Sign In
Energy Secretary: Streamlining processes for mission-critical objectives
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced changes to its permitting processes to expedite infrastructure improvements at national laboratories. The changes are intended to “ease burdensome permitting rules and regulations for construction projects at the Department’s 17 National Labs.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright unveiled the reforms in a late March statement, describing them as “mission-critical” to streamline processes and decision-making. He said delays and efficiency are hampered by “burdensome regulations” and aging facilities, some of which date back to the Manhattan Project.
Construction-related provisions of the order that may accelerate modernization include:
- Raising the threshold for independent construction project reviews costing $300 million to $1 billion.
- Increasing delegated project authority from $50 million to $300 million.
- Evaluating construction labor agreements in lab contracts.
The DOE also plans to expand the National Nuclear Security Administration’s “OSHA-plus” framework to balance worker safety with cost efficiency.
According to the Department of Energy, Southern Nuclear tested a new type of nuclear fuel with higher enrichment levels (above 5%) in a U.S. commercial reactor for the first time. The fuel lasts longer and produces more power, and it was developed through a DOE program to improve safety and reduce costs. Image: Department of Energy, Southern Nuclear
Wright emphasized the urgency of these changes, citing outdated infrastructure at labs like New Mexico’s Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), where around 40% of buildings predate 1970. “By reforming permitting rules, we can speed up critical infrastructure improvements and better steward taxpayer dollars,” he said.
In a separate speech at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory last week, Secretary Wright emphasized the growing need for developing electrical infrastructure, notably to support artificial intelligence. “We’ve had growth in energy demand but not electricity demand,” he said.
Michael Guckes, ConstructConnect Chief Economist, said in the 2025 construction economy forecast that “The electrification of the economy will continue to drive significant demand for power generation and infrastructure projects.”
“The growth of artificial intelligence, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, and the growing reliance on electric appliances and devices,” Guckes said in the forecast.
[Read the forecast in The 2025 Construction Economy Yearbook]
The changes from the Department of Energy reflect the agency’s broader goals of advancing energy innovation and maintaining U.S. leadership in science and technology. However, questions remain about how specific measures will be implemented.
Construction economy news and insights you can act on.
Subscribe to our economic reports.
About ConstructConnect
At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our keen insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, building product manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions, streamline preconstruction workflows, and maximize their productivity. Our newest offerings—including our comprehensive, AI-assisted software—help our clients find, bid on, and win more projects.
ConstructConnect operates as a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000.
For more information, visit constructconnect.com
