Permitting reform is the climate moonshot we need

We need that mindset again. Today, our version of the moonshot is the transition to clean energy. But we are not moving fast enough, and one of the biggest obstacles in our way is outdated permitting.

Right now, projects to build solar and wind farms, battery storage systems and transmission lines are being slowed or stopped by layers of red tape. These projects face long delays not because of bad intentions, but because our regulatory systems were not designed to handle the scale or speed of the energy transformation now required.

Permitting reform may not sound dramatic, but it is the linchpin of climate progress. We cannot meet our climate goals while treating every clean energy project like a zoning fight or a nuisance complaint. This is a global emergency, and our permitting system needs to reflect that urgency. Reforming it means modernizing environmental review processes so we can build clean infrastructure faster, while still protecting the public interest and natural ecosystems.

So what can be done?

At the federal level, Congress needs to pass legislation that removes key bottlenecks. The BIG WIRES Act, for example, would require better planning and coordination between regional electrical grids so that renewable energy can reach the areas that need it. Right now, many solar and wind projects are approved on paper but cannot deliver power to consumers because of a lack of transmission capacity.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 included some limited permitting changes, such as time limits for environmental reviews. But that was only a start. We need stronger reforms that establish clear timelines, reduce duplication between agencies and ensure clean energy projects are not stuck in legal limbo for years.

At the state level, California has made progress by streamlining approval processes for large-scale clean energy projects. But delays still happen, often because state and local agencies operate on different timelines or lack coordination. The state should continue to align permitting with its ambitious climate goals, including for transmission corridors and energy storage projects that are essential to grid reliability.

At the local level, cities and counties can take steps to speed up permitting for rooftop solar, home electrification and community-scale clean energy. They can adopt uniform building codes, invest in staff training and ensure public hearings are inclusive and efficient. Local voices matter not just in opposition, but in support. Showing up to say “yes” to climate-friendly projects is a form of advocacy too.

This also means that individuals have a role to play. People often ask what they can do to fight climate change. Beyond changing personal habits, one of the most powerful things you can do is speak up for systems-level solutions. Contact your elected representatives and tell them you support permitting reform that accelerates clean energy. Write letters to the editor. Attend town halls. Support organizations that train citizens to lobby for climate policy. You do not need to be an expert to be effective. You just need to show up.

Here in San Mateo County, we are already seeing the effects of climate change, from wildfire smoke and extreme heat to rising sea levels. We also have enormous potential to lead in electrification and clean energy. But unless we modernize our permitting systems, we risk letting bureaucracy stall the progress we desperately need. The longer we wait, the harder and more expensive the transition will become.

We got to the moon because we focused our attention, mobilized resources and refused to let process overwhelm purpose. Climate change demands the same kind of resolve. We cannot afford to let clean energy wait in line behind systems built for another century.

This is the moment to act. Let’s treat it like one.

Joel McKinnon is an accessibility specialist and climate activist with Citizens’ Climate Lobby. He lives in Montara.