The Department of the Interior’s recent actions to streamline environmental reviews for critical energy projects mark a watershed moment for Wyoming and the entire American West. As chairwoman of the Senate Western Caucus, I am thrilled that Secretary Doug Burgum is making these necessary reforms to unleash our domestic energy potential while maintaining appropriate environmental safeguards.

For too long, the National Environmental Policy Act process has been weaponized to obstruct responsible energy development across Wyoming and the West. What was intended as a framework for environmental consideration has morphed into an endless maze of bureaucratic hurdles and lawsuits that serve only to delay critical infrastructure and energy projects. NEPA is a barricade to the innovation our nation desperately needs.