 | Energy and infrastructure policy is dominating conversations across the country — and for good reason. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that electricity demand will increase by 25% in 2030 compared to usage in 2023. EIA also reported that this past July saw two records set for peak demand. Nowhere is this challenge more relevant than here in Northwest Ohio. Our region is seeing a manufacturing renaissance - new supply chain investments are underway in glass, automotive, and energy storage, and companies are re-shoring operations that strengthen our economy. At the same time, the energy demands of advanced manufacturing and the growing digital infrastructure are accelerating. Ensuring we can meet these demands in a reliable and affordable way is critical to sustaining our economic momentum. But two major challenges stand in the way: an outdated, overly complex permitting process and the long lead times required to build new energy infrastructure once permitted. |
Today, critical energy generation and transmission projects must navigate a three- to five-year maze of approvals across local, state, and federal jurisdictions before construction even begins. In the past, when electricity demand was flat, this wasn’t an immediate problem. But with demand expected to surge, this bottleneck has real consequences—delaying investments, increasing costs, and threatening the affordability of electricity for families and businesses across our region.
We must also be realistic about construction timelines. Large-scale energy projects can take years to build even after granted approvals. We must continue to plan and develop a balanced solution incorporating an all-of-the-above strategy now to help Northwest Ohio meet its growing energy needs.
That’s why we urge Congress to make comprehensive permitting reform its top energy priority this year. The bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 provided important groundwork, and Ohio has taken steps to provide more timely decisions on siting, but more must be done to modernize a system that is clearly out of step with today’s challenges.
Reform should be anchored by four principles:
For Northwest Ohio, the stakes are high. Our manufacturers, technology companies, and logistics providers are ready to invest in projects that will grow our economy and strengthen our workforce. But if red tape continues to delay infrastructure projects, we risk slowing the momentum that is reshaping our region into a hub of advanced manufacturing and innovation.
Simply put: Toledo and Northwest Ohio are ready to build. We need a permitting system that matches the urgency of the moment and allows us to power the future of our economy. We urge Congress to act swiftly and in a bipartisan manner to pass durable permitting reform.
We must also be realistic about construction timelines. Large-scale energy projects can take years to build even after granted approvals. We must continue to plan and develop a balanced solution incorporating an all-of-the-above strategy now to help Northwest Ohio meet its growing energy needs.
That’s why we urge Congress to make comprehensive permitting reform its top energy priority this year. The bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 provided important groundwork, and Ohio has taken steps to provide more timely decisions on siting, but more must be done to modernize a system that is clearly out of step with today’s challenges.
Reform should be anchored by four principles:
- Predictability: Clear timelines and scope for project reviews so that investors and communities can plan with confidence.
- Efficiency: Stronger interagency coordination to reduce duplication and streamline approvals.
- Transparency: Public visibility into project milestones and schedules.
- Stakeholder Input: Meaningful, consistent opportunities for communities and businesses to provide input.
For Northwest Ohio, the stakes are high. Our manufacturers, technology companies, and logistics providers are ready to invest in projects that will grow our economy and strengthen our workforce. But if red tape continues to delay infrastructure projects, we risk slowing the momentum that is reshaping our region into a hub of advanced manufacturing and innovation.
Simply put: Toledo and Northwest Ohio are ready to build. We need a permitting system that matches the urgency of the moment and allows us to power the future of our economy. We urge Congress to act swiftly and in a bipartisan manner to pass durable permitting reform.
 | By Brian Dicken, Vice President for Advocacy & Strategic Initiatives, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce |
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