Fast Track Energy Bill May Overlook Rural Indiana

By Andi Anderson

Rural communities in Indiana may be left behind under a new federal energy proposal designed to speed up clean energy and infrastructure projects. Known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the legislation is part of the Government’s larger tax package and includes major changes to environmental permitting laws.

The bill rewrites portions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), aiming to shorten approval timelines and reduce legal delays that slow down projects like solar farms, wind energy, and broadband expansion. Supporters believe the changes will encourage faster development across the country.

However, some experts warn the bill could have unintended consequences. Thomas Hochman, director of infrastructure policy at the Foundation for American Innovation, explained that developers may now prioritize easier and more cost-effective locations.

“If you know that you are not at risk of litigation, that is almost certainly a radically faster timeline,” Hochman said.

This shift could push investment away from rural areas like those in Indiana, which often face higher development costs or logistical challenges. Hochman emphasized that these rural communities may not attract projects if developers are guided mainly by cost-efficiency and speed.

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the bill, and it is now under Senate review. Developers working on large-scale projects are expected to accept additional costs for the streamlined process. “For a developer… $5 million – or whatever it might be – is peanuts,” Hochman added.

While the bill may improve national infrastructure timelines, advocates worry it could overlook real needs in smaller or remote areas. If project scoring continues to favor low costs over community need, rural Indiana might not benefit from these federal reforms.

As the bill advances, stakeholders are urging lawmakers to ensure that rural voices are considered, so that all communities—urban and rural alike—can access the benefits of clean energy and infrastructure progress.

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