The 136th General Assembly of Ohio has passed a concurrent resolution urging Congress to reform federal permitting policies to expedite the deployment of new energy infrastructure. The resolution highlights the importance of a resilient and diversified domestic energy production system for enhancing national security, economic competitiveness, and energy independence. It points out that the current federal permitting and environmental review processes, particularly under laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water Act, have become excessively complex and time-consuming, often delaying essential energy projects and discouraging domestic energy production. The resolution emphasizes that these delays not only increase costs for consumers and businesses but also hinder the development of a reliable energy infrastructure necessary to meet the projected increase in electricity demand.

The resolution calls for legislative reforms that would streamline the permitting process, reduce unnecessary regulatory delays, and ensure accountability for federal agencies involved in environmental reviews. It advocates for a more efficient construction of modern energy infrastructure, including pipelines and transmission lines, while maintaining environmental protections. The resolution stresses the urgency for Congress to act promptly to address these issues, as failure to reform the permitting system could lead to job losses, increased energy costs, and greater reliance on foreign energy sources. The Ohio General Assembly expresses gratitude to its Congressional Delegation for their support in prioritizing federal permitting reform.