To further his climate agenda, President Biden has placed a heavy focus on infrastructure subsidies. The recent passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act have provided significant funding for green energy projects such as solar farms, geothermal plants, and new transmission lines to deliver clean electricity. However, the lengthy and complex permitting process can often hinder these projects from moving forward.
Many environmental advocates agree that reforming the permitting process is crucial to accelerate the approval of new energy projects. Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia has been leading efforts to reform the permitting process, with a recent bipartisan bill gaining support from both sides of the aisle. The bill aims to streamline the approval process for new transmission lines, a critical step in transitioning to carbon-free energy production.
However, some environmental advocacy groups have expressed concerns about the bill’s concessions to fossil fuel companies. They argue that making it easier to approve new fossil fuel infrastructure could hinder progress towards clean energy goals and pose risks to communities, particularly those in low-income and non-white areas. The bill’s proponents emphasize the importance of improving grid reliability and lowering electricity rates, in addition to reducing carbon emissions.
Despite the challenges in gaining support from both Democrats and Republicans, there is optimism that the bill could pass during the upcoming lame-duck session of Congress. By highlighting the benefits of increased transmission for grid reliability and consumer costs, advocates hope to build bipartisan consensus for the bill’s passage.
