JOINT BASIN STATEMENT ON PERMIT REFORM

Worthington, OH, Charleston, WV, Pittsburgh, PA - October 7, 2026 - Rob Brundrett, President of the Ohio Oil & Gas Association, Rebecca McPhail, President of The Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia, and Jim Welty, President of the Pennsylvania-based Marcellus Shale Coalition, released the following joint statement today:

"The Appalachian Basin is one of the most prolific natural gas-producing regions in the world, and Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio stand ready to provide the affordable and reliable energy our nation needs. What continues to hold this region back, however, is our inability to build critical infrastructure in a timely and predictable manner.

"For too long, our outdated and complex federal permitting system has delayed, and at times prevented, the pipelines, power generation, and other critical energy infrastructure needed to connect Appalachian natural gas with consumers and growing markets. At a time when electricity demand is increasing, manufacturers are looking to invest and grow, and our allies are seeking secure sources of energy, we cannot afford to have of our nation's greatest energy advantages stranded in permitting purgatory.

"Our organizations strongly support the bipartisan effort to advance meaningful permitting reform through the American Affordability and Jobs Act. Reforms to the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and judicial review process can bring greater predictability and accountability to permitting while maintaining important environmental protections.

"Appalachia's natural gas has the ability to power homes and businesses, support the next generation of American manufacturing, meet rapidly growing electricity demand, all while strengthening our nation's energy security. Realizing that opportunity, however, requires the infrastructure to move energy from where it is produced to where it is needed.

"Congress has an historic opportunity to finally address barriers that have constrained American energy infrastructure development for decades, and we urge lawmakers to act with urgency and enact durable permitting reform that allows Appalachia to realize our full economic potential."