California is facing major roadblocks in approving solar and wind projects, even under a 2022 law designed to speed up the process. The measure promised developers faster approvals within 270 days, but in practice, renewable projects remain bogged down by bureaucracy and local opposition.
According to Politico, the first project to apply under the new program—a proposed wind farm in Northern California’s mountains—has been waiting more than 650 days since filing its application. Despite the law’s time limit, the California Energy Commission has yet to make a final ruling, largely due to opposition from local activists who derailed the review process.
The failure of the streamlined system highlights a broader problem in California’s governance. While state leaders regularly tout ambitious climate goals, permitting delays continue to stall development. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has pointed to his overall renewable energy record but has not explained the lack of progress on specific stalled projects.
Earlier this year, progressive writer Ezra Klein criticized the inefficiency of Democrat-led states in his book Abundance. He noted that layers of bureaucracy, coupled with ideological commitments to diversity and regulatory oversight, often undermine liberal priorities. Projects meant to advance climate action, he argued, get trapped in the very red tape created by those who claim to champion them.
This reflects a deeper issue within modern progressive governance. Rather than focusing on practical solutions, California’s leadership frequently leans on lofty promises of a utopian future. In reality, the state’s complex permitting structure leaves critical projects delayed for years, frustrating developers and slowing energy expansion.
With renewable energy central to California’s climate agenda, continued permitting failures risk undercutting the very goals Democrats claim to support.
