US Interior nominee says permitting reform needed to speed energy projects

Jan 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Interior Secretary nominee Doug Burgum told lawmakers during his confirmation hearing on Thursday that permitting reform is needed to speed energy projects, particularly to boost power production.

"We've got to get to work in permitting reform and speeding permitting right now," he said. "Electricity is at the brink. Our grid is at a point where it could go completely unstable."

(Reporting by Richard Valdmanis)

((richard.valdmanis@thomsonreuters.com; +1 617 312 6022; Reuters Messaging: richard.valdmanis.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))