It’s time for the United States to expand its energy infrastructure, but due to regulatory barriers imposed by both federal and state governments, many companies are being forced to delay projects that would help advance the clean energy transition.
During a 2023 National Clean Energy Week Policymakers Symposium panel, Christine Harbin of CRES Forum moderated a discussion between Jason Grumet of the American Clean Power Association, Anne Bradbury of the American Exploration & Production Council, Brian Wolff of the Edison Electric Institute, Dr. Jennifer Uhle of NEI, and Malcolm Woolf of the National Hydropower Association to break down why these regulatory barriers are so cumbersome when it comes to expanding America’s all-of-the-above energy infrastructure.
The United States is currently focusing on what is “comfortable change,” panelists said. This means the status quo of permitting and energy development projects has remained relatively the same, failing to update at the same way we need our grid to update. Policymakers need to get comfortable with the idea of discomfort if real progress is to be made in supplying Americans with clean, reliable, sustainable and affordable energy.
Energy security is national security, and focusing on permitting reform and an all-of-the-above energy approach will play a pivotal role in America’s clean energy future.
“The clean energy transition is going to take all of us together, but the world is safer when the United States is the standard-bearer for nuclear energy,” said Dr. Uhle. The United States has the potential to lead the clean energy transition on a global scale, but it will require U.S. policy to keep pace with the technological innovation already taking place.
Watch the full discussion here. To see other panels from National Clean Energy Week, like and subscribe on YouTube.
CRES Forum is the lead convener and a proud sponsor of National Clean Energy Week.