PA Gov Shapiro, OK Gov Stitt Lead Bipartisan Response to Nation's Energy Crisis | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA and Oklahoma City, OK - Today, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt led a bipartisan, multi-state response to the nation's energy crisis by sending a series of recommendations for federal permitting reforms to committee chairmen and ranking members in the U.S. Senate and House 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.

As national leaders in energy production, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania have responded to increased energy demands by responsibly implementing permitting reforms to cut red-tape and advance energy innovation while working to lower costs for hard-working Americans - and they are now encouraging the rest of the country to follow suit.

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.

"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."

Oklahoma is the nation's energy leader, consistently ranking in the top 10 for energy generation, low cost of energy, and energy innovation. Governor Stitt has long been a champion for Oklahoma's energy industry with a free-market based approach that opens the door for more electricity generation. This year, he spearheaded legislation to allow companies to build their own power generation for large projects.

"Oklahoma leads the nation for power generation because of our energy abundance agenda," said Governor Stitt. "We aren't picking winners and losers, and we aren't letting the government stand in the way of companies building the power our nation needs. At a moment when power needs are at an all-time high and the rapid development of technology and AI is putting new demands on our grid, it's more important than ever that we take our foot off the brake and ensure our energy industry can quickly innovate, build, and deliver power to Americans and our allies."

To read the full letter, see here.