Event Summary

In the past few years, the US has seen tremendous growth in its energy production capacity, making new oil, natural gas, and renewable power extremely affordable. Some energy is so cheap that producers are having to pay for its removal or flare natural gas at the well. But state and local governments have maintained obstacles to the construction of new energy infrastructure, which can make this energy boom accessible to all Americans.

AEI’s James W. Coleman moderated the conversation and argued that federal action is necessary to overcome these local roadblocks and limit the challenges to this new infrastructure. The Brookings Institution’s Sanjay Patnaik argued that significant permitting reform at the federal level is necessary to manage the transition to a green economy. Finally, George Washington University Law School’s Robert Glicksman argued that while some permitting reform may be helpful, Congress should be slow to reform the National Environmental Policy Act.

—Ian R. Banks

Event Description

In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US experienced the largest energy bonanza in history. Simultaneous booms in oil, natural gas, and renewable power massively increased US energy production that made this new energy extremely affordable. Meanwhile, local and state governments maintain and erect new roadblocks to energy transportation, blocking consumers from accessing these new, cheaper, and often cleaner sources of energy.

How can we prevent these roadblocks from harming the American energy economy and wasting the benefits of this massive energy boom?

Join AEI’s James W. Coleman, Brookings Institution’s Sanjay Patnaik, and George Washington University Law School’s Robert Glicksman to discuss these obstacles and the regulatory, legislative, and legal solutions that will unlock permitting for a cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy grid.

If you are unable to attend, we welcome you to watch the event live on this page. After the event concludes, a full video will be posted within 24 hours.