With a new administration prioritizing U.S. infrastructure, economic resilience, and national security, SAFE’s Center for Grid Security has released a series of fact sheets underscoring how permitting reform is critical for modernizing the U.S. power grid.
Current permitting processes delay essential energy infrastructure, compromising national defense, economic stability, and America’s competitive edge—essential projects may take 10-20 years to build. Reforming these processes could streamline approvals, enabling timely modernization of our grid to meet national security needs and secure U.S. military readiness. SAFE and its ESLC leaders stressed the urgency and importance of this issue in a November letter to Capitol Hill: developing urgently needed permitting reform legislation means immediate progress towards a stronger and modernized energy system.
Fact Sheet 1: Securing Our Future: The National Security Imperative of Permitting Reform
As the administration looks to strengthen U.S. military capabilities, reliable and resilient power is essential. U.S. military operations increasingly rely on the power grid, and permitting reform offers an opportunity to bolster grid reliability, reduce risks, and ensure the security of military installations.
Key takeaways:
- Interregional transmission planning—currently the biggest hurdle to grid modernization—should be prioritized, securing power for critical defense needs.
- The grid’s vulnerabilities impact our economy, especially for high-tech industries like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Permitting reform legislation could help attract and retain these defense-critical industries in the U.S.
- A stronger grid through permitting reform reduces U.S. reliance on adversarial supply chains, safeguarding military bases and other sensitive installations.
Fact Sheet 2: The Impact of Inaction: What Happens to National Defense in a World Without Permitting Reform
The current permitting process drains defense resources, affecting readiness and leaving the U.S. susceptible to adversaries’ advancements. Permitting reform could alleviate budget pressures and allow our military to focus resources where they matter most.
Key takeaways:
- Power reliability underpins military operations; grid failures reduce readiness and require costly backup solutions.
- The Department of Defense faces rising costs due to grid vulnerabilities, siphoning funds from critical defense initiatives.
- Inaction on permitting reform leaves the U.S. vulnerable to global competition as other nations, including China, have been investing in resilient grids to secure strategic advantages.
Fact Sheet 3: The Solution to the Strain: The Effects of Outages on National Guard Operations and How Permitting Reform Can Help
The National Guard’s resources are increasingly stretched due to grid-related emergencies. Modernizing the permitting process would strengthen resilience and reduce the Guard’s response burden, enhancing domestic security.
Key takeaways:
- Current grid issues frequently require National Guard intervention, affecting military readiness and response capabilities.
- Severe, long-term outages would place significant demands on National Guard resources, risking civilian aid and national defense shortages.
- A streamlined permitting process could empower the National Guard to focus on core missions, from disaster response to homeland defense.
Fact Sheet 4: Defeating Disruptions: How Permitting Reform Would Increase Grid Resilience to Protect Military Installations from Power Loss
Permitting reform can support the administration’s commitment to national resilience, enabling a power grid that can withstand severe weather events and sustain vital military and economic functions.
Key takeaways:
- Storm-related outages compromise mission-critical operations on U.S. military bases. A streamlined permitting process could expedite projects to build a robust, interconnected grid capable of minimizing disruptions.
- A resilient grid is essential for economic stability, reducing the high costs associated with prolonged power outages.
- An interconnected, agile grid infrastructure would enhance military preparedness and contribute to long-term national security.
Action for the New Administration
As this administration sets its vision for a resilient, secure, and competitive America, permitting reform must be a top priority. SAFE’s fact sheets highlight why streamlining energy infrastructure is essential not just for the grid but for America’s defense, economic stability, and position in global leadership.
