API Testifies on Urgency for Permitting Reform as Energy Demand Rises

WASHINGTON, January 28, 2026 - Today, American Petroleum Institute (API) Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Dustin Meyer testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in support of long-overdue reforms to the federal permitting system to power the economy, curb the rising cost of living and meet America's growing demand for affordable, reliable energy.

"Energy demand is rising rapidly, driven by fundamental changes in the economy," Meyer said. "Bolstering U.S. energy leadership requires investment, and investment requires certainty. Permitting reform must reflect these realities. Meeting today and tomorrow's energy demand requires new energy infrastructure across all fuels and technologies."

During the hearing, Meyer highlighted the costs of today's broken permitting system for consumers and industries alike, and the urgent need to repair this system to grow the U.S. economy.

"The cost of living remains a primary concern for Americans across every region of the country. Meaningful permitting reforms are essential to reversing course," said Meyer. "When infrastructure projects are delayed or constrained, costs go up and the system loses its ability to respond to market needs. Put simply, our current permitting system obstructs necessary infrastructure projects, and consumers pay the price."

Meyer outlined API's policy roadmap for permitting reform, including reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act, and the judicial review process.

"API has advocated for permitting reform for many years and has clearly established priorities that will modernize the permitting process while maintaining strong environmental protections," Meyer said. "API's proposed reforms… focus on process improvements, clarity, scope of review refinements, coordination, and timelines that allow agencies to complete reviews efficiently and issue legally durable decisions."

Meyer also emphasized the importance of permit certainty, ensuring that energy infrastructure projects with approved permits can move forward without unexpected delays and on predictable timelines.

"Meaningful permitting reform must address what happens after approvals are issued by establishing greater permit certainty," Meyer said. "Without clear durability for agency decisions, even an improved permitting process will fail to deliver infrastructure on timelines needed to meet rising energy demand."

For a copy of Meyer's written testimony, click here.

API's permitting reform plan outlines critical reform areas, including:

Set Deadlines, Enforce Them

• Enforce statutory timelines under the Clean Water Act
• Eliminate last-minute information roadblocks
• Improve permitting timelines on federal lands and waters
• Establish a modern, uniform process for cross-border energy projects

Stop Lawsuits, Start Building

• Set clear timelines for legal challenges
• Fix instead of canceling permits
• Provide long-term certainty through nationwide permits
• Keep projects moving once reviews are complete

Targeted Reviews, Swift Decisions

• Clarify limitations on actions subject to NEPA
• Limit reviews to direct project impacts
• Direct agencies to stay within their authority
• Prohibit use of the social cost of carbon in reviews

The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents all segments of America's oil and natural gas industry, supporting nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. With approximately 600 members, API companies produce, process, and distribute the majority of the nation's energy. Founded in 1919, API has developed over 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

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