November 16, 2023
ACORE Supports the Department of Energy’s Proposed NEPA Reforms for Transmission and Clean Energy Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recognition of the need to streamline the siting and permitting of critical transmission and clean energy projects, the Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The proposal, published in the Federal Register today, expands the scope of the “categorical exclusions” for transmission and clean energy. These exclusions apply to projects demonstrated to not have a significant environmental effect. The proposal revises existing exclusions for solar energy and transmission, including removing the mileage limitation for transmission upgrades and rebuilds, and allowing segments of lines to relocate to existing rights-of-way or within previously disturbed or developed lands. In addition, the proposal contains a new exclusion for certain energy storage projects within previously disturbed or developed areas.
Following is a statement from American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) President and CEO Gregory Wetstone on the proposal:
“A dramatic increase in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure is needed to enhance reliability, lower energy costs, and maximize the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act. A key barrier is the often lengthy siting and permitting process.
“ACORE supports the use of categorical exclusions for projects that will produce a cleaner grid and not adversely impact the environment. This mechanism improves siting and permitting while maintaining NEPA’s core environmental provisions.
“We are pleased with the proposal released today and look forward to engaging with the Energy Department on a final rule that will efficiently advance U.S. climate and renewable energy objectives in a safe and environmentally sound manner.”
##
About ACORE:
For more than 20 years, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) has been the nation’s premier pan-renewable nonprofit organization. ACORE unites finance, policy, and technology to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy economy. For more information, please visit www.acore.org.
Media Contacts:
Alex Hobson
Sr. Vice President, Communications
American Council on Renewable Energy
hobson@acore.org | 202.830.3592 (o) | 202.594.0706 (c)
Dylan Helms
Associate, Communications
American Council on Renewable Energy
helms@acore.org | 202.935.6491 (o) | 727.290.8804 (c)
The post ACORE Supports the Department of Energy’s Proposed NEPA Reforms for Transmission and Clean Energy Projects appeared first on ACORE.
For most of our lives, many of us boomers have believed that the biggest threat to the United States was our president, starting with Tricky Dick Nixon, the inventor of the “trickle-down economics,” liar Ronald Reagan, and GW (the moron) Bush.
But yes, none of us was prepared for the cold, calculating criminal who is Donald Trump.
There Were Prior Threats to the Nation Stemming from the White House
The fact that human activity is unsustainable has been revealed to us gradually over the last century. Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” was published 63 years ago.
That said, the ideas of climate change, ocean acidification, and loss of biodiversity have been essentially unchallenged by scientists for just the last couple of decades.
The only thing standing in the way of rapid environmental progress is greed, and in the end, that may prove to be an unbeatable foe. Decarbonizing our grid and transportation sector will eventually destroy the fossil fuel industry, a group so powerful that it has a stranglehold, both on our lawmakers and on our corporate-owned media, that works so hard to misinform our citizenry.
It’s still possible that our most senior military leaders will insert themselves in time to prevent some truly catastrophic event here in the United States/abroad.
I keep thinking I’ll read about an exchange like this:
Trump: We’re invading Greenland.
Some four-star general: The f*** we are.
This may sound like a pipe dream, but these are people of real honor and integrity who take their oaths to our constitution quite seriously.
Will the U.S. Top Military Intervene Before Trump Inflicts Irreparable Damage
-
Greenhouse Gases2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change1 year ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Greenhouse Gases1 year ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Climate Change2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change2 years ago
Bill Discounting Climate Change in Florida’s Energy Policy Awaits DeSantis’ Approval
-
Renewable Energy11 months agoSending Progressive Philanthropist George Soros to Prison?
-
Greenhouse Gases1 year ago
嘉宾来稿：探究火山喷发如何影响气候预测
-
Climate Change2 years agoAnalysis: China’s CO2 falls 1% in Q2 2024 in first quarterly drop since Covid-19