In response to Congressional leaders releasing the long-awaited text of their permitting reform legislation, Evergreen Action Vice President of Policy Pete Wyckoff released the following statement:
“America can’t confront the climate crisis and meet growing energy demand unless we can build clean energy faster—and that means fixing how we permit it. The climate crisis is wiping away entire communities, and low-income communities and communities of color continue to bear the brunt. Without dramatic action, a worsening crisis will claim more lives and livelihoods. Here in the U.S., permitting reform is a necessary part of that action.
“While we’re still reviewing the text released today, our initial read indicates that the certainty for renewable energy projects and transmission-related provisions would improve our country’s ability to build clean energy at scale, lower costs, and cut pollution. These provisions are substantially stronger than other recent permitting reform proposals. We are excited about the provisions that would lead to more use of tools like virtual power plants and grid-enhancing technologies. We also welcome provisions that ensure data centers pay their own way. These are all essential to the clean energy buildout we need to stem the mounting impact—and death toll—of climate change.
“At the same time, any rollback to bedrock environmental laws that have long given communities a voice deserves careful and diligent scrutiny. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans appear to have demanded deep erosion of those protections. A bill this complex warrants adequate time to fully weigh all dynamics. We will be closely tracking any upcoming changes to the text to ensure they will lead to the efficient, low-cost clean energy grid we need.
“It is imperative that we find a path to deploy clean energy at the scale we know is needed to bend the curve of a worsening climate crisis and save millions of lives. The Trump administration has repeatedly sabotaged clean energy projects that would have delivered power and lowered costs formillions of Americans. Every canceled or delayed solar and wind project means higher bills, dirtier air, a weaker grid, and more severe climate impacts in the years ahead. The climate crisis won’t wait, and neither can the families paying the price. We must use every tool we have to address it.”
