Every day, as I listen to business owners across the Central Valley, I hear the same refrain: they want to grow, hire, and invest in our communities, but red tape too often stands in their way.

In the energy sector especially, entrepreneurs eager to expand local operations face mounting costs, delayed permits and aging infrastructure. These barriers don’t just stall innovation — they hold California back. Federal permitting reform would unleash private investment, accelerate critical projects across all energy sources and deliver broad community and economic benefits. It’s time for Congress to act.  

California is facing a harsh reality: energy prices have surged in recent years and may continue climbing. Over the last decade, electricity costs have nearly doubled, soaring 96 percent. In fact, Californians now face the second most expensive energy prices in the entire nation. These increases are simply not something our residents can manage as they already face some of the highest cost of living averages in the country.  

These price hikes are happening simultaneously with energy demands that are rising to record highs driven by the rise of AI and advanced manufacturing. These industries promise enormous economic opportunity, but they’re also straining electric grids already pushed to their limits. Yet, as our need for reliable energy grows, permitting uncertainty and delays nationwide continue to halt investment.  

The path to solving these issues is clear: empower innovative companies to unleash American energy production and capacity in every corner of the country. Unfortunately, our current system — slow, outdated, and mired in red tape — makes that almost impossible. Bipartisan, common-sense reforms are already on the table in Congress. Enacting them would be a major step toward meeting our energy needs, strengthening grid reliability, and lowering costs for consumers.  

Chief among these reforms is an update to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) — a law passed decades ago that has yet to be meaningfully modernized. While its original intent was noble, NEPA’s vague and outdated provisions have turned it into the most litigated environmental law in the country. Too often, projects that could deliver more reliable energy are tied up in lawsuits that last years. Congress has the power to restore NEPA’s original purpose by focusing reviews on real environmental impacts, establishing proportional timelines, and curbing endless litigation. 

Another major challenge lies in the misuse of the Clean Water Act (CWA). While the CWA plays a vital role in safeguarding our nation’s water resources, it has increasingly been used to delay or block critical development projects not over genuine environmental concerns, but to advance unrelated ideological agendas. Protecting our natural resources is no place for partisan politics. Congress must act to curb these abuses by clarifying the scope of the CWA and establishing clear project timelines that give both developers and regulators the certainty they need. 

Faster, smarter permitting isn’t just good policy — it’s good for California workers, consumers, and families. It would create jobs, accelerate infrastructure developments, lower energy costs and make our grid more dependable. It would also strengthen America’s energy security at a time when global competitors like China are racing ahead. 

Our congressional delegation has the power to advocate for real, long overdue change. Californians are desperate for reliable and affordable energy, and they are counting on their representatives in Congress to push for durable reforms. By cutting red tape and modernizing outdated laws, Congress can help unlock California’s full potential while preserving the environmental safeguards we all value. It’s time to act so that innovation, investment, and opportunity can flourish here in the Golden State.  

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Clint Olivier is the president and CEO of the Central Valley Business Federation.