Permitting reform has swiftly risen to the forefront in Washington as a pressing national security priority. The United States is grappling with the dual challenges of escalating energy demand and mounting global competition, particularly from China. Despite the critical role of our nation’s energy infrastructure, the U.S. is ensnared in a permitting process that can prolong vital projects by several years—or even decades. SAFE’s Center for Grid Security underscores that overhauling the procedures for approving and constructing energy infrastructure is not just a matter of efficiency—it is a matter of national urgency in the face of escalating global power competition.
Most Department of Defense (DoD) installations rely on the civilian power grid, but the growing strain on our power system is increasingly impacting installations and essential military operations, intensifying the consequences for our national defense. Military installations depend on the grid for command centers, communication networks, and intelligence gathering to maintain operational readiness. The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (EPRA), currently under consideration in the Senate, would significantly expedite critical upgrades, ultimately ensuring that installations are equipped to handle potential disruptions.
The transition to a GOP-controlled Congress in January will likely challenge the passage of EPRA as Republicans may well decide to wait, with a blank slate in the new Congress. However, given the urgency of the situation, policymakers should move now to begin the essential work of building the grid our military and economy deserve. As SAFE CEO Robbie Diamond has articulated, “America must be prepared for a surge in power demand as the incoming administration accelerates our reindustrialization. Delaying these needed reforms, even by a few months, will hold us back—let’s pass EPRA now to lay the foundation for growth and implement further reforms as needed.” This pragmatic strategy balances the urgency of reform with a phased approach, ensuring progress while laying the groundwork for broader changes.
The vulnerabilities within the power grid extend beyond national security and have significant implications for economic competitiveness. High-tech and defense-critical industries, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor manufacturing, rely on abundant and affordable energy from a secure and resilient grid. Without reform, there is a real risk of losing these vital industries to competitors with more dependable infrastructure. EPRA aims to streamline permitting processes for projects that enhance grid resilience, positioning the U.S. as a leader in technological advancement and promoting the on-shoring of defense-critical supply chains.
Furthermore, the current system incurs hidden costs for the DoD, which is compelled to allocate resources to backup power solutions, such as diesel generators or microgrids, in case of grid failures—resources that could otherwise be directed toward frontline defense efforts. While microgrids have the potential to provide cost savings to the DoD compared to the continued use of diesel generators, they still represent a cost burden on the defense budget.
Severe weather events further underscore the vulnerabilities inherent in the power grid. Protracted outages can disrupt mission-critical operations at military installations and adversely affect the economy, leading to billions of dollars in lost productivity. The National Guard has increasingly been engaged in addressing these grid-related emergencies, stretching its resources and impeding its focus on critical missions such as disaster response and homeland defense. EPRA would prioritize projects designed to establish a more resilient and interconnected grid, thereby mitigating risks and bolstering security for both military and civilian infrastructure.
In comparison to our near-peer competitors, China’s energy policy is characterized by a strong emphasis on national interests and swift action. China views robust energy infrastructure as a critical necessity that demands immediate attention and implementation. So should we!
For the incoming administration, prioritizing permitting reform for both transmission and domestic critical mineral development is essential for safeguarding America’s future. Energy infrastructure reform transcends reducing bureaucratic delays; it is an essential component in reinforcing national security, enhancing economic resilience, and maintaining global leadership. In an era characterized by Great Power Competition, ensuring a secure and resilient grid is fundamental to preserving the U.S.’ status as a global leader.
Admiral Michelle Howard, 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Commander, US Naval Forces Europe, US Naval Forces Africa, and Allied Joint Force Command Naples (Ret.), and Paul Segal, CEO of LS Power, are the co-chairs of the SAFE Center for Grid Security
This article was originally published by RealClearEnergy and made available via RealClearWire.
From what I understand, most of the permitting procedure is under a Carter era executive order, so it should be changeable with another executive order. Except Democratic party judged act as if Democratic party executive orders are Holy Writ, and not to be reversed by a heretical Republican.
Democrat party
The absolute opposite of a “democratic” party.
Says the man who supports the guy who still hasn’t conceded he lost the 2020 election. Laughable.
There are very good reasons to question the FAKERY behind the 2020 election. Lots of inconsistencies and very dubious counting.
Remember that for 2023, the anti-democratics installed a total ditz and her muppet mate without a single vote from the party or anyone else.
And guess what , simpleton…..
When counted properly..
TRUMP WON EVERY SECTION OF THE ELECTION
PRESIDENCY, HOUSE, CONGRESS and TOTAL VOTE
Get over it, loser.
“There are very good reasons to question the FAKERY behind the 2020 election. Lots of inconsistencies and very dubious counting.”
There is if you suspend reality. You seem to do this well….
I accepted Trumps win ad did Harris the morning after. You seem to struggle with the reality Biden won in 20 as did Trump who is still yet to call him and do the manly thing. That tells me you are not a supporter of democracy at all. A gold star hypocrite would better describe you.
For those who grasp significant statistical / actuarial anomalous outliers, the 2020 election results remain an unexplained reported outcome.
How would you attempt to explain the outliers in the reported votes counts?
I don’t need to. The guy Trump put i charge, Krebs, said it was a free and fair election. As did Trumps daughter, his AOG and squillions of others… including the 60 court cases that were brought. And let’s not forget the recounts that were held. All found nothing more than garden variety idiots who tried to cheat, many of whom were Trump supporters.
Where were all the voters that voted for Biden, that didn’t vote for Harris? It’s because they were made up. Biden became President because of voter fraud. Stacey Abrams still thinks she’s the governor of Georgia. So Democrats can challenge the system, but Republicans can’t. You need to rethink your nonsense.
I cannot verify that the reduction of 8-13 million voters was due to artificial vote inflation in 2020. It is one of several alternatives but there is no way to assess the relative probabilities.
Given the media conflated voter fraud with election fraud at every turn, it raises my suspicion that election fraud did occur on more than just a trivial level.
So you can’t prove it, but you think it. And that was worth putting the entire US democratic process under threat?
“Where were all the voters that voted for Biden, that didn’t vote for Harris? It’s because they were made up”
What are you talking about. Are you saying people don’t change their mind. Absolute lunacy…..
“Biden became President because of voter fraud.” OMG. See above.
Hopefully on day one
At least that would be a surge for the right reason- not for Nut Zero policies.
A bit off topic.
I’m getting rumours that the Canadian government has collapsed with multiple resignations. ?
Anyone know anything?
Let’s start with the often observed phenomenon that rats desert sinking ships.
Finance minister abruptly resigned. Government in disarray.
https://www.thefp.com/p/justin-trudeau-canada-government-may-collapse-pierre-poilievre
I also think some people are concerned that this is another attempt to make it easy to ramrod through things required for Wind and Solar projects, after gumming up the works for decades for new classic power plants.
The argument of this article is bogus. Permitting reform is the Inflation Reduction Act 2.0 to get uneconomic wind and solar from nowhere to somewhere. Nothing should be enacted until the next Administration when the renewables targets are expunged.
And now for a word from the sponsors-
TV host reacts to Kamala Harris’ latest ‘word salad’