Streamlining Energy Infrastructure: Why Senator Graham should support permitting reform
November 21, 2024
Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate released the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024. The bipartisan legislation aims to simplify the permitting processes that have been causing massive delays in energy infrastructure projects. As the demand for electricity grows, we can no longer delay modernizing the nation’s energy infrastructure.
The federal permitting and environmental review processes have grown to be excessively complex and unnecessarily slow, which prevent the construction of new energy infrastructure. This cumbersome process is a barrier to American progress and energy independence. Advanced infrastructure can boost domestic energy production and support our nation’s homes and businesses.
On average, it takes four-and-a-half years to process an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for major infrastructure projects. This is four-and-a-half years too long. Congress needs to act now and fix this outdated, excessive permitting process. Permitting reform will speed up approvals for wind, solar and geothermal energy projects on public land, and improve the permitting for transmission lines, which are critical to connect and transport energy across the grid.
As a farmer and small business owner in South Carolina, I can recognize how these delays severely impact businesses across the state. Permitting reform will benefit South Carolina businesses and families who depend on affordable and reliable energy. The benefits include job creation and economic growth for local businesses and industries. Congress must pass bipartisan permitting reform, and I urge U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham to join others in their support of this legislation.
Senator Graham was vital in passing bipartisan infrastructure legislation that ensures South Carolina receives much-needed help in its communities. The investments from the bipartisan infrastructure bill have helped roads, bridges, and expanded broadband across the state. Now, Senator Graham should work across the aisle and streamline permitting processes so that the state can advance the critical infrastructure projects he worked to provide funding for. Until these changes are made, these delays are slowing progress in South Carolina and its ability to move forward and advance its infrastructure.
This legislation aims to facilitate faster and easier permitting processes for both renewable energy and traditional energy sources. Our state is projected to grow in the renewable sector, and we should be able to support this growth. The industry generates new jobs and increases in economic activity. For the future of energy in South Carolina, we need to reduce the burden on deployment of modern infrastructure.
With a streamlined process, the years of delays in permitting and environmental review will no longer stand in the way of grid modernization and advancement. South Carolinians are missing out on the benefits of an enhanced electric grid; Strengthened energy infrastructure will support a diversified stream of energy production and enhance economic competitiveness. South Carolina can move away from its dependency on other states for imported energy.
Senator Graham should support this bill and streamline the permitting process for much-needed energy infrastructure. We need to make it easier to build infrastructure, increase domestic energy production, and grow energy capacity to support South Carolina residents and businesses.
