Op-Ed: Lilly Barickman: Shelley Moore Capito’s Permitting Reform Push Is Keeping Hope Alive for West Virginia

June 3, 2026

There was a time when West Virginia was the beating heart of the United States. The power that lit up our nation’s cities, the engine that powered the industrial might of the Midwest, and the building blocks of the world’s most powerful navy defending our shores all began in West Virginia’s coal mines. Our state didn’t just participate in America’s success. We powered it.

Today, many of those jobs are gone. Communities that once thrived on steady work now face economic uncertainty. Families are paying higher utility bills, higher gas prices, and higher costs for nearly everything. Meanwhile, Washington is consumed by culture wars and political theatrics. But change is not out of reach. A serious reform is underway that could bring jobs back to West Virginia, lower costs for families, and strengthen America’s energy future. That effort is “permitting reform,” and it remains alive because of Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s leadership.

To build major infrastructure in the United States, projects must go through multiple layers of federal, state, and sometimes local approval. Environmental reviews, agency consultations, and potential legal challenges can stretch for years. While the system was originally designed to ensure safety and accountability, over time, it has become slow, duplicative, and vulnerable to delay tactics that stall projects indefinitely. The result is higher costs and fewer opportunities. When infrastructure is delayed, supply remains limited, and prices rise. That affects energy bills, housing costs, transportation, and even food prices.

West Virginia has seen this firsthand with major projects including the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Mountain Valley Pipeline. While legal battles dragged on, workers waited and investment slowed. Permitting reform in cases like these would create clearer rules, reasonable timelines, and a more predictable system so responsible projects can move forward without unnecessary obstruction. For West Virginia, the potential benefits are significant: thousands of construction jobs, expanded energy development, new infrastructure investment, and stronger local economies with more permanent jobs.

Thankfully, West Virginia’s own Senator Shelley Moore Capito has made permitting reform one of her top priorities. As Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, she plays a central role in shaping infrastructure and environmental legislation. She has worked across the aisle with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D, RI) to build bipartisan support. At times, negotiations were complicated by broader political tensions in Washington, as Democrats pushed back against President Trump. Thankfully, Sen. Capito understands how the Senate works, and has continued pushing forward with bipartisan talks in the face of setbacks. Her persistence is the reason permitting reform remains a serious legislative effort today.

Congress is divided, and reform will not be easy. Some lawmakers are comfortable with the current system, even if it slows development and drives up costs. Others try to attach unrelated demands to basic infrastructure improvements, further stalling progress. But this reform should not be put off any longer. If this opportunity is missed, it could be years before another serious effort succeeds. Meanwhile, costs will continue to rise, energy demand will grow, and the investments that could revive West Virginia may move elsewhere. We cannot afford that delay.

Sen. Capito has worked to keep this issue alive, demonstrating persistence and focus in a political environment that often rewards gridlock. While louder debates dominate the headlines, lawmakers shouldn’t lose sight of the debate that will have the greatest impact on West Virginia’s future. West Virginia has always been a state of builders. We powered America’s growth and, with modernized rules, we can do it again.

 

Lilly Barickman is the Senior Manager of Communications & Engagement at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

 

As seen in the Herald-Dispatch

As seen in the Charleston Gazette