Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today supported the committee approval of a comprehensive bill aimed at enhancing American energy security by reforming the federal permitting process for critical energy and mineral projects in the United States.

Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, participated in marking up the bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S.4753). The measure, which aims to expedite permitting decisions and review legal challenges related to energy, mineral, and electricity production and distribution projects, was approved with a vote of 15 to 4.

“The reforms in this legislation are overdue. The citizens of this country and my state will be better off by cutting red tape in the permitting process, providing greater stability in oil and gas production, and enhance energy security overall. That said, I think the bill can still be improved,” Hyde-Smith stated.

The measure includes provisions significant to Mississippi, such as mandating increased offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, permanently ending the Biden administration’s pause on liquified natural gas (LNG) exports, and expediting judicial reviews of federal energy and mineral project authorizations.

In her statement for the record, Hyde-Smith emphasized addressing concerns raised by electric cooperatives in Mississippi regarding interstate electric transmission reform. She specifically cited a state law enacted last year that maintains state jurisdiction over electric transmission infrastructure integrity.

“I want to make sure that the voices of our electric cooperatives are being heard too. Co-ops in Mississippi have raised concerns regarding the changes to Section 401 in this bill, specifically regulatory overreach, cost allocation, and state authority,” she noted.

“We have to be aware of the potential setback the Energy Permitting Bill Act could cause for my state’s control of new transmission projects if FERC’s authority can supersede these state regulations. So as this measure continues to move through the legislative process, I want to ensure that our co-ops are being heard and that their concerns are being addressed,” she added. “We can’t leave our electric cooperatives out of the conversation.”

Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who negotiated the legislation, expressed willingness to collaborate with committee members to address various remaining concerns with the bill. The full Senate may consider it later this year.