From Foreign Policy · Jason Bordoff · · 1m 50s
Environmentalists Oppose Senate Permitting Deal
Senate energy bill could boost clean power while cutting costs.
In brief
Senate energy bill could boost clean power while cutting costs. Senate's permitting reform helps clean energy and energy security by speeding up infrastructure projects. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Senate energy bill
The Senate reached a bipartisan agreement on Sept 30 for the most significant infrastructure overhaul in decades.
Energy security challenges
Soaring diesel prices and Europe's heat waves highlight urgent energy security threats.
Environmentalists' opposition
Many environmental groups oppose the deal because it weakens tools used to block fossil fuel infrastructure.
Bill's environmental impact
The bill is very likely a net positive for the environment despite some additional fossil fuel projects.
Electricity demand growth
Electricity demand is accelerating after nearly two decades of little growth.
Transmission constraints
Princeton researchers estimated 80 percent of Inflation Reduction Act emissions reductions could be lost if transmission expanded only 1 percent annually.
Fossil fuel supply issues
The U.S. has lost roughly 800,00 as refining capacity since early 2020.
Energy security benefits
The bill would shorten legal challenges and tighten environmental review deadlines for energy infrastructure.
Fossil fuel project concerns
Opponents argue curtailing tools would undermine climate action by blocking clean energy projects.
Global market dynamics
Blocking production in one place encourages production elsewhere in global markets.
Energy policy balance
Energy policy requires balancing security, affordability, and sustainability through infrastructure building.
Bill's economic impact
Economists estimate a disruption comparable to this year's would reduce U.S. GDP growth by 5.6 percentage points in 1980 versus 0.3 percentage points today.
Clean energy benefits
The bill would reduce power sector costs and emissions while lowering household electricity bills.
What happens next
The Senate compromise could advance clean energy goals while improving energy security and affordability.
The headline
Senate's permitting reform helps clean energy and energy security by speeding up infrastructure projects.
