The Democratic National Convention has sparked interest in legislation on permitting and the grid. Lawmakers and energy industry leaders have been optimistic about passing legislation to streamline the approval process for projects like transmission and solar farms by the end of the year. Some members, like Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), believe the lame-duck session of Congress is the best opportunity for a bipartisan compromise to be included in a must-pass bill. The renewed interest comes after Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and ranking member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) unveiled S. 4753, the “Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024.” Most progressive activists and Democratic congressional climate hawks only want to streamlight the process for transmission lines and renewable generation, while many Republicans are only interested in more oil and gas projects.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
