Govs. Stitt, Shapiro lead bipartisan working group

Washington, D.C. - A bipartisan group of more than a dozen governors released a package of reform priorities to improve federal permitting and regulatory processes for critical energy infrastructure projects. In a letter to congressional committee leaders, the governors called on Congress to enact reforms to ensure federal permitting processes are streamlined and administered in a technology-neutral and apolitical manner that allows energy projects of all types to move forward.

As working group co-chairs, NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro released the following statements.

"This isn't a Republican or Democrat issue. Every American needs to heat their home and power their vehicle," said Governor Stitt. "As the demand for energy rises as we bring new technologies and AI online, we need to complete energy infrastructure projects in a faster, more efficient way. I'm thankful to Governor Shapiro and our fellow Governors who participated in this task force for their innovative ideas to make American energy more accessible for everyone."

"In Pennsylvania, we're doubling down on our energy legacy by taking big, decisive steps to build new sources of power," said Governor Shapiro. "My Administration has prioritized streamlining government to work for the people it serves and has responsibly sped up permitting to get new energy projects online and grow Pennsylvania's economy. It's far past time that we position the United States to do the same in order to win the energy and AI race, and lower energy costs for all Americans."

Amid rising demand for electricity to serve computing, industrial, manufacturing, building and transportation needs, the governors developed reform recommendations across the following categories: Streamlining Federal Agency Reviews, Reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Reforms to Interstate Energy Transmission, Reforms to Nuclear Energy Regulation, and Reforms to the Clean Water Act.

The following Governors are participating in the Governors Energy and Infrastructure Working Group on behalf of all 55 states and territories:

• Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt - NGA Chair, working group co-chair
• Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro - working group co-chair
• Maryland Governor Wes Moore - NGA Vice Chair
• Colorado Governor Jared Polis
• Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont
• Indiana Governor Mike Braun
• Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry
• Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey
• North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong
• Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee
• Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
• Utah Governor Spencer Cox
• Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon

"When it comes to energy infrastructure, we need to move from no and slow, to yes and now," said NGA Vice Chair Governor Moore. "Permitting reform can help lower costs, modernize the electric grid, and create clean energy jobs for Maryland families. Commonsense energy policy is a bipartisan priority to get rid of government gridlock without sacrificing environmental safety. I'm proud of this bipartisan group of Governors for coming to the table and finding a set of commonsense solutions we believe can meet the moment."

"I'm proud to have worked with my fellow governors to develop the pragmatic permitting reforms we need now," said Governor Cox, former NGA Chair. "If we want to power new homes and businesses, strengthen the grid, and double our capacity, we have to build like we used to. Congress should move swiftly on these bipartisan proposals. It would be a major win for the American people."

At NGA's Winter Meeting in February 2025, Govs. Stitt and Shapiro announced the formation of the bipartisan working group. In Senate testimony on behalf of NGA in July, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong advocated reforms.

Over the past several months, Govs. Stitt and Shapiro have co-chaired the group of governors, soliciting ideas for project acceleration and discussing the barriers at the state and federal level. While working group governors do not all endorse each specific reform, governors are in broad agreement on the need to improve federal energy permitting by incorporating new technologies and common interagency digital systems, broadening categorical exclusions, reforming certain litigation processes, and ensuring that federal agencies have the resources and staff needed to implement permitting reforms in a timely and technology neutral manner and end retroactive cancellation of permits. For more information about the reform recommendations, and the bipartisan working group, visit NGA's website.