If we’re streamlining infrastructure, speed clean energy projects

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Streamlining projects

Same goes for clean energy

I read with interest the recent commentary by Megan McArdle, “Why we don’t build things faster, cheaper.” The article focused on the original construction of the Hoover Dam, with emphasis on how simple it was to make it happen; fast and cheap compared to what it now takes to create such large public-impacting construction projects. As a member of the Snohomish Chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby, the story immediately brought to my mind one of CCL’s current policy issues, permitting reform, as relates to the need to develop renewable energy sources to help address global warming and climate change.

As a prime example of how complex the process is to acquire permits to build such sources, I point to the current effort to build the Horse Heaven wind farm project. I would suggest that a review of this effort at the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council’s website would show just how complex, difficult and time consuming it can be to put such a project into place, given the opportunities for public input, challenges to the project and the resulting adjudication required to address the challenges.

Given the need for addressing our global warming and climate change issues, sooner rather than later, I find it difficult to see how we are going to be able to meet the timelines that our scientists say must be met in order to reduce our carbon input before we end up extinct-ing ourselves. This interim period between state legislative sessions might be the time to check in with our respective legislators and express our concerns about our ability to actually put the projects needed and in place in time to actually make the difference in carbon reduction needed to make a difference in our survival, for ourselves and future generations.

Jim Bloss

Monroe