FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 16, 2026
CONTACT:
Chrissy Harbin, Miranda Dabney
Armstrong Urges the Advancement of Comprehensive Permitting Reform in September
COMPANIES, LABOR, AND ADVOCACY GROUPS CALL FOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO GET AMERICA BUILDING AGAIN
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) is urging the advancement of a strong, comprehensive permitting reform package during the September work period. His call comes as companies, trade associations, labor organizations, advocacy groups, and cross-sector stakeholders urge Congress to address permitting delays that raise consumers utility bills and deters competition amongst energy providers.
“I remain confident that the committees of jurisdiction will put forward a strong, effective, well-rounded permitting reform package this upcoming work period,” said Senator Armstrong. “The committee-led effort remains the most viable path to the Senate floor. Congress should seize this historic opportunity to deliver meaningful permitting reform for American families and businesses.”
“Our team’s goal has been to see legislation enacted that brings practical solutions like those included in the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, solutions supported by a broad, cross-sector coalition. We are anxious to support the committee’s efforts to get this done. However, it is imperative that the final product delivers meaningful structural reforms—not weak workarounds that look good on paper but fail to prevent frivolous litigation unrelated to environmental impacts. The time is right to get this done, as both sides of the aisle recognize the importance of enabling our nation to build with certainty and speed while maintaining the highest protections for our environment.”
Permitting reform does not reduce environmental protections; it simply provides a clear path to getting things built instead of litigated. The ability to build power plants, pipelines, transmission lines, and critical mineral projects helps determine whether manufacturers can expand, advanced technologies can scale, and defense suppliers can secure necessary materials and reliable electricity.
The only groups opposing sensible permitting reform are those who profit from stopping American progress.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: CALLS ACROSS THE ECONOMY
Momentum for permitting reform grew during the Senate’s August recess. From energy producers and manufacturers to labor, environmental advocates, and state leaders, stakeholders agree: America cannot deliver affordable energy, strengthen supply chains, or compete globally if it cannot build. Their message reinforces Senator Armstrong’s call for Congress to advance a strong, bipartisan package.
CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LEADERS: THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW
“We are in the midst of negotiating something that I think could be game-changing for the country, and this is permitting reform,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).
“When it comes to permitting reform, if we can actually pull this off … it means lower energy prices for all Americans,” said Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH).
Source: “Ted Cruz Names ‘Most Powerful Democrat’ as He Warns Socialist Rise Has Paralyzed Bipartisanship,” Fox News, September 4, 2026.
“Permitting reform is affordability. My goal with permitting reform is simple: make America the best place in the world to build, invest, and innovate,” wrote Senator Jon Husted (R-OH).
Source: Senator Jon Husted, “On the Phone with Ohioans,” September 4, 2026.
“We need to pass permitting reform and actually increase domestic production of energy—including in New York,” saidRepresentative Mike Lawler (R-NY).
Source: “Swing-District Republicans Brace for a Midterm Storm,” New York Post, September 10, 2026.
“We need permitting reform. … We need Congress to act so that we can build the infrastructure that will help us to bring down prices,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
“Permitting reform means more certainty for landowners, more investment in rural communities and more good-paying jobs for Oklahomans,” wrote Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.
Source: Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt), X, September 2, 2026.
“Slow, burdensome, and bureaucratic permitting hurts our economy, slows investment in the state, and reduces opportunity for Coloradans,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
Source: Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis, August 6, 2026.
LOWER COSTS AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY
“If we have permitting reform, we think it will lower most energy prices by up to about 20%,” said David McIntosh, President of Club for Growth.
Source: “Energy Summit Links Permitting Reform to Power Bills,” Spectrum News, September 4, 2026.
“Permitting reform is the most effective step Congress can take to deliver affordable, reliable energy to American families and businesses,” said Brandon Arnold of the National Taxpayers Union.
“Permitting reform isn’t simply an energy issue or an environmental issue. It is an affordability issue,” wrote former Senator Pat Toomey.
Source: “America’s Broken Permitting System Is Quietly Raising Your Cost of Living,” Fox News, August 17, 2026.
“Permitting reform means more jobs, lower costs, and stronger communities,” the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry wrote.
Source: Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry (@PAChamber), X, September 3, 2026.
“America’s energy and economic future depends on our ability to build the infrastructure needed to meet this moment. Lengthy and unpredictable permitting processes can add years of delay and significant costs to critical energy infrastructure projects, costs that ultimately impact customers. Permitting reform is an important step toward keeping energy affordable, strengthening reliability, and delivering the infrastructure needed to efficiently meet growing demand. By streamlining reviews while maintaining appropriate state and environmental standards, policymakers can help protect customers and support a more resilient energy system,” saidMatthew Satterwhite, Head of U.S. Policy and Regulatory Strategy at National Grid.
Source: direct statement, August 28, 2026.
“Senator Armstrong recognizes how America’s broken permitting system can delay the infrastructure we need, and his leadership has brought renewed urgency to this debate. Too many critical energy projects remain tied up for years in red tape, making it harder to deliver affordable, reliable energy to American families. We urge lawmakers to come together this year to pass durable, bipartisan permitting reform,” said Kristin Whitman, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the American Petroleum Institute.
Source: The Washington Reporter, August 23, 2026.
POWER, GRID RELIABILITY AND AMERICA’S GROWING ENERGY NEEDS
“We are highly supportive of Senator Armstrong’s legislation, the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act. We thank him for his hard work on this bill, and we are hopeful that we can get this critical policy moving forward. […] As electricity demand continues to grow, meeting our future energy needs will require us to build new generation and critical infrastructure more quickly and efficiently. We thank Senator Armstrong for his leadership on this critically important issue at such a vital time, and we want to draft in his wake to help make these reforms successful,” said Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, Electric Power Supply Association.
Source: Energy Solutions podcast, “Get America Building: Senator Alan Armstrong on Energy Infrastructure and Permitting Reform”, August 12, 2026
“America’s energy future is stuck at the starting line,” wrote Amy Andryszak, President and CEO of INGAA, and Todd Snitchler, President and CEO of EPSA.
Source: “The Price of Waiting on Pipes and Wires,” New York Daily News, August 26, 2026.
“Permitting reform is a great opportunity. It’s sorely needed. It’s needed now,” said Brian Papp of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
“Americans need a power grid that’s bigger and better. But America needs Congress to act to help build the energy infrastructure it needs faster,” wrote Heather O’Neill, president and CEO of Advanced Energy United.
“We’ve got to right-size our permitting in this country to make sure it’s accountable. It’s timely,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Source: “NRECA: America Needs More Power, Not Restrictions on Natural Gas Plants,” RFD-TV, August 31, 2026.
“A permitting system that reliably moves energy to where it’s needed is not optional; it is foundational to affordability, reliability, and national security. @SenArmstrong’s AEMI recognizes this reality and offers a targeted, practical fix: streamline reviews, curb misuse of Section 401, and empower FERC to do its job. Reform is the only path,” the American Consumer Institute wrote on X.
Source: ACI (@consumerpal), X, August 18, 2026
“Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) has introduced S.4944, the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026, a comprehensive permitting reform package aimed at speeding energy and mineral infrastructure while keeping environmental review in place. […] NHA urges its members to contact their U.S. Senators and ask them to cosponsor and support S.4944.” said the National Hydropower Association in a member action alert.
Source: “Support S.4944, the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act!”
MANUFACTURING, INFRASTRUCTURE AND AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS
“Thank you, @SenArmstrong for your steadfast leadership on permitting reform. As you rightly point out, American steelmaking depends on affordable, reliable power and we need a permitting system that allows us to build the infrastructure to deliver it. Let’s get permitting reform done and keep American manufacturing moving forward.” the Steel Manufacturers Association wrote on X.
Source: Steel Manufacturers Association (@SMA_Steel), X, August 31, 2026.
“AEMIA [the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act] is a win-win for the cement industry, and the ACA is proud to support it,” wrote Sean O’Neill, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs of the American Cement Association.
Source: Letter, August 19, 2026.
“Modernizing our permitting system, supporting production in the U.S., and investing in innovative technologies will help secure America’s energy advantage and keep us globally competitive while reducing costs for consumers at home. By producing critical chemistries in the U.S., we can avoid supply disruptions, cut shipping costs, and keep energy prices more predictable. That means families can rely on energy to power daily life, from keeping cool to preparing meals and staying connected with loved ones,” posted the American Chemistry Council.
Source: “Powering America’s Future with Chemistry,” blog post, August 5, 2026.
“Permitting reform is one of the most critical, and most bipartisan, infrastructure challenges facing our economy today. We need a permitting process that is predictable, transparent, timely and one that allows America to build the energy infrastructure our economy demands. We encourage Congress to #PermitAmerica2Build,” posted the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce (@USChamber), X, August 21, 2026
“There’s still more that needs to be done on permitting reform and speeding things up. Ohio’s doing a lot of things right, but we could benefit from federal permitting reform, and it would help Ohio really go into a supercharged economic mode—we’ll be a superpower,” said Steve Stivers, President and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
Source: State Affairs, September 4, 2026.
“Senator Armstrong is right to make this a priority. His push for permitting reform recognizes something rural Oklahomans already know, a strong economy depends on the ability to build. Congress should use the opportunity in front of it to create a permitting process that is efficient, responsible and durable,” said Monica Collison, President of the Oklahoma Rural Association.
Source: OK Energy Today, August 28, 2026.
“Oklahoma has spent generations helping power the U.S. With a permitting system that provides timely, consistent decisions, our state can continue building the infrastructure needed to meet the country’s growing energy needs for generations. Armstrong’s bill can help make that system a reality,” wrote John Tidwell, State Director of Americans for Prosperity–Oklahoma.
Source: Tulsa World, August 23, 2026.
BIPARTISAN REFORM AND THE NEED FOR A DURABLE DEAL
“CEBA appreciates the work of @SenArmstrong and colleagues across the aisle in looking for common-sense solutions that enable real and lasting reform to existing environmental and permitting laws. We thank the senator for his focus on the issues and continue to hope that a broad, bipartisan deal can be struck in the weeks and months ahead,” posted Corporate Buyers Energy Association.
Source: CEBA (@CEBAPower), X, August 28, 2026.
“Democrats can’t claim to treat climate change as a crisis if they are unwilling to act to solve it. Right now, that means making a deal on permitting with Republican lawmakers and Mr. Trump,” said Jane Flegal, senior fellow at the Searchlight Institute, and Pavan Venkatakrishnan policy fellow at Searchlight at the Searchlight Institute.
Source: “Dems Should Permit Trump a Win,” The Wall Street Journal, September 11, 2026.
“A nation that litigates its own power plants into paralysis disarms itself as surely as if it scrapped its fleet. So the US must build. More generation. More transmission. More pipelines. More refining. More nuclear. More solar. More everything. And to build, we must fix a broken permitting system that stalls energy projects for years to decades. The national heroes of this moment include county commissioners, state legislators, and members of Congress pushing the reforms that ensure America builds at home. Every megawatt we add expands any President’s room to maneuver. It also holds costs down for families. Permitting reform is not a technocratic sideshow. It is a wartime arsenal. It is economic hope for households trying to make the math work. It is an act of civilizational self-defense,” wrote Sarah E. Hunt, CEO and President of the Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy.
Source: Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy, X, August 24, 2026.
BACKGROUND
Armstrong introduced the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure (AEMI) Act this summer to provide practical solutions to permitting delays and help get America building again. The legislation offers reforms for consideration as the committees develop a comprehensive package. As of August 12, the bill had 17 Senate cosponsors and support from dozens of outside stakeholders.
Read more about the AEMI Act and its supporting materials: AEMI Act background and bill text.