Gov. Gianforte Partners With Trump Administration to Streamline Permitting

Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana has partnered with the Trump administration to streamline federal and state permitting on critical infrastructure projects Governor Gianforte, Trump Administration Sign Agreement to Streamline Infrastructure Projects. Gov. Gianforte met with Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council Executive Director Emily Domenech in Philipsburg to sign a memorandum of understanding, opting Montana into the FAST-41 process to identify priority projects and make permitting processes more transparent.

The agreement aims to prevent unnecessarily long review times and remove bureaucratic hurdles. “Since taking office, we’ve made it a priority to remove the bureaucratic red tape that ties up innovation and opportunity,” Gov. Gianforte stated, noting that Montana has become the eleventh state to join the FAST-41 process.

Memorandum of Understanding and Philipsburg Announcement

Prior to holding a press conference in Philipsburg, the governor toured a local tungsten mine. During the press conference, officials emphasized Montana’s role in mining critical minerals and establishing supporting infrastructure for national needs.

By tracking state permitting timelines alongside federal requirements, this MOU will ensure that critical infrastructure projects avoid unnecessary roadblocks after completion of federal and state environmental review processes. This is especially important for energy infrastructure, Gov. Gianforte said. He also noted that mining and milling operations in the state strengthen the global supply chain and generate high-paying jobs.

Emily Domenech praised the partnership, stating, Montana’s natural resources make it a leader in producing the critical minerals and energy our country needs for economic growth and national security. Domenech added that the Permitting Council has helped the administration reduce average federal permitting review times from 1,500 days down to 400 days.

Support Provided Through the FAST-41 Program

Under the signed agreement, the Permitting Council will deliver federal permitting support for designated projects within the state. The support framework includes:

Assisting the state in identifying eligible FAST-41 projects.
Engaging to identify and support gaps in federal knowledge while sharing state expertise.
Convening meetings with state and federal agencies to coordinate reviews and prevent duplication.
Exploring improvements to state permitting processes, including funding and technology access for permit applications.

The Trump administration marks the first time the Permitting Council has utilized its statutorily defined authority to establish federal-state agreements since the council was created in 2015.