WASHINGTON – The United States set an ambitious goal to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035, but a recent analysis by USA TODAY has revealed that this goal may be increasingly difficult to reach. More and more local governments are banning green power at a faster rate than they are building it, posing a significant challenge to the country’s clean energy aspirations.
According to the analysis, at least 15% of counties in the US have effectively halted new utility-scale wind, solar, or both, representing a substantial impediment to the expansion of clean energy infrastructure. These bans and other conditions make it difficult for green energy projects to move forward, with opposition coming from various groups and resulting in a rapid increase in limitations on clean energy development.
The opposition to renewable energy is not divided along partisan lines, with a range of objections coming from different sections of society. However, the overall result is a growing number of restrictions on clean energy initiatives, making it increasingly challenging to fulfill the clean energy target. Despite a significant increase in renewable energy construction across the country, projections from the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicate that the mix of energy sources is not on track to meet the specified goals.
The analysis also shows that counties blocking solar power are nearly equal to those adding it, further highlighting the challenges in expanding clean energy infrastructure. Additionally, while some areas in the US possess great wind and solar energy potential, local restrictions often hinder the development of utility-scale solar and wind plants in areas with high energy generation capacity.
Furthermore, the analysis reveals that some counties have imposed restrictive sound limits and zoning requirements that serve as significant impediments to wind and solar power installations. These restrictions not only limit the land available for turbines and solar panels but also make it more expensive to develop renewable energy projects.
Despite these challenges, experts believe that the US can still achieve its goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035. However, the bans and impediments are a growing concern, as they will likely lead to the need to move projects to less ideal locations, making it more expensive to reach the clean energy target.
In conclusion, while there are states embracing wind and solar energy, others are placing bans on new projects. The rising costs and challenges in developing clean energy infrastructure pose significant obstacles to the US’s clean energy goals. Nevertheless, it is essential to address these impediments and work towards a smoother transition to a sustainable energy future.
Veronica Bravo, Josh Susong, Javier Zarracina, and Shawn J. Sullivan contributed to this report. This story was produced with the support of the McGraw Center for Business Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York.