CHITTOM: Permitting Reform is Key to Unlocking Louisiana’s Energy Dominance Future

President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans set out to tackle a broad range of issues at the start of his second administration—from reducing inflation for families to securing the border and cutting crime in communities nationwide. Chief among these priorities is unleashing America’s energy and natural resources and securing American energy dominance. In one of his first executive orders, President Trump cited burdensome regulations that “have impeded the development of these resources, limited the generation of reliable and affordable electricity, reduced job creation, and inflicted high energy costs upon our citizens.” Both parties have long recognized the need for permitting reform to advance a pro-energy agenda essential to America’s economic strength and national security. With several legislative proposals before Congress this fall, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle must seize the moment and act now.

The failures of our current federal permitting system have been clear for decades. Laws written in the 1970s are outdated and ill-suited to support our modern energy and infrastructure needs-creating a red tape–filled, years-long process that too often results in litigation for companies trying to invest in America. Persistent permitting delays stifle investment and push companies to look abroad. For Louisiana families, it means – higher energy costs and fewer jobs.

The energy industry drives 25 percent of our state’s economy and 15 percent of its total employment. Entire communities rely on steady and robust energy production. When companies take their investments elsewhere because of permitting barriers, the effects cascade: jobs aren’t created, unemployment rises, infrastructure projects stall, and Louisianans pay more to heat their homes and fuel their cars.

Action is needed now. Fortunately, Congress has real, durable reforms right before them. The

Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act is a bipartisan effort to modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which governs environmental reviews. Over time, NEPA has become a tool for special interest groups to weaponize litigation and delay projects. The SPEED Act would streamline and add predictability to the review process while maintaining environmental oversight—helping to unclog the permitting pipeline—and enact judicial reforms to end permitting lawfare.

Certainty and predictability are key to securing the long-term investment required for major onshore and offshore energy projects, lowering costs for families, and creating jobs here in Louisiana. Another key reform is updating the Clean Water Act (CWA), which has been used to block pipeline construction. In 2023, Louisiana officials were even forced to sue after the Biden administration’s EPA used the CWA to overreach and obstruct projects. Our state—and the nation—are being held back by the lack of reform.

Demand for energy continues to grow, and thankfully Louisiana’s congressional delegation understands this reality. This summer, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing and passing permitting reform. With bipartisan momentum building, Congress should act now to deliver durable, commonsense reforms that meet today’s energy needs, expand economic opportunity, and help fulfill President Trump’s energy dominance agenda.

Michael Chittom is the former chairman of the East Baton Rouge Parish Republican Party.