Columbus, OH — Today, Americans for Prosperity released a new report detailing how the federal government’s broken infrastructure permitting system has caused the delay, or outright loss, of tens of thousands of jobs and nearly $75 billion in economic benefits across six states. The report includes the timeline, status, and projected economic value of three specific projects in Ohio, showing how federal delays continue to hold back investment and job creation in the state.
In Ohio alone, three major projects representing more than $1.5 billion in economic benefits and hundreds of good-paying jobs remain stalled because of Washington’s slow and unpredictable permitting process. In some cases, delays cost the state an estimated 6,000 jobs and up to $65 billion in potential economic activity.
AFP-OH State Director Donovan O’Neil issued the following statement:
“Ohio has shown what’s possible when policymakers embrace smart, free-market energy reforms. Thanks to state-level leadership and commonsense permitting improvements, Ohio is already attracting billions in private investment and moving major energy projects forward. That success should be celebrated.
“But this report makes clear that Ohio’s progress is happening despite a broken federal permitting system, not because of it. Three major Ohio projects, representing more than $1.5 billion in economic benefits and hundreds of good-paying jobs, are still stuck in Washington’s slow-walking approval process.
“If the federal government followed Ohio’s lead and fixed its permitting system, the economic and energy benefits we’re already seeing could be multiplied many times over. Faster permitting would mean lower energy costs, more reliable power, stronger job growth, and a truly abundant energy future for families and businesses alike.
“Ohio is proving the model works. Now Washington needs to get out of the way.”
The findings come as Ohio continues to demonstrate what is possible when leaders embrace smart, free-market energy reforms. Policies like HB 15, championed by Americans for Prosperity and supported by research from The Buckeye Institute, have helped create a stronger environment for private investment, regulatory certainty, and energy development. AFP also partnered with Buckeye Institute on a report outlining a better energy policy framework for Ohio, which shows how commonsense reforms can drive economic growth and energy abundance at the state level.
This new report highlights a stark contrast: while Ohio is moving forward with policies that attract investment and encourage responsible energy development, the federal government’s broken permitting system continues to block progress.
Read the report “A Guide to Unlock Energy Abundance: The Impact of Permitting Delays on Access to Energy and Economic Development” here.
Other key findings from the report include:
The permitting process caused the delay, or outright loss, of at least 50,000 new jobs and nearly $75 billion in economic benefits across the six states analyzed.
Among the 30 reviewed projects, canceled projects alone accounted for $4 billion in lost economic benefits and 38,000 jobs, both permanent and temporary.
Twelve of the 30 projects are currently stuck in the permitting process, while only five are complete and operational. Seven are under construction and six have been canceled.
Projects span energy transmission, energy generation, rare earth mining, and export-related energy development, with transmission projects facing the longest delays.
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