, major reform is needed statewide instead of special treatment for just the green energy industry,” said Heintzeman. “Minnesota employees and job creators deserve a permitting process that is efficient and easy to follow not only for the green energy sector, but also for other important industries like mining, housing, construction, manufacturing, and more.”
House File 8 was referred to the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee where it awaits its next hearing.
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