Media statement - December 3, 2025
TC Energy calls for permitting reforms in new NPC report
America’s energy infrastructure leaders outline new blueprint to meet growing U.S. energy demand
Meeting America’s rising energy demand requires streamlined permitting, according to a newly released report co-created with TC Energy and other energy infrastructure companies. The National Petroleum Council (NPC) today unveiled Bottleneck to Breakthrough: A Permitting Blueprint to Build at its annual meeting in Washington, D.C. François Poirier, President and CEO, TC Energy — and chair of the permitting study committee — said the report delivers one clear message: predictable permitting is critical to competitiveness and energy security.
"Predictable permitting is foundational to American competitiveness—fueling the energy systems that enable re-industrialization and economic growth. With sensible reform, costs for families can be lowered, reliability strengthened for communities and investment in infrastructure accelerated across all energy systems while upholding environmental standards. This is the blueprint to build and if implemented, can secure America’s energy future. I thank Secretary Chris Wright for his strong commitment to American energy, NPC Chairman Alan Armstrong for his steadfast guidance and the many industry leaders who contributed their expertise to this report,” said François Poirier, President and CEO, TC Energy.
Read the NPC’s Bottleneck to Breakthrough: A Permitting Blueprint to Build report, here.
Blueprint for action:
- Clarify National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Curb excessive litigation
- Align environmental reviews
- Expand fast-track permits
Why this matters now:
- Demand outpacing infrastructure: U.S. natural gas demand is up 56%, but pipeline capacity has grown only 27%.
- Electrification surge: AI, data centers and manufacturing are driving higher electricity use, requiring more natural gas and power infrastructure.
- Global energy security: Europe cut Russian gas reliance from 40% to 18%, turning to U.S. LNG as a major supplier.
Our U.S. presence:
- Operating natural gas pipelines across 36 states
- Delivering ~25% of total U.S. natural gas demand
- Employing nearly 3,200 people across the U.S.
