The IRA is 1 year old. Folks are rightfully worried — how to build new renewables projects fast enough to fend off climate crisis? Some politicos say: Deregulation! Cut the red tape! But calls for “permitting reform” are a neoliberal answer at best + could boost fossil fuels.

The alluring draw of "permitting reform" as the answer to our "speed" question is that it feels straightforward & simple. The claim is that by eliminating pesky review processes, we’ll see an explosion of new projects. Boom. Done. Let green capitalism thrive!

But that view is dangerous + misdiagnoses the actual holdups in building out green infrastructure. We can’t afford to fast-track new fossil fuels w/ green energy, + we can’t replace one unequal system w/ another that sends its benefits to the elite while others bear the brunt.

So what is the alternative? How should progressives be answering the speed question?

We argue that we need to invest in coordination and planning. Instead of restraining permitting agencies, let's INVEST in them. Let's do real land use planning for transmission and green energy infrastructure. Let's build public infrastructure where private industry won't go.

We also argue for early community participation and consent in project deployment. The transition to renewables DOES have tradeoffs. If we sweep those under the rug, we do a disservice to the communities that feel the impact. And can create enemies where we could have partners.