Permitting reform stalled in the Senate. Here’s what is needed to push it through

By Callie Patteson

Published May 17, 2026 5:00am ET

There is widespread agreement in Washington that one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress could pass this year is meaningful permitting reform.

This would broadly target the federal approval process for all sorts of new energy and infrastructure projects including pipelines, transmission lines, highways, and even housing.