Former US economic and national security officials who served six presidents have urged Congress to approve energy permitting reform, arguing that infrastructure delays undermine the country's ability to compete with China, OilPrice reported. Their appeal links faster construction of energy projects to industrial competitiveness, economic growth and national security.
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 was introduced in the Senate at the end of September. According to OilPrice, debate is expected after the mid-term elections, when Congress returns from recess on 9 November. The proposal would strengthen statutory deadlines for major reviews, change environmental rules and make data centres pay for new transmission infrastructure built to supply them.
In a letter to congressional leaders on Tuesday, the former officials argued that US strengths in technology, finance, natural resources and attracting talent cannot compensate for lengthy construction delays. Signatories included Mike Pompeo, formerly secretary of state and CIA director under President Donald Trump, and Janet Yellen, formerly treasury secretary under President Joe Biden. They warned that factories and their supporting energy infrastructure must be delivered quickly enough to reach markets.
The letter contrasted US permitting obstacles with China's emphasis on energy infrastructure as part of its industrial strategy. OilPrice reported the officials' claim that China had built more high-voltage transmission over the past 15 years than the United States had throughout its history. Citing National Science Foundation data, they put China's share of global knowledge- and technology-intensive manufacturing value added at 31.5% in 2024, against 20.7% for the United States.
The American Petroleum Institute has asked lawmakers to bring the legislation to a vote when they return in November, arguing that it would improve investment certainty and support projects needed to meet growing demand. BP has also called for reform this year. Opponents, however, contend that the proposal would weaken environmental permitting and facilitate a large expansion of hyperscale AI data centres and the fossil fuel infrastructure supplying them.