The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released two studies from the National Petroleum Council (NPC) with recommendations aimed at modernizing the country’s energy infrastructure and reforming federal permitting processes. The reports address challenges that have delayed critical energy projects, focusing on improving grid reliability and expanding domestic energy production.
The NPC is a federal advisory committee to the Secretary of Energy that includes representatives from oil and natural gas industries, academia, and other stakeholders. The studies were prepared at the request of U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright as part of an ongoing review of “Future Energy Systems.” They align with President Trump’s agenda to promote American energy production, speed up infrastructure development, and ensure affordable and reliable energy for families.
“For years, the Biden Administration advanced policies that made it harder to produce American energy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “The National Petroleum Council’s findings confirm what President Trump has said from day one: America needs more energy infrastructure, less red tape, and serious permitting reform. These recommendations will help make energy more affordable for every American household.”
“The studies represent a significant collaborative effort to tackle some of the most complex challenges in our energy infrastructure,” said U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office Kyle Haustveit. “The National Petroleum Council recommendations will be instrumental in guiding the Department’s strategies for enhancing grid reliability and streamlining the development of essential energy projects.”
One study examines gas-electric coordination under growing demand for both natural gas and electricity in key regions across the United States. It identifies how these trends are straining pipeline capacity and offers solutions to improve cooperation between sectors while addressing risks to reliability.
Recommendations include prioritizing investment in new infrastructure as well as upgrades to existing systems, urging Congress, federal agencies, and industry leaders to support reforms in permitting processes; improving market rules through initiatives like a Natural Gas Readiness Forum; encouraging long-term planning by FERC Regional Transmission Organizations/Independent System Operators; updating pricing structures; ensuring compensation for gas-fired power generators; establishing accountability frameworks; and refining performance metrics.
A second study focuses on oil and natural gas infrastructure permitting reforms. Building on earlier NPC work from 2019, this report suggests executive and legislative measures such as clarifying aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), expediting legal reviews related to environmental cases, updating general permits for faster approvals, expanding Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority for quicker project authorization, using commercial agreements as evidence of market need under the Natural Gas Act, setting clear federal timelines for project approval decisions, and limiting state powers under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Both reports stress that policymakers, regulators, and industry must act promptly if they are to preserve a reliable, affordable, and resilient national energy system.
More information about these studies can be found on DOE’s website.
