What Is Permitting Reform? 

What is permitting reform? 

Permitting reform refers to efforts to improve how the government reviews and approves infrastructure projects, including pipelines, power plants, and transmission lines. 

These projects often require approvals from multiple federal and state agencies, along with environmental review and opportunities for public input. Because those reviews can happen on different timelines and under different standards, the process can become lengthy and difficult to navigate. Reform generally focuses on clearer rules, better coordination, and more predictable timelines so decisions can be made more efficiently. 

Why does permitting reform matter right now? 

Energy infrastructure is essential for delivering energy across the country, and demand continues to grow. Systems like pipelines, rail networks, and transmission lines help move energy from where it is produced to where it is needed.

When the permitting process isn’t efficiently implemented: 

• Projects may be delayed or cancelled. 
• More than 650 infrastructure projects tracked by the Permitting Dashboard are awaiting federal approval to begin construction. 
• Energy transportation may not keep pace with demand. 
• At the end of 2023, nearly 2,600 gigawatts of proposed generation and storage capacity were waiting in the U.S. interconnection queues – more than twice the capacity of the existing U.S. power plant fleet. 
• Costs and uncertainty can increase for families, businesses, and project developers. 
• Efforts to expand and modernize energy systems may move more slowly. 
• New transmission lines can take over a decade to site, permit, and construct, while projects completed in 2023 had a median timeline of 5 years from interconnection request to completion. 
• Permitting reform could reduce residential electricity bills by $55.6 billion over the next decade.   

Because infrastructure projects can take years to approve, delays can affect when new energy supplies, transportation capacity, and grid upgrades come online. Reform is often discussed to shorten unnecessary delays while keeping the review process in place. 

These factors can create uncertainty and delay projects for years. Long timelines can increase financing, legal, labor, and material costs. Furthermore, unclear expectations can make it harder for developers, communities, and regulators to plan effectively. 

How does permitting reform impact Americans? 

Permitting reform can directly affect daily life in several ways: 

• Energy costs: Delays in building infrastructure can limit supply, which can contribute to higher electricity and heating costs for households — the average monthly residential electricity bill has already climbed nearly 30% since 2021, from $121 to $156. 
• Reliability: A modern and expanded energy system helps ensure energy is delivered consistently to homes and businesses. 
• Jobs and economic growth: Infrastructure projects support job creation, strengthen local economies, and generate revenue at the local, state, and federal levels — the U.S. oil and natural gas industry alone supported 10.6 million jobs and contributed $2.1 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2023. 

How can I take action to support permitting reform? 

Individuals can stay informed and engaged on permitting reform and broader energy policy issues in several ways. 

• Join Energy Citizens: Joining Energy Citizens is a simple way to stay informed about permitting reform and other energy issues that affect affordability, reliability, and infrastructure development. 
• Learn more: Understanding how energy infrastructure impacts daily life is an important first step. Permitting reform is intended to improve how projects are reviewed so energy can be delivered more efficiently and reliably. 
• Contact Your Elected Officials: Permitting reform can help reduce unnecessary delays, improve project certainty, and strengthen the infrastructure needed to deliver affordable, reliable energy. Reaching out to lawmakers is a way individuals can make their voices heard on these issues.