"Permitting Bottlenecks" in US Energy Infrastructure: How Federal Approvals Reshape Regional Industrial Expansion Patterns
In-depth analysis of how the permitting process for US federal energy projects (such as transmission lines and renewable energy facilities) acts as a key bottleneck constraining regional industrial expansion. This paper explores the impact of policies like NEPA on project approval timelines, costs, and regional development, and reveals how process optimization can drive the construction of critical infrastructure in response to energy demand and climate goals.