North American Oil and Gas Infrastructure: Opportunities and Challenges for Policymakers

The CSIS Energy and National Security Program hosted a discussion on the changing North American energy markets and how existing policies and regulations will shape the development of the newly emerging oil and gas resources. North American oil and gas production is growing at rates unforeseen a decade ago. This growth is straining existing transportation, processing, and distribution infrastructure, but there is concern that a policy framework developed under a perspective of energy scarcity will inhibit market adjustments and lead to suboptimal resource development. Are the current policies flexible enough to manage these new energy market dynamics? How do policymakers, regulators, and industry manage the new circumstances to safely and prudently allow for the continued development of these resources?