Permitting Reform In The Trump Administration

Earlier this year, Womble Bond Dickinson published a seven-part series discussing how delays in permitting for mining project could affect the ability to provide the minerals necessary to accomplish the energy transition. With the election of Donald Trump for a second term as president, the United States is likely to adopt policies more favorable to efficient permitting. But there remain competing goals and commitments within the next administration's framework, creating (potentially unintentional) friction points and potential roadblocks to permitting reform.

The Trump administration is focused on promoting oil and gas development. It is not clear the extent to which the administration will devote attention to mining permitting reform, especially in the context of critical minerals for the energy transition. The only mention of permitting reform in the Republican Party Platform is to streamline permitting for oil, natural gas and coal. To the extent the concept of