On June 1, Congress enacted the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA). A casual observer would not expect fiscal legislation temporarily suspending the debt limit and restricting future discretionary spending to address environmental law. Yet 27 pages of a 99-page bill are devoted to environmental and associated issues.

Just as the Inflation Reduction Act included many climate-related provisions that were unrelated to inflation reduction, the FRA addressed environmental permitting requirements that are unrelated to the debt ceiling or governmental spending. These changes were possible due to an unusual alliance of pro-fossil interests seeking to expedite approvals of oil and gas pipelines and energy facilities, and renewable energy advocates concerned about delays caused by review of energy projects they favor. As with many political compromises, however, the result did not leave everyone satisfied nor overcome many obstacles slowing deployment of renewable energy.