Congress has a historic opportunity to deliver bipartisan permitting reform that will help lower costs for American families and businesses, strengthen U.S. energy security and get America building again.
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 represents an important step toward modernizing an outdated permitting system that has delayed critical energy infrastructure projects, increased costs and stymied investment by creating significant uncertainty. With energy demand continuing to grow, durable permitting reform is essential for unlocking investment, expanding American energy infrastructure and ensuring access to affordable, reliable energy.
Leaders from across the oil and natural gas industry are voicing their support for the legislation and urging Congress to act.
Here's what they're saying:
Meg O’Neill, CEO of bp: “Comprehensive permitting reform will help unlock the full potential of American energy and strengthen domestic energy security. This legislation would bring the certainty needed to build energy infrastructure to meet rising demand.”
Chevron: “A more efficient, predictable, and durable permitting framework is essential to strengthening U.S. energy security, enhancing economic competitiveness, and enabling investment in the energy projects and infrastructure needed to meet growing demand.”
ConocoPhillips: “As demand for reliable, affordable, and secure energy continues to grow, the United States needs a permitting system that can keep pace. This legislation represents meaningful progress toward a permitting system that is more efficient, predictable and durable and provides greater certainty for investment and infrastructure development.”
Clay Gaspar, President and CEO of Devon Energy: “America has the resources, technology and ingenuity to continue leading the world in energy production. What we need is a permitting system that allows us to put those advantages to work. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is an important step toward providing the certainty needed to invest in and develop energy resources of all kinds, build critical infrastructure and meet our nation’s growing energy needs. ... Meaningful, durable permitting reform is essential to strengthening American energy security, supporting our allies abroad and enhancing our economic competitiveness for years to come.”
Greg Ebel, CEO of Enbridge: “If we can't build it, we can't afford it. ... The greatest threat to long-term energy affordability isn't a lack of resources; it's the inability to build the infrastructure needed to deliver them... We urge Congress to pass legislation this year to provide for a more predictable permitting system...”
Toby Z. Rice, President and CEO of EQT: “America is not short of energy. We are short of permission to build. … Comprehensive permitting reform is essential to making energy affordable, meeting rapidly growing demand, strengthening American competitiveness and ensuring we have the infrastructure to power the next generation of economic growth.”
Darren Woods, Chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil: “We support the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026. America cannot build the energy projects it needs if approvals take years and outcomes remain uncertain. A timely, predictable permitting process is critical to delivering affordable energy and strengthening U.S. competitiveness.”
Jeff Miller, Chairman, President and CEO of Halliburton: “By establishing clearer timelines and greater permitting certainty, this legislation will help advance critical energy and infrastructure projects, encourage private-sector investment, and support the affordable, reliable energy required to power American households, businesses, and emerging technologies.”
Maryann Mannen, Chairman, President, and CEO of Marathon Petroleum: “This transformative legislation will help unleash energy infrastructure development and reduce legal barriers for project development, including oil and gas pipeline expansion. … As this legislation demonstrates, it is possible to protect our air, land, and water without sacrificing our ability to expand and improve our nation's energy infrastructure, which safely and efficiently moves the products that make modern life possible.”
Willie Chiang, Chairman, CEO and President of Plains All American Pipeline: “This legislation would modernize the permitting process and support development of the critical infrastructure needed to deliver reliable and affordable energy to consumers, support economic growth and global competitiveness, and strengthen American energy security.”
Colette Hirstius, President of Shell USA, Inc.: “The United States needs a permitting system that provides greater certainty for long-term investment and allows energy and infrastructure projects to move forward efficiently. ... BAAJA would provide greater predictability and durability in the permitting process, helping to unlock investment, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and support a reliable, affordable, and secure energy system.”
François Poirier, President and CEO of TC Energy: “This bipartisan deal would help modernize that system by reducing unnecessary delays, improving certainty, and accelerating the projects needed to deliver more affordable and reliable energy for consumers, support economic growth, and strengthen America's energy security, all while maintaining strong environmental protections.”
Chad J. Zamarin, President and CEO of Williams: “We have the ideas, talent, and capital to build big things in this country. But too often, our country’s long, expensive, and duplicative permitting process stands in the way. The delay and cost of infrastructure has become our greatest threat to affordability... It’s time to put politics aside and come together for progress.”
Paa-Joe Akoto-Ampaw, Chief Operating Officer of Woodside Energy: “Investments of this scale are made over decades, and they depend on a permitting system that is timely, predictable and durable. The reforms in this legislation advance the American energy leadership and help build the infrastructure needed to deliver reliable and affordable energy for consumers, while strengthening the nation's role as a critical energy supplier to its allies and trading partners.”
The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry, supporting nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. With approximately 600 members, API companies produce, process, and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy. Founded in 1919, API has developed over 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
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