For Clean Energy to Thrive, Congress Must Pass the SPEED Act to Fix the Permitting Process

America's energy grid is ready for an upgrade. Our current energy system is under strain, with working families facing rising costs. Furthermore, new technologies like AI are expected to grow our nation's energy demands. To meet the needs of tomorrow, our policymakers must deliver an all-of-the-above energy strategy that addresses permitting reform and modernizes the electrical grid.

Clean energy has an essential role to play in our nation's energy future. Energy sources like wind and solar can directly improve the reliability of the grid, contributing to its flexibility, long-term affordability, and resilience. A modern grid powered by clean energy would reduce outages, lower operational costs, and allow for better integration of renewables. Over time, studies have shown that wind and solar could make up as much as 80% of U.S. energy generation, dramatically increasing supply. However, these projects are often constrained by red tape that restricts the construction of new energy sources.

Our current permitting processes can make building new energy projects a matter of years, if not decades. This systemic inertia means we continue to depend on a fragile, aging infrastructure. The path of least resistance has been to apply patchwork fixes to our outdated grid system, but this approach has limited the deployment of innovative alternative energy resources that can help our country meet the energy needs of today.

We already possess the technology to meet rising demand in a clean, affordable, and reliable way. In order to unlock that potential, policymakers must fix our sclerotic permitting system. That is why legislation such as the H.R. 4776 Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (SPEED Act) is so critical.

A smarter permitting system is essential for clean energy deployment. The SPEED Act offers a practical path forward by setting clear, enforceable timelines for new clean energy projects. By cutting through outdated red tape and providing certainty for communities, labor, and industry alike, the SPEED Act would help bring clean energy projects online faster, expanding grid capacity, lowering emissions, and creating well-paying jobs across the country. It's a way to use the power of government to accelerate the clean energy future, not delay it.

The growing energy needs of America's innovators and consumers are just beginning to outpace the capacity of our current grid. Trying to meet this new demand with legacy infrastructure risks slowing our economic momentum. We need to invest in our electrical grid to ensure we can match this new demand with a modern, reliable supply for everyone.