Briefing Book
Transmission Briefing Book
June 20, 2024
Fact Sheet
Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Fact Sheet
Overview
Clean energy siting and permitting is crucial for states to meet clean energy and climate goals. Expansion of the clean energy system is complex with significant obstacles for permitting existing at both the state and local levels that inhibit or delay projects. Communities may oppose projects at the local level due to visual or location concerns; at the state level, complicated environmental reviews may burden or block projects. Permitting obstacles also exist for transmission infrastructure, which is crucial for the integration of clean energy. To learn more about transmission specifically, see NCEL’s Transmission Briefing Book. Although it is imperative to have a streamlined permitting process, public interest concerns including environmental justice, tribal sovereignty, and environmental impacts should not be overlooked. Meaningful community engagement can also help in addressing potential local opposition to projects.
Key Facts
Key Fact 1
The leading causes of cancellation for solar and wind projects are local ordinances or zoning, grid interconnection, and community opposition.
Key Fact 2
More than 300 counties have banned or instituted moratoria on wind or solar projects.
Key Fact 3
The majority of states (37) give local governments authority to set clean energy siting standards (tip heights, setbacks, etc.).
Policy Options
Please note all bills following (**) indicates bipartisan support for the legislation.
Incentives for Streamlining Clean Energy Siting & Permitting:
- Colorado S.B.212 (enacted 2024): Provides resources to local governments to assess, site, and permit utility-scale renewable energy projects while setting best management practices to avoid, minimize, and mitigate wildlife and land impacts.
- **Indiana S.B. 411 (enacted 2022): Establishes voluntary default standards for siting wind power projects and commercial solar projects. If a community adopts the default standards or standards less restrictive than the default standards, communities are designated as a solar or wind ready community to make clear which communities are ready for renewables.
Creating Standards & Authority for Streamlining Clean Energy Siting and Permitting:
- Minnesota S.F. 4942 (enacted 2024): Streamlines the energy permitting process by creating two separate review processes: a standard review for smaller wind and solar projects and power lines and a more intensive review for larger projects.
- **Washington H.B.1216/S.B.5380 (enacted 2023): Streamlines permitting by establishing the Interagency Clean Energy Siting Coordinating Council, expediting environmental reviews by amending the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and establishing a new program for the designation of Clean Energy Projects of Statewide Significance (CEPSS).
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