HOUSTON (Reuters) - U.S. energy executives expect faster permitting times for drilling on federal lands under President-elect Donald Trump, according to a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey released on Thursday.

The overall outlook brightened and activity levels increased while uncertainty declined in the final quarter of 2024, according to a December survey of 134 energy firms in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico.

Trump has vowed to lower gasoline prices and speed up permitting for energy projects under his "drill, baby drill" campaign mantra.

A third of executives polled said they think the permitting process will become significantly faster over the next four years.