Permitting Reform: A Necessary Step for Energy Security, Innovation and Affordability

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing volatility in global energy markets have made it clear that outdated permitting processes are slowing the development of energy infrastructure and innovation the country needs to compete.

Energy projects face heavy permitting requirements, costly litigation and long delays for projects that create uncertainty for investment and planning. Multi-year delays act as a hidden tax on investment, raising risk and slowing the flow of capital into new energy projects. This leads to higher energy costs for Americans just as demand is increasing as well as a less resilient electricity grid vulnerable to extreme weather or foreign threats.

For the sake of energy infrastructure and independence, technological advancement and geopolitical competition, lawmakers should enact meaningful permitting reform that allows the private sector to do what it does best: innovate and allocate capital efficiently, particularly as affordability concerns are top of mind.

Cutting Costs, Encouraging Investment: Cutting unnecessary government costs and encouraging private investment in energy projects can help bring down prices, alleviating financial pressure on Americans. Increasing domestic energy production would also help to stabilize global energy markets, insulating American consumers from price shocks during geopolitical crises while also making it cheaper and quicker to develop essential public infrastructure.

Fostering Free Market Competition: The benefits of permitting reform extend far beyond today’s challenges and would help reinforce and protect America’s free-market system. Cutting red tape encourages the private sector to compete and improve across technology, manufacturing and efficiency. It also lowers barriers to entry, enabling new firms to compete and deliver innovative and affordable solutions.

Protecting America’s Global Energy Capacity: Permitting reform will also empower the U.S to maintain advantages over its global adversaries due to its unique advantages of abundant domestic energy resources combined with a dynamic private sector capable of scaling production. When regulatory barriers, litigation and antiquated rules slow development, that advantage is diminished. If domestic energy development is unreasonably constrained by regulation, the U.S. becomes more reliant on foreign sources—undermining both economic and national security.

Bipartisan Support: Permitting reform is one of the few issues drawing genuine bipartisan attention in Washington. Democrats and Republicans alike are discussing the prospects for reform, and White House officials are increasingly engaged with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advance negotiations on a deal. After years of stalled efforts, lawmakers can deliver meaningful reform for Americans.

Permitting reform would allow the U.S. to fully leverage its energy production potential—strengthening economic competitiveness and national security while helping to address affordability. Now is the time to propel American innovation, energy security and infrastructure—and it starts with permitting reform.