In the ongoing battle to modernize the electrical grid and transition to clean energy sources, Democrats are shifting towards embracing large-scale transmission projects as a key solution. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico is touting the completion of the SunZia project, a 550-mile wind and transmission project, as a major achievement and a game-changer for the country’s clean energy future. This shift represents a departure from previous environmental efforts that often sought to halt large infrastructure projects.
As extreme weather events and rising electricity demand put pressure on the aging grid, the need for expanded transmission infrastructure has become increasingly apparent. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar offer a cheap and efficient way to generate electricity without further contributing to climate change, but their success hinges on the development of new transmission lines to connect these remote sources to population centers.
Support for transmission projects is gaining momentum in Washington, with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission implementing new rules to address long-term grid needs and legislative proposals aimed at streamlining permitting processes for such projects. Despite opposition from some environmental groups, Democrats are increasingly backing the expansion of the grid as a necessary step towards achieving a clean energy future.
The recognition of the critical role that transmission infrastructure plays in supporting clean energy development represents a significant shift in energy policy. With more policymakers and the public becoming aware of the need for expanded infrastructure to meet growing energy demand, there is a growing consensus that transmission projects are vital to the success of a clean energy transition.
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