Oregon’s electricity demand is rapidly increasing, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. New technologies like artificial intelligence and electric vehicles are driving up electricity consumption, while households are seeing costs rise.

To sustain job creation, attract investment and address the cost of living, our power grid must be able to meet the growing demand. Congress needs to make it easier to build reliable electricity generation and transmission infrastructure, which are needed to support our local economy and reduce energy costs.

Permitting reform can reduce unnecessary delays, strengthen our grid, lower energy costs and help the United States maintain its energy dominance and technological leadership.

Oregonians shouldn’t have to endure years of delays for critical infrastructure projects due to a cumbersome and confusing federal permitting process. Right now, the need for permitting reform is one of the few things for which there is bipartisan agreement.

In the U.S. Senate, members from both parties are actively working on creating a comprehensive permitting reform bill, and there is hope that it will be completed this year. I hope Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley will collaborate across the aisle to secure a permitting reform package that is predictable, efficient, and allows responsible projects to be completed promptly.

Richard Barnhart
Eugene