Staff Reports
Energy leaders say Congress is finally close to fixing the permitting logjam that keeps good projects stuck in red tape. At a Daily Caller Live panel, Jeremy Harrell of ClearPath warned lawmakers a bipartisan deal is within reach — and he urged them to act fast before the midterm elections. If this package does move, it would speed approvals for big energy projects and cut the legal games that stall construction for years.
Senate negotiators say they’re near a bipartisan permitting package
Senate negotiators led by Environment and Energy Committee chairs — Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Republican Sen. Mike Lee — are working with top Democrats Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Sen. Martin Heinrich. Harrell said the talks are “down to the last strokes” and predicted a proposal could be unveiled in the next couple weeks. Of course, any bill still needs the House, and then President Donald Trump’s signature, to become law.
Why permitting reform matters for energy projects
The pain point is simple: federal permitting takes forever. Harrell quipped it’s “quicker to get a college degree in this country than it is to get a permit.” That’s no joke for power plants, pipelines, and export terminals that can sit under review while the world moves on. Industry voices like former Texas Rep. Jason Isaac point to state deadlines that brought projects and jobs to Texas — the kind of common-sense rules Congress should consider to create predictability for developers.
Legal fights and national security risks
Permitting delays aren’t just about cheerleading for industry. They come amid a wave of climate liability suits and aggressive legal tactics that can chill investment. Former Attorney General Bill Barr warned these lawsuits could strengthen geopolitical rivals if America’s energy build-out stalls. Panels also raised concerns about outside influence in judicial training programs — another reason lawmakers want clearer rules and firmer timelines so judges and regulators can’t be ambushed by political litigation.
Politics, urgency, and a final nudge
Both parties have reasons to get this done before the midterms. Republicans can tout lower costs and more jobs. Democrats can claim reforms while keeping some environmental guardrails. But Congress needs the spine to finish the work. If leaders want more American energy and faster projects, they should pass a practical permitting package now. Otherwise, voters will keep paying higher energy bills while Washington argues in circles — and that’s a losing deal for hardworking Americans.
