Our Permitting Process is Bananas

our permitting process is bananas

Growing up fishing with my dad off Georgia’s coast, I learned a cardinal rule of boating: never bring a banana.

This might be a harmless myth, but when it comes to permitting, BANANAs aren’t just bad luck; they’re poison pills.

The “Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything (BANANA)” philosophy that plagues our permitting system is delaying clean energy projects for years.

Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 have recently come online in my home state of Georgia, marking the largest emissions-free energy source in the country and powering 1 million homes.

Despite growing bipartisan support for nuclear energy projects, due to the reliable, renewable, and base load energy they provide, regulations are standing in the way.

It takes 6.7 years on average to approve a reactor license, and an additional 9 years to build the plant.

Even after a project gets its permits, small issues such as vibrations in Plant Vogtle 3 that required a pipe brace can cost as much as $1 million per day and take a month or more for approvals.

That’s on top of frivolous NEPA lawsuits filed to block clean energy projects, costing taxpayers millions of dollars per year.

Imagine if you had to wait 30 days for approval from the DMV to put new tires on your car, only to wait an additional year while it was litigated in court.

That’s the type of insanity we force builders to go through every day.

Earlier this year, the ADVANCE Act was signed into law, marking a bipartisan achievement for nuclear energy permitting reform.

This is a step in the right direction; however, these issues are not unique to nuclear.

According to the American Clean Power Association, likely bureaucratic delays on 100 gigawatts of new domestic clean energy projects will result in an additional 500 million metric tons of carbon emissions over the next ten years.

This should make the Biden-Harris administration furious, as it directly threatens the lofty goals it laid out as part of the so-called Inflation “Reduction” Act.

To build a reliable and affordable clean energy economy, we must first be able to build.

China is beating us in both manufacturing and critical materials production because the United States’ permitting landscape makes it one of the most expensive places in the world to build new infrastructure, no matter how widespread the support or positive the impact.

That’s why the Senate must act on the House-passed comprehensive permitting reform bill, H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.

This bill includes permitting reforms in all industries, allowing for increased energy production, streamlined energy infrastructure and exports, and boosted production and processing of critical materials.

Say it with me, “this system is bananas:” B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

Buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing National Clean Energy week, and our district's leadership in clean energy.

From our nation's capitol cdlxxvii

Monday, September 23, 2024: This past weekend, our office welcomed my good friend, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) to the district. Jim is Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and has served the people of the 4^th district of Ohio since 2007. On Sunday morning, I traveled over to the Jekyll Island Convention Center where I spoke to the Academy of Independent Pharmacists (AIP), a division of the Georgia Pharmacy Association that represents independent pharmacists throughout the state. I’m up early this morning and on a flight to Washington, D.C. where, once back in our office, I have a call with a member from Oklahoma who is interested in serving on the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee next session. Next, I have a virtual interview with WTOC-TV in Savannah to discuss former President Donald Trump’s visit to the district tomorrow before heading to the Cannon Caucus Room where I speak to the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC) and bring them up to date on health care issues being discussed in Congress. After a meeting off Capitol Hill with my good friend Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) who serves on the E&C committee with us, I head back to our office where I have a series of meetings including with our communications team, scheduling team and legislative team. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on a couple of E&C bills that are being debated including S. 134, the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act, and H.R. 3884, the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention and Treatment Act. Once back in our office, I meet with the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS), an organization that advocates for Impact Aid which replaces revenue lost due to the presence of nontaxable Federal property. In our district this would include Liberty and Long Counties (impacted by Fort Stewart) and Camden County (impacted by Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay). Next, I join in on our weekly E&C Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials (ENV) Subcommittee meeting with staff before heading off Capitol Hill for a meeting with Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA), another colleague on the E&C Committee, followed by a meeting with the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week.

Rep. Carter addresses the Digestive Disease National Coalition

Tuesday, September 24, 2024: I’m up early and live on Fox and Friends First this morning as I discuss former President Donald Trump’s visit to Savannah today. Afterwards, I rush to the airport and grab a flight back to Savannah and, once at the airport, rush to the Johnny Mercer Theater downtown where former President Trump will be holding his rally today. Along with current and former elected officials including Georgia State Representatives Ron Stephens (R-Georgetown) and James Burchett (R-Waycross), former Georgia Senator David Perdue and my House colleague Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), I address the energetic and enthusiastic crowd before the former President takes the stage. Former President Trump is spot on today as he delivers an outstanding message addressing the people’s concerns about bringing down inflation, securing the southern border and making the USA respected on the world stage again. Quite honestly, I’ve never seen him make a better speech as he appeared to being looking every person there straight in the eye. Afterwards, I have interviews with Savannah stations WSAV-TV, WTOC-TV and WJCL-TV before heading back to the airport for my return trip to Washington.

Rep. Carter speaks to Fox News

Wednesday, September 25, 2024: I’m live on Newsmax this morning as I share with them my experiences at former President Trump’s rally yesterday in Savannah before heading off Capitol Hill for a meeting with a group of health care companies. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to a Budget Committee markup where I have a bill, H.R. 9686, the HEALTH Panel Act, that I am sponsoring and that passes. During the markup I step into another room where I have a virtual interview with NewsNation to discuss the rally yesterday and also to meet with the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB), the Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Association and the Georgia Credit Unions. Once back in my office, I meet with the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) including representatives from King & Prince Seafood and Rich-Seapak Products Corporation, both located on St. Simons Island in our district. Afterwards, I head to the House Administration office to meet with staff before heading to the Senate where I speak to the Southwest/South Central Region of the US Chamber of Commerce (COC) to discuss energy issues. Once back in our office, I meet with representatives from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) before heading downtown to meet with the CEO of the Motion Picture Association, Ambassador Charlie Rivkin. While still off Capitol Hill, I speak to the Consumer Technology Association at their EV summit. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading back off Capitol Hill to receive the Friend of the Family Award and later receive the Clean Energy Champions Award.

Rep. Carter receives the Clean Energy Champions Award

Thursday, September 26, 2024: After our weekly GOP Doctor’s caucus meeting, I head to the Longworth House Office Building where, along with my good friend Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), I am on a panel sponsored by the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF) to discuss energy policy. Once back in our office, I meet with staff to prepare for a naloxone roundtable discussion I will be participating in next week before joining in on an all staff conference call. Next, I head downtown to the Canadian Embassy where I meet with Ambassador Kirsten Hillman to discuss my role as Co-Chair of the American Canadian Economy and Security Caucus (ACES). Afterwards, I head to a meeting with my good friend, Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) before heading back to Capitol Hill where I speak to the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) CEOs to discuss health care legislation I am sponsoring. Once back in our office, I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings, Material Minute, and a video for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy before meeting with representatives from General Motors (GM) to discuss EV’s. After meeting with executives from Kraft Heinz to discuss plastic recycling, I head off Capitol Hill for a meeting with a group of medical associations.

Rep. Carter speaks to the Food Marketing Institute CEOs

Friday, September 27, 2024: I spend the morning in touch with local elected officials, emergency management agencies, business owners, and residents across the First District to monitor the effects of Hurricane Helene. Once again, I am very impressed by the sense of community with which the First District confronts this natural disaster and provides assistance to neighbors in need. While not unscathed, we are blessed to have weathered the storm and begin recovery together. I take a brief break for a radio interview with my good friend, Scott Ryfun, with StraighTalk radio as we discuss the storm as well as health care legislation I am sponsoring. Later, I have a phone interview with Capitol Forum to discuss the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) lawsuit against Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and their Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO) regarding insulin pricing.

Hurricane resources

As we begin to recover from Hurricane Helene I wanted to let you know that we are aware of widespread power outages, flooding, and damage across the first district. Please continue to follow local advisories and do not take unnecessary risks as recovery efforts begin.

If you need shelter, a list of open shelters can be found here. In Camden County, the PSA Recreation Center is open. It is located at 1050 Wildcat Dr., Kingsland, GA.

Additional Hurricane Helene resources can be found here. Both our Savannah and Brunswick offices are open if you need assistance; please do not hesitate to reach out.

Savannah office number: 912-352-0101.

Brunswick office number: 912-265-9010

After the Storm Safety Tips

· Watch for crews working across the state. If driving, move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road – it’s the law in Georgia.

· Watch for downed wires. Downed power lines may be hidden by debris or fallen trees.

· Never touch any downed wire or attempt to remove tree branches from power lines – it can kill.

· Don’t step in standing water or saturated ground where downed lines may be present. They could be electrified.

· Avoid chain link fences. They may be electrified by a downed line out of sight and conduct electricity over great distances.

· Protect electronics and appliances. Disconnect or turn off any appliances that will start automatically when power returns to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored.

FEMA Update

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted a major disaster declaration for Georgia counties impacted by Hurricane Debby. This declaration will release federal funding to help the recovery of communities and individuals impacted by the storm.

Federal funding is available for emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support for Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne counties.

Federal funding is also available for emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance for Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties.

To begin the process of obtaining assistance you can apply HERE or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

votes in the house this week

Click here to see this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives.