EPA Hosts Global G20 Forum on Regulatory Efficiency in Houston
HOUSTON — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted the G20 Regulatory Efficiency Symposium at the Royal Sonesta in Houston, Texas, bringing together G20 ministers, multinational business leaders and senior EPA officials to share practical approaches to faster, more predictable permitting. Held ahead of the G20 Energy Abundance Working Group Ministerial meetings, the Symposium advanced President Trump’s vision for pragmatic regulation that delivers results, providing businesses the certainty they need to invest and build, unlocking energy abundance and strengthening global resilience.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is proving that we can protect human health and the environment while growing our economy and getting important projects built,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “Clear, timely, and predictable permitting gives businesses the confidence to invest, creates opportunities for American workers, and helps turn good ideas into real projects.”
Members of EPA senior leadership, Administrator Zeldin, Assistant Administrator for International and Tribal Affairs Usha Turner, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Strategy Pouya Lavian, led three panels: Creating the Conditions for Investment; Government Perspectives on Modern Permitting; and the Future of Permitting. Business participants included Drew Marsh, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Entergy; Mark Nelson, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of Oil, Products & Gas at Chevron; Chase Lochmiller, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Crusoe; and Susan Uthayakumar, Chief Energy and Sustainability Officer at Prologis. The panelists from G20 countries included ministers and representatives from Japan, Poland, the European Union, Canada, Indonesia, and Italy.
“Countries approach permitting differently, but we can learn from one another about what works,” said Assistant Administrator Turner. “Bringing governments and industry together allows us to share practical solutions and strengthen regulatory systems that are effective, transparent, and responsive to the needs of the future.
The conversations examined how regulatory systems affect investment decisions and project delivery, how governments are modernizing permitting today, and what to expect from the future of permitting – including government responses to emerging technology and future infrastructure and energy needs.
“Technology is changing what we can build and how quickly we can build it, and our regulatory systems need to keep pace,” said Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Strategy Lavian. “By looking ahead now, we can create the conditions for the next generation of investment, innovation, and infrastructure.”
The event showcased U.S. leadership and strengthened international collaboration around regulatory approaches that deliver environmental results while supporting investment, innovation, and economic growth.