CEQ Codifies Solar Permitting Reforms, Creating a Win-Win for Clean Energy and the Environment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released final rules making important amendments to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and implementing the 2023 Financial Responsibility Act. Over the last three years the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) submitted numerous comments to CEQ on the reforms needed to improve the permitting process for renewable energy projects on public lands.
Department of Energy Makes Moves to Lead Reviews for Transmission Infrastructure Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the U.S. Department of Energy issued a new rule that would simplify and speed up the permitting review process for certain federal transmission projects.
200 Clean Energy Companies Urge Congress to Pass Siting, Permitting, and Transmission Reform Before 2024 Election
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today nearly 200 solar and storage companies sent a letter to congressional leaders calling for legislation to improve permitting, project siting, transmission, and public lands access for solar and solar plus storage projects.
Final Rules Implement SEIA’s Solutions to Lower Fees and Streamline Renewable Energy Development on Public Lands
Today the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published final rules to govern leasing and rental rates for renewable energy projects on public lands. The final rules closely follow recommendations from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to streamline clean energy development on federal lands.
FERC Affirms Decision to Hold Utilities Accountable for Interconnection Delays
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) affirmed its determination on key provisions in Order No. 2023, its landmark interconnection ruling. In July 2023, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) supported FERC’s proposed interconnection reforms and praised the commission for its efforts to promote accountability and penalize utilities and transmission owners that fail to respond to interconnection requests in a timely manner.
DC Circuit Court Sides with Solar and Storage Industry and Sends Southeast Energy Exchange Market Case Back to FERC
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reconsider its Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM).
Proposed BLM Rules Reduce Fees, Speed Deployment for Renewable Energy Projects on Public Lands
WASHINGTON, DC — This week, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) formally published new proposed rules governing leasing and rental rates for renewable energy projects on public lands. The new leasing rules adopt many of the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA’s) suggestions and will help to speed renewable energy deployment on public lands and put BLM’s renewable energy goals in reach.
Solar and Storage Industry Reacts to EPA Guidance on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund in the Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided initial details on a new program in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) called the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) in reaction to the new guidance:
Earthjustice and SEIA Challenge Grid Operator Rules that Restrict Renewable Energy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Earthjustice filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on behalf of Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) challenging a rule that prohibits renewables from providing ancillary services. Ancillary services help grid operators maintain a reliable electricity system, balance supply and demand, ensure reliability during extreme weather events, and help the system recover after a power system outage.
Solar and Storage Industry Reacts to New Greenhouse Gas Guidance from White House Council on Environmental Quality
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Statement by SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper on the action today by the White House Council on Environmental Quality to issue guidance for agencies assessing greenhouse gas impacts in National Environmental Policy Act reviews.