Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), testified before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee during a hearing on federal environmental review and permitting processes. During her testimony and in responses to senators’ questions, Hopper emphasized the urgent need for permitting reform, highlighting the importance of permit certainty, technology-neutral treatment of all energy sources, and accelerated transmission development to help keep energy prices low for Americans.
On the role of solar and storage in addressing energy affordability, Hopper explained that the United States is facing an energy cost crisis. She noted that expanding solar and storage deployment is the most effective way to lower electricity prices. “Unsubsidized solar is now the cheapest source of electricity in much of the country,” Hopper said.
“With no fuel costs, solar provides a hedge against natural gas price volatility, which continues to drive electricity price spikes. The only way to put downward pressure on prices is by bringing more power online, not less. States with higher levels of solar and storage deployment, such as Texas, are seeing lower and more stable electricity prices. Streamlining permitting is essential to addressing the energy affordability challenges faced by American households and businesses.”
Hopper also addressed the importance of keeping permitting reform technology-neutral. In response to Senator John Boozman (R-AR), who highlighted Arkansas’ growing AI and data center investments supported by diverse energy sources, Hopper emphasized that solar and storage are often part of the solution, but no single energy source should dominate.
She called for clear and predictable timelines, consistent environmental reviews tailored to the technology but standardized across energy sources, and strong protection against the political weaponization of the permitting process. “Being clear about the certainty and finality of permits is critical,” Hopper said. “And whoever is in the White House should not have the ability to weaponize inter-agency permitting.”
Hopper further stressed the need to end permitting slowdowns at the Department of Interior to unlock solar and storage projects. She said that America’s solar companies are manufacturing and deploying the power needed to maintain grid reliability and affordability. “Permitting reform must begin with the principle that projects entering the federal process should move forward in good faith and without unfair treatment based on energy source. Once a permit is issued, it must be honored,” she added.
Hopper also outlined the consequences of federal delays on energy projects during her exchange with Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). She explained that delays in under-construction projects threaten grid reliability, especially during extreme weather, and place upward pressure on electricity prices. “Even shortfalls in expected electricity delivery increase system strain and costs, affecting all consumers and households, including those with critical medical needs,” Hopper said, emphasizing the broader economic and societal impacts of federal permitting inefficiencies.
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