“Thank you, Mr. President!”
That was the message Georgia’s Commissioner of Transportation Russell McMurry had last week when President Donald Trump came to Atlanta to make a major announcement on the implementation of a new policy that will allow for expedited infrastructure projects in Georgia and across the country.
Russell McMurry
McMurry was one of several Georgians invited to share the stage with the President at the UPS airport hub at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. And he was quick to thank the President, USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao and Gov. Brian Kemp for their efforts in eliminating “the often burdensome, bureaucratic and lengthy challenges we were facing in delivering transportation infrastructure projects.”
The policy change will speed up permitting for major projects including highway construction, bridges, power plants and other major projects — cutting the federal permitting timeline from a “staggering 10 years, 15 years, 18 years, — from up to 20 years or more down to two years,” according to Trump.
McMurry spoke about a previous meeting with the President and Chao that laid the foundation for the policy change. “At the conclusion of that meeting, President Trump let us know he intended to cut red tape and streamline the processes while ensuring the environment was protected.”
“So here I am today, full circle, after that meeting with the President and the Trump Administration to implement yet another improvement in the environmental process.”
During the announcement, Trump said the new policy would make America’s infrastructure the envy of the world. McMurry agreed that it will have a major impact on Georgia.
“It is without a doubt that these reforms will expedite critical projects like the I-75 commercial vehicle lanes.,” said McMurry. “A project which keeps Georgia’s and the nation’s economy strong by moving freight from the Port of Savannah to Atlanta and beyond while enhancing safety for the many families that travel I-75.”
McMurry went on to credit Kemp and Chao for their part in this policy change.
“I can affirm that Governor Kemp is just as focused on reducing red tape at the state level,” said McMurry. “That’s been his direction to all agencies since day one. I really appreciate Governor Kemp’s strong focus on Georgia’s transportation infrastructure. I would also like to commend Secretary Chao for her leadership at USDOT. With the Trump Administration, there has been more interaction and more engagement than ever before, Thank you Secretary Chao for your execution of the President’s vision and for the exceptional partnership that Georgia enjoys with you!
“And thank you, Mr. President.”
The policy change comes as a result of an executive order in which President Trump directed that burdensome National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations should be made more efficient and effective. These regulations control how the Federal Government processes environmental permits but have been used to block and delay important infrastructure projects.
According to information from the President’s office the new regulations “will modernize, simplify and accelerate the environmental review process.” The rule will also provide needed certainty for project sponsors and will facilitate the rebuilding of America, Trump said.
