Permitting Reform Can Help Build the Energy Infrastructure America Needs

With America’s energy needs evolving, permitting reform has the potential to help accelerate critical energy infrastructure while supporting reliability and affordability.

America’s energy needs are growing. Meeting that demand will require continued investment in the infrastructure that delivers reliable and affordable energy to homes, businesses and communities.

That is why the American Gas Association welcomes the bipartisan action the U.S. Senate is taking to advance permitting reform.

On September 30, Senators introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a comprehensive proposal aimed at modernizing the federal permitting process and providing greater certainty for critical infrastructure projects.

For natural gas utilities, an efficient and predictable permitting process is essential to planning and investing in the infrastructure needed to serve customers. Lengthy and uncertain permitting processes can create unnecessary delays and add costs to projects that communities depend on.

AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert applauded the Senate’s action:

“Natural gas utilities are focused every day on ensuring the customers and communities have access to the reliable and affordable energy they need,” said Harbert. “Delivering on that commitment requires planning, investment, and hard work year-round, efforts that too often have been slowed by outdated government policies that create unnecessary delays, uncertainty and added costs. We were encouraged to see the U.S. Senate take action this week on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, advancing much-needed permitting reform one step closer to reality. Streamlining an overly complex permitting process will help accelerate the development of critical energy infrastructure, supporting our nation’s growing energy needs while maintaining the life essential energy Americans depend on.” 

As the nation’s energy landscape continues to evolve, the need for new and expanded infrastructure will only grow. New technology and a manufacturing resurgence are contributing to rising energy demand, while households and businesses continue to rely on energy systems that are dependable in all seasons.

Modernizing the permitting process can help ensure infrastructure projects move forward with greater efficiency and certainty – supporting investment, reducing unnecessary delays and helping affordably meet America’s growing energy needs.