The Biden administration has set a goal to decarbonize the power sector by 2035, and reforms are needed at all levels of government in order to make this possible. Congress recently passed legislation regarding inter-regional transmission lines, but more comprehensive action is needed for these reforms to be successful. Administrative actions may help address some elements of reform, however these are subject to change or reversal by future administrations. Therefore, states have begun revisiting their existing processes for renewable energy projects with varying degrees of success. For instance, New York passed a law creating an Office of Renewable Energy Siting while California clarified authority within an existing agency as part of its 2022 budget process. These two states share common approaches such as creating single offices with expedited review timelines; including requirements for community engagement and benefits; setting maximum permit review timelines; passing legislation alongside other energy provisions etc., which can serve as potential lessons for other states looking to implement similar reforms.
It is increasingly important that federal, state and local governments take steps towards reforming current policies regarding renewable energy projects in order to meet the Biden administration’s deadline. This could involve streamlining permitting processes so that they are easier and faster to navigate, while also ensuring that there is adequate community engagement during these applications and broader social benefits being created from them. Finally, legislation must be passed that addresses both short-term needs as well as long-term goals in order to ensure that relevant changes remain consistent across all levels of government over time. In the near future, it will be interesting to see which states choose to address the issue immediately vs those who wait until closer to the 2035 deadline before taking action. It is clear that renewable energy initiatives must be implemented quickly and effectively if we want any hope of meeting our targets on time.
With increased public awareness and understanding about climate issues combined with more effective policies put into place by local governments, it is within our reach for all levels of government to work together in rapidly improving our current situation concerning renewable energy projects across the United States. The Biden administration has set a goal to decarbonize the power sector by 2035, and reforms are needed at all levels of government in order to make this possible. Congress recently passed legislation regarding inter-regional transmission lines, but more comprehensive action is needed for these reforms to be successful. Administrative actions may help address some elements of reform, however these are subject to change or reversal by future administrations. Therefore, states have begun revisiting their existing processes for renewable energy projects with varying degrees of success.
Jonas Muthoni is an entrepreneur and renewable energy expert. He is the founder of MicroGridMedia.com, a website dedicated to bringing the latest news and information about solar energy and other renewable energy sources to the public. Jonas is passionate about promoting sustainable energy solutions and educating the public about the benefits of renewable energy. He is a regular speaker at industry events and conferences and is committed to driving the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.