Advocacy News – Aug. 7, 2024
What happened: In a somewhat surprising turn of events, natural gas pipeline permitting reform at the Federal level, seen as stalled for months, may now have traction in Washington through a renewed bipartisan effort. In July, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), chairman of ENR, introduced the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, to strengthen American energy security by accelerating the permitting process for energy and mineral projects of all types in the United States. A week later, the senators delivered remarks at a business meeting to consider S.4753, the bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024. Now the bill has moved out of the Committee at a pace rarely seen in Washington.
Why it matters: Natural gas is truly the lifeblood of the American economy and energy sector. Historic attempts to reform the permitting process for new pipelines have had marginal success. Now, Congress may be imminently voting to accelerate the permitting process for critical energy and mineral projects of all types in the US, helping both renewables and oil and gas production, electricity transmission and LNG plants. If it passes, it will make a material difference to many of the issues that have obstructed infrastructure development in the US.
What we’re saying: The Michigan Chamber applauds this recent change in perspective from Congress and is supportive of the legislation moving forward, as increasing constraints around energy capacity and infrastructure risk incumbering economic growth for both the country and state of Michigan.
For more information, contact Mike Alaimo.