Unleash American Solar and Storage

As electricity demand continues to rise in America, solar energy and storage technologies are well-positioned to meet the country’s growing energy needs. However, new permitting obstacles and unnecessary bureaucracy are causing delays in projects that are ready to provide reliable energy, leading to higher energy prices, reduced grid reliability, and weakened American competitiveness.

Last year, a memo from the Department of the Interior introduced new permitting procedures for solar energy projects. Projects on federal lands or requiring federal permits are now subject to a multi-step, ministerial-level approval process, resulting in longer completion times and record-high electricity demand in America. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) estimates that political attacks are putting solar energy projects at risk, affecting over 450 projects, which represent 36% of all new planned power capacity in the US.

As demand grows, slowing the development of the country’s fastest-growing energy source makes it even more challenging to provide affordable energy. If new energy production cannot meet demand, consumers and businesses will face higher electricity bills, and the electricity grid will come under even more strain. According to a study by the Corporate Energy Buyers Association and NERA, restrictions on new solar and wind energy development could add $81.2 billion in extra costs to households over the next seven years, while commercial and industrial customers will pay an additional $40 billion during the same period.

These delays could cost Americans over $120 billion and slow economic growth. However, increased energy bills are not the only cost of these bureaucratic delays. Increased permitting uncertainty raises risks for developers and threatens over $121 billion in planned American investments in the solar energy and storage industry, which could lead to fewer jobs, lower local tax revenue, and slower economic development in communities across the country.

Delaying solar energy and storage projects also puts additional pressure on grid reliability. As new data centers and manufacturing facilities come online, more frequent extreme weather events and volatile global energy markets are pushing America’s electricity system to its limits. We need reliable energy sources, and solar energy and storage can meet this demand if projects are allowed to progress.

We do not have to accept high electricity prices, weakened grid reliability, and slow economic growth. Congress has an opportunity to pass durable, bipartisan, technology-neutral permitting reform. Simplifying permitting procedures will help lower electricity prices, strengthen grid reliability, unlock American investment, and increase the country’s energy security. We need to meet America’s growing electricity needs using all energy sources. Solar energy and storage are ready to do their part.

Call on your senators to support bipartisan permitting reform and help bring online cheaper, more reliable American energy.

Source: CleanTechnica