Right now, there are at least 2,000 gigawatts of renewable energy waiting for permission to connect to power lines in the United States, which is more than the total capacity of the country’s existing power plants. Wait times to connect new power plants to the grid can reach five years or more. Without rapidly improving transmission, the United States will not be able to achieve Biden's goal of 100% clean energy by 2035 or provide cheaper, more reliable electricity to American households. If the United States can’t build new transmission at a faster pace, roughly 80 percent of the emissions reductions expected from the Inflation Reduction Act–the largest climate legislation in U.S. history–might not happen.

That’s why Congress needs to pass legislation significantly expanding transmission for clean energy.

Multiple efforts are currently in play. Last fall, Senator John Hickenlooper and Representative Scott Peters proposed the BIG WIRES Act, which would update and streamline the country’s patchwork energy transmission system. Also last year, Senator Martin Heinrich introduced the Facilitating America's Siting of Transmission and Electric Reliability (FASTER) Act, which addresses key obstacles slowing down the siting, planning, and permitting process. Most recently in the House, Representatives Sean Casten and Mike Levin introduced the Clean Energy and Transmission Electricity Act, which would encourage the development of new transmission lines to carry renewable power where it’s needed while protecting the rights of communities to provide input on where lines are built and to benefit from their construction.

Yet none of these bills have passed.

Increasing access to clean energy will help tackle the climate crisis by ensuring the reliability of the grid and reducing consumers' bills. Renewable energies like wind and solar are quickly becoming the least expensive source of energy and we need to make sure as many people as possible get access to these clean, abundant energy sources.

We must keep the pressure on to make sure Congress hears loud and clear: We want more clean energy now! Pass a GOOD transmission bill that prioritizes clean energy, climate change, and environmental justice.

Sign the petition to Congress: Pass legislation to expand clean energy transmission!