EWTC President Tim Tarpley
(WO) — The Energy Workforce & Technology Council (EWTC) is urging Congress to advance the bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, arguing that permitting reform is needed to accelerate U.S. energy and infrastructure development.
The legislation is being led by Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). The measure would make changes to the federal permitting process for energy and other major infrastructure projects.
“American businesses, workers and consumers have waited long enough for meaningful permitting reform,” said EWTC President Tim Tarpley. “Every additional delay means more uncertainty for not only projects and investment, but the jobs America needs.”
EWTC said it supports a more predictable and efficient federal permitting process that allows energy and infrastructure projects to advance while maintaining environmental review requirements.
The Senate agreement includes provisions intended to accelerate approvals for pipelines and other energy infrastructure, as well as changes affecting environmental reviews and legal challenges to federally permitted projects. However, the legislation remains pending in Congress and has not been enacted.
EWTC pointed to the bipartisan SPEED Act, which passed the House in late 2025, as a related effort to streamline federal permitting procedures.
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