BPC’s Sasha Mackler: The Time to Reform Our Permitting System is Now

Washington, DC – The following is a statement by Sasha Mackler, executive director of the Energy Program at the Bipartisan Policy Center, on the introduction of permitting reform legislation in the Senate: 

“The extreme delays caused by our infrastructure permitting system increase costs and increase emissions, a status quo that is unacceptable. The Bipartisan Policy Center commends Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY), and Senate Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) for each releasing permitting reform legislation this week. This follows a permitting hearing last week where Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) expressed support for a bipartisan permitting reform package.  

“The time is now to focus on developing a bipartisan solution to this crucial issue. We are optimistic that Republicans and Democrats can find common ground to advance permitting reform, as BPC did with its bipartisan Smarter, Cleaner, Faster Infrastructure Task Force recommendations—many of which have been incorporated into these bills.  

“No amount of funding or regulation will be sufficient to achieve America’s energy and climate goals if we can’t fix our broken permitting system. A commonsense compromise is within reach that will reduce emissions, create jobs, decrease costs, and increase energy affordability and reliability. The time is right to work together and pass bipartisan legislation that can create a dynamic, clean energy economy, ensuring that America remains globally competitive into the next century.”