
What a Permitting Reform Deal Could Look Like
About this episode
There’s really one one good thing that could happen this year in Congress for clean energy: permitting reform. If lawmakers reached a bipartisan deal on the country’s permitting system, they could make it easier to build solar, wind, and transmission lines — as well as every other kind of infrastructure.
But will it happen? What are the obstacles to a deal? What would be in a deal? On this episode of Shift Key, Rob is joined by Daniel Palken, the director of infrastructure for energy and permitting at Arnold Ventures. They discuss the recent history of permitting reform, the policies that would probably make up a deal, and why it might be now or never for reforming the permitting system.
Shift Key is hosted by Robinson Meyer, the founding executive editor of Heatmap News.
Subscribe to “Shift Key” and find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can also add the show’s RSS feed to your podcast app to follow us directly.
You can find a full transcript of the episode here.
Mentioned:
The FREEDOM Act, which would limit the president’s ability to yank permits
Rob’s SunZia story: The Long, Strange Success Story of America’s Biggest Clean Energy Project
Why the National Historic Preservation Act falls harder on transmission projects than pipelines
Previously on Heatmap: What Is Permitting Reform? Here’s a Cheat Sheet.
--
This episode of Shift Key is sponsored by ...
Tandem PV is the leader in perovskite solar technology. We’re building the most efficient and durable perovskite solar panels on the market at our factory in Freemont, California. Learn how we're restoring U.S. leadership for the next era of solar manufacturing at tandempv.com.
Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get every episode summarized
Each time Shift Key with Robinson Meyer publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Shift Key with Robinson Meyer

Shift Key Classic: What Is a Watt?
Shift Key with Robinson Meyer

How to Understand America’s Gigantic Natural Gas Buildout
Shift Key with Robinson Meyer

Trump’s Clean Energy Repeal Was Even More Costly Than We Thought
Shift Key with Robinson Meyer

Who Pays for Wildfire Prevention? If You’re in California, You Do — in Your Powe...
Shift Key with Robinson Meyer