WASHINGTON – Today, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) sent a letter to Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) endorsing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs (BAAJA) Act and urging its swift passage.
“The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act provides pragmatic policy solutions that seek to expedite permitting and siting processes, strengthen our grid to meet increased power demand, ensure greater certainty for all energy projects regardless of changes in government, and mitigate serial litigation,” reads the letter. “This bipartisan legislation is meaningful and substantial action towards fixing the dysfunctional permitting process that slows the deployment of critical energy projects nationwide.”
The full text of the letter may be found HERE and below:
Dear Chairs Capito and Lee and Ranking Members Whitehouse and Heinrich:
On behalf of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), I write today in support of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act. CRES is dedicated to advancing common sense solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic and environmental security, while ensuring America retains its global competitive edge. CRES advocates for the advancement and deployment of cutting-edge clean energy technologies with the goal of both reducing emissions while ensuring reliable and affordable energy. For over a decade, we have pushed for meaningful reforms to our permitting system.
We applaud you and your staff for your diligence and commitment to reforming our nation’s broken permitting system through this bipartisan proposal. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act provides pragmatic policy solutions that seek to expedite permitting and siting processes, strengthen our grid to meet increased power demand, ensure greater certainty for all energy projects regardless of changes in government, and mitigate serial litigation.
This bill seeks to address many of the obstacles that slow our path to a more secure and clean American energy future. It also integrates many policy changes that have secured bipartisan support or passed one of the chambers previously. CRES has long championed many of the policy proposals and endorsed legislation included in this bill, such as:
- Accelerating the deployment of next-generation geothermal technologies via legislation such as the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act (H.R. 5631) and the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act (H.R. 1687/ S. 4960)
- Supporting existing hydropower resources via the Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act (S. 3518)
- Modernizing federal permitting systems via the ePermit Act (H.R. 4503 / S. 3800)
- Reforming the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) building on the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776)
- Reforming the Clean Water Act (CWA) building on the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act (H.R. 3898)
- Addressing the Rosemont decision via the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (S. 544 / H.R. 1366)
This bipartisan legislation is meaningful and substantial action towards fixing the dysfunctional permitting process that slows the deployment of critical energy projects nationwide. CRES is proud to endorse the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act and urges swift consideration and passage of the bill.
We look forward to working together to advance permitting reform that strengthens American energy dominance, delivers greater affordability and accelerates clean energy deployment. Please consider us partners in fixing our broken permitting system so America can build the infrastructure, energy and resources needed to unlock lasting prosperity. It’s time for America to build again.
Sincerely,
James C. Dozier
CRES President