Study: Restricting U.S. wind and solar permitting could cost $121 billion in unnecessary energy costs
By
Ryan Kennedy
Summary
A new study from NERA Economic Consulting warns that regulatory or permitting restrictions on new utility-scale solar and wind projects in the U.S. would distort power markets, force over-reliance on volatile natural gas, and drive up utility bills. The macroeconomic modeling study estimates such constraints could trigger $121 billion in unnecessary energy costs for households and industrial buyers, while undermining grid function and penalizing ratepayers.
Source
Key quotes
· 2 pulledA structural restriction on permitting new solar and wind energy resources will directly penalize U.S. ratepayers and undermine grid function.
Placing regulatory or permitting restrictions on new utility-scale solar and wind projects will distort power markets, forcing a heavy over-reliance on a volatile natural gas supply chain and driving up utility bills for both households and industrial buyers across the United States.
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