Advanced Energy Perspectives

Incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are working as intended: they are spurring increased deployment of new wind, solar, and electric vehicle (EV) charging projects, and advanced energy manufacturing projects are proliferating across the country. But there remain regulations that are stalling further investment. In particular, cumbersome permitting processes for energy projects have created significant roadblocks to our 100% clean energy goals and imperil the energy transition. In response, permitting reform is a key priority for the 118th Congress.

The 2022 election is still not in the books, but with the outcome of most contests already known, advanced energy and its champions at the state and federal level were clear winners. Heading into any midterm election we expect to see a swing away from the sitting president’s party. This year that meant the potential to see the progress of the past four years slowed in key states across the country and at the federal level. But now, with the votes mostly tallied, we can say the stage is set for more clean energy progress next year, especially with the funds and incentives from federal legislation arriving in states ready to put it to work.

Last week, the White House and Congress celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – IIJA, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Between IIJA and the more-recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the federal government has devoted almost $500 billion in grants, tax credits, and other incentives to accelerate America’s energy transition, electrify transportation, and address many of the energy-related challenges facing the nation. For all the attention paid to the work inside the Beltway, however, whether the U.S. realizes that potential hinges largely on what happens outside the Beltway.