Edison Electric Institute president thanks Trump for infrastructure executive order

Edison Electric Institute (EEI) President Tom Kuhn recently issued a statement thanking President Donald Trump for an executive order aimed at streamlining the siting and permitting processes for energy infrastructure.

“EEI and its member companies thank President Trump for taking steps to help improve the siting and permitting processes for energy infrastructure projects,” Kuhn said. “Obtaining permits from federal agencies in a timely manner remains one of the most significant obstacles electric companies face when siting and building the infrastructure that delivers safe, reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy to customers.”

Kuhn noted that the processes for permitting and siting an interstate transmission line takes an average of approximately seven to 10 years. He also highlighted the land-use authorizations and associated environmental reviews required to
permit and site energy infrastructure on federal lands.

President Trump’s executive order sets a goal of a two-year federal government permitting and siting process for energy infrastructure.

“This is a positive step forward that will better enable electric companies to make even more investments in important infrastructure projects that support American jobs and benefit customers,” Kuhn said. “We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress on additional ways to streamline the permitting and siting process to advance energy infrastructure.”