What They Are Saying... Rep Evans' CERTAIN Act

DENVER — Key stakeholder support from across Colorado communities is flooding in for Congressman Gabe Evans’ bipartisan Create Expedited Reviews to Transform American Infrastructure Now (CERTAIN) Act. The CERTAIN Act would build upon ongoing permitting reform efforts in Congress to secure permit certainty for all infrastructure projects of all types – supporting a truly all-of-the-above energy strategy. More specifically, CERTAIN stops political interference in the permitting process and ensures federal agencies handle project authorizations and environmental reviews fairly and efficiently, with clear timelines, notice requirements, and accountability. It also emphasizes coordination between permitting agencies to avoid unnecessary delays. This much-needed certainty would incentivize more investments into critical American infrastructure to ultimately lower costs, create jobs, and protect our environment.

The CERTAIN Act has received widespread support from local stakeholder organizations;

➡️ Pipefitters Local Union 208: “Pipefitters Local Union 208 supports commonsense permit reform that creates consistent standards, accountability, and project certainty. The bipartisan CERTAIN Act provides the project certainty needed while accomplishing those priorities, which in turn will give our members the opportunity to build these projects while earning family-sustaining wages and benefits.” — Cecil Courtney, Business Manager

➡️ International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 68: “IBEW Local 68 supports efforts to modernize federal permitting so Colorado can build the energy infrastructure our communities depend on.  When reviews drag on for years, projects stall, costs rise, and workers lose opportunities.  Clear deadlines, smarter agency coordination, and the resources to move projects forward, that's what the CERTAIN Act delivers. A permitting system that works isn't just good policy; it's a promise to the workforce that powers Colorado and this country.”

➡️ Vestas Americas: “We appreciate Representative Evans’ leadership in seeking common sense solutions to speed up permitting delays for necessary electricity projects across the country.   Rapid growth in data centers and AI technologies is driving unprecedented electricity demand across the nation, and wind energy is essential to meeting that demand reliably and affordably. With American‑made turbines built and maintained by workers in Colorado, wind power will play a critical role in supporting economic growth while strengthening our nation’s security. The CERTAIN Act is a positive step forward toward helping meet this demand.” — Laura Beane, President

➡️ Colorado Solar and Storage Association: "In order to meet rising demand and provide Coloradans with affordable and reliable energy, Colorado developers need confidence that their projects will be able to move through the permitting process in good faith. The CERTAIN Act would ensure developers have the clarity they need to build more solar and storage in our state, and we applaud this bipartisan effort.” — KC Becker, CEO

➡️ Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association: "Comprehensive permitting reform is essential to delivering reliable and affordable power to the farmers, ranchers, and rural communities Tri‑State serves. Today’s lengthy and often unpredictable approval processes delay critical energy and wildfire mitigation projects, including transmission projects, grid upgrades, and vegetation management. For Tri-State, which serves nearly 200,000 square miles of the U.S., streamlining permitting is not about cutting corners - it’s about ensuring practical permitting solutions are in place to meet growing demand, strengthen reliability, and serve our 39 member‑owners without unnecessary cost or risk. We appreciate Congressman Evan’s leadership on this issue and will continue to work with him on permitting solutions.” - Duane Highley, CEO

➡️ Xcel Energy: “We applaud Congressman Evans and his colleagues, including Congressman Vasquez from our service territory, for their leadership in introducing the CERTAIN Act and for highlighting the importance of certainty and consistency in federal permitting decisions. Ensuring that projects which have completed the review process are treated fairly and predictably is essential to supporting infrastructure development, energy reliability, and economic growth. We appreciate the bipartisan nature of this effort and welcome the opportunity to engage further as the legislation is considered.” — Martin Doern, AVP of Federal Affairs

➡️ United Power: “The electric industry is at a crossroads. As demand has grown, the ability for utilities to plan and meet the needs of consumers has been challenged by changing rules, realigned priorities, and lengthy processes to build and permit necessary facilities. This cumbersome process has contributed to growing costs and has impacted reliability nationwide. The CERTAIN Act would help to clarify rules, expedite improvements, and reduce costs for ratepayers across the country. Leveling the field with standard planning rules, regulations, and timelines would allow utilities to more effectively and efficiently plan for future growth and expansion, while meeting customers’ expectations for reliable and economically priced power to run their lives. The CERTAIN Act would help to define a nationwide approach to a key challenge in the electric industry and create a solution for an issue that has plagued the sector for decades.” — Mark A. Gabriel, President & CEO

➡️ Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Rocky Mountain: “IEC Rocky Mountain supports the CERTAIN Act and Congressman Gabe Evans’ leadership to bring much-needed reforms to the federal permitting process because permitting certainty means putting Colorado electricians and small businesses to work. IECRM’s electrical contractors are ready to build and power the infrastructure our region needs, but permitting delays keep projects stuck on paper. This bill will help get projects moving, create jobs, and open more opportunities for the next generation of electricians. Across Colorado, IEC chapters have 3,600 electrical apprentices enrolled in IEC’s world-class government-registered apprenticeship programs who will benefit from on-the-job learning as a result of new projects freed from unreasonable permitting delays.” – Marilyn Akers Stansbury, CEO

➡️ America Builders Coalition (ABC) Rocky Mountain Chapter: “ABC Rocky Mountain applauds Rep. Gabe Evans for introducing the CERTAIN Act, legislation that improves transparency and certainty for America’s infrastructure projects and gives construction companies in Colorado and nationwide the confidence to invest in their workforce and grow their businesses." — Jack Tate, President & CEO

➡️ Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association (PVREA): "Reliable, affordable power depends on completing critical infrastructure projects on predictable timelines. The CERTAIN Act would help streamline the federal permitting process and strengthen coordination, reducing unnecessary delays for essential work like grid upgrades and wildfire mitigation. We thank Congressman Evans for his leadership in advancing this practical, bipartisan effort." — Jeff Wadsworth, President & CEO

➡️ Outshine Energy: “Congressman Evan's permitting reform legislation will bring much needed certainty that Colorado's solar industry needs. I strongly support this bill as a way to deliver low-cost energy while strengthening our economy and creating jobs in rural Colorado.” — Taylor Henderson, CEO
In case you missed it, read the press release on the CERTAIN Act here. To read more from supporting stakeholders around the country, click here.