Reform needed to boost energy grid’s capacity

Congress must pass permitting reform to increase the rate at which new transmission capacity is added to the grid. Thanks to the green energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest obstacle in the transition away from fossil fuels between now and 2050 is no longer building new sources of clean energy, but developing the infrastructure to allow new energy to flow into the grid. As it stands, American energy transmission capacity increases by a rate of 1% annually; this greatly limits the rate at which new, green sources of energy can be added to our economy.

The BIG WIRES Act before both the House (H.R. 5551) and Senate (S. 2827) aims to change this by increasing U.S. energy transmission capacity. As a result, new clean sources of energy will be able to plug into our grid sooner, increasing our speed on the road to a net-zero future. If you are interested in the future of green energy, I ask that you write Congress in support of these bills.

Owen Haywood

Libertyville