Senate's energy permitting reform gains broad industry support

(WO) — Leading national energy associations have expressed strong backing for the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, introduced by Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY). This bipartisan bill aims to enhance American energy security by expediting the permitting process for key energy and mineral projects.

Representatives from the Energy Workforce & Technology Council, U.S. Oil and Gas Association (USOGA), Western Energy Alliance, Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), and other major industry groups signed a letter supporting the legislation. Collectively, these organizations represent over 80% of the nation's energy sector.

Tim Tarpley, president of the Energy Workforce, emphasized the need for faster permitting to keep up with growing energy demand. “Streamlining the permitting process is crucial to building the necessary infrastructure quickly,” he said. “This reform is essential to maintaining America's energy leadership and competitiveness. Ending the LNG permitting pause is a critical step to unlocking our energy potential.”

USOGA President Tim Stewart criticized the current federal permitting process as overly bureaucratic.

“The federal permitting process has become horribly calcified - to the point of where obtaining any type of permit has become an exercise in futility for a small business who wants to do work with the federal government,” Stewart said. “This problem impacts everyone from energy to outfitters and guides. This legislation is a significant first step forward in fixing a permitting process that is in desperate need of repair.”

Kathleen Sgamma, president of Western Energy Alliance, praised the bipartisan effort for reducing bureaucratic delays. “Oil and natural gas require multiple federal approvals for everything from exploration and leasing to drilling, transportation, and export, and this bill reduces many points of bureaucratic delay and red tape,” she said.

IPAA COO Dan Naatz highlighted the legislation’s potential to streamline permitting and restore certainty in the Gulf of Mexico leasing process.

"After listening to the concerns and frustrations of users of multiple-use lands across the industry, Senators Manchin and Barrasso worked together to help reduce much of the unnecessary red tape that hampers independent producers operating on federal onshore and offshore lands," said IPAA COO and EVP Dan Naatz. "They have put forward a permitting reform package that will improve coordination, reduce permitting wait times, remove the LNG export ban, and restore certainty to the Gulf of Mexico leasing process. This legislation increases American energy security and IPAA appreciates the Senators’ thoughtful approach to these important issues.”