To the editor:
Ohio’s abundant natural resources have helped make us one of the key energy-producing states in the country but this production can be hindered by inefficient permitting processes. To continue our economic growth, we must support common sense permitting reform based on predictability and efficiency.
The oil and gas industry is pivotal to Ohio. The industry directly employs over 70,000 Ohioans and supports more than 350,000 jobs. We rely on American-made oil and gas to keep our Ohio manufacturers competitive and affordable for families.
However many energy infrastructure projects face delays that stretch from months to even years because of the nature of our current permitting processes. When these projects are delayed, workers can miss out on job opportunities and communities may be left with less efficient sources of generation for their energy.
Rebuilding our infrastructure has become top of mind across our country but we need to start from the ground up, reforming our permitting processes and making reviews timelier and more efficient. Doing so will help ensure we can build and power our state into a prosperous future.
Bruce Tague,
Executive DIrector, Ohio Natural Energy Institute,
Columbus
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