Dear Editor,

Ohio’s oil and natural gas production is a linchpin of our economy and essential to ensuring a strong and secure future.

To continue producing these critical resources, policymakers at the local, state and federal levels need to take steps to support new energy development. Fortunately, some of Ohio’s leaders recognize the need for strong energy policies, as seen in U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance’s recent column, “Utica Shale helping Ohio lead the way to a righter future (Sept. 2).

The current system is not working, as seen in a recent study that found at least 10 major energy infrastructure projects have been canceled or delayed due to slow and duplicative permitting processes.

In Appalachia alone, these pipeline projects could deliver 4.6 billion additional cubic feet per day of natural gas for families and businesses, support thousands of American jobs, and inject $19 billion in private spending into local economies.

Thankfully, there has been a bit of progress.

As a part of the recent debt-ceiling package, Congress established a baseline for permitting reform: shortening timelines, setting page limits for project reviews, and directing federal agencies to coordinate reviews to make the process more efficient for building infrastructure.

These are small steps, and much more must be done.

America’s lawmakers need to make energy a top priority this year.

That means having the Department of the Interior finally release an already late, congressionally-mandated 5-year offshore leasing program that supports new development along with new onshore lease sales.

It also means building off the recent progress to pass comprehensive permitting reform that clears roadblocks to all kinds of energy infrastructure development, but especially American oil and natural gas.

Taking these steps and more, lawmakers in Columbus and Washington can support safe and responsible development to secure our energy future.

Chris Zeigler

Executive Director

American Petroleum

Institute Ohio

Columbus