Politicians and bureaucrats are sometime fonder of putting up roadblocks than clearing a path for growth. That appears to have been the case in recent years when it comes to expanding Ohio’s energy portfolio.

But PJM Interconnection says Ohio and many of the other states it serves are now reviewing applications to build and connect new sources of power. Credit is given not only to reforms at PJM but also reforms in state-level permitting and regulatory processes.

“As the numbers document, PJM’s interconnection process is not standing in the way of generation development, and the focus should be on clearing real hurdles to construction, as some states have done with permitting time lines,” PJM’s Vice President of Planning Jason Connell wrote, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.

Changes at PJM and in some states came too late for many, as 74% of the projects that were in the PJM’s queue before it was paused in 2022 have since been withdrawn.

“Companies might have gone out of business waiting. And then the whole world changed, the inflation, supply chains, COVID, you know? said Jon Gordon, senior director at renewable energy industry group Advanced Energy United.

It is likely some states’ hostility toward renewable projects was a factor, too.

But with PJM forecasting electricity use will grow by nearly 70% over the next 20 years, there’s no longer room for outdated politics to affect decision-making that is forced by our addiction to technology and the facilities that support it. An all-of-the-above approach truly is necessary.

As PJM revives its review process and states continue to work on permitting and regulatory reforms, no one can afford to cling to traditional power generation.

“We are encouraged by the diversity of generation types that are seeking to join the PJM generation fleet,” said PJM CEO David Mills, according to the Capital Journal. “That includes first-time innovative technologies such as small nuclear reactors and fusion, more storage projects than any other technology, a resurgence in natural gas and continued strong participation by renewables and hybrids. This is good news because we need all the generation we can get.”