On December 13, the Co-Chairs of the Home Sustainable Power and Atmosphere Coalition (SEEC) Clear Power Deployment Process Power, Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06) and Mike Levin (CA-49) launched the Clear Electrical energy and Transmission Acceleration (CETA) Act, laws that comprehensively addresses the first allowing and transmission points which can be holding again the American clear vitality transition.
“When Congressman Mike Levin and I began our work on the Clear Electrical energy and Transmission Acceleration Act, we did so with two targets in thoughts,” stated SEEC Clear Power Deployment Process Power Co-Chair Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06). “First, to deal with the first points holding again our clear vitality transition. Second, to craft a invoice which will function the consensus transmission and allowing reform invoice of the Home Democratic Caucus. We’re extremely proud to introduce a invoice that paves the way in which for extra electrical energy transmission buildout and has the help of the Sustainable Power and Atmosphere Coalition, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the New Democrat Coalition and co-sponsors from throughout the Democratic Social gathering.”
The Clear Electrical energy and Transmission Acceleration (CETA) Act is a complete method to addressing the first allowing points holding again the clear vitality transition. The largest problem dealing with the USA’ skill to fulfill its local weather targets is the shortage of capability of our electrical grid to attach clear vitality era to the brand new demand that comes with economy-wide electrification. Along with tackling the local weather disaster by unlocking the total potential of renewable vitality, CETA will scale back vitality prices by enabling the cleanest, least-expensive types of vitality — renewables — to hook up with the grid.
CETA goals to inclusively and effectively help the buildout of transmission traces to move the electrical energy from its era supply to the properties of the American folks. CETA can even enhance the grid’s reliability and resilience within the face of accelerating excessive climate occasions. CETA additionally promotes the event of renewable vitality on public lands and oceans in a accountable, equitable and environment friendly method, additional decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Moreover, the speedy buildout of the clear vitality economic system necessitates extra strong group engagement to make sure all voices are heard and deprived communities are usually not disproportionately impacted. Neighborhood engagement is vital to deal with potential issues early and head off points which will in any other case result in time-consuming lawsuits. CETA tackles this by increasing the function for deprived communities to be meaningfully consulted as a part of the allowing course of.
Briefly, CETA would:
- Amend the Federal Energy Act to direct the Federal Regulatory Fee to situation new guidelines on bettering interregional planning, siting and deployment of transmission.
- Present a 30% transmission funding tax credit score.
- Incentivize improvement of renewable vitality on precedence areas throughout the nation’s public lands.
- Reform the Outer Continental Shelf Lands to encourage offshore wind deployment.
- Broaden significant session with deprived teams and communities within the allowing course of.
“Final Congress, Democrats made the only largest funding in local weather motion in U.S. historical past. Now, we should unlock its full potential by addressing the transmission allowing points which can be stopping us from bringing clear vitality from the place it’s generated to American households,” stated SEEC Clear Power Deployment Process Power Co-Chair Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49). “Our Clear Electrical energy and Transmission Acceleration Act will help the accountable buildout of transmission and renewables, whereas strengthening environmental protections and bringing impacted communities to the decision-making desk. I sit up for working with my colleagues to make these essential investments to enhance the resilience of our grid and guarantee all Individuals have entry to wash, inexpensive vitality.”
The invoice is endorsed by SEEC, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition. Reps. Casten and Levin launched the invoice together with 74 of their Home Democratic colleagues as cosponsors. The complete listing of unique cosponsors might be discovered right here.
“That is the correct approach to do allowing reform. We have to create a clear vitality economic system that’s equitable and environment friendly, and this measure would go a great distance towards undertaking that aim,” stated Christy Goldfuss, govt director of the Pure Sources Protection Council, in a press assertion. “This laws would speed up the development of recent, clear vitality assets and the transmission traces to hold that vitality. We have to construct these new initiatives — and we have to construct them proper in order that they take pleasure in public help and keep away from pointless delays.”
Information merchandise from the Workplace of Consultant Sean Casten
