The testimony includes a Discussion Framework designed to make the process of planning, siting, permitting, and cost allocation for high-impact power lines more efficient, fair, and conducive to increased deployment of clean energy.

This framework proposes creating National Interest Transmission Electric Corridors (NIETC) for high-impact transmission lines, speeding up the permitting process for these lines, and revising the planning and cost allocation process for interregional facilities.

Key Components of the Framework include:

• Designation of High-Impact Facilities in the National Interest: The framework proposes an applicant-driven process where transmission developers can apply to the Department of Energy (DOE) to have their high-impact transmission lines designated as NIETC. The criteria for this designation take into account economic, energy security, national defense, and environmental factors. High-impact lines must have a transmission capacity of not less than 750 megawatts, be capable of transmitting electricity at a voltage of not less than 345 kilovolts, and cross at least two states or one state and the outer continental shelf.
• Expediting Existing Siting & Permitting Authority for High-Impact Facilities in the National Interest: The framework proposes speeding up the permitting process for these high-impact lines. This involves a simultaneous review process by states and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and an improved environmental review process. There’s also a focus on community engagement and potential funding mechanisms to offset the impact on affected communities.
• Fixing the Existing Interregional Planning and Cost Allocation Process: The framework calls for FERC to issue a rulemaking on interregional planning and cost allocation within 180 days and finalize the rule no later than one year. It proposes a formal procedure for the identification and joint evaluation of interregional facilities and sets out planning requirements to ensure consistency, coordination, and accounting for full electricity system benefits. It also proposes a cost allocation methodology that ensures costs are roughly commensurate with overall benefits and no costs are allocated to those who receive no benefits.

In essence, the testimony and the framework argue for a pragmatic, bipartisan approach to improving the regulatory environment to help the U.S. transition to a clean energy future.

In the letter, the organizations stated their support for the critical work being done by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Deployment Office, Loan Programs Office (LPO), and Office of Electricity (OE), writing that new funding for these offices will “drive substantial clean energy deployment, unleash billions in private investment, create thousands of new jobs, deliver low-cost energy to benefit customers, and substantially reduce emissions.”

In the letter, the groups respectfully request that both chambers preserve the House’s language repealing the 10-year moratorium on offshore wind leasing in the final, conferenced version of the Senate’s The United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2022 and the House’s America
COMPETES Act of 2022.

March 23, 2022

The United States is in an unprecedented transition toward a clean energy future. Today, wind and solar energy represents roughly 13% of electricity generation in the U.S.[1] By 2030, the clean energy industry could account for as much as 50% of the electricity produced in the U.S. — creating 500,000 jobs, attracting $700 billion in new investment, and completely reimagining how we generate and deliver power across the United States.[2]

This transformation represents an unparalleled opportunity to create a better future for everyone, offering greater access to clean and affordable energy, as well as economic growth and opportunities for investment and innovation.

Alongside this growth, the clean power industry is deeply committed to honoring its social compact with the country and ensuring that our workers, our communities, and those historically left behind stand to benefit from the increase in clean power in the United States.

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) and its over 700 member companies across wind, solar, and energy storage technologies are committed to being a positive part of an equitable Energy Transition for All.

As individual companies, the industry already has a broad range of programs that are providing economic opportunity to transitioning workers and communities while also increasing participation of diverse and underrepresented communities in our industry.  Still, we see an opportunity and an obligation to scale best practices and drive a multi-year, cross-sector approach to achieve even greater impact.

No single industry can address these issues alone. We need the proactive intervention and engagement of federal and local policy makers, companies, community leaders, and others, to ensure that the benefits of this historical transition are broadly shared across the United States, especially in communities most vulnerable to this change.

Across 2021, ACP commissioned an in-depth study to map the most impactful path forward, involving dozens of interviews with industry executives, program leaders, and external experts. Today, ACP released the Energy Transition for All Framework that contains a series of multi-year initiatives and associated actions on behalf of the clean power sector across the following three pillars:

Pillar #1

Expand opportunity for workers, especially those from transitioning and historically disadvantaged communities.

Pillar #2

Create value for communities through supply chains, targeted investments, and local economic development.

Pillar #3

Lead in diversity and inclusion, striving towards a workforce and leadership teams that are representative of the communities we operate in.

As we work to achieve these objectives, we will start a process to develop clear targets, monitor our focus, and report on our progress. We will also partner with local and national organizations providing expertise, implementation support, perspectives, and networks that can help us support an energy transition for all.

This is a unique moment in time, and we have a chance to build a 21^st century energy system that works for everyone. There is no silver bullet or single solution. It will take coordination from policymakers, community leaders, and industry to ensure the transition is equitable and everyone shares in the economic growth and opportunity. As an industry, we are dedicated to playing our part in creating a better future for everyone and an Energy Transition for All.

The American Clean Power Association and its Board of Directors look forward to working with the entire clean power sector to advance meaningful programs across the coming years.

On behalf the American Clean Power Association and members of its Board of Directors,

AES Clean Energy

Ameresco

American Electric Power

Apex Clean Energy

Avangrid

Berkshire Hathaway Energy

Blattner Energy

bp

Clearway Energy Group

ConnectGen

Cypress Creek Renewables

Dominion Energy

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions

EDF Renewables

EDP Renewables North America

Enel Green Power

ENGIE North America

Equinor Wind US

Fluence

Form Energy

GE Renewable Energy

General Motors

Hannon Armstrong

Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives

Intersect Power

Invenergy

ITC Holdings

Mortenson

Nextracker

NORD/LB

Ørsted

Pattern Energy Group

Recurrent Energy

RWE Renewables

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy

Southern Power

TPI Composites

Vestas North America

Wanzek Construction

WECS Renewables

Xcel Energy

[1] Electricity generation, capacity, and sales in the United States – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

[2] American Clean Power Association Clean Energy Labor Supply report