· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Despite the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, which provided generous tax credits for renewable energy, the U.S. is falling short of its clean energy targets
• Regulatory delays, interconnection bottlenecks, and community opposition have slowed the deployment of wind and solar projects
• The situation worsens as new policies under President Trump halt federal permitting and leasing for wind projects
🔭 The context: The U.S. grid, built primarily for fossil fuels, struggles to accommodate renewable energy’s spatial and transmission needs
• Developers face years-long waits to connect projects to the grid, while anti-renewable groups and local regulations further hinder progress
• Renewables now account for record levels of energy growth, but far below the pace required to meet climate goals
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Delayed renewable adoption increases dependence on fossil fuels, stalling emissions cuts crucial for limiting global warming
• As renewables reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, faster deployment is essential for both public health and climate stability
⏭️ What's next: Accelerating renewable growth requires streamlining permitting processes, expanding grid capacity with high-voltage transmission lines, and incentivizing the reuse of fossil fuel infrastructure
• The Biden-era goal of 50-52% emissions reduction by 2030 remains achievable but demands urgent action
💬 One quote: “The technology is ready, and the financial services are ready — but the question nobody really put enough thought into was, could the government keep up? And at the moment, the answer is no.” – Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association
📈 One stat: The U.S. added only 27 gigawatts of clean electricity in 2023, far below the required 70-80 gigawatts per year to meet climate targets
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