The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released two studies from the National Petroleum Council (NPC) that recommend changes to modernize the nation’s energy infrastructure and streamline federal permitting processes. These recommendations aim to address regulatory challenges that have delayed critical energy projects and are intended to improve grid reliability and support increased domestic energy production.
The NPC, which serves as a federal advisory committee to the Secretary of Energy, includes representatives from the oil and natural gas industries, academia, and other groups. The studies were conducted at the request of Secretary of Energy Chris Wright as part of an initiative focused on “Future Energy Systems” and align with President Trump’s policy agenda for expanding American energy infrastructure.
“For years, the Biden Administration advanced policies that made it harder to produce American energy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “The National Petroleum Council’s findings confirm what President Trump has said from day one: America needs more energy infrastructure, less red tape, and serious permitting reform. These recommendations will help make energy more affordable for every American household.”
“The studies represent a significant collaborative effort to tackle some of the most complex challenges in our energy infrastructure,” said U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office Kyle Haustveit. “The National Petroleum Council recommendations will be instrumental in guiding the Department’s strategies for enhancing grid reliability and streamlining the development of essential energy projects.”
One study, titled “Reliable Energy: Delivering on the Promise of Gas-Electric Coordination,” analyzes how increasing demand for natural gas and electricity is putting pressure on pipeline systems in several regions across the United States. It proposes steps such as prioritizing investment in new infrastructure, improving market coordination through mechanisms like a Natural Gas Readiness Forum, strengthening accountability measures for power generators, and updating performance metrics for system operators.
The second study, “Bottleneck to Breakthrough: A Permitting Blueprint to Build,” provides recommendations to update government procedures and speed up approvals for vital oil and natural gas projects. Suggestions include clarifying regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), expediting legal reviews related to environmental issues, expanding programs at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for quicker project authorization, confirming commercial agreements as evidence of market need under existing law, setting predictable federal timelines for project approval, and limiting certain state authorities over water permits.
Both reports stress that timely action by lawmakers, regulators, and industry is necessary to keep America’s energy system reliable, affordable, and resilient.
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