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Energy secretary urges permitting reform after meeting with industry executives
Summary
Secretary Christopher Wright said oil and gas companies are ready to invest in U.S. infrastructure but need permitting reform from Congress; he said President Trump can build a bipartisan coalition to pass such a bill and that pipeline constraints limit U.S. production.
Secretary Christopher Wright said the oil and gas industry has expanded U.S. output over the last decade and is prepared to invest further in pipelines and other infrastructure, but that permitting constraints must be addressed by Congress.
Describing a White House meeting with company executives, Wright said companies "have built infrastructure" and are "ready to invest." He added that industry leaders want regulators and lawmakers to "get out of their way" so projects can move faster.
Wright said permitting reform does not fit inside reconciliation and will therefore require meaningful Democratic support in Congress. "There's a possibility that can be done," he said, arguing that bipartisan cooperation could speed large infrastructure builds.
On production limits, Wright said the United States produces at or near available capacity given current pipeline infrastructure and that building additional pipelines from production regions such as West Texas and southeast New Mexico would enable higher output.
Wright framed permitting reform as part of a broader agenda to increase U.S. energy production, lower consumer costs and create jobs; he cited the private-sector willingness to invest as a key reason to pursue legislative change.
No specific congressional text, bill number or legislative timeline was announced during the interview.
