[USA] House passes anti-offshore wind amendment to SPEED Act

As of December 18, 2025, the US House of Representatives passed permitting reform legislation, adding an amendment to the SPEED act that exempts offshore wind projects from being subject to parts of the bill. [1] The SPEED Act would amend the National Environmental Policy Act to ease and speed up the permitting process for energy projects. By introducing new deadlines for opposition to the projects, it requires opponents to make their claims no later than 150 days after the final agency action is made public. The offshore wind exception applies to issuance, modification, approval, or administration of any lease, easement, right-of-way, site assessment plan, construction and operations plan, or any other such authorization. The amendment was introduced by New Jersey representatives Reps. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., as well as Maryland’s Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md.

[1] https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4776/text