SEEC Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chairs Sean Casten and Mike Levin Introduce a House Democratic Consensus Permitting and Transmission Bill
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Clean Energy Deployment Task Force, Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06) and Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced the Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration (CETA) Act, legislation that comprehensively addresses the primary permitting and transmission issues that are holding back the American clean energy transition.
“When Congressman Mike Levin and I started our work on the Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act, we did so with two goals in mind," said SEEC Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06). "First, to address the primary issues holding back our clean energy transition. Second, to craft a bill that may serve as the consensus transmission and permitting reform bill of the House Democratic Caucus. We are incredibly proud to introduce a bill that paves the way for more electricity transmission buildout and has the support of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the New Democrat Coalition, and co-sponsors from across the Democratic Party.”
“Last Congress, Democrats made the single largest investment in climate action in U.S. history. Now, we must unlock its full potential by addressing the transmission permitting issues that are preventing us from bringing clean energy from where it’s generated to American households,” said SEEC Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49). “Our Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act will support the responsible buildout of transmission and renewables, while strengthening environmental protections and bringing impacted communities to the decision-making table. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make these necessary investments to improve the resilience of our grid and ensure all Americans have access to clean, affordable energy.”
"The Congressional Progressive Caucus is proud to endorse the Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act," said Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07). "Progressives are climate champions and have worked tirelessly to increase American renewable energy capacity so we can transition away from the fossil fuels and the disastrous carbon emissions they release. The CETA Act continues the critical work of the Inflation Reduction Act to build our clean energy infrastructure and make that technology available while addressing the high cost of living that is burdening working families across the country. Reducing our dependence on planet-warming fossil fuels, bringing down energy costs for our communities, and increasing power resilience and reliability during extreme weather — it's a win for families, for our economy, and our planet."
“New Dems are laser-focused on accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy, and New Dem Rep. Casten’s Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act will help us achieve that goal,” said New Democrat Coalition Chair Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02). “This comprehensive transmission reform package will tackle the climate crisis by removing barriers to clean energy deployment and reducing energy costs for Americans. It’s time Congress acts on this essential legislation—we have no time to waste.”
“Decades of fossil fuel pollution and the worsening climate crisis demand a cleaner, safer, and more just energy future,” said Ranking Member of House Natural Resources Committee Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07). “The Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act (CETA), coupled with last year’s historic clean energy investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, is an answer to that call. CETA will help us build out the infrastructure we need to put clean energy in American families’ homes quickly, while also making sure impacted communities are brought into the process early and meaningfully. After all, we know that community engagement and tribal consultation result in more efficient, more effective, and most importantly, more equitable and just energy projects. I want to thank Congressmen Casten and Levin for their collaborative efforts in crafting this legislation and ensuring that it includes the invaluable input from environmental justice communities we have worked so hard to achieve. I look forward to upholding the inclusive, community-led process we’ve fought for and continuing to engage with frontline communities in that spirit as this legislation moves forward.”
The bill is endorsed by SEEC, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition. Reps. Casten and Levin introduced the bill along with 74 of their House Democratic colleagues as cosponsors.
The full list of original cosponsors can be found here.
View statements of support for the legislation here.
Background
The Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration (CETA) Act is a comprehensive approach to addressing the primary permitting issues holding back the clean energy transition. The biggest challenge facing the United States’ ability to meet its climate goals is the lack of capacity of our electrical grid to connect clean energy generation to the new demand that comes with economy-wide electrification. In addition to tackling the climate crisis by unlocking the full potential of renewable energy, CETA will reduce energy costs by enabling the cleanest, least-expensive forms of energy – renewables – to connect to the grid.
CETA aims to inclusively and efficiently support the buildout of transmission lines to transport the electricity from its generation source to the homes of the American people. CETA will also increase the grid’s reliability and resilience in the face of increasing extreme weather events. CETA also promotes the development of renewable energy on public lands and oceans in a responsible, equitable, and efficient manner, further reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Additionally, the rapid buildout of the clean energy economy necessitates more robust community engagement to ensure all voices are heard and disadvantaged communities are not disproportionately impacted. Community engagement is important to address potential concerns early and head off issues that may otherwise lead to time-consuming lawsuits. CETA tackles this by expanding the role for disadvantaged communities to be meaningfully consulted as part of the permitting process.
In brief, CETA would:
- Amend the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Regulatory Commission to issue new rules on improving interregional planning, siting, and deployment of transmission.
- Provide a 30% transmission investment tax credit.
- Incentivize development of renewable energy on priority areas within our public lands.
- Reform the Outer Continental Shelf Lands to encourage offshore wind deployment.
- Expand meaningful consultation with disadvantaged groups and communities in the permitting process.
The text of the bill can be found here.
A section-by-section description of the bill can be found here.
A one-pager on the bill can be found here.
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