Bill targets four key chokepoints slowing infrastructure projects, driving up costs, and blocking American energy from reaching global markets
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) today introduced the Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act, legislation designed to streamline the federal permitting process and bring greater certainty to the approval of energy infrastructure projects. More than $1 trillion in critical infrastructure projects are currently tied up in federal permitting, representing an estimated $2.4 trillion in unrealized economic activity and thousands of jobs. At a time of rising electricity demand and growing global competition, the bill establishes clear timelines, modernizes approval processes, removes unnecessary barriers, and reduces litigation-driven delays that have made it increasingly difficult to build in the United States.
“Pennsylvania has the workers, resources, and infrastructure to power this region and the country for decades,” said Senator McCormick. ” What we’re missing is a federal permitting system with clear rules and predictable timelines. For Pennsylvania’s energy workforce and building trades, this bill is long overdue. It’s time we reform our current system and get America building again.”
Today, more than 650 projects are currently listed on the federal Permitting Dashboard.
Construction costs run 24 to 30 percent higher when projects are held up. But the impact goes beyond delayed projects. According to an industry report, nearly 51 percent of manufacturers say permitting uncertainty discourages them from investing in new or expanded U.S. capacity, while nearly 66 percent say they would invest more if the process were faster and more predictable. The permitting system is not just slowing projects down, it is preventing a significant share of investment from being proposed in the first place.
The Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act targets four specific chokepoints:
- Water Permitting Reform: States have exploited the Clean Water Act’s water quality certification process to block energy projects through indefinite delay and unexplained denials, often for reasons that have nothing to do with water quality. This section sets a firm one-year deadline for state review, requires written explanations for any denial, and limits states to reviewing actual water quality concerns.
- LNG Export Deregulation: An outdated federal approval requirement forces American LNG exporters to seek case-by-case federal permission before selling gas abroad. This section cuts through the red tape that federal regulators have used to slow or block LNG terminal approvals, prevents regulators from imposing burdensome conditions unrelated to project safety, and ensures that environmental reviews cannot be used to second-guess whether American LNG exports serve the national interest, clearing the way for American gas to reach allies in Europe and Asia more quickly and reliably.
- Nuclear Licensing Modernization: A 40-year license cap is a relic of an era when nuclear technology was unproven. Most U.S. reactors already operate well past that mark today. This section brings nuclear licensing into the 21st century by extending initial operating licenses from 40 to 60 years, while also protecting pre-approved sites from arbitrary expiration and cutting red tape for new nuclear projects without touching a single safety standard.
- NEPA Litigation Reform: NEPA lawsuits have become the primary vehicle for stopping projects that have already cleared the regulatory process. This section limits what courts can do when projects are challenged, sets strict deadlines for resolving lawsuits, requires challengers to have been part of the original review, and prevents courts from vacating approved projects, keeping approvals in effect even while legal challenges are pending.
“The solution to our affordability crisis and the global race for AI is the expansion of infrastructure, which can be unlocked through permitting reforms that support the efficient buildout of pipelines to deliver reliable American energy where it is needed. Senator McCormick’s bill is an important step toward unleashing Pennsylvania’s energy resources to lower costs for Americans and support growing energy demand. We appreciate the Senator’s leadership and look forward to working with him and other Members of Congress to build on his proposal and enact strong permitting reforms,” said Williams President and CEO Chad Zamarin.
“For years, we have advocated for commonsense reforms that bring greater certainty, transparency and timeliness to the permitting process while maintaining strong environmental standards. Senator McCormick’s legislation is an important step forward. By advancing practical, high-level solutions – from improving NEPA timelines and judicial review to modernizing Clean Water Act implementation and streamlining LNG export approvals – it demonstrates how comprehensive permitting reform can unlock critical infrastructure development, strengthen energy reliability and help keep energy affordable for American families and businesses. We appreciate the Senator’s leadership and look forward to working with him and others in Congress to turn these reforms into meaningful progress for Pennsylvania and the nation,” said Toby Z. Rice, President & CEO, EQT.
“With thoughtful permitting reform, we can deliver reliable, affordable energy from resource-rich regions like Pennsylvania to the markets that need it most, supporting families, strengthening our local economies, and doing what Americans do best, innovate and create,” said Dennis Degner, CEO & President, Range Resources.
“The Pennsylvania state building trades are very appreciative of Senator McCormick taking the lead on permitting at the federal level. For far too long, this cumbersome process has held up or prevented critical infrastructure and energy projects that Pennsylvania needs to grow our economy. We look forward to his legislation passing both chambers and we look forward to working with the senator to build out Pennsylvania,”said Rob Bair, President, Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades.
“Pennsylvania Steamfitters are ready to build, but too many projects are stuck in permitting delays,”said Jim Snell, Steamfitters Local 420. “Senator McCormick’s bill helps keep Pennsylvania competitive and unlocks potential to build critical energy infrastructure.”
“On behalf of the Southeast Pennsylvania Building Trades, I want to thank Senator Dave McCormick for leading on this issue,” said Ryan N. Boyer, President of Laborers’ District Council of Philadelphia. “Our members are ready to build, but too many critical projects are tied up in permitting delays. This commonsense legislation will help create good-paying union jobs, strengthen our economy, and keep Pennsylvania on the rise.”
“Permitting reform is essential to America’s manufacturing competitiveness—and today’s broken system is costing manufacturers more than $8 billion each year. We are grateful for Sen. McCormick’s leadership in introducing the Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act. Modernizing the Clean Water Act, reforming judicial review under NEPA for all projects, ensuring durable support for U.S. LNG exports and bringing new nuclear power online are all critical steps toward a policy framework that will drive investment, power growth and keep manufacturing strong in America for decades to come,” said Jay Timmons, President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers.
“We appreciate Senator McCormick’s leadership in advancing a serious conversation on permitting reform at a critical moment for American energy. This legislation reflects a growing recognition that modernizing NEPA, the Clean Water Act, and judicial review are essential to building the infrastructure needed to deliver affordable, reliable energy. We’ll continue working with him and Congress to advance durable, commonsense reforms that strengthen U.S. competitiveness and energy security,” said API SVP of Federal Government Affairs Kristin Whitman.
“Pennsylvania sits atop one of the largest energy reserves in the world with enough natural gas resources under our feet to power the Commonwealth and the nation. But the economic potential of this resource can only be realized if government moves at the speed of business. We are extremely grateful for Senator McCormick’s continued leadership to unleash Pennsylvania’s energy resources and the economic and national security benefits that come with it. The permit reforms put forth by Senator McCormick will provide meaningful changes allowing us to efficiently utilize our vast and reliable energy reserves and help secure our shared goal of energy dominance,” said Jim Welty, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.
“INGAA appreciates Senator McCormick’s leadership in advancing the conversation on improving the efficiency and predictability of federal permitting. The proposal reflects constructive concepts – particularly on Clean Water Act clarity, general permitting, and timely decision-making – that align with long-standing priorities for natural gas pipeline infrastructure. We view this proposal as a helpful contribution to the broader permitting reform dialogue and look forward to continuing to work with policymakers and stakeholders to advance practical, durable solutions,”said Amy Andryszak, President and CEO, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA).
“Permitting reform is essential to building the energy infrastructure needed to power America’s economic growth and compete in the AI race. We applaud Senator Dave McCormick for his leadership on this issue of critical importance to Pennsylvania and the nation. As the nation’s largest producer of around-the-clock, emissions-free energy, we also appreciate the bill’s recognition of the important role that nuclear power plays in delivering reliable, affordable, and clean electricity,”said David C. Brown, Senior Vice President, Federal Government Affairs & Public Policy, Constellation.
“The Center for LNG (CLNG) supports the Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act of 2026. The bill includes important provisions to improve the permitting process for U.S. LNG facilities and bring additional supply to market faster. The U.S. LNG industry supports thousands of good-paying jobs right here in the United States; generates millions in tax revenue for federal, state, and local governments; grows our domestic supply; reduces global greenhouse gas emissions; and supplies our allies and trading partners with a reliable, clean, and safe source of energy. This bill would provide greater certainty for project developers, natural gas producers, local communities, and our allies and trading partners around the world. CLNG urges support for the Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act of 2026,” said Charlie Riedl, Executive Director at the Center for LNG.
Read the full bill text here.
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