Kudos to Tom Mikulka for his letter on Maine’s effort to transition to solar and wind​ (“Maine needs to transition to clean electrical energy,” Aug. 8). Both technologies have proven themselves cheaper than fossil fuels, and with increasing amounts of battery storage, are already diversifying our energy supply. Yet President Trump’s funding cuts and bureaucratic delay tactics are, for now, posing a needless obstacle.

Getting more clean energy to market faster is the other challenge, but one Republicans and Democrats together should work to solve. The obvious need to rapidly increase our electricity supply is clear. But our cumbersome energy ​​permitting process, hampered by duplication of effort and a lack of clear leadership, is causing unnecessary and unacceptable delay.

Ninety-five percent of new energy projects currently awaiting permits are for clean energy, like solar, wind and battery storage. By reforming the permitting process, updating and expanding transmission lines and building clean energy projects faster, Congress could achieve about half of the climate pollution cuts that the​ kneecapped IRA law would have made possible. That’s a lot better than nothing, and of course must be done right, with local communities getting upfront input.

There are signs of bipartisan support for a permitting reform bill that could be introduced in the 2025-2026 congressional session, a bill that could improve our electricity grid, reduce our emissions and reduce the size of our future energy bills.

Let Sens. Collins and King know we expect them to lead on this opportunity, and our House members too.

Sam Saltonstall
Brunswick