Let’s focus on permitting reform, not climate change

The United States is ushering in a golden age of domestic energy and mining. But our broken permitting reform system, if not adequately fixed, could undermine our energy abundance goals.

With rising electricity demand and the need to source more reliable domestic energy and critical minerals, the U.S. must approve and build more power plants, pipelines, mines and export terminals in a timely manner. The U.S. can continue to uphold its strict environmental and labor standards while speeding up the lengthy and litigious permitting process.

Let’s be honest: Our current permitting system isn’t working. Red tape, overregulation and frivolous environmentalist lawsuits have doomed critical energy and mining projects to seven to 10 years of environmental review before construction. Environmental reviews can run for thousands of pages and take upwards of 4.5 years to complete. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) originally tasked federal agencies with assessing potential direct environmental impacts of proposed projects. Instead, the fate of projects currently hinges on whether or not they promote environmental justice or climate change agendas.

The Supreme Court recently ruled that NEPA’s scope of environmental review should be limited. The Trump administration has swiftly acted to bring NEPA into the 21st century. But it’s up to Congress to permanently codify lasting changes.

There’s insufficient infrastructure available to meet our current energy and mining challenges. Climate-driven efforts shut down dozens of U.S. coal, natural gas and nuclear power plants and invited an electricity demand crisis. Moreover, our nation foolishly outsourced mining to the Chinese Communist Party — an adversary that produces 60% of the global supply and processes 90% of rare earth minerals. The U.S. currently imports 10,000 tons of rare earth minerals — or 70% of our imports — annually from China, despite having many proven deposits that can be safely and ethically sourced here at home. Recognizing these concerns, it’s no wonder 66% of Americans want Congress to modernize NEPA to remedy these issues.

Previous attempts to modernize permitting reform have failed in Congress. But the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act of 2025 currently being deliberated shows great promise. The SPEED Act, if passed, would expedite the approval of new energy, infrastructure and forest management projects. Under an improved NEPA review process, the federal government could approve more reliable energy and domestic mining projects that bolster our economy and national security interests.

While permitting reform is viewed as the sole responsibility of the federal government, states like Wisconsin have a responsibility to participate in the process. Seventy-five percent of permits authorized by federal law are issued by states. Moreover, the Foundation for American Innovation’s State Permitting Playbook notes places like Wisconsin boast “significant autonomy and flexibility in implementing and enforcing environmental laws” like the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Unfortunately, Gov. Tony Evers’ Task Force on Climate Change — born from an October 2019 executive order — could hold Wisconsin back from maximizing its potential since it prioritizes climate change over permitting reform. The governor’s overreliance on renewables like solar and wind, not reliable energy, won’t meet this moment.

American-made energy is clean, affordable and reliable. Domestic mining has the potential to reduce our reliance on China for critical minerals, including rare earth minerals. That’s why bringing permitting reform into the 21st century will usher in America’s golden age of energy and meet our power needs.

U.S. Rep. Tiffany represents Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District and is a Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor. Gabriella Hoffman is director of Independent Women’s Center for Energy and Conservation.