A bipartisan group of more than a dozen governors released a message package of reform priorities to improve federal permitting and regulatory processes for critical energy infrastructure projects. In a letter to congressional committee leaders, the National Governors Association, co-chaired by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, called on Congress to enact reforms to ensure that federal permitting processes are streamlined and managed in a technology-neutral and apolitical manner, allowing all types of energy projects to progress.
“This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. Every American needs to heat their home and power their vehicle,” said Governor Stitt. “As energy demand increases as we bring new technologies and AI online, we must complete energy infrastructure projects in a faster and more efficient manner. I am grateful to Governor Shapiro and our fellow governors who participated in this task force for their innovative ideas to make American energy more accessible to all.”
Amid rising demand for electricity to meet computer, industrial, manufacturing, construction, and transportation needs, the Governors developed reform recommendations in the following categories: streamlining Federal Agency Reviews, reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), reforms to interstate energy transmission, reforms to the regulation of nuclear power and Clean Water Act reforms.
The following governors are participating on the Governors Energy and Infrastructure Working Group on behalf of all 55 states and territories:
- Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt – NGA Chairman, Working Group Co-Chair
- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro – working group co-chair
- Maryland Governor Wes Moore – Vice Chairman of the NGA
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis
- Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut
- Indiana Governor Mike Braun
- Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry
- Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey
- North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong
- Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee
- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
- Utah Governor Spencer Cox
- Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
“When it comes to energy infrastructure, we need to move from no and slowly to yes and now,” said NGA Vice Chairman Governor Moore. “Authorizing reforms can help lower costs, modernize the electric grid, and create clean energy jobs for Maryland families. Common-sense energy policy is a bipartisan priority to break government gridlock without sacrificing environmental safety. I’m proud of this bipartisan group of governors who have come to the table and identified a set of common-sense solutions that we believe are can meet this moment.”
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