California’s Revamped Permitting Process For ‘Green’ Projects Stuck In Red Tape
And local opposition is preventing solar and wind proposals from gaining a foothold.
by Joel B. Pollak August 20, 2025, 1:00 PM
California is struggling to approve permits even for “green” projects like solar and wind energy — and even under a formally “streamlined” process that was meant to accelerate projects that help fight climate change. [emphasis, links added]
Politico reports that California’s new process under a 2022 law, which was meant to limit permitting to 270 days, has been completely ineffective, as local opposition is still able to delay “green” projects for many years.
Politico reported Sunday:
A wind power farm in the mountains of far-Northern California was the first through the door of a new permit streamlining program that came with a lofty promise to renewable energy developers: Once a permit application was complete, the California Energy Commission would make a final ruling on the project within 270 days.
It’s been more than 650 days since Fountain Wind completed its application. But the agency still hasn’t made a final ruling, after fierce local opposition successfully derailed the permit review.
https://climatechangedispatch.com/california-permitting-green-projects-red-tape/
