US Energy Regulator Says Iran War Underscores Urgency in Expanding Nations Pipeline Network

Construction crews work on a tunnel through which the Mountain Valley Pipeline will pass in Roanoke County, Va., on June 22, 2018. Heather Rousseau/The Roanoke Times via APHOUSTON—The 800-ship bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz devastating the global economy has made it “more clear than ever that we need more infrastructure in our country of every type and, more specifically, more pipeline infrastructure,” the United States’ lead energy regulator said.Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chair Laura Swett told reporters in a March 26 press conference at CERAWeek by S&P Global at the Americas Hilton-Houston that streamlining and accelerating approvals for pipeline development is a priority under President Donald Trump’s January 2025 National Energy Emergency executive order.