Senators Manchin and Barrasso Introduce Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 to Boost Energy Security

U.S. Senators Manchin (I-WV) and Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 to bolster energy security and streamline the permitting process for energy infrastructure projects.

In April, over 200 solar and storage companies advocated for comprehensive permitting reforms to open federal lands for clean energy, modernize the grid, and expand transmission capacity.Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) said,

“We’re pleased to see bipartisan recognition that we must quickly and efficiently build out transmission capacity to keep pace with America’s growing electricity demand. For years, SEIA has been calling for a fundamental shift in the way we build transmission capacity and has long advocated for reforms that fairly allocate costs. While we’re still reviewing the details, this is a conversation worth having.

“We also commend the renewed efforts to simplify and streamline the development of clean energy infrastructure on public lands, helping us lower costs for ratepayers and improve grid reliability. This bill is a positive step forward for our clean energy future, and we look forward to seeing this bipartisan bill get introduced on the Senate floor.”