Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act

H.R. 5254, the Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act, aims to speed up the construction and expansion of oil and biofuel refineries by streamlining the federal and state permitting process. The bill would allow the President to appoint a federal coordinator to set binding timelines for permit approvals and would provide financial and technical assistance to states to help them process these applications more quickly. Additionally, the legislation requires the federal government to identify at least three closed military bases as potential sites for new refineries, including at least one dedicated to producing biofuels from organic materials.

For citizens, the practical impact of this bill would be an effort to increase the domestic supply of gasoline and alternative fuels, which supporters suggest could lead to more stable energy prices over time. By centralizing the legal review of permit delays in local U.S. District Courts and setting strict schedules, the bill seeks to reduce the time it takes for new energy infrastructure to become operational. However, the bill also shifts how environmental and construction permits are managed, prioritizing a faster administrative timeline for these industrial projects.