I am grateful to Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst for their hard work to pass policies in Washington, D.C., that help secure Iowa’s economy and our energy independence. To build on their legacy, our senators must now work to pass comprehensive permitting reform at the federal level.
Currently, the federal permitting process can add years to a given energy or infrastructure project’s timeline. Not only do these delays prevent the actual, physical construction of a project, but they also can increase costs and risks for investors, in some cases making the project financially unviable. As a result, Iowa communities lose out on the jobs that could be created as well as the positive economic impact new infrastructure projects have on Iowa communities. In addition, our senators should look into passing more innovative policies for reducing regulations for exporting energy to countries that have mutual defense treaties with the US, therefore harmonizing cutting red tape with America’s foreign policy and expanding markets for US energy.
Our leaders in Washington need to simplify and streamline the permitting and regulatory process, making it more hands-off from the government, increasing transparency, and reducing the duplication of efforts that can sometimes happen when multiple jurisdictions—local, state, and federal—are all involved.
In short, it’s time for permitting reform that will help boost infrastructure, economic, and energy development across the state and throughout the nation.
- Chase Holm
Des Moines
