More Than 300 Solar and Storage Firms Urge Congress to Pass Permitting Reform
Signatories warn that $120 billion in clean energy investment is currently stalled by federal permitting delays.
More than 300 solar and storage companies have sent a letter to congressional leaders urging the swift passage of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), citing urgent bottlenecks in federal permitting and grid infrastructure.
What Happened
The coalition, which includes members represented by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), called on lawmakers to send S. 5653 to the President’s desk without further delay. The companies argue that outdated federal processes are hindering the development of critical energy projects. According to the letter, solar and storage technologies accounted for 70% of new electricity capacity added to the grid in 2026, yet $120 billion in clean energy investment remains trapped in permitting queues.
Tim Pawlenty, CEO of SEIA, stated that the legislation is essential for reducing energy costs. "You can’t lower energy costs if you can’t build the energy projects, and these companies know that this bipartisan legislation will help get America building again," Pawlenty said. The proposed BAAJA aims to modernize the federal permitting system by ensuring fair treatment for all technologies, protecting lawfully issued permits from politically motivated delays, and establishing predictable timelines for federal reviews and judicial proceedings.
Why It Matters
The push for permitting reform comes amid rising voter concern over energy costs, particularly following recent midterm elections. SEIA analysis indicates that BAAJA could unlock 167 gigawatts of additional solar capacity between 2028 and 2035, potentially bringing solar to over 18% of U.S. electricity generation by 2035. The association estimates that the bill’s reforms could reduce cumulative power sector CO2 emissions by approximately 20% and avoid $54 billion in public health damages.
For the energy sector, the legislation proposes modernizing transmission planning and expanding distributed energy resources’ access to wholesale electricity markets. These changes are intended to address the infrastructure bottlenecks that currently delay project completion and drive up costs for consumers.
The Bottom Line
With $120 billion in investment stalled and clean energy accounting for the majority of new grid capacity, industry leaders view the passage of BAAJA as a critical step toward lowering electricity costs and accelerating deployment.
