PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein joined national business, labor, and policy leaders last week for the Energy Affordability Summit in Columbus, Ohio, where he highlighted Pennsylvania’s recent permitting reforms as a practical model for states and the federal government to follow. Co-sponsored by Arnold Ventures and the Club for Growth, the summit brought together energy experts and policymakers from across the country, including U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright; U.S. Senators Dave McCormick, Ted Cruz, Bernie Moreno, and John Husted; and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. During a panel discussion on energy affordability and permitting, Bernstein pointed to Pennsylvania’s bipartisan reforms as an example of how government can streamline the permitting process and make it more predictable without sacrificing environmental protections. The Commonwealth has taken several steps to modernize its permitting system. In 2024, Pennsylvania launched the SPEED program, which allows qualified professionals to conduct initial reviews of certain permit applications while DEP retains final approval authority. The state also established PAyback, which sets deadlines for agencies to act on eligible applications or refund the applicant’s fee, and created a Permit Fast Track program for major economic development and infrastructure projects. The reforms are already producing results. DEP is addressing its longstanding permit backlog and acting on more than 40,000 permit applications during the year. Bernstein told summit participants that Pennsylvania’s experience offers a practical blueprint for federal reform: improve coordination, eliminate unnecessary delays, and give businesses greater certainty while maintaining the environmental standards projects must meet. The discussion comes as Congress considers bipartisan federal permitting reforms aimed at speeding up environmental reviews, reducing litigation delays, and accelerating energy, transmission, manufacturing, and transportation projects. The issue is especially important for Pennsylvania as the Commonwealth prepares for growing electricity demand, including from data centers and advanced manufacturing, and looks to expand its role as a leading energy producer and exporter. More efficient, predictable permitting can help turn that opportunity into new infrastructure, investment, and jobs.