Nearly 200 clean energy companies are urging Congress to prioritize passing legislation aimed at reforming siting, permitting, and transmission processes before the 2024 election. In a joint effort, solar and storage companies have penned a letter to congressional leaders, emphasizing the critical need for improved policies to facilitate the development of solar and solar plus storage projects.
The call for action stems from the recognition that various factors, including regulatory frameworks and the expansion of transmission capacity, will significantly influence the future deployment of solar energy. With billions of investment dollars hanging in the balance, stakeholders stress the importance of efficient project siting, permitting, and connection to a modern transmission system.
Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), underscores the urgency, highlighting the potential for policy action to bolster America's energy industry while stimulating local economies through job creation and private investments.
The proposed reforms put forward by the 200 companies include streamlining federal energy permitting, fostering partnerships across different levels of government for project siting, and investing in transmission capacity and grid modernization. Additionally, the companies advocate for simplifying the process for accessing public land leases for clean energy projects, while maintaining environmental standards.
Failure to enact these reforms could result in significant economic losses and job shortages, according to industry forecasts. Stakeholders emphasize the critical role of federal leadership in addressing barriers to renewable energy growth and facilitating a clean, reliable energy future.
The collective push for legislative action reflects a shared commitment among clean energy companies to overcome existing challenges and advance the transition to a more sustainable energy landscape.
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