Peter Dugas is the Maine state coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization that empowers everyday people to work together on climate policy. Jeff Marks is the executive director of ClimateWork Maine, a Maine business association focused on meeting the challenges of climate change and building a sustainable economy for the future.
In its waning days and against all odds, this Congress is about to consider legislation that would significantly reduce emissions, accelerate a transition to clean renewable energy, and lower energy costs for Maine and the nation. Our bipartisan Maine delegation, long champions for climate action and stabilizing prices, should not let this opportunity pass.
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is a comprehensive package of permitting reforms. The Senate bill advances climate goals and supports clean energy while maintaining important environmental safeguards.
The Senate is set to take up the bill this month, and we hope to see Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins support it with a “yes” vote along with Rep. Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden when it reaches the House.
This bill is important to Maine citizens and businesses because it would insert certainty and consistency into strong transmission provisions that can help unlock the enormous amount of clean energy waiting to connect to the grid.
And there’s lots of clean energy waiting to come online. About 90% of projects stuck in permitting queues are clean energy projects. Reforming the process will help America build and connect clean energy much faster while preserving important environmental safeguards.
More abundant, affordable electricity will help lower energy costs for households and businesses. According to analysis by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, connecting more clean energy could reduce Americans’ electricity bills by $19 billion by 2040.
Maine needs these changes. Maine has long bemoaned the “giant sucking sound”of billions of dollars annually leaving our state to pay for imported oil and gas. Permitting reform legislation could help alleviate our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels, keeping crucial revenue in our local economy while mitigating the climate change pollution that threatens Maine’s heritage industries like fishing, forestry and winter recreation.
Modeling from the well respected and non-partisan Resources for the Future shows that this legislation could save consumers up to 7% in electricity costs annually compared to no reforms, saving more than $350 billion through 2050 and providing much-needed relief for working families struggling to pay for energy costs.
Simply put, the status quo isn’t working. It’s not working for the climate, which is changing rapidly. It’s not working for America’s transition to clean energy, which is going much too slowly. And it’s not working for American families, who are struggling with rising electricity costs.
We need Congress to act, and passing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is the right next step.
