Governors from both sides of the aisle are uniting behind the urgent need for permitting reform to bolster U.S. energy independence and cybersecurity defenses. At a recent National Governors Association (NGA) conference, the prevailing sentiment was that bureaucratic hurdles are hindering America's ability to compete with global rivals, particularly China.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt emphasized the national security implications of sluggish permitting processes, stating that projects shouldn't take longer to approve than to build. He highlighted the importance of providing affordable and reliable energy to allies, positioning the U.S. as a key resource provider.
This bipartisan concern was echoed by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who implemented a policy in his own state requiring permit decisions within two weeks or a refund to applicants. Stitt, inspired by Shapiro's initiative, followed suit in Oklahoma. Shapiro further revealed an audit uncovering 3,400 pending permit applications in Pennsylvania, underscoring the need for improved tracking and processing.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stressed the critical nature of winning the "AI arms race" with China, noting the potential for devastating cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like the electric grid. He argued that streamlining energy production is essential to powering the advanced technologies needed to counter such threats. The governors also discussed the potential of portable nuclear energy plants to bring power generation closer to consumption points.
Pennsylvania, despite its evolving energy landscape, remains a significant energy exporter. Governor Shapiro emphasized the need to expedite energy projects, while acknowledging the state's history of fluctuating policies on fracking. He highlighted the bipartisan SPEED Act in Pennsylvania, designed to streamline permitting through third-party reviews.
The governors expressed optimism about improved collaboration with the federal government, citing increased accessibility to administration officials. This renewed focus on permitting reform signals a bipartisan commitment to strengthening U.S. energy security and technological competitiveness on the global stage.
