Appalachia is an American energy powerhouse, supplying the natural gas that underpins U.S. energy security, national security and our nation’s leading role in reducing carbon emissions. These are truths widely recognized and fiercely defended by residents in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, so much so that candidate Kamala Harris’ campaign walked back her opposition of the industry to appeal to voters in the area.

Although the debate over “fracking bans” has dominated headlines, it’s a red herring in the broader battle for U.S. energy leadership and environmental progress. Make no mistake, banning domestic energy development would wreak havoc on global stability, but the real crisis at hand lies in the cumbersome, outdated approval processes that stymie energy infrastructure projects.

Think about it: we can produce all the energy in the world, but that means nothing if we can’t transport it to where it’s needed.

Nowhere in the country are these infrastructure frustrations more prevalent than the Appalachian region. The Marcellus and Utica Shale formations that lie below are the most prolific in the nation and the resources are produced under the strictest environmental standards. However, with pipelines at maximum capacity, output from the region is restricted, unnecessarily limiting access to clean, abundant energy.

A web of red tape and environmental activism in the courts have derailed six of the last seven proposed interstate pipeline projects that could have delivered Appalachian natural gas to New England, the Southeast and other regions of critical demand. These were considered a “win” for the environmentalist movement, but the biggest losers were energy consumers, like New England residents paying ~31% more for natural gas than the U.S. average.

The lone project to survive this onslaught is the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which went through a grueling 10-year battle and eventually required an act of Congress to come online this summer. Despite clear demand for affordable, clean energy in mid-Atlantic states, environmental activists weaponized the regulatory and judicial process in hopes investors would eventually walk away.

While the Supreme Court and Congress intervened to prevent the project’s demise, the potential of costly delays and legal challenges continues to loom large and may act as a deterrent on future investments in the region.

The Biden-Harris administration’s track record reinforces a dire need for permitting reform in this country. Average pipeline approvals have declined by more than 50% under them compared to the last three occupying the White House. In addition, activists continue to use the legal system to slow down if not stop infrastructure development. Consider the recent federal appeals court decision threatening an existing pipeline’s expansion to serve 3 million new customers.

Indeed, these are the back-door bans truly holding our country back from its full energy potential, not to mention climate progress. They pose significant reliability and security risks as power demand continues to climb at unprecedented levels. With our nation and modern societal needs continuing to grow and evolve, so too must our infrastructure.

Sens .Joe Manchin and John Barrasso’s bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act (EPRA), introduced this summer, offers a glimmer of hope. If adopted, EPRA has the potential to create workable timelines to secure investment, provide surety to developers, and fast-track infrastructure key to bringing more Appalachian energy to users across the globe.

Moving forward, let us remember that our goal is not only to build pipelines, transmission lines or LNG terminals but to build a stronger, more resilient energy system that serves all Americans. By reforming our outdated permitting processes, we can unlock the full potential of our energy resources, ensuring a brighter, more prosperous future for the nation.

Dave Callahan is President of the Pennsylvania-based Marcellus Shale Coalition, Charlie Burd is President of the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia and Rob Brundrett is President of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association.