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Getting Infrastructure Built: The Law and Economics of Permitting

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Given the benefits to economic growth and economic mobility, and the need to transition to green energy, getting infrastructure built is an urgent issue. I first review the evidence on the costs and benefits of the current regime of government approvals for such building: in the United States, permitting is slow, infrastructure is expensive, and environmental outcomes are not particularly good. I propose a framework for reform with two dimensions: the power of the executive branch to decide and its capacity to plan. After considering reform possibilities, I propose that reforming both dimensions could lead to a possible “green bargain” that benefits efficiency, the environment, and democracy.

Source: The Journal of Economic Perspectives

DOI: 10.1257/jep.20221347

Author: Zachary Liscow

Institution: Yale University

Language: English

Topic: Legal and Constitutional Studies

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: U.S. Department of Transportation, Australian Government