• Permitting reform is a top legislative priority for both Democrats and Republicans.
• Energy Secretary Chris Wright met with Republican lawmakers to discuss changes to permitting laws.
• Democrats and Republicans have differing views on environmental laws and state authority.
• The Trump administration's stance on renewable energy is a major obstacle to a deal.

The permitting reform effort may indicate a shift in Washington's approach to energy production and project approvals, but its success could be hindered by partisan divisions and the administration's stance on renewable energy, which suggests a challenging path to enactment.