Pass legislation to significantly expand transmission for clean energy NOW!

Right now, there are at least 2,000 gigawatts of renewable energy waiting for permission to connect to power lines in the U.S., which is more than the total capacity of the country’s existing power plants. Wait times to connect new power plants to the grid can reach five years or more. Without rapidly improving transmission, the United States will not be able to achieve Biden's goal of 100% clean energy by 2035 or provide cheaper, more reliable electricity to American households. If the U.S. can’t build new transmission at a faster pace, roughly 80 percent of the emissions reductions expected from the Inflation Reduction Act–the largest climate legislation in U.S. history–might not happen. That’s why I’m writing to urge Congress to pass legislation to significantly expand transmission for clean energy. Multiple efforts are currently in play. Most recently in the House, Representatives Sean Casten and Mike Levin introduced the Clean Energy and Transmission Acceleration Act, (HR 6747) which would encourage the development of new transmission lines to carry renewable power where it’s needed while protecting the rights of communities to provide input on where lines are built and to benefit from their construction. I strongly support this bill. But any legislation is better than none, and NONE of the bills proposed so far have been passed. This is not good. Increasing access to clean energy will help tackle the climate crisis by ensuring the reliability of the grid and reducing consumers' bills. Renewable energies like wind and solar are quickly becoming the least expensive source of energy and we need to make sure as many people as possible get access to these clean, abundant energy sources. Please pass a strong, fair transmission bill—like HR 6747—that prioritizes clean energy, climate change, and environmental justice. This is urgent; all of our children are counting on us to secure their futures. Thanks.