Climate Change and Clean Energy Task Force Commends Progress on Bipartisan Senate Permitting Reform Package
The Senate package reflects several proposals outlined in the Task Force’s permitting reform priorities
Today, New Democrat Coalition Climate Change and Clean Energy Task Force Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) and Vice Chairs Sean Casten (IL-06), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Susan Wild (PA-07) issued the following statement on the Permitting Reform Act of 2024, introduced by Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY):
“Throughout the 118th Congress, our Task Force has been laser-focused on crafting pragmatic policies in the House to streamline the permitting process and build out the energy infrastructure we need to power America’s future.
“New Dems are dedicated to finding bipartisan common ground on this issue. We appreciate Senators Manchin and Barrasso for drafting legislation that reflects several clean energy transmission priorities championed by our Task Force.
“We look forward to engaging with our partners in the Senate to strengthen this legislation and advance a bipartisan, bicameral package that eliminates barriers to the clean energy projects America needs to lower energy costs, secure our energy independence, and tackle climate change.”
Background:
New Dems have consistently advocated for and advanced policies aimed at unleashing American energy independence and lowering emissions. In May, the Task Force commended FERC’s final rule on interstate transmission cost allocation, which the Task Force called for in its 2023 permitting reform priorities. Additionally, the Task Force applauded the Council on Environmental Quality’s Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule and Department of Energy’s two rules to reduce regulatory hurdles for clean energy projects – both of which incorporated key priorities New Dems have fought for over the past year.
Last May, the Task Force released six key permitting reform priorities for efficient energy deployment to lower costs, enhance energy independence, and combat the climate crisis. When President Biden negotiated an end to the debt ceiling crisis with House leadership, New Dem permitting priorities were reflected in several provisions of the final bill.
Further, in April 2023, New Dems sent a letter to the Council on Environmental Quality calling for an increase in coordination on federal authorizations in siting electric transmission lines. The New Dem priorities laid out in this letter were soon incorporated into the White House’s Permitting Action Plan, and were later reflected in the Department of Energy’s proposed rule to establish a lead agency to streamline the permitting process.
Additionally, in December 2023, the Task Force endorsed a slate of 14 New Dem-led bills to address barriers to clean energy deployment for inclusion in any upcoming energy package.
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