At the Energy Future Forum 2025 presented by RealClearPolitics, Peter Bryant and Mike Howard, Chairman & CEO of Howard Energy Partners, examine the critical but often overlooked “plumbing” of America’s energy system.
Peter frames the emerging plumbing deficit – while demand escalates for more gas for AI and LNG exports, the infrastructure to move it remains constrained. With the US operating 3 million miles of pipeline – 60 times more than interstate highways – complexity is staggering, but permitting delays threaten future expansion.
Howard Energy Partners’ pipeline to Mexico took 3.5 years and cost $1 billion, whilst the domestic Mountain Valley Pipeline required 10 years, $10 billion, and an Act of Congress to complete, as an illustration. Mike argues the judicial review process needs reform with defined timelines to provide investment certainty.
With the growing strategic tension between domestic AI demand (projected at 7-10 BCF daily) and LNG exports (targeting 28 BCF by 2030), Peter points out that the industry is looking at a combined 35-38 BCF increase against the current 100 BCF production. And what happens if peace returns Russian gas to European markets, potentially undermining LNG investment economics?
The conversation reveals that proximity strategies are emerging, with hyperscalers considering locations near production sources like the Permian Basin, although workforce and water infrastructure constraints limit these opportunities.
Mike’s key insight for the audience is that “capital follows certainty.” America has the technical capability, having basically “repiped” the nation’s gas system over 20 years, but regulatory uncertainty and judicial delays are the binding constraints on energy infrastructure expansion.
It’s an insightful discussion into the realities of America’s pipeline infrastructure. Watch the whole conversation here.
