Multiple energy reports all underscore the same finding: The U.S. is going to need more affordable electric power to supply data centers, manufacturing and homes around the country. A lot more of it.
Our country’s vast supplies of wind and solar resources are ready to be tapped to support that demand – from vast windy plains in the Midwest to sun-soaked areas in the Southwest. And these clean energy sources paired with battery storage are cost-effective too. Electricity from wind and solar costs less than electricity from gas and coal. But too often, wind and solar projects get delayed by complex permitting processes that take around four to eight years to complete. Those slow timelines cannot keep pace with America’s growing electricity demands.
The Energy Co-Location Act, introduced by U.S. Senators John Curtis and John Hickenlooper, offers a bright spot for bipartisan energy progress. The bill will bring more reliable and affordable power on the grid faster, by unlocking the potential for renewable energy on federal lands already used for energy purposes.
Here’s what you need to know.