LETTER: Clean energy permit reform needed to bolster power grid

To Ozaukee Press:

We continue to read about rising electricity rates that are exacerbating the inflation that is making our lives more expensive and difficult.

While some states have been proactive in addressing the problem, a national solution is needed. Our existing grid can be made more efficient, but in the end we will need to build new transmission lines and create stronger connections between each of the regional grids.

A major problem is that it takes too long to build these lines due to outdated regulations. The cost of solar and battery storage has decreased so dramatically that virtually all new generation capacity is clean.  Unfortunately, the grid hasn’t been able to keep up and this new capacity often has to wait years to get plugged in. Federal legislation is already being considered in Washngton, D.C., to help ease these bottlenecks while still encouraging public input. Ask your member of Congress to join you in support of comprehensive clean energy permitting reform so we can build our way out of these high electricity rates.

Jon Berman

Elmhurst, Ill.