Across the country, energy prices are on the rise, and our energy demand continues to outpace production. While some of our energy woes can be tied to our reliance on overseas production, the United States is facing a domestic energy crisis due to aging energy infrastructure. In Missouri, our grid is struggling to support our increased energy needs, which affect households and businesses alike. An aging grid is more susceptible to weather events and becomes more costly to repair as it continues to degrade. 

Investing in energy domestically will cut our reliance on fluctuating global markets, create jobs, and provide energy stability for our increased demand.  But how do we achieve this? The path forward to achieve American energy dominance and lower prices requires us to streamline the process of building infrastructure.

However, the current permitting process is lengthy and complex, with delays that span years. As projects are stalled or ultimately canceled, it creates uncertainty for communities and builders alike. The uncertainty affects jobs and leaves communities awaiting much-needed local infrastructure investments. Lower prices will require upgrades to our aging grid infrastructure, including power lines, new energy sources, and significant investments in our transmission system as it reaches the end of its lifespan. After a year of discussion, federal legislators have worked together to create a bipartisan plan to streamline the permitting process: the American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026. 

The legislation works to create clear deadlines for the permitting process and ensure that judicial reviews have a set timeline, which prevents lengthy delays to project approval. These guidelines prevent the federal government from revoking permits for previously authorized projects, establishing project certainty. A strong grid means a stronger Missouri, ensuring families and businesses have access to reliable power and can weather any storm. That means more opportunities for builders, new investments in our rural communities, and support for our manufacturing sector. 

We used to be a nation that built things and built things to last. But over the past 30 years, we have allowed red tape to halt our path to energy dominance. We hope this act will allow us to cut through the red tape and make the infrastructure improvements that are required to re-establish America’s energy dominance. In Missouri, we know how to build infrastructure that will power us for decades to come, and we trust our legislators will clear the path to get us there. 

 

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