Harrisburg, PA – This week, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt led a bipartisan, multi-state letter to committee chairmen and ranking members in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that outlined a series of recommendations for federal permitting reforms to help speed the delivery of critical energy infrastructure projects without compromising environmental protections.
The letter was developed by the National Governor Association’s (NGA) Permitting Working Group that was announced in February and is co-led by Governor Shapiro and Governor Stitt. The letter was co-signed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Indiana Governor Mike Braun, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, and Wyoming Governor Mark Golden.
Since taking office in 2023, Governor Shapiro has positioned Pennsylvania for long-term economic growth and success by implementing the PA Permit Fast Track Program, reducing permitting and licensing wait times for a wide range of permits from weeks to days, and eliminating the backlog of more than 2,400 permits for projects across the Commonwealth. In 2024, Pennsylvania added more than 5.5 million megawatt-hours onto the grid — and today, the Commonwealth is producing more power than ever as the nation’s top electricity exporter.
What people are saying about Governor Shapiro leading a bipartisan effort calling for federal permitting reforms:
Problems Solvers Caucus, U.S. House of Representatives: “This letter is a wake-up call to Congress that our states need us to act on permitting reform to ensure we can meet energy demand, reduce costs, and compete against China in energy innovation. Our bipartisan Permitting Reform Framework is a roadmap to do just that. We look forward to working with the National Governors Association as part of the growing coalition focused on meeting today’s environmental challenges investing in a secure grid for this century.”
Clearpath Action: "Encouraging to see a bipartisan group of 13 governors urge Congress to pass a durable permitting modernization package to let America build, win the AI race, and deliver affordable. Thanks to Governor Stitt, Governor Shapiro, and NGA for their leadership.”
Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce: "PA has the resources to lead the next energy revolution, and permitting reforms at the state and federal levels are a big step forward. Thanks, Governor Shapiro, Governor Stitt, Senator McCormick, and other lawmakers for prioritizing these reforms!”
American Petroleum Institute: "Leaders on both sides of the aisle agree: America needs a faster, smarter process to build the energy infrastructure that powers our economy and strengthens our security."
The Interstate National Gas Association of America: "INGAA and our members are encouraged to see a bipartisan group of more than a dozen governors, led by Governor Stitt and Governor Shapiro coming together to send a letter urging Congress to prioritize passing meaningful permitting reform for energy projects."
Josh Barro, author of the Very Serious Newsletter: “Great stuff here on permitting reform from a bipartisan group of 13 governors led by Josh Shapiro and Kevin Stitt.”
NEMA: "More than a dozen governors — led by Governor Shapiro and Governor Stitt — are urging Congress to modernize permitting project approvals on behalf of the NGA. As an NGA member, NEMA shares their commitment to reducing barriers that slow energy projects.”
Western Energy Alliance: “In a letter to Congress by NGA, DEM and GOP governors urge action on permitting reform, stating: ‘Governors have long agreed that these processes too often add costs and delays to critical energy projects.’"
Xan Fishman, Vice President of Energy at the Bipartisan Policy Center: “This bipartisan letter on permitting reform signed by 13 governors, led by Governor Stitt and Governor Shapiro through the NGA is very detailed. It shows that there's a bipartisan path forward on meaningful permitting reform. This is great news.”
Josh Siegel, Politico: “Permitting vibes good again? A push by governors adds momentum.” From the article: “The latest source of inspiration comes from a bipartisan coalition of 13 governors, who urged Congress to pass comprehensive legislation easing federal rules. The ideas laid out by the governors include ‘a lot of the contours’ of the elements being discussed among the key committee leaders, Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) told Josh, including NEPA, transmission, and Clean Water Act reforms.”
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“Even [Senator Sheldon] Whitehouse, who warned last week the Trump administration’s attacks on offshore wind will likely stall any permitting reform deal, appears to be more hopeful. He called the governors’ push ‘very helpful.’ But, he noted, ‘not helpful enough to offset’ the Trump administration’s actions against wind and solar projects.”
What people are reading about Governor Shapiro leading a bipartisan effort calling for federal permitting reforms:
Bloomberg: Governors Urge Congress to Act on US Energy Permitting Reforms
POLITICO: Bipartisan group of governors urges Congress to enact energy permitting overhaul
E&E News: Whitehouse voices new optimism on permitting
Tri-State Alert: PA’s Shapiro, OK’s Stitt look to address energy permitting to boost production
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